I began to cry, finally hearing the words I had longed for my whole life. ‘We tell you that you are perfect, Jhanvi, because to us you are.’ He wrapped his arms around my neck, pulling me into him. I sobbed. Feeling my father’s arms around me, I knew that what he said was the truth. ‘So, come to Delhi, and we can fix this?’ he asked.

‘No, Dad, I need to sort this out by myself.’

‘How about I move in?’ Kavya stood in the kitchen doorway, yellow plastic gloves covering her hands. She had been cleaning my kitchen again; and like a madwoman, I felt like laughing. ‘I can make sure that Jhanvi gets back on track with her diet and I enjoy helping her with her work. It really is very interesting. What do you say, Jhanvi? Do you have an opening for an executive assistant?’ I smiled; my best friend to the rescue again.

My mom shook her head, not convinced that it was enough.

‘I’ll see the psychiatrist that the nurse recommended. Kavya can drop me for every appointment and make sure I go in. I don’t want to go back to Delhi, please,’ I begged. ‘This is my home. I know it doesn’t look like much, but I like my life. I just …’ remembering the moment I lay motionless on this very floor, I looked my mom in the eyes and said, ‘… I need help.’ Visibly, my mom relaxed, in the same way that I had moments earlier in my dad’s embrace. She could relax because I knew it now. I knew I needed help.

‘Okay, if that’s what you want, then we will do it your way, but I’ll stay back with you for a few more days. And Jhanvi, we want to hear from you more than once a week. Okay?’ my mom said. ‘And video call your parents once in a while. I know it’s hard for you to understand, but we miss you terribly.’ She stood up from the couch, arms open, welcoming me into a hug.

The rest of the evening was spent cleaning up my apartment and laughing. By the time my dad was ready to leave, I felt that I had some semblance of control again. My mom had her arm around me as my dad left my apartment, promising to phone me as soon as he landed in Delhi. I hugged him and closed the door.