‘Going up,’ Rishi said, and pressed the button for the tenth floor. The elevator climbed swiftly and silently up to our destination. The doors opened with a ding, and I led Maa out by the arm into a passage that was decorated in much the same way the downstairs lobby was. Automatic passage lights switched on, and Rishi stepped back, giving me a knowing wink.

We opened the apartment door, and in front of us lay a sprawling open plan living room and dining room area. Glass sliding doors offered an amazing view of Mumbai, although no city sounds could be heard. Maa walked into the apartment, mouth open. She turned left into the kitchen and ran her hands over the granite countertops. I took in her face, wide-eyed and in awe of what she was seeing, but still confused as to what it meant. Rishi slid the doors open, inviting us outside to the balcony. We followed eagerly; for a moment, I couldn’t believe this was my life. While she admired the view, I walked back into the apartment to see the rest of it. The main bathroom was on the left of a corridor, and it had no view. The two bedrooms had sliding doors that opened out onto two small balconies. I poked my head around the door and called them over to where I stood.

‘Look at these tiles, Ashray,’ Maa gasped. ‘This is posh!’

‘Isn’t it, Maa? And look here.’ I opened a door that concealed a private bathroom. She put her hands to her mouth to conceal her shock.

‘I thought this could be your bedroom,’ I said. I swallowed down a familiar lump in my throat, knowing that tears wanted to come; from happiness, this time.

‘What?’ Maa shouted.

‘This is our new home, Maa. No more stairs, no more being inside all day. You can even have some plants in the balconies, if you want.’

‘Can we afford this, Ashray?’ She looked at me with concern. I walked over to her, love in my eyes, and I wrapped my arms around my Maa.

‘I can afford it, Maa; you don’t have to worry anymore.’ She hugged me tightly, and I thought I heard her swallowing back her tears. At the time, I was completely aware of how much this woman had sacrificed for me; of how much more she was willing to do for me to live my dreams; and I loved her for it. But it was my turn to look after her. To finally have the life she deserved, after so much hardship.

‘So, you like it?’ I asked her, hopeful that she wouldn’t try to talk me out of my dream. She placed her hand on my cheek, dark eyes staring back at me.

‘I love it, my boy.’ She took my hand as we walked back outside to take in the views together in quiet harmony.