March 13. “Button, breaks like these are nice but it’s not so nice when they come to an end.

I am feeling low as we have to get back. Get back to all the routine stuff that can become somewhat taxing as well as boring after a point of time. Nevertheless, true to my zodiac sign, a Capricorn has to trudge along, just like the mountain goat, which is the Capricorn symbol. Ends also depict death.”

“Doesn’t one take breaks when things turn boring, mend it and return to reality? Also, endings can be hopeful and joyous! For instance, had yesterday’s cricket match ended in a win for India, it would have been joyous and hopeful! All endings don’t need to be sad and final!”

“You’re right except that once you start getting older, you begin to see those responsibilities diminishing and the value of life growing. You want to live life, see more of the world, get a little closer to your life partner. These values start to mean more.”

“Maybe. So both you and Dost should travel as often as you can, see the world, experience life, be together.”

“That’s what I was telling Dost a little while ago. We’ve had the most fantastic 7 days– traveling, talking, resting and just being with each other.”

“Didn’t you fight even once?

“You’ll be surprised that we didn’t!”

P.S. When Dost and I went down for breakfast this morning, Dadey Khan, the hotel musician, was singing the raga Mand in a lilting voice. I don’t know the original words of the raga but one of the waiters translated it and it basically talks of a woman telling her beloved who has come home late that even the buffaloes and cows in the meadows return home early. Why can’t he, her beloved, do the same? The melody is very familiar and I found myself humming along with Dade Khan.