I went to the river yesterday. I wasn't myself. No one knew the spot. I discovered it on my own, by sheer chance, in a faraway wood. I guarded my secret jealously. I was selfish and would not want to share it with anyone. I was only fifteen then.  Mum would ask: where did you go? when I returned for dinner and I would say: I visited a friend.

When I was sad, a whole day I would linger there . I remember that event so clearly. I failed my physics paper and was chided by my teacher and later by my parents. I rushed to my sanctuary and wept bitterly. The questions were too hard. The teacher was not fair. Life is not fair.

The hours slipped away fast. The wood was darkening as twilight was descending. I was hungry and though inconsolate I rushed home. And I knew mum would worry if I stayed away too long.
( to continue )