“I love mankind, it's people I can't stand.” ― Charles M. Schulz

Having spent almost a short period of my life in common women’s hostels, I dreaded at the thought of having to stay there again. It is always swarmed with people busy with their lives and buried in their thoughts. You live below the same roof but stay out of reach. You make friends but not buddies.

But I this time I decided to open up, to read minds, to record silence and realized everything seemed simpler from a distance.

Ritu, the lone dog, the acting guardian to the hostel longed not for the sweet pie and pedigree in its kennel. It was happier without its sash, running around the vegetable garden, wagging at every inmate with those rolling eyes which talk about the longing hug and caress.  As I pat him, I recall – A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.-Marley and me.

After all he wasn’t the only one longing there. The watchman thatha and his wife, who is the new cook here, moved in recently after their children sent them off their home, to fend for themselves. I should say he is a lucky man, as aayama is an excellent cook. But today he eats her delicacies seated near the gate with thoughts flooded with memories of happier times. She serves me tomato rasam saying her coaxed her to make it every other day when young. They borrow my mobile to stay connected with their grandchildren stealthily. They live as strangers under the same roof, growing old and growing together, without growing apart.          

The gardener akka, who is a single parent brings along her three year old son, Aadhi. The boy jeers at all of us happily for he is too young to understand, his mother toils to make ends meet. He waters the plants along the gate and even over waters my pet cacti, sunshine. I fail to make him understand why some things don’t need the extra attention, the extra love, the nurturing. My sunshine decays, but he still wears his smile, I find my new sunshine.

This time I realize, there is so much around me, which I love. Ritu, Aadhi, watchman thatha, akka and the new me, for I know-Attraction, is not an option.