Yesterday I ran into three of my old friends that I hadn’t met in a long, long time. I was surprised (and extremely happy!) to see them where I did for I had no inkling that they spent their time hereabouts. After all there wasn’t much to interest them here. Or so I thought and I was wrong.

One of them was in a lovely yellow outfit. The other one had gone for a dress in an orange shade with a black and white kind of border. The third was in a double shaded (Or was it three/four?) outfit of some kind with pretty patterns on it.

“Hey!” I called out, on seeing them. “What are you bunch doing here? I have never seen you frequent this place before!”

“That’s because you spend too much time with your newfound friends!” One of them sniffed in disdain.

Uh-ho! Someone seemed quite miffed with not having heard from me for so long.

“Er… umm… It’s like this my pretties. You never tell me in advance where you are going to be, and I really cannot stand around waiting for you!”

“See! I told you she didn’t care for us any more!” The second one seemed mighty pissed off.

“Hey, cut the poor thing some slack!” That was a third voice whose owner was quite cheerful, prancing around in her bright yellow dress. “She is right you know. She can’t keep waiting for us forever in the hope that we’ll turn up!”

“Thank you!” I was glad at least someone understood.

“She’s not getting any younger. Her knees hurt and also her back…”

“Enough!” I interjected, stopping her mid-sentence. “Be off, you three and enjoy the sunshine, the flowers, the leaves and each other’s company! I have to get back to my chores.”

I watched the Sahyadri Rustic, Common Emigrant and the Plain Tiger flit away merrily in the bright sunlight. They looked so beautiful. I sighed looking at them. How I missed the long waits with the camera slung around my neck waiting for them and their friends to alight somewhere close by. And when one would, ‘Click!’ Sigh. No matter. There are probably plenty of others doing what I once used to do. It is now my turn to sit back and enjoy their clicks.

Shail Mohan 2023