- 11 - 24 January Rani’s mobile rang in the afternoon. She felt elated on seeing Alok’s name on the mobile screen. It was after Makar Sankranthi that she had received Alok’s call. Her face lit up. In response to her ‘hello’, a voice came from the other side, “Rani, did I disturb you? What were you doing?” “No question of getting disturbed. On the contrary, I’m on cloud nine. I was not doing anything in particular. I was just lying down and reading Manto’s stories.” “Very good. How are you liking them? How many stories have you read so