On 16 February, I wrote this post, where I listed the ideal qualities I wanted from my new home. Today, after nearly two months, we signed the lease. I went back to read my post, just to ensure I’d got all that I wanted. (a) Three large rooms, a study and three bathrooms: No study, but … More House finding
If the kid hadn’t been marginally late to get ready in the morning, she wouldn’t have been home when I got the message from her school that their bus had broken down and we’d have to make our own transport arrangements. I was busy hollering at her to rush to the bus stop, when we got … More The luck of small things
It had been five hours and her 20-year-old body ached for being seated in the same position. Their heads bowed, two henna artists held her hands and feet daintily as they went about their jobs, adorning her with the colour of matrimony. The winter Delhi sun tanned her lovingly, and she regretted wearing a red sweater … More Mehendi
We live in an apartment complex with 10 buildings, each seven storeys high. As can be expected, there are plenty of families with dogs, but it is not something I ever paid attention to earlier. I’d stop to pet a dog or two but I never really noticed how many of them were around. All … More Within barking distance
I see You in that dream house I see You in the dried leaves in the balcony I see You in the owner’s good eye that holds my gaze The empty rooms (with large cupboards) waiting for me.
I see You in the large empty house for rent I see You in the shadowy trees I see You in the dark, crowded market roads As we stand by the curb eating Cocoberries. I see You in the busy prefrontal cortex I see You in the thoughts billowing like breeze I see You in the … More Paths 3-5
Someone recently told me, “It’s very brave of you to be able to bring up two daughters single-handedly in a city like Delhi.” But I have never felt ‘single-handed’. I’ve felt overworked, yes, tired, exhausted, worn out and any other synonyms you can come up with. I’ve felt physically incapable of juggling all the ‘work’ … More Not alone
A few days ago, my team of mostly young women and I had a debate in the office about the importance of girlfriends versus romantic partners. I had shared with them a statement a counsellor had once told me: “The day you start talking negative things about your relationship to your friends, the relationship is … More Learning to love unconditionally
This afternoon, I met one of my aunts after a long time over lunch. Her personality is such that it fills the room. While describing her later to my partner, my mom used the word ‘enthusiastic’: “She is such an enthusiastic soul. We all ate the same vada, but she’s going to go about telling … More The enthusiasm angels
It was close to midnight on December 31st, and my kids, partner, dogs and I were watching two movies simultaneously on TV (switching during commercials, you get the drift) with the lights dimmed (to set the party mood apparently). Suddenly, I noticed it was about to strike 12 on the living room clock. I stood up … More New year, old treasures
“You’ve come a long way,” she said on the G-chat window, this dear friend of mine. We were talking about dogs and gods and trying to arrange my engagement and finding someone to fix the plumbing and seeking a columnist to write about relationships. Then, a short while later, I found myself in a family … More Coming and going
This Sunday I was on a secret mission — secret only because my parents would disown me if they found out (yes, you may think, ‘why does this grown woman with her own kids need to worry about what her parents think or say’, but I do care and their angry voices boom in my … More A tale of two doggies
A few days ago, I came to the realization that I have been neglecting myself in the daily drudgery of loving everyone else in my life. I was turning into all my own aunts — those Punjabi matrons with bad backs, big bums and wobbly knees, who ended up in the hospital every now and … More Take a little love
The moon was late and when it did come up, it was faint and hazy above F-Block, like a semi-eaten peach left behind by a disinterested child. I had kept Karva Chauth after eight years but it was only a half-fast, and I followed none of the rules besides that of my heart. I didn’t get … More Moon gazing
These days I’m happily occupied in launching the first issue of a women’s magazine that I’ve dreamt about for a long time. The process of finding writers, putting together stories, photo shoots, and designing the whole package thrills me no end. I return home each day feeling joyful, not exhausted, which is a great change … More Creative high
100 Paths 