Slide the card out of its sleeve

A note of thanks

Thank you, ⁠Meera⁠. Truly.

Some kindness deserves more than a text message, so I had it printed.

Bengaluru, the week after

Dear ⁠Meera⁠,

You drove across the city at midnight with soup. I haven't forgotten. When everything fell apart in March, you showed up with groceries, a phone charger and a plan written on the back of a bill. You sat on a hospital bench for six hours and never once looked at the time. You never made any of it feel like a favour. You made being looked after feel normal. I can't pay all of that back. But I can start. There's a sheet of stamps further down. First, though, properly this time: thank you.

With gratitude, always

The kindness, counted

I kept a tally. Of course I did.

0night calls, just to check
0soups, labelled in your handwriting
0worst day, made better
⁢⁡⁡⁤0⁣kindnesses returned (so far)

The last number is yours to move. Spend a stamp below and watch it go up.

A sheet of IOUs, postage paid

Tear one off whenever you need it. Each one you use adds to the tally above.

Good for

Dinner on me

Your pick of place. I'll pretend not to see the bill.

Expires: never

No. 001

Good for

One airport pickup

Any hour. Yes, even the 4 am flight.

Expires: whenever you land

No. 002

Good for

Six hours on a bench

Wherever you need company. I'll bring the chai.

Expires: never

No. 003

Reply by post

Pick a stamp. It comes straight back to me on WhatsApp.

Anytime. That's what friends are for 🕊️

Post it