Dear Niki,

We met 7 years ago when you came over for dinner to our home in Chennai. Your big ideas, your worldly view and experiences, your easy presence drew me in and I could sit for hours listening to you in…

I am strong and independent and beautiful, but I’m still a girl and my skin is thin. So don’t go punching holes in self confidence.

I want to be napping peacefully on my living room carpet with The Pogues belting out Fairy tale in New York in the background and the familiar voices of my loved ones chatting close to me.

I want to be stuffed with my grandmothers Christmas Biryani and coconut cake and…

I’m writing!

Not sure if this is influenced by reading my good friend Belinda’s rants every day, or if I just needed to do this given the Saturday I’ve had in the city. Either way here goes a fresh attempt.