‘It’s not just women she listens to.’ Shekhar laughs. ‘She was telling me about a man and his love marriage. Before marriage his wife was a fun person. But the minute they were married she transformed herself into this weird woman who put sindoor in her parting, served him his dinner first and ate after him, and brought him his shoes when he was getting ready to go to work. He found he simply couldn’t stand this ideal Indian wife. He’d lived alone for eight years, had done and enjoyed doing everything for himself. He was an excellent cook. He loved being in the kitchen. But now his wife wouldn’t allow him to even step in. He said he was scared she’d pray for seven lives of togetherness when she did the Vat Savitri puja.’

Sharada looks at Shekhar with a mischievous laugh. ‘You’re welcome in my kitchen any time, darling.’

Shekhar gets up, holding out his hand to her. ‘I don’t know about the kitchen. But I’d do the Vat Savitri puja any time to have you with me for seven lives.’

Held secure in Shekhar’s arms, Sharada thinks of Janaki’s mother, feeling momentarily guilty for her happiness. Her head resting against his chest, Shekhar wonders if he should give her today’s bad news and be done with it. She feels his body tense. She lifts her head. ‘Something wrong?’

Shekhar lets go of her and picks up the book he’s been reading. Slapping an impatient hand on it, he says, ‘Every other day a new management guru surfaces in America. It’s like your gharanas. Some lay stress on beat, some on melody. Some will champion one kind of taan, some another. But finally there are only seven notes and twenty-two microtones. You can’t do much beyond them. This guru has just discovered that man is the most valuable resource in business. Take care of your people and they’ll take care of your business. So what’s new?’

‘Maybe this isn’t what you wanted to tell me?’

Shekhar’s heart thumps. He looks into her eyes. ‘Haridas called today.’

Sharada’s face grows taut. Her voice is flat. ‘Called you? Why?’

‘Invited us to dinner. Next Saturday. He said he didn’t call you because you’d have asked me before replying anyway, so why not call me directly. He has specially requested me to come. Everybody’ll be there. The occasion is to be a surprise.’

Sharada doesn’t say anything. Shekhar fixes his eyes on her. ‘You’re free to go of course. You know that.’

‘Not without you. You know that.’

‘I refuse to come.’

‘Then that’s that.’

‘Let him know.’

‘He called you. You let him know. If he’d called me I’d have said no there and then.’

Two parallel lines crease Shekhar’s forehead.

Shantanu comes to Sharada rubbing his eyes. ‘Sleepy, Ai.’