VII.

A friend’s birthday I wanted to avoid

Shimmering shallow lights flicker on the

tricolor walls shrieking Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,

people glide faster than they should,

A lone runner on an empty road at 10:21 PM,

runs beside the Mercedes and Mahindras,

whose taillights designed to stand out

stand in formation at an ordinary crossing.

MCD boundaries, NDMC Boundaries, PWD boundaries,

personal boundaries, red and white abandoned boundaries

of deserted parks, in ancient localities

1 km and 7 minutes ahead of the stop.

taxi runs faster than it should.

Frantic looks right and left.

A tap on shoulder.

Screeching Halt.

200 Rs.

Google tells me I've arrived at the location.

But have I?

Am I here?

Will I ever be here?

Ayushmaan Mishra · 2026-06-02