I had a plan. As soon as I saw her come I’d totally convincingly act completely surprised. Then I’d make like I had a work call on my phone and gesture at her to wait. This way it would make the whole thing look like an accident and completely unplanned. Then I’d cut the call, chat with Gouri… maybe take her for a coffee, crack a few jokes, tell her about the Dufresne film we’re shooting … And then whatever happens later that night will happen. Who am I to speculate?

After an hour or so I saw her arrive in an auto. Immediately, I held my phone to my ear and started speaking very realistically—making gestures with my hand and all. Gouri stepped out of the auto and saw me standing there. She just stood on the footpath. Tears were flowing down her face.

At first I thought they were tears of joys at having seen me there. Then I realized that she was sobbing as well. So something was wrong. I walked towards her, the phone still stuck to my ear, and gestured at her to wait. I kept making random noises to look like I was in the middle of a conversation when the phone actually rang and almost shattered my eardrum. I shut my phone immediately and walked towards her mumbling how I hate the two lines I have on my cell.

‘It was that real-estate fellow. Bansal. I won’t call back,’ I told her resolutely.

Gouri didn’t say anything. I put my hand on her back and led her away from the road to the gate of her building, Barcelona Balakrishnan Towers. Through sobs she asked me how I knew where she lived. I told her that I had no idea and I’d come to Khar for a client meeting. She asked me which client. I told her it was confidential.

(Genius! That was totally on the fly, Diary. Unplanned. Total genius.)

After a few moments she said she was all right and told me I could go. I told her that I was a friend and I couldn’t just leave her when she was in such bad shape. I suggested that she should go freshen up and then I could take her for a cup of coffee or a beer or cocktails. She said there was no need but I insisted. Eventually she walked in and I followed her.

Did you notice how I did not ask her why she was crying? Women don’t like that kind of approach. When they are emotional you should let them express freely. Remember, in engineering college, Sheeja was sitting next to me during the C++ practical exam and then broke down crying because her program would not run? And I went on with my coding because I did not want to interfere while she was venting her feelings? Eventually she calmed down a little. And then Premlal consoled her and then they started seeing each other and now they are married and live in Washington.