(Dec 10, 8:46am)

After a long stay at Kolkata, where uncle and aunt hosted me and looked after me so very beautifully, I arrived in Patna today...

I left the news agency job sometime ago, and I am in talks for a new opportunity for myself.. I don't know how long this would take, but I am in no hurry..

A sit at home editing opportunity and writing columns for a Kashmiri weekly would ensure I would have the money coming...

I left the news agency job because after a point it did not excite me...

Yes, the Congress at the national levels and the ministry of external affairs were huge beats.. but not huge enough to trap into a job that offered little scope with features or experimentation with writing..

I refused another two offers at hand... first, because I thought I could find a more exciting opportunity if I waited a bit, and that is something I can afford with the kind of money I would be earning anyway from the Kashmiri weekly..

And second, it could be my first proper winter at home, here in Patna, after a long time... particularly after mom's demise in 2010..

XXX

In 2011-12, I was working in Delhi, in the 2012-13 things were rather depressing on all fronts, and last year, I was in Kashmir,,,,

May be this time, I could engage the winters writing my novel.. or at least writing down what I have conceptualised in my mind for so long...

And in any case, I would be reading a lot... Mirza Waheed's 'The Book of Gold Leaves' tops the list..

XXX

I am missing my uncle and aunt.. and my cousin.. we had had such lovely time... I am alone now, in my home in Patna..

But a home is home.. I feel so good when I am home.. I hope I have a good time..

But before I begin reading or writing, there is so much marketing to do, and then arranging the house too, which is difficult..

XXX

But one good thing is, R***n is here.. My childhood friend, and my best one for the last few years.. I guess we'd be meeting tomorrow.. I have to see his mom dad too...

We have been like family friends..

Then there are the bank works..

XXX