Meera’s rendition of the raga, with her masterful improvisation, was a true manifestation of love. It wasn’t just music; it was an artiste baring her soul. It might have lasted for about thirty seconds or an eternity; either way, it was enough time for Abhimanyu’s eyes to well up in appreciation. In that moment, he knew that Meera’s voice had done what her physical presence had threatened to do the first time he saw her – pierce his heart and make him fall hopelessly in love with her.

*

More than his classical training, Abhimanyu’s deep appreciation for music came from his mother. A member of the Jaipur–Atrauli gharana, Kaushalya Devi had trained under the founder, Alladiya Khan, himself. She had never been able to shake off her artistic leanings, despite the fact that there was nobody to appreciate her talents in the artistically disinclined Ranakpour family … till Abhimanyu was born. From an early age, he had shown an inclination towards music, and she encouraged him as much as she could through lectures and impromptu performances such that the young prince absorbed it with glee, partly in awe of his mother’s talent and partly due to the happiness of knowing that she had chosen to reveal her true self to him. As Abhimanyu grew up, it was clear that his talents lay on the cricket field rather than the enclosed halls of the haveli. Nevertheless, Kaushalya Devi was thankful that her son retained his interest in music and was a keen connoisseur of the classical tradition, inviting musicians from all over the country to Ranakpour to perform at the palace exclusively for her. It was his way of thanking her for the gift of music that she’d bestowed upon him.

Old age and the threat of losing their kingdom, first to the British and then to India, had taken the joy out of Kaushalya Devi’s life – she had completely stopped talking about music, let alone singing herself. Abhimanyu hadn’t realized how much he missed it till he listened to Meera in her house in Bandra.

*

In the beginning, visiting the Apte household was strange for Abhimanyu. Since he couldn’t fathom how people could just show up at someone’s door unannounced, he would inform Kamal about his intended visit much in advance, much to the curiosity of the Apte family.

‘Be informed, citizens of Bandra,’ Meera would mockingly announce in an exaggeratedly pompous tone, much to Kamal’s chagrin, ‘The prince shall be arriving this Wednesday at 3 p.m., because he has nothing better to do.’ When he would arrive, Abhimanyu would absentmindedly stand at the entrance for a few moments, waiting for someone to open the door and greet him with a bow, before realizing that he had to knock to get in. Then, he would stand at the edge of the living room, waiting to be asked to sit. Once someone did so, Abhimanyu would then pace around the room, unsure of where to sit, as there was no designated seat assigned to him like there was in every room in the Ranakpour Palace.