I unlocked my phone to check the messages. Sure enough, Sakshi had confirmed for a date on Friday evening. I put my head in my hands, not sure whether I should be angry with Rishi or not. I decided that his temporary step over into my personal space was acceptable before mimicking his earlier behaviour, fist punching the air.

The remainder of the week flew by. I was unable to sign my fourth client, but I was sure that they would commit by early next week. Maa convinced me that expensive dates were not needed; eventually, I decided on a picnic in Hanging Gardens, where we could talk without worrying about distractions.

Arriving at Sakshi’s house, I remembered Maa’s advice about courting the parents as well as the woman. I did my best to impress her father, but was met with condescending looks from her mother once again. When we boarded the bus, Sakshi took my hand, instinctively knowing that I felt uneasy by her mum’s behaviour.

‘Ignore my mother, Ashray. She does not understand marrying for love. This is not her way. She will come to accept it eventually,’ she said and gave my hand a light squeeze, her eyes filled with compassion. If I was to be honest, I did not hear the rest of what she said after that; my mind fixated on what she had said about love.

‘Love?’ I repeated, hopeful that I had not misinterpreted what she was saying. She replied with her smile, an expression that I longed to see for more hours of the day than I cared to admit.

‘Yes Ashray, love.’ She extended her hand and placed it gently on my face. I returned her smile, feeling that it inadequately matched what she had just admitted. My mind, as it always did, took hold, sending me too far into the future, away from the present. A million questions flew around, but I tried, for the remainder of our time on the date, to listen intently to what she said. At the end of the evening, I accompanied her home, despite her protests, and at the front of the building, I lightly kissed her cheek before saying goodnight.

By the time I got home, Maa was sleeping, and the only other person I could speak to was Rishi. I sent him a text telling him how the evening had gone. He replied that it was a bit early to be speaking of love, and although my head agreed with him, my heart told me differently. I couldn’t help it; I was falling in love with this woman, and I had no control over it.