‘Hello,’ Irfan’s deep, familiar voice came through.

‘Abba, it’s me.’

‘Is everything all right, Inaya? Are Daada and Daadi okay?’ There was concern in Irfan’s tone.

‘They’re very well, Abba. I wanted to tell you that our team won the league match today.’

There was silence at the other end.

‘Abba? Are you angry with me for taking part? I’m sorry, Abba, I didn’t want to hide this from you—I really wanted to share—’

‘Daadi mentioned that you were playing in some games there, Inaya. I’m glad that you won and that it’s all over now. I hope you’ll be back soon.’

That was it? Was that all he had to say? There was no point in trying to reach out to him. It was always the same dead end. Inaya suddenly wanted to hang up. Her breath felt short and sharp.

‘Hello? Inaya, are you there?’

‘Yes, Abba, we’ll be back next week,’ she replied curtly.

‘That’s good, Inaya,’ said Irfan. ‘It seems unlikely that I’ll be able to join you in London. My work won’t allow me to get away . . . as I explained to your Daadi too. I need to go now, I have a meeting in five minutes.’

Inaya hung up and sat on her grandmother’s bed, knees drawn up, her head cradled in her arms. So much for trying to make a connection and establishing a rapport. If anything, she felt they were even further apart than before.

The High Road

The morning dawned bright, fluffy white clouds pegged to blue skies as far as the eye could see. Arathi came into Jai’s room and drew aside the curtains. Jai squinted as the sunlight pierced through his groggy daze.

‘Rise and shine!’ said Arathi, annoyingly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. ‘I’m off for a meeting, Jai, and then I’ll meet Badi Ma and you for lunch. You choose where to eat—as long as it isn’t exorbitantly priced. But before that, take Badi Ma out for a walk or something.’

‘Not another walk, Ma,’ groaned Jai. ‘Badi Ma is arthritic. So much walking isn’t good for her.’

‘Nice try, Jai,’ said his mother. ‘Now stop being such a lazy lump. I’ll see you at lunch. Didn’t you say you had two more restaurants you wanted to visit before we leave? You’re going to bankrupt me at this rate.’

‘I’ve saved up some money, Ma. So, this can be my treat, since it’s your birthday soon.’

Arathi beamed and gave Jai one of her bear hugs that left him gasping for breath.

‘All grown up, huh, Jai? Buying me lunch already? I’m not quite ready to have my baby boy grow up though. I still want that little boy who was terrified of giraffes.’

‘Er, bye Ma—I’ll see you at lunch.’

Arathi smiled and left the room, blowing him a kiss, which he pretended not to notice. Jai found all this demonstration of affection most unnecessary but was never quite sure how to tell his mother to stop without hurting her feelings.