May 27. “How did you like the book launch, Button?”

“It was mind-boggling. I was surprised to see so many people turn up.”

“Had you been around in Kolkata, you would have actually seen the following Dost has in the city that gave birth to the poet in him. Women would swoon and fall in front of his vehicle. Kolkata is, after all, the literary capital of India and people usually have a grasp of what is happening in the literary circles.”

“But all said and done, it was time well spent. Is Dost happy with the way the event shaped up?”

“I would think so.”

“I heard him tell his son how he is already working on his next book of poems.”

“That’s true.”

“I don’t think the book store has seen that kind of crowd for a book launch ever!”