Last night, quite a bit into it, there was a call from across – now let’s see – about three, four seas. There were laughter and giggles on the other side; someone shrieking about what a lau is called in English; a barrage of questions about my whereabouts; rushed updates on health, happiness and would-be husbands. All this, from a kitchen which I cooked in not long ago, black leather sofas where I sat with my legs dangling over the arm rests and a life from which I have stepped out. That’s just what it felt like – like I was part of an alternate life for a while and now I have stepped out of it while others, with whom I shared that alternate life, are still living it.

In my present life, however, there are some interesting occupants: a couple of crows who come to drink from the kitchen window where I have put out a bowl of water; a handful of children who run amuck in the corridor outside my room and peer through the window grills into my room now and then (they have an expression that they might have while peering into the monkey cage at the zoo and those who know me know exactly how fond I am of children – human that is); there is a very friendly black spaniel called Snoopy in the neighbouring building; there is friendly and helpful ‘aunty’ next door who can remember most things about me except my name and… well, that is already quite a bit.

I almost wish that I could do some “value addition” to this post by saying something wise and weighty, discuss the ifs and buts or make some profound observation. But sitting in office on a Sunday afternoon, I don’t see any of it happening! But then again, was I ever the kind to opt for a 9 to 5?!