There is nothing left in the world that is not in shades of black. They get up one by one. Feroze lends Anima a hand. It is suddenly chilly. The wind roars behind them pushing them forward. Dried leaves crackle underfoot. Janaki throws her head back and laughs. Ashesh bends down quickly for a kiss. Their arms tighten around each other’s waists. The climb is over. The road is flat now. They turn right. The wind lets go of their backs and whistles off into the night. The descent towards Sylvania is covered thickly with moist leaves on which their feet slip and slide. Maya laughs. They all laugh. Their laughter whirls up into the tops of the trees, echoes and fades away.

The spicy aroma of jhunka greets them at the gate. The aroma is so out of keeping with the colonial bungalow that Anima halts in shock at the door. The front room is furnished with heavy teak armchairs and old-style lights. The doors are veiled with frilled curtains. China bowls, plates and flower vases stand on the teak sideboard by the wall. And in the midst of all this Victoriana wafts the rustic aroma of jhunka.

‘Why don’t we eat in the kitchen, sitting on the floor?’ Anima suggests. ‘Then Shevantabai can serve us bhakris straight off the fire.’

Shekhar wrinkles his nose. He’s wearing tight trousers.

‘I can lend you a lungi,’ Haridas offers.

There’s a moment’s silence. Then Shekhar smiles and says, ‘No, thank you. Each to his own.’

Feroze too is unhappy with the floor idea. So he and Shekhar decide to sit at a small table that Feroze draws up to the kitchen.

As fast as Pandurang’s wife Shevanta roasts the bhakris, they are walloped. Haridas points to Sharada and says, ‘Don’t give her any more. She is going to sing for us after this.’

‘What are you going to sing?’ Ashesh asks.

‘If there’s going to be singing, we’re all going to do it,’ Sharada answers.

They think the idea’s a joke.

‘How’s guruji’s temperature these days?’ Anima asks.

‘Down to normal. We’ve struck a deal. If I want to continue to learn from him, I am not to sing my own compositions for a year.’

‘It could have been for as long as he is alive.’

‘Gurus also need disciples. The embargo gives him the satisfaction of victory over my rebellion.’

‘The embargo’s a good idea,’ Haridas chips in. ‘Gives you time to polish your compositions.’

‘Maya can’t understand anything we’re saying,’ Janaki points out. ‘Shouldn’t we speak in English?’

‘Why?’ Haridas asks, putting his left arm around Maya. ‘Do I understand anything when I’m with her Antoines and Francescas? All I can tell is whether they are happy or upset.’