Manjula adored her flowers.

She …..

…… would thread the garlands since a child to supplement any income.

…… Loved the jasmine growing on our roof and in the drive.

But she saved a special place in her heart for what’s locally called Brahma Kamla but strictly speaking it’s ‘queen of the night’.

She’d excitedly spot the new buds coming through and accurately predict which night it would blossom.

On that night we’d open the back door and be hit by the overpowering aroma. It would be gone by morning

After she died, four years ago, the flowers didn’t appear until this year. Sowbaghya spotted a bud. It’ll flower as we approach what would have been her 50th birthday.

The flower is now featured on a tattoo on my shoulder and in a portrait of Manjula in our upstairs hall (lounge).

Check this out.