Such nights occur very rarely – perhaps only once in a span of fifteen to twenty years. Tonight is one such night when the distance between the moon and Earth is drastically reduced, and the moon’s radiance is unusually intense. Overcome with panic, I am squatting here in the confines of the inner room. This condition of the moon is set to persist for approximately four hours – and these hours will weigh heavily on the world. The possibility of devastating storms and earthquakes looms large on the horizon. Silence reigns supreme within every household. Footfalls are heard not even in the street. Everyone is gripped by fear. Each engrossed in their own prayers. Even so, who is not aware of the injurious effects of the moonlight, such as discomfort, high blood pressure, depression, and an overwhelming impulse to commit suicide?

Squatting down on the floor always brings me a feeling of relaxation, or, as it seems, I have grown accustomed to it. When my kneecaps, calves and heels go numb, it’s as if the Earth’s gravitational pull gets defeated by them. Then I lose no opportunity of humiliating this void Earth.

In a corner of this dark room lies my mother’s…

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