Though my previous home had a garden of sorts with potted plants and some flowering shrubs, I let it all behind when I moved to an apartment. In the last couple of years what I own are a couple of small potted plants gifted by a cousin and a couple more won from some game or other during a get-together.

Since we were going to be away for a month during September last, I asked my friend staying in the floor below if she’d care for them and she agreed. I promised to bring them around just before leaving and keep it at her place. That would make it easier for her to water them (only once in 4-5 days).

All the time I was with my son, I thought of my plants under my friend’s care. I imagined them happy in the corner of the hall in her home where she said she’d keep them. Once or twice I thought of asking her how my plants were doing, but though we chatted of other stuff, I forgot bringing it up.

My return flight reached in the wee hours of the morning. After breakfast the same day, I informed the L&M that I would be going down to meet my friend and bring the plants home. So saying I walked to the balcony next to the dining area, just to enjoy the view, and stopped short.

All my plants were still there.

Whaaaaaaat?

I thought back and realised with horror that I hadn’t actually taken them down to my friend’s home before leaving. It had completely slipped my mind. To think all the time I was imagining the plants happily settled in her hall, it was well, just that, my imagination.

I called her up and told her all this. Since I hadn’t gone over with the plants, she told me, she had assumed I had changed my mind and made other arrangements, like asking the house help to water them. Especially since I didn’t mention it even during our chats. We laughed about it. Imagine if I had not stepped into the balcony and instead had gone straight to her for my plants, she’d have been nonplussed.

By the way, the plants had fortunately survived the negligence on my part. Twenty three days without water, and though not exactly thriving, they were still holding their own bravely. A little water from me and all was forgiven and forgotten. They were back to looking contented and happy again.

©️ Shail Mohan 2025