The Peacock visits.

The peacock has stationed itself on a branch , high up in the tree , and gives a plaintive , enquiring call , every few minutes . Amazingly , the call is answered , from distant , unseen areas ,,by distant , unseen , cousins of the bird. 

It is a huge bird . And it has a powerful call . A call for attention in the midst of all that is going on in your kitchen , or life right now . A thunderous boom that derails your chain of thoughts , with the ease of an RDX explosion . 

Then , like all tourists , you film him . In the dark , it sits patiently quiet and still . You stow away your phone and the cawing /honking and moving around begins simultaneously . After five failed attempts , you realize , it cannot be a mere coincidence . The bird is playing you up . It can see you from its perch , doing all your silly little human things . Preparing dinner , washing your china , taking a walk on the terrace . 

Your online friends are not an equanimous lot . Some one is kind enough to croon "Ooh ! So lovely . You can see him in the perch . " 

Other reactions are not so kind .

"You live in a jungle bro . " Two min later "Of course , I meant paradise." 

" I can't see anything . You have mistaken a thick clump of leaves , for a peacock. Peacock indeed !!"

"Hahaha ". From the group monkey , who( ab)uses the laugh emoji. 

Of course , you cannot stroll into the woods like he can . He has the freedom . You don't . He is not under lockdown . He probably never will . So from his high perch , he can see what you cannot . He can see your follies and foibles . Ambitions and ambiguities . 

After around 9 pm , he hides his face into his ample wing , and takes a nap . No longer calling out , no longer shuffling around . Perfectly at peace in a totally new perch . 

At around 4am , a single cry signifies bye bye . He is gone by the time I get out to the balcony .