Aunty V was Ma’s best friend in college. They remained close friends and Ma was the bridesmaid at Aunty V’s wedding. When my parents got married, Aunty V took care of everything. There is an awful wedding video that my parents watch every other year on their anniversary and Aunty V is in it, wearing a ghastly blue ghagra, flitting about everywhere. Seriously, fashion in the 2000s sucked.

I looked at them as they continued sitting there. Ma was lying down on the sofa now while Papa looked at her anxiously. Maybe having Aunt V over would actually be a good thing. She’d definitely make my mother feel better and make her laugh.

Aunty V was an absolute riot and I thought she was very cool and unstuffy. Nothing like an adult. She was shorter than me and would always inform me primly that she was ‘petite’ whenever she noticed that even I was taller than her. Of course, it had been a couple of years since we had met. She had come from Mumbai on a fleeting visit to see some ailing relative and had come home for lunch.

I remember the visit well. I remember feeling conscious of her staring at my plate and how little there was on it but I prayed she wouldn’t bring it up. She was too busy talking about Raghu and how much he annoyed her.

‘Sometimes I think I’m going to kill him,’ she’d announced.

‘I’ll help you hide his body,’ I replied. At this, she and Ma both looked at me in surprise.

‘Ananya!’ Ma looked at me sternly.

‘What?’ I asked.

My history with Raghu was something they were not privy to, so I smiled to let them know I was joking. Aunty V was worried about Raghu not paying enough attention in school. He had his Class X exams and apparently, all he did was spend time in the kitchen, trying new recipes and learning how to cook. I’d hated him even more when I heard that.

I glanced at Ma now, really, really hoping he wasn’t going to come with Aunty V.

‘So how long will she be here?’ I asked.

Ma looked up. ‘Till the delivery obviously.’

What? The whole nine months?

I wish Ma could call Nani or anyone else. But Ma has always had a tense relationship with Nani. They never got along and arguing with Nani would only increase Ma’s blood pressure. It was a really good thing that Nani didn’t live in Bangalore, but in Chandigarh.

‘Okay. I’m here if you need me for anything,’ I told her, getting up.

I was tired and I wanted to go back to my room and not think of anything.