‘My mother is becoming cool.’ He pulled Radhika towards him and kissed her.

‘Mr Sleazy, I have breakfast ready for you. Come!’ She pulled him to his feet and took him to the small dining area. There was a large banyan tree painted on the wall behind the table.

‘I wish I could wake up like this every morning,’ he said. Radhika had set out toast, cereal and milk on the table. ‘You said you’d made breakfast. Where is it?’ He narrowed his eyes.

‘What do you think this is? It’s what I eat.’ She picked up an apple and waved it in front of his face.

‘So you will never make aloo ke paranthe?’ He made a puppy-dog face.

‘No, Mr Mehra. I also want you to give up your unhealthy lifestyle and become fit.’ She ruffled his hair and combed her long fingers through it.

‘Fit for what? Am I not able to . . .’ He winked.

She tapped him on the head. ‘Eat fast and get ready.’

Sated and energized from their meal, they made love. Madhav went back to sleep while Radhika left for a jog. They loved spending time with each other; her exuberance and his boyish innocence aligned perfectly.

Madhav stood in front of his house with his arm around Radhika’s waist as he rang the doorbell. He assured her that his mother would definitely like her. As he bent to kiss her on the forehead, his mother opened the door. Radhika quickly drew away from him and hugged his mother, asking, ‘How are you, Aunty?’

Madhav, his lips still puckered, came forward and hugged his mother too. She wasn’t used to such warmth and care from him. ‘I am fine, beta. How are you?’ She was a little disconcerted by Radhika’s hug as she was expecting her to touch her feet as per tradition. As progressive as she was, deep down Mrs Mehra still had a bit of the conservative left in her. She scanned Radhika’s outfit—a blue kurta, tight white leggings and a shawl. She looked very pretty. Mrs Mehra finally smiled.

‘Ma, if you’re done with your inspection, can we come inside?’ Madhav asked.

His relationship with his family was improving day by day. Radhika had helped him realize that relationships with family and friends were the roots that nourished a healthy person. She wanted him to connect with his family in order to disconnect from what was troubling him. She wanted him to blossom in love, to rise in love.

As they settled on the couch, Mrs Mehra asked the help to bring in drinks and snacks. She finally turned to Radhika and asked, ‘So, are you a psycho?’

‘Mom!’ Madhav was flabbergasted. ‘It’s psychoanalyst, not psycho!’ He gnashed his teeth in annoyance. Radhika couldn’t help but laugh.

‘What exactly do you do?’ she inquired further.

‘Radhika is a therapist,’ he explained.

‘Not any more,’ she muttered to herself as Madhav gave her a wary look.