Kallola

Emirates Parent Plus. June 2010. I had just clicked ‘send’ on the laptop when my little man, deep in thought, dragged his feet into the room. From experience, I knew that I could not have timed the completion of my job better – this was going be a long chat. Or a really short one, depending on how ‘child-friendly’ his thoughts were. Leaning on my knee and rocking a little, he slowly started. “Ma, I am a little worried about when I grow up”. “Why’s that, sweetheart?” “Because...” He had started fiddling with his fingers. “mmm... because when I grow up, I’ll have a wife...” Of course, I am glad to know that. But any opening like this is best served with stoic silence, for the climax comes soon enough. “...and she will have a baby one day...” The wheels in my head were turning at 11,000 RPM. I had to be ready with either the right answer to satisfy him or the perfect evasive tactic so we would both be satisfied. “... and then she’ll spend all her time with the baby an

Deccan Herald, Sunday, 06 June 2010 http://www.deccanherald.com/content/73550/bustling-colours-amp-bagpipes.html My eyes are closed. I am aware only of a cold autumnal breeze caressing my face. I take a long whiff of the crisp air and open my eyes, rejuvenated. In front of me, far away, I see a curtain of fog slowly revealing in its translucency, the unmistakable outlines of a fortress. As if hypnotised, the cloud of mist sways to the light filtering in from the street lamps in the distance. The moonlight waltzes in, making the ramparts of the fort suddenly shine out in splendour. It is mesmerising, this sensuous dance between the elements. Such a magical welcome sparked my romance with Edinburgh almost immediately. Even the taxi ride felt dramatic. The moon was generous with her light and each cobblestone, smoothened with use, glistened its age. The dark, the empty streets, the narrow lanes, the high walls, higher church spires and those cobbles, all told tales many years old. It