These are the first reactions of people I called to tell them that the postman just delivered two bonnie blue babies of mine.
novelist sister: How does it feel to hold your book in your hands?
me: It's a scrawny little thing. The font is smaller than what I wrote it in.
sis: Don't say that! Give it a kiss. Welcome it into this world.
geek hubby: Photo le and blogit.
Aai: who are you calling for the mumbai launch?
me: meaning? I will invite all those I know.
aai: the chief guest, stupid.
me: Tom Alter will come. He was one of the first to like the book.
aai: Who will come to see tom alter? You need a cute little thing!
me: a cute little thing?
aai: yes sir!
novelist dost: stop calling people. savor this moment. sit for a few minutes holding it in your lap.
brat : your book has come! now I will learn to read. can I take one for my friend? can I, can I?
mithaiwallah: why didn't you write in kannad, amma?
neighbor: (leafing through it ), is it about shree Ramakrishna?
me: Umm... not exactly...
neighbor: when it will come in the book shops?
me: I don't know, in a week or two. But you can order it from the Indiaplaza online store. They are giving a twenty five percent discount.
brat: but Aai, how can a leaf hold a mountain?me: but Pavan, how else will the grasshopper go on a pilgrimage?
