I had a rare and truly satisfying sleep on the bus last night—one of those journeys where everything lined up perfectly. After writing yesterday’s blog, I boarded at Porur toll, dozed off, and miraculously woke up only when we reached Madurai. It was bliss. There’s something about the hum of a moving bus that felt like a lullaby this time, and it was honestly one of the best sleeps I’ve had on a bus in ages.

Reaching home felt just as comforting. I caught up with Advaith, who always has a way of energizing the day. Most of my day rolled by quietly, though, just resting. Except, of course, for a little afternoon sugarcane juice break—a simple pleasure that never fails to hit the spot.

By late afternoon, it was time to get ready for a special occasion: Aradhya’s birthday celebration. At around 4, Yamuna and I set out to pick up cake and snacks, with no idea it would turn into quite the event. But as soon as we returned, the magic happened. One by one, almost every kid in the community showed up, and before we knew it, Aradhya had her very own mini-party right at home. Watching her so happy, surrounded by friends, was a moment that really hit me. My little doll isn’t so little anymore—she’s growing up fast and building her own circle, which is beautiful to see.

The day wrapped up with some fun for the kids: a little cracker-bursting session. It was noisy, joyful, and somehow the perfect ending to a family-filled day. It’s been a while since I felt this connected with everyone, and it was exactly what I needed.