Part memoir, part fiction, Once, the English translation of N. Mohanan's Malayalam classic Orikkal, is a timeless tale of love, longing and self-discovery that has captivated generations of readers with its poetic beauty and emotional depth. When Mohanan unexpectedly reunites with a long-lost love in the sterile halls of a hospital, memories of passion, heartbreak and an extraordinary connection come flooding back. With a delicate blend of storytelling and poetry, he writes about this encounter in a narrative that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever loved and lost. Set against the backdrop of a changing India, Once takes readers on an intimate journey of nostalgia, navigating the nuances of human relationships, the burden of societal expectations and the indelible marks left by the past. Now available in a masterful translation by A.J. Thomas and featuring a heartfelt note by Sarita Mohanan Bhama, the author's daughter, Once reaches a new audience while preserving the lyrical elegance of the original.