Seventy . . . Read online

  Here’s a big shout-out to my Penguin family for all the encouragement and indulgence generously extended over thirty years. To Meru Gokhale, for commenting, ‘This is not a “coming to terms with age” book. It is more a “coming of age” book.’ Her observation came at a time when I was hopelessly stuck and despairing. I needed her clarity to prod me. Hemali Sodhi, steadfast and true, contained and efficient. An affectionate and caring friend. And above all, a simpatico marketing whizz who understands the madness of writers. Exuberant, gorgeous Milee with the infectious laugh, who nudged me at the right time to just do it—write the book! Swati Chopra, my editor, elegant and reassuring at all times. A soft, perceptive and gentle presence with sharp instincts. Gunjan Ahlawat, bubbly, hip, enthusiastic and creative, ready to experiment with cover ideas without groaning. My daughter Avantikka Kilachand Raju for styling the cover shoot. Of course, it’s Photoshopped! But not too much. I wanted to keep all the grey at the temples. She put her foot down: ‘No, Ma! It will make you look old!’ I said firmly, ‘Honey, I am old!’

  And . . . and . . . and . . . finally, my most precious ones—my family. My husband, Dilip, and all our bachchas, who had no clue I was writing this book and kept asking irritatedly, ‘What the hell are you doing?’

  Now they know!

  Someday, somewhere—anywhere, unfailingly, you’ll find yourself, and that and only that can be the happiest or bitterest hour of your life . . .

  —Pablo Neruda

  THE BEGINNING

  Let the conversation begin…

  Follow the Penguin Twitter.com@penguinbooks

  Keep up-to-date with all our stories YouTube.com/penguinbooks

  Pin ‘Penguin Books’ to your Pinterest

  Like ‘Penguin Books’ on Facebook.com/penguinbooks

  Find out more about the author and

  discover more stories like this at Penguin.co.in

  PENGUIN BOOKS

  USA | Canada | UK | Ireland | Australia

  New Zealand | India | South Africa | China

  Penguin Metro Reads is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.

  This collection published 2017

  Copyright © Shobhaa Dé 2017

  The moral right of the author has been asserted

  Jacket images © Avantikka Kilachand Raju

  ISBN: 978-0-143-41424-7

  This digital edition published in 2017.

  e-ISBN: 978-9-387-32655-2

  This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.