His words annoyed me suddenly. ‘How will they be fine? Ma didn’t want Nani to come over because she makes her angry like this,’ I said. ‘This is going to increase her blood pressure and . . . the baby is due any time now . . . ’ I trailed off and looked out of the auto.

He held my hand. ‘Hey, your dad is there and so is my mom. It’s going to be all right.’

I didn’t respond. Something low and intense crept over my belly as he moved closer to me, still holding my hand.

‘What’s changed since last night, Ananya?’ he asked.

I looked at him then, his earnest eyes and perfect face—okay his face wasn’t perfect, but it was to me. He smiled, but his eyes looked vulnerable.

I had seen that adoring yet worried look on his face before. Long ago. When he had first met Esha.

I didn’t know how to answer him now. This had to be a part of the conversation we would have later.

‘That I’m your girlfriend now?’ I asked him instead, trying to keep my voice light and breezy.

He looked at me intently just as the auto jumped over a pothole, bringing him closer to me.

‘I thought that part was obvious,’ he said.

‘I would rather have everything spelled out than assume anything in these matters,’ I told him, something I was beginning to feel rather strongly.

‘What matters?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I held his hand tightly and impulsively picked it up to kiss his knuckles. His bright smile warmed me. In matters of love, a voice in my head spoke. I didn’t say anything.

34

When I got off the auto at Nisha’s, Raghu carried on in the same auto to the restaurant. He waved as he left and I waved back at him, my mind a confused tangle of emotions. I exhaled, hoping that the talk with Nisha and Anirudh would help me figure things out in my head.

Anirudh was already there and the three of us sat down in her room to talk. Well, they were talking. I could barely concentrate. I was wondering what Nani was doing at home. Was she still at loggerheads with Ma? I had a sudden horrifying thought. Where was she going to sleep? Surely, she wasn’t going to kick out Aunty V and Raghu from the guest room?

I texted Ma. ‘Are you okay?’ I asked her.

‘Yes, why wouldn’t I be?’ she replied.

‘Because of Nani.’

I hated it when people pretended everything was all right when they clearly weren’t.

‘Nothing to worry,’ came the curt response.

‘How long is she here for? Where’s she going to sleep?’ I typed out quickly.

There was no response from Ma. Annoyed, I kept looking at my phone, waiting for it to ping.