‘Is Radhika here?’ Madhav asked as Suresh glanced at the bouquet and the pastry box out of the corner of his eye.

‘She is not here. She’s gone to visit a client,’ Suresh said.

‘When will she be back?’

‘I don’t know, but I’m closing the office in an hour. The door to her house is on the other side of the staircase.’

‘Oh, okay. I guess I should leave.’

‘How are you doing?’ Suresh asked, in his usual drawl.

‘I’m good.’

‘Is it someone’s birthday?’ he inquired.

‘No, uh, these are nothing . . . just like that. I’ll leave then.’

Madhav was slightly upset as he’d desperately wanted to see Radhika again. He left in a hurry and drove back to his place. His mind was spinning and, in his anger, he switched off his phone. He stopped at a wine and beer shop and bought a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, which he opened immediately, taking two long sips. He had planned on spending this evening celebrating with Radhika, but all his plans had gone awry. He drove recklessly and parked his car on the road, uncaring of the traffic.

He then went up to his room, ignoring everyone. They were taken aback to see this behaviour after the afternoon’s pleasantries.

Up in his room, Madhav poured some more whiskey into a glass and put on his headphones. But after a minute or two, he took it off and staggered to the mirror.

He stood there for a couple of minutes, looking at every curve on his face. He went as close as he possibly could, running a finger down his cheek in his reflection.

‘Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? An MBA degree, a gold medal and a corporate job?’ His eyes had turned red.

‘Tell me? Is there anything else you want? Anything else you want to make me do?’ He bit his lips, trying to control his tears. His lips quivered as he once again felt the familiar war within his mind and soul.

He grinned and grimaced through his tears. It was the most frightening sight.

‘This is not enough!’ he yelled at himself. ‘This is not enough, Madhav. You have more debts to pay.’ And he laughed. He went into mad paroxysms of laughter and then he started to sob. Anyone looking at him would’ve thought him to be insane, but Madhav didn’t care because his true tormenter resided within him.

His phoned beeped. It was Meera. His vision went blurry as the three pegs of whiskey hit him all at once.

‘I thought you would come over. I even bought a bottle of red wine to celebrate your success, but I guess you took the cake and roses to the wrong address. Don’t call me ever again!’

6

Madhav woke up at 7 a.m. He was on the floor with drool all over his face. His limbs ached but nothing seemed to be broken. His mouth tasted like something had died in there.