Nisha looked at me and smiled. ‘Didn’t he just drop you here? Waiting for a text from him?’ she asked.

I shook my head as my phone pinged.

Ma: ‘She’ll sleep with V in the guest room.’

My heart sank. What about Raghu?

Another text filled the screen. ‘I’ve asked Raghu if he can sleep in the living room for a few days on the sofa. He says it’s okay.’

I put my phone away. It was a relief to know that Raghu wasn’t going anywhere yet. He was bound to return to Mumbai once his apprenticeship ended, even if Aunty V stayed for Ma’s delivery. What would happen to us when he left?

‘What’s going on?’ Nisha nudged me.

I told them about Nani’s surprise visit and the texts from Ma.

‘So now your house is full!’ Nisha remarked.

I nodded. ‘I just hope it won’t make things worse. I’m worried for Ma. She just doesn’t get along with Nani.’

‘And what’s going on with you and Raghu?’ she asked.

I tried to compose my thoughts. I was sure she had told Anirudh everything by now, but it felt odd to discuss my love life with the two of them. For the first time ever.

‘I’m confused,’ I admitted finally.

‘About what you feel?’ she asked.

I shook my head. ‘That part is probably the least confusing,’ I told her with a grim smile. ‘I’ve always liked him. I’ve always felt happy to have him around. When we were kids, it was just because he was so much fun to be with.’

‘And now?’ Nisha persisted.

I took a deep breath. ‘Now, I like him a lot. I think . . . I think I’m in love with him,’ I said, choking out the words.

Nisha looked at me with wide eyes and Anirudh coughed slightly.

‘Er, wow. From not being able to stand him to this . . .’ Nisha trailed off.

I shrugged. ‘I think my anger with him all these years stemmed from my feelings for him,’ I rationalized. ‘Listen, I agree with what you said and I’ve asked to meet him later today, outside the house so we can talk without all the distractions. I’ll bring up all the things you mentioned.’

Anirudh’s eyebrows went up. ‘What things?’ he asked. I shrugged.

‘About the need for us to communicate . . . about how he can’t take me for granted because we’ve been friends for so long. And also . . .’

‘Also?’ Nisha asked curiously.

‘Also about my body issues. He needs to know that, and he needs to know how hard I’ve worked to reach where I am. I haven’t told you guys but his mother keeps sending me these body neutrality links . . .’

‘Body what?’ Nisha asked, eyes wide.

I told them whatever I’d read and been thinking about. Their expressions weren’t saying much.

‘What?’ I asked finally.