Anu was now growing rather uncomfortable. Why was she the target? Did she have a bull’s eye painted on her face?

‘Four,’ Anu answered briefly. She had to get out of the spotlight.

‘At that age, even we didn’t worry. Now my child is in fourth grade. I have to think about his education and his future.’ Another parent chimed in.

Seriously? Eight-year-olds need to get serious about their futures? But Anu with great difficulty waited for someone else to field the question.

Sumitra aunty did. ‘You need not worry is what I am saying. We are teaching them what they need to learn for their grade.’

But Madam Rude would not let it go. ‘How many teachers here have children studying in the third or fourth?’

‘How is it relevant?’ Sumitra aunty asked politely.

‘Ms Anu here claimed that most teachers have their kids studying here. If a restauranteur eats at his restaurant, then the patrons feel better about the quality. So I want to know how many of their kids are in higher classes.’

Was that woman a lawyer? Did she think this was some kind of family court? But the truth was, most of the teachers’ kids were kindergarteners. Then Anu’s eyes fell on Adi snuggling next to Kavitha.

‘I have an older son.’ Anu declared and signalled to Kavitha to send Adi over. She did not dare look at Sumitra aunty.

‘See, Adi is in fourth grade. But I am not worried.’

But Adi was not very cooperative. He stood next to Anu digging his nose for a moment and then asked loudly, ‘Anu aunty, can I go? I want to go to Mummy.’

The crowd burst into laughter before Kavitha stood up holding Adi’s hand up like a soldier holding a gun. ‘He is like a son to Anu Ma’am. We are neighbours and friends for decades.’ She said with a flourish. ‘We always say we have two sons.’

‘Thank God not two husbands!’ was Madam Rude’s crude reply. But the crowd did not burst into laughter. So the joke was on her.

Later, Anu walked into the principal’s chamber sheepishly. ‘Aunty, sorry. Didn’t mean to stir up so much controversy and bury your words.’

Sumitra aunty laughed. ‘Anu, you meant well and that was evident. But recognize when someone is attacking you personally. You don’t have to waste energy on them.’

When Anu bit into that Masale Dose later with Kavitha, sipping a hot cup of coffee, Kavitha spoke wistfully. ‘Anu, you called Adi your son, ya. I am so touched.’

Anu smiled. ‘You saved me from my lie! But he is like a son to me.’

‘And I am like a sister, no?’ Kavitha asked eagerly.

‘Of course.’ Anu patted Kavitha’s hand and surprisingly, she meant it. Anu began to feel better. She had made a fool out of herself but she hadn’t caused any damage.