Experiences

“You are going on leave?” the lady seemed to want to continue chatting. “Yes,” he replied mechanically, then for some reason said truthfully: “Actually, my dad is quite unwell. Going to visit.” “Oh my God. I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?” she asked, her brows furrowing in concern. “Paralytic attack. Still in the ICU,” he replied and felt a tightness around his chest. “ Adada! ” she commiserated. “I’m sure he will get well soon.” Hari felt like crying. “Thanks—but I understand he is very critical,” he said. What was he doing, pouring his heart out to a complete stranger? Jet lag must have kicked in already. “Hmm, let’s pray he gets out of it soon,” she said. Silence fell at the table. Hari leaned back into the pillar behind him and closed his eyes. What was the appropriate emotion to feel for a father who was so detached, preoccupied, uncommunicative and unapproachable all his life? A parent who was so caught up in his own failure that he couldn’t see the...

“What an odd place!” Vijay commented. “This is enroute to the fort up there,” Sandeep pointed to the top of the high hill. “But what was the need to build a fort in the middle of a tiger filled forest?” Suchita wondered. “Or they used the tigers as their natural defense,” Vijay speculated. “Against who?” Suchita looked at him. “Who will come attacking a fort inside a jungle?” Vijay’s eyes shone. “Ah, it’s not who they are keeping out—it’s what they keeping in!” he said. Suchita looked at him through narrowed eyes. “What are they keeping in?” she asked, knowing that her husband was on one of his flights of fancy. “Haven’t you watched Black Panther?” he asked. “Seriously! Bandhavgargh is Wakanda now?” Suchita huffed. “Yes, these hills are protecting an ancient knowledge, too dangerous to fall into evil hands!” Vijay said dramatically. Suchita laughed. “You’re crazy!” “Oh you laugh—poor ignorant woman! Little do you realize that the sure hand of fate has brou...