Ashesh reads Janaki's article and remembers his quivering hand again. He had met Ranjan Khanna just five months ago on a visit to Delhi. They had had dinner together and talked into the night. Now he was in hospital, unable to speak. Things like that happen without a warning. So if you have had a warning, it's stupid not to heed it. Ashesh's hand had danced that night. That was a sign, surely, that something was wrong? Had Ranjan ignored some small symptom like that? Strokes are said to transmit minor messages before a full-on attack. Perhaps doctors can tell an attack is imminent by the condition of your functions. Or can’t they? Anyway, it is finally your life. If you’re stupid enough to believe that you’re specially protected against disease, you end up in a sweat in the middle of the night and then in hospital. Much smarter to go to the expert at the first symptom and let him assure you you’re okay; and if you’re not, here's how to stall what's coming.

This is not the time, with black and grey shades whirling around in my mind like dervishes, to take risks. I must get back to that canvas, chase that image that flashed bright and clear out of the darkness and disappeared into it in a blink. I must coax it back. The show's round the corner. There's going to be stress. I have to be totally fit in body and mind. There's this respite now. I must have a full check-up done. But the Padmini is being serviced. So what? Take a bus. Can’t wait for everything to come together.

Ashesh calls up his old school friend Haresh Pounda. Haresh says reassuringly, ‘What you’re describing is probably just an essential tremor. But if you’re anxious, come to Lilavati this evening or Jaslok tomorrow morning.’

It is five in the evening. The appointment with Haresh is at six. Ashesh knows it's idiotic to go to him. He's an oncologist. But you want to start with old friends. Wait a moment. Start? What's that supposed to mean? There's going to be nothing after this start. You’re only being cautious, because you don’t want tremors, essential or otherwise, to get going in the middle of the night.