I’m overwhelmingly and unendurably tired of all and sundry telling me how “young” I look at 37. Measured by any societal rule, I am expected to accept it as a compliment and feel happy for not re-presenting my true age. This is an open letter is all such people who think looking young is the most aspirational thing.

We come to Kathmandu from various places of Nepal but never return (permanently) until there is very powerful reason.

Summoning all the courage I could muster, I walked towards Bricks again a few days after April 25. I felt like the world had changed forever just standing at the entrance. The Café stood, sparse and skeletal, as a surreal reminder that this was an inescapable part of the past, present and future of Nepal. My world had changed - some parts in the hinterlands were now shards of their former selves.