The couple with Toshi seemed entirely overawed by Habib’s presence.

‘Oh, you’re Habib Haider, aren’t you? We absolutely love your art. Could we have a photograph with you please?’ gushed the lady, signalling to her husband to smoothen his hair over his bald patch. ‘We’re such huge fans—in fact, we have four of your early works in our home.’

‘Ah, that’s more than my wife will keep in ours,’ smiled Habib.

‘I’m happy to click your photograph,’ offered Toshi, quite tickled by this scene.

The man quickly handed his phone to Toshi and the couple happily posed with Habib, flanking him with flair. As soon as the couple had dispensed with their effusive raving and left, Toshi turned to Habib.

‘Congratulations! You seem to be quite the celebrity.’

‘As I said, this world is full of deluded people,’ replied Habib, smiling.

‘So, I take it that this is one of yours?’ Toshi asked, pointing to the painting with the circles.

‘Yes, and I’m told that some crazy person has offered to pay an obscene amount of money for that artwork.’

‘Excellent. So, you’ll be an even richer celebrity now.’

‘I would be. Except that this painting is not for sale.’

‘Oh. May I ask why not?’

There was a brief second of silence. ‘Because it completes me,’ said Habib. ‘Does that make any sense?’

‘Not really,’ smiled Toshi. ‘But I guess all you artistic lot are supposed to sound like this. Talking in circles, as they say.’

Habib threw his head back and laughed. Just then, the manager of the gallery, a young woman with a name tag and an officious look about her, rustled up to Habib.

‘Excuse me, Mr Haider, could we have a few words from you please for our guests?’

‘If you insist, Julia,’ said Habib. ‘I’ll be with you in a moment.’

Julia half-smiled and bustled off. Habib looked wryly at Toshi. ‘This is the bit I dread the most,’ he muttered. ‘I’m terrified of speaking in public. Please don’t feel obliged to stay. And thanks again for coming.’

Toshi smiled. ‘I’m sure you’ll do a very fine job,’ she said.

As Habib walked away, Toshi took one last look at the painting. She put on her spectacles and peered at the little label beside the painting.

It read:

Artist: Habib Haider

Title: TOSHI, 1961

This painting is the artist’s tribute to a childhood game he would play with his sister, Toshi. Pithoo is a game involving seven stones. The artist chose to draw six circles representing six stones because the seventh stone is still in his possession—and has been ever since he was a boy.

The ground beneath Toshi’s feet seemed to shift. The room swerved like a pendulum —and the paintings and people and paraphernalia came crashing in on her. Gradually, the dimly lit art gallery narrowed down to one swinging light bulb, which cast everything in its wavering shadow. Something inside Toshi’s chest was compressing tighter and tighter. Like hope, with its wings tied.