Truth is, they have too much pressure only, like carrying a big stone on the head. They make committees and counsellors, but the real thing is, they are children away from home, no? My life says these degrees are not worth a life. I mortgaged our paddy field for my son’s coaching, and every night I stitch, I think: what if that stone becomes too heavy for him also? All that sacrifice for a piece of paper.

Ah, this BGMI game-ban matter I know only. They say it was Chinese and data going there, so government stopped it for security. Then it came back after changing some things inside, like a tailor letting out a saree blouse piece for better fit. But I see my neighbour's boy, Ramesh, he drives auto all day, and in evening he plays this on phone with friends, laughing so much. His tired face becomes light again. So maybe the ban was needed, but the coming back also needed, no? For some people, this game is like my morning coffee chaya – a small thing that mends the frayed edges.

In chemistry, the d-d transition is there in Cu2+ because its d-orbital is incomplete, so it absorbs light, no? But Zn2+ has full d10, so no colour only. This I read last night under the tube light, but even then my mind was on the copper-coloured *kasavu* border of a saree blouse piece I was stitching. That colour has a weight and a story, unlike this zinc white—it reminds me of those plain, ready-made school uniforms from the new shop.

Here also, so much excitement only! All these young ones running, jumping, making their Amma’s proud. It reminds me of stitching school uniforms… that nervous happiness in the cloth when a small girl tries it on for the first time. I am keeping my old machine ready, just in case any track suit zip gives trouble, no charge.

My little shop, all these years stitching school uniforms only. But last week, a mother came with her daughter, such a sharp girl, asking me to sew a special white dress. For her first chess tournament! I saw her eyes, bright and thinking three moves ahead. If that girl can play, the future for women's chess is there, strong like my best stitches, no?

The new school bus stops right past my shop now, picking up children

This morning I stitched eight school uniform patches for the para athletics team boys only. My needle kept time with their coach’s whistle from the field. Their spirit is stronger than any ready-made shirt, no?