I was excited about spending time with other writers, getting intoxicated over Commander in Chief rum toddy and red wine. Representation Pic/Thinkstock

The only reason I didn't buy a copy of Tishani Doshi's Girls Are Coming out of the Woods immediately after her Delhi launch on Wednesday evening was out of fear of losing my copy. Insobriety was on my agenda for the after-party I had conspired to host with Janice Pariat, who will soon unveil her own latest book, The Nine-Chambered Heart, and Akanksha Sharma, who, in her mid-20s, is probably IKEA's youngest designer. You must understand how there was a time when I used to describe myself as an alcoholic with a writing problem. However, in the wake of my surgery, I've been so well-behaved, I can spend the whole evening at an art opening, usually a site where the booze flows, so to speak, completely sober and enjoy the experience. But last night was about letting one's hair down, about daring to have a terrace party because the pollution level had gone down from severe to very unhealthy, not something one should really be celebrating, I know, but Nilanjana Roy made a lovely point during her conversation with Tishani, about the importance of indulging in delight, and Tishani spoke about her first book being titled The Pleasure Seekers, proof enough of her innate hedonism.