6th Jan 2024

Dear Palak,

I just saw that your Instagram gallery got a bit lighter.

You know, when I first moved to Bangalore back in 2008, I really missed you and seeing your incandescently beautiful face. I always wondered about the little things, like how your hair might have changed or if you’d changed physically.

Thank goodness for Orkut back then! Your photos there were like a window into your life. And when Orkut closed and everyone shifted to Facebook, I followed you there too. I was kind of a silent observer, too nervous to react to your posts – I didn’t want you to notice me and possibly unfriend me.

But then, you kind of faded from Facebook as well. Instagram was next, but you weren’t very active there either after a couple of years, except for maybe a photo during Diwali or Durga Puja.

I’ve never known anyone to be as low-key online as you. So, when I saw you’d deleted your photos, it really got to me. Those pictures held so many memories.

I really hope you might repost them someday. Safe travels tomorrow, and good night.

With love, hugs and other things,
P

PS: Please don’t think of me as a creepy stalker.