‘Who’s this Tarlok? My grandfather’s name is Habib,’ said Inaya.

‘It’s a long story, Inaya,’ said Habib.

‘Badi Ma, you do know that he is Muslim right?’ whispered Jai conspiratorially, although he was loud enough for everyone to hear. He could just about picture his parents having a hissy fit when they would learn about this new development.

‘Yes. He is Muslim,’ said Toshi. ‘And I have grown up as a Hindu. But the bond we share is far stronger than the faith we practise.’

A lightbulb seemed to come on in Jai’s head. He let out a long, satisfied sigh, ‘Ah, now I get it. This is some kind of candid camera joke that you both have planned, right?’

‘No, it isn’t, Jai,’ said Toshi.

‘In fact, if anything, life has played the biggest joke on us, all these years,’ added Habib.

Jai looked entirely flummoxed. So, Badi Ma now apparently had a Muslim brother who was alive and tucked away in Pakistan, who then turned out be the grandfather of Pesky Girl.

Meanwhile, Inaya was processing her thoughts, in the context of what this meant to her. ‘Hold on a second—how come you never mentioned that you had a sister, Daada?’ she asked. ‘Or am I the only one who doesn’t know about this?’

‘You’re the only one who knows, Inaya,’ said Habib.

‘But how come your sister is from India, Daada?’ she said. ‘Do you think we’re related to Jhulan Goswami too?’ she added, as an appealing afterthought dawned on her.

If her grandfather was going to suddenly spring long-lost relatives from across the border at her, he might have chosen better, she thought to herself. This Jai was a complete waste of space, in Inaya’s opinion. All he did was think about food and eat it. No interest whatsoever in cricket—or any sport for that matter.

‘No, Inaya, I don’t think we’re related to Jhulan,’ said Habib, smiling. ‘Inaya’s a champion cricketer, by the way,’ he added, turning to his sister.

‘Ah, that’s wonderful,’ said Toshi, reaching forward to give a startled Inaya a hug.

Jai glowered at his grandmother. Why was she being so affectionate towards Pesky Girl?

‘Jai is a budding chef—and he draws really well too—just like you, Tarlok,’ said Toshi proudly.

Jai cringed. Why was Badi Ma now suddenly comparing him to Inaya’s grandfather? It was just weird. But then he remembered that Inaya’s grandfather was his grandmother’s brother. Apparently.

‘So, do you live in Rawalpindi?’ asked Jai.

‘Yes,’ said Habib. ‘Not very far from the house that your Badi Ma and I grew up in.’

‘You didn’t answer my question, Daada. How come your sister is from India?’ repeated Inaya.

‘Well your great-grandparents adopted me, Inaya—and we were all given to believe that my birth family—my grandparents, parents and sister—had been killed in the riots that followed the Partition.’

‘Hmm. So Daadi knows nothing about your sister?’ continued Inaya.

‘No, she doesn’t,’ said Habib, smiling. ‘This is going to be interesting.’