He woke up early the next morning. He felt strange without the now all-too-familiar hangover. He felt vulnerable to the world around him, to himself. It had been a few days since his temper was last whipped into a frenzy, but it seemed as though something in him was going to explode soon. His phone rang.

‘Morning, Maddy! Are you ready? Shall I come pick you up?’ Meera asked, her voice animated as ever. He was somewhat pissed because she had lied to him about the art therapy session. But he decided to go along.

Madhav knew that Meera did not truly love him and often faked her affection for him but, at the same time, Meera’s acceptance of his unusual behaviour made it easy to be with her. All that sex didn’t hurt either.

‘I will be ready in an hour. Call me when you’re about to reach,’ he said, disinterestedly.

‘Okay, baby, I will give you a call,’ she said. ‘Looo . . .’ He disconnected before she could complete her whiny ‘Love you’.

Madhav suddenly felt in control that day. The air was crisp and the sun was shining brightly. But there was a curious tinge to the day. The smell of something like renewal, perhaps.

He got ready and went downstairs to see his family. The maid would now clean his room only after he left.

‘Madhav!’ His mother’s eyes brightened on seeing him. ‘Will you have breakfast?’

‘Mom, can you please ask me some other question every morning?’

‘Sorry, beta. But let me know. I’m making some for your father,’ she said and went back to the kitchen. ‘Where’s Vihana?’ he inquired.

‘She’s left for a meeting with a client.’

‘I will have some toast,’ he said finally, walking towards the kitchen.

‘Where are you going today?’ his mother asked.

‘To an art exhibition.’

‘With Meera?’

‘Yes,’ he said, as he munched on a chocolate cookie. He used to demolish entire jars of these when he was a kid.

‘Do you like her?’ she pressed further. That threw Madhav off.

‘She’s just a good friend.’

His mother nodded and buttered his toast for him. Madhav wrapped the slices in a tissue and left.

‘Where are you, Meera? I have been waiting for you.’ He was starting to get impatient.

‘I can see you, love,’ she said.

Meera brought the car to a squealing stop. The sound made Madhav turn around. Meera had come in her flatmate’s car. She winked at him as he got in. She leaned in to kiss him but he turned his face away.

‘What’s going on, Maddy?’ she asked, taking off her shades.

Madhav was still preoccupied with his mother’s question. And now he couldn’t stop asking himself if he loved Meera.

But all he said was, ‘Nothing. Let’s go.’

The question played in a loop in his mind. Meera kept nagging him but Madhav paid little attention and was relieved when they finally reached the venue. It looked like a school of sorts. A geeky-looking, over-enthusiastic girl stood at the gate with a placard that read ‘Free Hugs’. Meera chuckled while parking the car. There were throngs of people entering the premises. It was like a huge, colourful fair.