My Lady, who did you cast your vote for?” Sir PM knew it was a long shot but decided to nudge his friend; he couldn’t contain his curiosity, and continued, “And, did that candidate win?” The mood was all too electric around him that he felt like asking all his questions at one go. He was relieved that his beloved city saw a safe, seamless election, once again, and couldn’t wait to get a pulse of the result, given that it was an overwhelming mandate. Lady Flora did an eyeroll. “Now, now, Pheroze… there is a reason why it’s called ‘secret ballot’ and not ‘open-secret ballot’,” she smiled. “This is a clear, sweeping mandate that was driven on issues like development. I think it’s important to hit the ground running and get the job done,” she reminded her friend, knowing very well that given his illustrious past as the big man in the top civic job in the city, Sir PM would have his views on several impending issues that require urgent tending to. “Of course, My Lady; I was about to share my wish-list with you, before dispatching it to my former bosses to be shared with the top brass—who I hope will take it in the right spirit. It’s a golden opportunity to set things right with the city,” he said, excitedly.

“For starters, I think they need to speed up work on existing infrastructural projects before beginning work on newly inked projects. Now that they can enjoy uninterrupted sanctions and seamless sign-offs, it’s crucial that they keep their eye on the goal and steamroll ahead,” Sir PM suggested. Lady Flora was nodding throughout, “I see your point, Pheroze. Relevant, and necessary in light of what the city has had to endure over these past years with stalled projects, first due to the lockdowns, and later, stretched because of unforeseen delays. High time, we remind them that they should get cracking now, and spare us of these prolonged periods of disruptions, courtesy, dug-up, uneven or narrowed-down roads, all of which add up to make it a barricaded, citizen-unfriendly city. We have been a largely tolerant, patient bunch of Bombaywallahs; now it’s up to the executors to repose that faith,” she remarked, as she pointed out to a barricade during their walk that took them near Nariman Point’s streets that are quiet escapes on weekends.