‘But I don’t want to leave you and go,’ Sindhutai interrupts, now near to tears.

‘Akka. You must listen to your doctor.’ He turns to Ashesh. ‘Please hire a car since you insist. I’ll make sure she comes.’

He can make sure she comes. She’s putty in his hands.

Anima and Ashesh walk down the road briskly without speaking. Then Anima says, ‘Do you recognize the symptoms, Ashesh?’ Her voice breaks with a sob. ‘Have we neglected her? Should we have forced her to come earlier?’

‘We couldn’t have forced her, Anima. You know her as well as I do. But we should sue this doctor. Would he have dared hang a patient’s life on pulse examinations in America? I’ll call Harya right away for an appointment.’

Bachchu Kaka’s room is in the old town, in Chopade’s Chawl. He points to the wall as Anima and Ashesh enter. ‘How does it look?’

Ashesh’s painting has brought light into the dim room, but Ashesh barely looks at it.

‘How was the meeting?’ Bachchu Kaka looks at them with concern.

‘She’s really ill.’

‘Was she sitting up or . . . ?’

‘Lying down. Looking like nothing on earth. We’re taking her to Mumbai, Kaka. Can you arrange for a car?’

‘Give me just a minute,’ he says. ‘Meanwhile keep looking at the picture. If you have another one like it, I’ll return this to Anima.’

Bachchu Kaka goes out. In five minutes he’s back. ‘The car will be at Home at four. You’ll be home before dark. Where will she stay?’

‘With me. Anima will be there of course and . . .’

‘And?’

Ashesh looks at his feet. Bachchu Kaka gives him a sharp look. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve got secretly married.’

Ashesh laughs awkwardly and tells Bachchu Kaka about Janaki. After exclamations of surprise and pleasure, Bachchu Kaka says, ‘What is this age difference you’re harping on?’

‘Nearly thirteen years.’

‘What a coincidence. Shankrya was that much older than Sindhutai. Good. Good. Now you can give me a painting as your wedding present.’

‘Done, Kaka. A clown. Bright, multicoloured costume. I have a

joker series in mind. The clown removing his make-up will be yours.’

Anima glances at her watch.

‘There’s still time. I sent Rama a message this morning. He wants to see you,’ said Bachchu Kaka.

Rama is unrecognizable. His hair is quite grey and his chin is covered with a three-day stubble. He’s wearing his customary pair of loose shorts and oversize shirt hanging out. Anima and Ashesh smile at him but don’t know what to say beyond how are you. Anima gets up, takes him by the arm and sits him down in a chair. Next moment he’s up and standing.