Rahul unc, you wanna know what ails me, what angers me, what makes me go crazy with helplessness?

Illustration/Uday Mohite

Natasha, aka Nats, my 19-year-old Gen Z neighbour stormed into my home. She was on fire, she was fuming, she was furious, but amidst all the flames and brimstone, there were tears — tears that seemed to stem out of helplessness and hopelessness.

“Sup Nats, hello, do I dare ask what’s up, how are you, where have you been, on a sabbatical? On a spiritual journey? Are you sad,” I asked, guardedly.

Nats wiped away a tear, gathered herself then began a rant.

“Rahul dude… No bruh, no sabbatical, no spiritual journey, I’m sad for sure, but not in a booohoohoo kind of way, but in a cry the beloved country kind of way. I’ve been hiding away, trying to meditate, calm myself down… but to no avail dude, to no........

© Midday