Our Panchayat Secretary came yesterday, asking for his uniform buttons to be stitched tight. His fingers were trembling a little, alle? All that shouting in the 'Officials’ Room' about sports quota, but his own shirt was loose. I gave him extra strong thread, and a cup of tea. The machine hummed, and he just sat quietly for ten minutes. Sometimes, the real fixing needed is not in the files.

These forms for the State panel umpire list are still on my table. For three months. Last night, I stitched the torn pocket of the white cricket umpire coat. The needle went in and out so easy, alle? More honest than this waiting. My son says, "Appa, just submit it." But the ache in my eyes from reading the small print tells me some holes cannot be mended with thread.

My wife was watching that cooking comedy show last night—loud laughter from the TV, but I was inside mending a neighbour's wedding shirt, needle and thread in hand. She asked why I don't sit and laugh with her,