"Life is a terminal condition": Abraham Verghese. Life is a cycle of love and loss and is a terminal condition, said Abraham Verghese in conversation with Supriya Menon about the book "The Covenant of Water." The online session proved to be among the most impactful ones at the Kerala Literature Festival. The novel tells the story of three generations of an Indian Christian family living in the town of Parambil, in the southwest Indian state of Kerala. In this session, Abraham Verghese shared his memories associated with his childhood—his mother and grandmother—and the influences they had on him. The novel was dedicated to his mother, whereas the paranormal and Gothic elements in this particular novel are influenced by his grandmother. Supriya`s presentation and Abraham`s answers made the session a treat for the spectators.