As the bus lurched and plunked, we plopped around on the backseat, through the verdant green. Mirthful vacation laughter. We passed a line of peahens. “I wish we’d passed elephants,” she said. I was in love, ready to wish for anything. Not far and very soon, a line of elephants, in complete Rajasthani miniature splendour! Not ready to receive what she’d wished for, she wept. “Could’ve asked for anything and it would’ve . . . .” I put my arm around, drew her close, trying to but not reaching the depths of what she felt. I was satisfied and happy that she was touched.
Neelakantan Keshavan is a teacher of design and architecture, living in Sangareddy, India.