We were secretive to each other. I had to tell her everything yet pretended I had secrets, and she kept my secrets as well as hers. That was my girl.

She was my time. It was as though time held my hand and walked with me. She took me to where maybe I knew myself. And then came a time when the lights dimmed. I was scared and wanted to know where we were. And there I saw her standing with all my dreams in her arms. ‘One by One Manali’ is all I hear.