‘We can put a little coffee table out here for you, Maa,’ I broke the silence. ‘You can read your newspaper in some sun in the morning, and maybe, in the afternoon, you could do a little gardening.’ She nodded thoughtfully. ‘Can you imagine having dinner out on the balcony together?’ I grinned.

‘I cannot wait to cook for us in the kitchen.’ She burst out laughing with excitement.

‘So, are you taking it then?’ Rishi interrupted our chatter.

‘Definitely! When can I sign the papers?’

He smiled at me. ‘We’ll sort it out tomorrow. Tonight, we have your Maa’s delicious food to enjoy.’ Rishi smiled at Maa, who melted as she usually did around him.

On the cab ride home, the three of us spoke about when and how we would bring our furniture to the apartment. To begin with, the apartment would be sparsely furnished, but it wouldn’t be like that forever. Our entire apartment now could fit into the living room of the new place, but I didn’t want to put us under financial pressure. We could furnish it slowly over the next few months. I made a mental note to get the colourful pots we had seen at the market for Maa. That way, when we moved in, they would be waiting for her. Rishi had grand ideas of dinner parties out on our small balcony, which both Maa and I laughed at. I have never been one of those people who enjoyed partying until late at night.

When the taxi arrived outside our apartment, Rishi and I helped Maa up the stairs. Inside the apartment, the aromas of her prepared food enveloped us, and my stomach protested loudly.

‘That stomach of yours has a mind of its own,’ Rishi said and burst out laughing.

‘My boy has always had a good appetite,’ Maa replied. ‘Surprisingly, he stays this thin.’