A phone began to ring somewhere in the hall, startling me. The sound was just like last night’s. Following the sound to its source, I discovered the white handset and picked up the receiver.

‘Hello?’

‘I called last night to check if everything’s okay. Everything’s all right, isn’t it? I gave my man a list of the things you might need. I hope you’ve found them all.’

The gentleman’s voice was courteous.

‘Oh yes, I’ve got everything, thank you so much. I was in the shower when you called last night.’

‘I see. I hope the bathroom’s clean.’

‘Perfectly clean.’

‘Check whether the iron’s working. You won’t be able to do without an iron.’

‘You’re right. I’ll check.’

‘Okay. See you, bye.’

Oh! I didn’t tell him about the lights, I remembered after putting the receiver down. The flat was fully equipped, but it didn’t have a single working light.

The phone rang again. It was him. ‘Should I call your friend and tell her you’ve settled down?’

‘Please, no. There’s no need to tell her anything. I … I want to be lost to everyone forever. Just tell her I’ve arrived.’

He was silent for a few minutes. Then he said, ‘You don’t have any clothes or anything. How will you manage?’

‘I’ll buy some soon.’

‘Okay then.’

‘Excuse me …’

‘Yes?’

‘How long am I allowed to stay in this flat?’

‘As long as you like, more or less.’ He laughed. ‘Unless something comes up and I need it.’

‘Won’t your family object?’

‘Object? Why should my children concern themselves with a mere flat?’

‘And your wife? Most people wouldn’t take it well if you allowed a woman you don’t know to stay in a flat belonging to you.’

‘Wife? I don’t have a wife any more.’

‘Do you mean …’

‘She is dead.’

The lights were on my mind throughout this round of conversation. But I didn’t bring them up. Heaven knows why. After a shower, I went down into the street. Kolkata! I spent the whole day roaming this unknown city, in taxis, on foot, on the metro. I watched a movie then had dinner at a restaurant, and by the time I got back to the flat it was eleven o’clock. Unlocking the three padlocks one after the other, I entered the unlit interior. Then, allowing my eyes to adjust to the darkness, I slumped on to the dark bed and lay on it the same way I had the previous night. Once again I remained awake. The next morning I opened my bag. I took out the few clothes I possessed and arranged them in the wardrobe. The wardrobe was completely empty except for a single hanger. It would be useful to hang up my trousers, I thought. And in that moment, I caught sight of the crumpled panty.

I picked it up. Imported. Soft. Leopard print. At once I wanted to know who the owner was. Many years ago I had found a blue bangle in a bedside drawer in a hotel room. When I took it in my hand, it seemed to be dripping blue water. That day, too, I’d felt an urge to find out who the owner was.