‘Yes, and my mom and dad. Being here makes me miss them a little.’

I’d forgotten that they were in Mexico. ‘It must be difficult,’ I said to him.

‘I do miss them, but when I need them, we video call, and we phone each other at least three times a week.’ I loved that Rishi was still so connected to his parents, but I suspected that he was making light of how much he missed having them in his daily life.

‘How about some tea?’ My Maa stood up from her chair. I stood to help her, but she put her hand on my shoulder, urging me to sit again.

‘Sit, Ashray. Speak with Rishi a little bit. Maybe you can sign those papers for the apartment.’ I looked over at him, and he nodded.

‘Go and fetch your laptop, and we will sign them digitally,’ he said.

I rose to fetch my laptop from the kitchen, taking out three cups while I was in there. Maa patted me on the cheek as I walked out and I kissed her gently on the forehead. ‘I love you, Maa.’ She smiled as she walked past me into the kitchen.

‘I love you, son,’ she said quietly, as she put the kettle on for our tea.

In the living room, I opened the email Rishi had sent me from his mobile and read through the lease document. I opened the sign document tab, took a deep breath and digitally signed the lease for our new apartment. Rishi patted me on the back.

‘Welcome to your new life, Ashray,’ he said, grinning. I smiled back, truly happy at the decision I had made. From the kitchen, the kettle started to whistle. I closed my laptop and placed it on the coffee table; I would put it away later. The kettle got louder. Maa zoned into her newspaper adverts often, but the sound was beginning to push through to the living room. I glanced towards the kitchen.

‘Do you want to go and check?’ Rishi asked me. I shook my head, knowing that Maa would be irritated if I interrupted her routine.

‘I think you should,’ Rishi said, ‘maybe the button is stuck?’