I envisioned whisking her away, just the two of us, to a concealed haven – a field full of Bermuda grass dotted with thumbai flowers, a charming colonial cottage, or perhaps a tharavad house with an ambal kulam – the lily pond – in the back. Laughter and conversation would flow freely over there, our smiles as bright as the sunflower. Chataki chirped excitedly, “Kyivyiiv!” urging its companion to join the fun. But the other sparrow remained perched on the branch, seemingly uninterested.