‘I don’t mean to hold—look, I’m sorry,’ Sid says, throwing his arms in the air. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt you like that. I am not a woman-beater. But I feel you are blackmailing me with the baby. I need an assurance that you will give me a divorce and that—’

‘I promise you I am not blackmailing you with the baby. The baby will have nothing to do with you. I will bring it up on my own. I will give you whatever you want. Just please let me go,’ I say and start crying.

A horn honks outside, we all turn to look. I am saved. The cab I had called for earlier stands outside the gate. The driver gets out of the cab and looks at our door, waiting.

Sid and Dragon both stare at me, unsure—

‘You can’t go out like—like that. What will people think?’ Dragon says hesitantly.

I don’t care. I don’t wait.

‘Taxi! Here!’ I yell.

I push past Dragon, grab the suitcase and walk out the door. The cab driver is startled by my face. I ask him to open the boot. I try to lift the suitcase when he takes it from my hand.

‘You kindly sit, sister,’ the driver says gently, his eyes downcast. He puts the suitcase in the boot.

‘Where would you like to go?’ he asks.

I tell him.

The driver nods grimly and starts the engine. I don’t look back as the cab drives out of the gate. I pull out my phone and dial the number. She answers on the second ring.

‘I like a woman who makes quick decisions,’ she says.

‘Did you upload those videos?’ I ask her.

She does not answer instantly; I don’t say anything either.

‘Think Ms Sharma—Your husband cheats on you. He has never loved you. He serially abuses you. He tells you he does you a favour by being with you. Then one day, when you’ve outlived your usefulness for him, he says he is leaving you for someone else. Your world falls apart. You have nowhere to go, nothing to do. And then you find your husband’s phone with videos of him fucking this other woman. I had his phone with me Ms Sharma, but I can honestly tell you I didn’t personally upload those videos. Is there anything else you’d like to know?’

‘Will you give me the interview even if I quit Tabloid?’ I ask.

‘Yes,’ she says.

I sigh with relief.

‘Thank you. I’ll be in touch soon about dates,’ I say.

‘I’ll wait, but please don’t make me wait too long. Can’t you tell I am itching to talk!’ she says with a laugh.