Delhi’s weather has been unbearable this past week. Even though I spent most of it indoors, confined to my desk, at it on my keyboard, working the works, the weather has been tormenting, taunting and holding be back from the outsides. It’s been sticky, sweaty, prickly. Humidity running its peak course. The heat mingled with the humidity is soul crushing. But amid the rain, heat and humidity, what has remained is a steady carousel of ever changing smells.

For lunch this afternoon I could smell marigolds and bel patra in the restaurant. We were at a south Indian joint and the smell of delicious Andhra food mixed with that of the rains outside, perfumed the space. But the scent that stood out for my senses was the overpowering whiff of marigolds hanging loosely with bel patras at the restaurant’s entrance.