<p> The following day, they returned; this time in a playful mood. Through the glass window I watched them whispering sweet somethings. Occasionally, they would chase each other or exchange a peck. <br /><br />Their visits became frequent and it seemed our balcony with a patch of green was their favourite haunt. I got used to their visits and inadvertently watched their affair blossoming. A couple of days later I saw the pair again, this time frantically moving up and down, looking a bit tense unlike the earlier romantic mood.<br /><br />I noticed they were surveying their potential new ‘residence’ which was a secure ledge, high on our balcony. A few fallen twigs and dry grass confirmed the fact that construction of a dwelling was underway. I decided to investigate into this illegal work. I climbed onto a stool and not surprisingly I saw a nest in the corner of the ledge. Immediately, my mind conjured up visions of pigeon droppings, flying feathers and the small health risk it posed. Besides, the sound they make is hardly music to my ears. I decided to demolish their new home.<br /><br />Coincidentally, just then the two birds came flying and seeing me, perched themselves at the far end of the balcony railing. The look in their red-orange eyes seemed to implore, “Please, we need a home!” Indeed, it would be cruel to destroy the nest built so painstakingly. In all my magnanimity I let them be and got back to my routine.<br /><br />A few weeks later I spotted one of the pigeons flapping its wings excitedly. It flew to and from the nest several times and randomly taking some tidbits with it. Intrigued, I was impatient to know the reason for this excitement. Every time I discreetly peeped, they were around. Two days later, I spied them flying away. I quickly stole a glance at their shelter.<br /><br />Two teeny-weeny new born pigeons, with hardly any feathers, snuggled against each other on scraps of straw lay asleep there. It wasn’t a pleasing sight, it actually unnerved me. I returned inside, cursing myself for being a silent spectator to the conspiring intruders who not only used our balcony for courting but also snooped around, built a residence and started a family. Now, nearly a year later, and after tearing some hair, I have given up on evicting our ‘illegal tenants’ to move on with a sense of acceptance even as the pigeons expand their family, intensify their cooing and continue to peck our plants and mess our balconies.</p>
<p> The following day, they returned; this time in a playful mood. Through the glass window I watched them whispering sweet somethings. Occasionally, they would chase each other or exchange a peck. <br /><br />Their visits became frequent and it seemed our balcony with a patch of green was their favourite haunt. I got used to their visits and inadvertently watched their affair blossoming. A couple of days later I saw the pair again, this time frantically moving up and down, looking a bit tense unlike the earlier romantic mood.<br /><br />I noticed they were surveying their potential new ‘residence’ which was a secure ledge, high on our balcony. A few fallen twigs and dry grass confirmed the fact that construction of a dwelling was underway. I decided to investigate into this illegal work. I climbed onto a stool and not surprisingly I saw a nest in the corner of the ledge. Immediately, my mind conjured up visions of pigeon droppings, flying feathers and the small health risk it posed. Besides, the sound they make is hardly music to my ears. I decided to demolish their new home.<br /><br />Coincidentally, just then the two birds came flying and seeing me, perched themselves at the far end of the balcony railing. The look in their red-orange eyes seemed to implore, “Please, we need a home!” Indeed, it would be cruel to destroy the nest built so painstakingly. In all my magnanimity I let them be and got back to my routine.<br /><br />A few weeks later I spotted one of the pigeons flapping its wings excitedly. It flew to and from the nest several times and randomly taking some tidbits with it. Intrigued, I was impatient to know the reason for this excitement. Every time I discreetly peeped, they were around. Two days later, I spied them flying away. I quickly stole a glance at their shelter.<br /><br />Two teeny-weeny new born pigeons, with hardly any feathers, snuggled against each other on scraps of straw lay asleep there. It wasn’t a pleasing sight, it actually unnerved me. I returned inside, cursing myself for being a silent spectator to the conspiring intruders who not only used our balcony for courting but also snooped around, built a residence and started a family. Now, nearly a year later, and after tearing some hair, I have given up on evicting our ‘illegal tenants’ to move on with a sense of acceptance even as the pigeons expand their family, intensify their cooing and continue to peck our plants and mess our balconies.</p>
