With her favourite Butterscotch ice cream melting in the mouth, Anu began to feel like a kid again. ‘Sameer, I went all around Vijaynagar and now nostalgia is oozing through me!’

‘Drama Queen!’ Sameer worked on his Pista ice cream. ‘You know that all three of them are the same Vanilla with three different colours, right?’ He pointed at the colourful tubs of green, yellow, and pink.

‘Mixed with hazardous food essence.’ Anu pursed her lips. ‘But who is complaining? I love it.’

‘Why did you want me here so urgently?’

‘Not urgently. But for old-times sake. Now hear me out.’

Sameer took a deep breath. ‘I knew there was a catch.’

‘I have to do the pros and cons. Pros of moving? Makes Sanju happy. Cons? Makes me unhappy.’ Anu looked up pleadingly. ‘I need a sign from God to tell me whether I should choose myself or Sanju.’

Sameer laughed. ‘You are going to get the sign while devouring your ice cream?’

Anu screwed up her face. ‘God has nothing against ice cream.’ Then she added absentmindedly. ‘Sanju has never really said no to anything I have wanted. Why is it so hard for me to say yes to the one thing he wants?’

‘Because this is a big ask. You never asked him for anything that was against his will.’ Sameer pointed out.

Anu laughed. ‘You must be amnesiac! I made him move out of his parents’ house!’

‘Right. But that was before you married him.’

A conspiratorial smile played on Sameer’s lips. ‘Anu, there is a sign coming your way as we speak.’ He was sitting facing the street.

Anu turned back to see what he was referring to. Padma aunty was walking into the shop with a friend. What a hypocrite! Did she think the ice Cream was made up of millets?

‘Hello, Sameer.’ She greeted him warmly while she nodded coldly at Anu.

‘I am leaving on my trip to the US and Europe tomorrow.’ She beamed visibly.

‘Shall I drop you to the airport, aunty?’ No wonder everyone adored Sameer.

‘No no, Sameer. I am going with friends. Thank you for the offer.’ She cast a you-never-offered glance at Anu. That was not fair! Anu had done the woollens and jackets shopping with her!

When she began to leave, Anu asked. ‘Aren’t you eating here?’

Padma aunty snickered. ‘No. Absolutely not. I saw Sameer so came inside.’

With that, Padma aunty joined her friend who was walking out with two cones of ice cream.

When she left, Anu pursed her lips. ‘I wanted to tell Padma aunty about her nephew’s grand idea but I don’t want to bother her before the trip. Sameer, please give me a suggestion I can’t refuse.’

‘Let us have a beer.’