‘The two of you had your lives and he had provided for your mother. I’ve always wondered how she knew that he’d moved all his money to her account. How she knew where his will was. He must have told her. And why did he tell her? Because he was going away. She must have known he was going away.’

‘She did. We’ve only just found out. I’ll tell you about that later. Right now I want you to know that I have all these fears. Another thing you must know. If someone tries to molest you, I’m not sure I’d rush to protect you. I’m not one of the world’s chest-thumping men.’

‘Don’t worry. I’m capable of looking after myself. I have only one question for you. Are you gay?’

Ashesh is taken aback. ‘Janaki, you know I’m not. You think I’m play-acting when we are together? People say these things about single men. It’s just gossip.’

‘People say you didn’t marry Nasreen for that reason. Since we’re airing fears, let me air mine.’

‘Nasreen and I may not have flaunted our physical relationship but we did have one. I didn’t marry her simply because I got cold feet. I wasn’t sure I could handle marriage.’

‘Are you sure now? I’m not. Let’s just do it and see?’

Ashesh smiles at her, feeling more relaxed.

‘What was Nasreen like?’

‘Let me show you.’ Ashesh goes to his room and comes out with a large photograph. Janaki looks at it intently. She sees a woman with shoulder-length hair hanging down straight on both sides of her face and gold-rimmed spectacles with round lenses. She sits cross-legged on the floor, looking straight at the camera.

‘Nasreen at twenty. She hasn’t changed much over the years.’

‘You’ve met her recently?’

‘I met her when I went to London. We meet when she comes here. She’s doing extremely well. Her work is highly regarded there.’

‘Are you still emotionally involved with her?’

‘I admire her. She lives alone. She has never betrayed herself, never made compromises in her work. She’s an independent, spirited woman. Ai would have rejected her even if she’d been a Hindu. She could never have dealt with Nasreen’s kind of spirit. She can’t deal with Anima.’

‘Is your mother very traditional?’