Dear Thatha,

I won’t say things like “Life has been difficult or life without you has been impossible.” But certainly, facing situations without you have been more difficult.

I still remember how I used to embrace the warmth of the fire through Aarthee in puja and I saw your love in that and it was very difficult when the same fire was now used to light your pyre. I remember  how we used to talk for hours on religion, family, how you laughed quoting poetry and how you collected all my articles in the hindu.

You will not believe that now Nanamma does it. Yes, the same Nanamma who once was pampered endlessly by you has now become extremely responsible.

She calls me on Tuesdays whenever my article comes and just like you she neatly places them in a folder and passes it through Dad. I went to meet Nanamma on Sunday. She embraced me with warmth. She couldn’t talk about religion or poetry but she insisted she be taken to any event that I do in future.

Perhaps, just for her to come and smile again, I will conduct one in future.

Nanamma has emerged as a stronger woman and you will be mildly surprised that she drinks potions of wine once in a while esp. when she misses you too much.

She doesn’t let tears flow easily. She capture them in the corner of her eye and on the pretext of wiping her spectacles she quickly wipes them off.

This letter is to assure you that Nanamma has been trying her best to fill the vacant spaces of your side of the bed with memories, our stories, and lots of relatives.

Yours always,

London (as you always called me and hit me on the head)