It was 18th of March.
The fear had started to settle in. Pleas from Italy asking to avoid the impending doom were already making rounds. Office was shut. Streets were emptying out.

Frantic messages asking to stock up! Might’ve to stay at home. For longer than intended.
But there was no fear, no anxious need to stock up either.
Only thought was.. Veena! My Veena class!
This could mean will have to miss Veena, indefinitely!

So a month ago, one such morning, woke up and decided to bring one home. Was meant to do this a couple of years later. But no, it couldn’t wait anymore. I need one with me all the time. So if I may have to stay locked up, I could.
Soul-fully, entirely.

Amateur phase. So let’s buy a simpler one. Will practice with it and become worthy of the right kind. That was the plan. The decision.
Went to several. Admired a few. “Ah! Not ready for those as yet. Maybe in a couple of years.” Many such.
Until she was placed on my lap.

Ganga! What’s seeking you, finds you.
So did she.

She had passed several hands for four decades and more. Was at some point adorning the walls of a store at Madras (when it was called so).
I strum a few, and I knew she was mine to take home. No but this wasn’t the plan. “Ah! But I am not ready yet”!
Well! Nothing mattered. I knew so I knew.
So did he when he saw.
And she came home with me.

A month since then.
Heart is fuller, life richer!