Balkaneh

As I hang out on the 7^th floor of the spanking new apartment block, various thoughts cross my mind. It’s a nice balmy late afternoon, the sun shining bright in the western sky and I hear the sales executive in her stilettos giving the young couple a tour of the home. She is explaining the plan of the home – the living area, the dining, the well-lit kitchen, the spacious bedrooms and oh yes, the well-appointed toilets. The footsteps are now closer and I overhear the couple saying that they have a green thumb – I like that! That talented and pretty architect chose custom designed terracotta tiles to clad my floor and wrapped me up with a wonderful child-safe toughened glass railing through which one could enjoy the views of the garden city.

I like the couple as I hear them – I can see their passion for greenery and outdoor spaces. I can see them filling me up with potted plants and brightly painted handmade curios. I can feel the weight of a couple of wicker chairs and a cast iron teapoy to match it. I see a beautiful corner rattan uplighter to light me up during the evenings. Hooks fixed on the underside of the beams around my ceiling can take hanging pots with flowering plants. I can visualise the couple starting their day with tea and the newspaper and then returning

 to me in the evenings to unwind and de-stress as they switch on some light music and gaze out into the sunset. On a weekend, who knows, I might even see them do a slow dance. They seem the romantic type. I do hope the couple buys our flat.

Oh I almost forgot! I am the Balkaneh (as I was originally known in Persian) better known as the ubiquitous Balcony. I like the Persian version, somehow. I do have many siblings – the Terrace that is much wider and larger than I am, the Patio from Spain – a grounded person in my opinion, Deck who is generally all wrapped up in wood and has become fashionable among these young architects who build for the rich and famous, Verandah – the Portuguese brought him to India but I don’t see him around much – I hear he gradually disappeared into the rural areas after the real estate boom here in the city when people stopped using his services. Then there is Courtyard – quintessentially Indian – I have stopped seeing him in homes these days – you see, the chap likes to hang out in air-conditioned malls and offices – quite understandable with the heat these days – and I hear he has even changed his name to Atrium.

In whatever form we may come, we represent a human need (almost an atavistic urge) to connect with the outdoors and the nature while remaining in the safe and warm environs of a home. You can decorate us in any way you like – you can make us all rustic with terracotta elements, lots of plants and other elements or you could give us a cool minimal look – with some contemporary outdoor furniture, with just one plant to complement the look. You could even do us up in the Japanese Zen style with pebbles laid to a pattern and a small gurgling water body. Either ways, we are here to give you, your experience of paradise.

Ah yes, I hear a round of congratulations - the sun is setting and the couple has just paid the advance. I am relieved and happy!