“Soooo… what’s this one called?”

There she was again—Sujata, pointing to yet another leaf-bearing being in her garden with the gleam of a proud mother introducing her kids. And there I was again—squinting at the plant like it was a patient on the OT table with no case sheet.

Me: blank stare
My brain: “Spinach? Wait no, spinach doesn’t climb… oh god why does it have tentacles??”
Me (aloud): “Umm… this creeper’s not at my place so I forgot.”
Winks and escapes like a ninja with amnesia.

This happens every time I visit her. She asks. I flounder. She sighs. I pretend to check my phone.
Because while she’s out there being the Plant Whisperer, I’m still occasionally overwatering succulents to death she gifted me ..

But here’s the thing—Sujata never gives up. Not on people. Not on plants. Not even on me.

She sends me jars with mysterious caterpillars (“They’ll become butterflies, trust me!”), gifts me plants like they’re puppies (“Just *plant them , yaar!”), and gives me detailed updates on every creature she’s rescued—from paralyzed cows to motherless baby squirrels.

And slowly, something wild happened.

This spring one morning, I spotted bees in my garden. Sparrows fluttering about. Butterflies. Creepers climbing confidently over my grill like they paid rent. All grown from the greens she had once gifted me. Without realising it, I had started leaving bowls of water for birds, feeding strays, planting greens, and googling things like “Can bees get sunburnt?”

I now have two rescued dogs. A compost bin. And yes, I’m seriously considering a stingless bee colony—because Sujata thinks I should.

Who even am I?

That’s her magic. She never sermonizes. She doesn’t lecture. She just lives her truth—quietly, persistently, and so beautifully that you can’t help but be drawn in.

From college chaos to this soul-deep sisterhood, she’s been my most unexpected teacher—the kind who hands out plants instead of notes, and hope instead of homework.

Sujata, I probably don’t say this enough (because I’m usually busy googling plant SOS), but I’m endlessly proud of you. For every life you’ve nurtured, every being you’ve believed in, and every little green spell you’ve cast on the world—including me.

You turned this clueless carnivore into an accidental eco-warrior. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Happy birthday, my leafy legend.
Keep growing the world greener, one stubborn friend at a time.

Love,
Your perpetually confused, slowly transforming, plant-murdering-turned-bird-feeding friend.

— Suvi’s Scribbles…