January 29. “I want to hug Dost.”

“Then go and hug him.”

“I am feeling shy and scared.”

“Sneak in when nobody’s around and surprise him by giving him a bear hug: Perhaps then you’ll feel less shy. I’m sure he’ll love it.”

“I did it. I did it.”

“But when?”

“When Dost came back from work and you had gone to the club.”

“And?”

“And I tiptoed quietly to his room and gave him a tight hug.”

“And how did he react?”

“He was shocked at first to see me but realized soon enough that I was Button.”

“I told him that I wanted to hug him.”

“He immediately extended his arms and I simply jumped into them. That was a tight hug.”

“Whose hug do you like? Mine or Dost’s?”

“Yours any day. After all you found me.”

“Thank you.”

“You look very ill. Are you alright?”

“I have a very bad cold and throat infection so I’m off to bed now. Goodnight, Button.”

“Goodnight.”

“We are both off to Kolkata tomorrow. Am back on Tuesday but I’ll stay in touch like I usually do.”