November 27. “Button, a day of repair work is over. I’ll keep counting as the number of days get less and less.
Don’t forget to count too because I have to give you those many hugs. Left to yourself, you must be feeling miserable in there!”
November 28. “Button, I love animal sounds—pigeons cooing, parrots chirping…
This morning I suddenly heard some pigeons cooing outside the study window. For a moment I thought they were talking in their special language and asking each other where you were!”
November 26. “Button, I am very sad that the workers have boarded up the door to your room because of the repairs.
That means we won’t get to see each other and hug our therapeutic hug for 10-12 days! I can’t speak for you but I will miss that.”
November 24. “Sorry, Button, but the ply will be put back outside the windows for some more repair work.”
“What are you saying? And just when my friends realized that I had not vanished from the face of this earth! But why?”
November 25. “Button, I am very tired for some strange reason.
If you don’t mind, I’ll go to sleep right away because tomorrow is yoga day and I’ll be up before 6. By the way, how did the tight hug feel? Liked it?”
November 23. “Button, that lump Rani has on the right side of her shoulder worries me.”
“Is it a solid mass?”
November 21. “I can’t believe it: Another 40 days and this year will be gone!”
“Why do you think time is whizzing past?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea but it sure is scary.”
November 22. 11pm. “Button, that hug I gave you this morning made me feel very close to you. Do you feel the same way?”
“I feel wonderful. I simply love being hugged by you.”
November 20. “Am dying to get back home, my chores and the club: Breaks like these aren’t my cup of tea any more.
What was your day like, Button?”
November 19. “Button, Goa is looking very dull and dreary as it’s cloudy and the weather is a little weird.”
“But you can stay indoors and take as much rest as you want. That’s something you don’t get to do in Mumbai.”