Anu woke up to the voices coming from somewhere. At first, she couldn’t register where she was; then it hit her. The new house! And the voice was her mother’s! She almost ran to the living room. Her mother would make everything all right!

Vicky looked happy eating his favourite Akki Rotti and chatting away with his grandma. Sanju was sipping coffee. Her father was inspecting a pillar that stood in the middle. Her grandmother who was generally pacing around was the first to spot Anu.

‘Anu baby! This is such a beautiful house.’ That was grandma; one who loved luxury in all forms.

Settling down next to Sanju, Anu sighed. ‘Then stay with me, Ajji. I am sure we can fit you in somewhere here!’

Her grandmother laughed. ‘I will stay with you, Anu. Soon. I have my kitty parties planned for the whole month.’

Anu’s mother handed her a cup of steaming coffee. Her mother loved to take control of things, but not without making Anu feel bad. All through her growing up years, Anu’s room was perfectly made and her clothes always washed and ironed. But her mother mentioned every single day how messy the room was before she cleaned it up.

‘Anu, your kitchen is not set up at all to even make coffee. I have organized it a little.’

Anu smiled. Nothing had changed between her and her mother. But she was secretly glad that her mother had this obsessive need to take over Anu’s life. Who cared about a few harmless reprimands here and there!

‘Sanjay, this is a load-bearing wall. Don’t drill any nails into this.’ Anu’s father patted at the column he was inspecting. As if Sanju was ever going to take a drill into hand!

Sanju nodded. ‘Sure, uncle. I won’t. Thanks for telling me.’ Nobody except Anu knew his fake politeness. But that stood Sanju in good stead with her father. He liked people who agreed with him.

Another hour, another round of coffee, and Anu’s parents were ready to call it a night. Anu’s mother spoke to her privately. ‘Anu, the house is too dusty. Get a maid fast. And, get a cook like Radha. Vicky will need his home food.’

Anu’s irritation suddenly started mounting. If there is no cook, wouldn’t she take care of Vicky’s nutrition? Well, okay, a cook would be good. She was not the cook-tasty-and-nutritious-meal type.

‘Anu, I have kept dinner for you two and some food for Vicky in the fridge. And …’ Her mother added worriedly, ‘… this house is too big. I don’t know how you will manage.’

‘I will be all right, Mummy. You go on now. Daddy is waiting.’