I could hear raised voices. Papa, saying something and then Nani replying. If I was already feeling the beginning of a headache, I wondered how Ma was doing. Why was Nani fighting with them anyway?

I was glad Raghu didn’t pursue his question as he picked up his phone and booked the auto.

‘You don’t want breakfast?’ I asked him.

He shook his head. ‘You?’ he asked.

I showed him my apple. He nodded.

Nisha was right. There was so much we had to talk about. Why I was the way I was. What changes had happened to me in the five years we had stayed out of touch. I was sure he had changed too. We couldn’t just kiss and pretend that everything was hunky dory. We could kiss, yes, but we had to talk too.

‘Listen, can we talk? Later? Somewhere this drama isn’t happening?’ I asked him.

He frowned. ‘Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk about?’ he asked, picking up his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder.

I looked down. ‘Maybe we could meet when you’re free later today? When you finish up at the restaurant maybe?’ I suggested.

His eyebrows went up. ‘Um, you know I finish late. But we can meet up later today. I can always head out to meet you for a bit somewhere near the restaurant. But it will have to be in Indiranagar,’ he said, moving towards the door.

‘No problem. Tell me when you’ve got a spot of free time,’ I said, following him.

He turned around and gave me one of his heart-stopping smiles. ‘You just want to spend more time with me, right?’ he said, raising an eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help but smile back at him.

‘Whatever,’ I said, even though I remembered Nisha’s words. ‘It’s important,’ I added.

He frowned but nodded. ‘I’ll text you when I’m free. We can go over to one of those dessert places on 12th Main,’ he said. Dessert. Sheesh.

Ma’s voice came to my ears loudly and clearly. ‘There is no shame in having a baby at forty-three, Ma! This attitude is exactly why I didn’t call you over.’

Nani’s voice sounded placatory, though I could not hear the words. I felt anger rise towards her. She was shaming Ma for getting pregnant? How dare she? I was itching to go and tell off Nani, but Raghu took a hold of my wrist and firmly steered me towards the door.

He didn’t let go even when the auto arrived. I finally shook my hand free from his to get inside and sat down in the corner, breathing heavily.

‘Let it go. They’ll be fine,’ he said.