The pandemic has been a constant longing and desire for company and warmth. Much of that has also got to do with the sudden absence of like-aged, like-passionate people around but that’s a whole another topic.

These pages (from one of my ‘18 sketchbooks), sketched during late night conversations over tea at NID AP, at the faculty guest-house drawing room. 

An essential punctuation to a hectic work day, where we’d all indulge in our personal projects or even just talk over a few cups of the forever in-stock Tetley green or Taj. We’d talk, laugh and I’d keep scribbling into my sketchbook, sometimes note down funny quips. 

Also be my guest if you try to read into what’s written but much of it is nonsense… or is it?

Yes! I mean I know the tarmac took a while to create and finish. Work had paused due to the monsoons. 

But the gloomy clouds soon gave way to the purple twilight sky under the light of which, the construction team took to their machinery and hauled ass to lay those final coats of dark white paint to the landing markers.  (Thanks to Keyaar for the constant support 🚴‍♀️.)

BZZZZ! The amber guiding lights buzzed on!

So here you are! A proud traveler on your Cessna or Beechcraft or Boeing or maybe even an Antonov?! The runway doesn’t discriminate :)

Welcome to the inaugration. The mahurat couldn’t have been any better.