You’re late, my Lady. Hope all is well. I was beginning to get a tad worried after I heard the clock strike 11, which is well after our meeting hour,” remarked Sir PM, checking on his friend who was always the more punctual of the two. As they met indoors, inside the Cathedral, owing to the incessant downpour, he noticed that she was wearing a gorgeous lavender-hued gown, a departure from her usual look, complete with matching delicate jewellery to accessorise the look. It must be a special day, he wondered; he was kept in the dark and the suspense over her silence was killing him. “So, a big ceremony? Dear me, I hope it hasn’t slipped my mind that it might be your birthday today!” probed Sir PM, hoping to subtly get the answer from his friend.

Lady Flora knew her friend too well. “Pheroze, it is perfectly fine to ask me why I am all decked up; we are friends, remember?” she smiled, and continued, “I was at an invite-only event by the kind people who engineered and valiantly fought to give Bombay its third UNESCO World Heritage Site tag. It’s been five years since that amazing day, and so they decided to raise a toast to all the valiant warriors who fought their way to ensure the area’s good work and legacy found a place on the global heritage map.” Sir PM was all ears, and suddenly his not being a part of this didn’t matter. After all he was a proud Bombaywallah, and any celebration in its honour had to be appreciated. Just then Lady Flora made him feel even better, “You know, Pheroze, you would have been my plus one had the invite said so.” He blushed as the words rolled out of his friend’s mouth.