I never actually left school. It follows me around comfortingly. Ad and feature films continue imaging this red brick, century-and-a half-old Bandra convent in countless shoots. While every corner and cranny held uncommon charm, I loved St Joseph's chapel best. Set in a pastoral paradise of a garden and suffused on the sultriest day with air cool as the marble font touched on entering, it almost lifted you in a soft clasp. The soothing ambience kept us from mulling over dismal marks or hopeless crushes. Of course, we used to be led here for far soberer reasons. Like praying for rain when the season seemed to bypass Bombay till August in one 1970s year.

St Joseph's Convent hails the Daughters of the Cross (Filles de la Croix), sent serving across the world by Mother Marie Therese. "In this Sign, thou shalt conquer... to consider others as your brothers and sisters" was their directive principle. The sign suddenly appeared in 1833 to Jeanne Haze and Virginie Sorage looking up from a Belgian courtyard. A large black Cross with a crown of ivory blazed bright in the dusk sky. Disappearing as miraculously, it left a deep impression on the friends.