December 23. 8.51am. “Button, I can see a school and playground from our apartment and, every morning, I hear lots and lots of kids making a lot of noise while playing.”

“I get to hear them too. Why don’t we have schools for teddy bears?”

“That’s a point.”

“It’s a lovely idea that girls are also being educated on par with boys but, yet, when they enter their professional lives, girls doing the same job get paid much less than boys!”

“That’s sad and not right at all. Especially when girls are doing better academically than their male counterparts and certainly seem more dedicated.”

“I hope someday, fair play prevails.”

“You believe in women’s liberation?”

“Not liberation in that sense but liberation from what’s unfair. Fair play should finally win. Merit should be the final judge.”

“I agree with you.”

“I don’t see sir!”

“He’s gone to Delhi. Will be back this afternoon.”

“Have you seen the Christmas tree that’s been put up?”

“Ofcourse, I have. I saw you all decorate it too—sir, his brother from Delhi, you, your younger daughter.  Your elder daughter did most of it though with a little help from your staff. It looks stunning.”

“You know that the day after tomorrow is Christmas. My mother will be here. And my sister and her family. Ma will stay with us till the 2^nd of Jan and return to Kolkata on the 3^rd. But the house is in a mess with all the work going on outside…”

“Who cares for such things? It’s the getting-together that matters and all of you sitting down and chatting about old times. Who cares if the house is dusty or clean!”

“I heard someone come trotting into the study and, since I can’t see who it is, can you please update me? It has to be either Rani or Mowgli.”

“Rani just came in after having dinner and plonked on the study floor.”

“Say hi to her for me and tell her to visit me like she used to once the door to my room is open.”

“That goes without saying.”