“Hullo, Seetha. Kohomada?” How are you? I made to give her an awkward hug, but she pulled back and thumped me on the back instead. She wouldn’t risk appearing improper in front of Mahesh. Hugging a “servant” was just not done.

“Mahansi athi ne?” You must be tired, she replied, ignoring my question about how she was. Maybe it wasn’t Mahesh, then. More likely she still hadn’t forgiven me for sending her away the last time I was here. It was only for a few months, and I paid her salary in full the entire time, but she was bitter about it, just the same. I had thought five years would have been enough for her to let it go, but, well, if there’s one thing about Sri Lankans, it’s that we are certifiable experts at holding a grudge.

“A little bit,” I said, switching to English. Seetha spoke it better than most maids. I think it’s why my father hired her in the first place because it wasn’t like she was warm, or comforting. But she could communicate with him enough to give him weekly (or was it monthly?) updates about me. So he’d feel less guilty about having left my mother when she was sick and dying to restart his life back in England. That he made me stay here afterward, with a housekeeper as my only family.

Piyadasa had carried my bags to the veranda, and I looked over to Mahesh, who was typing something on his phone. He hadn’t gotten out, but he rolled his window down.

“You all set?” he asked.

“Yep. All good. Thanks so much, again, really.” I suddenly didn’t want him to leave. I didn’t want to be left alone in this house. Not after so long.

I wish I could have stayed at a hotel, but I knew I’d have to answer enough questions about where I’ve been the past five years as it is, and didn’t want to add to that list. Besides, Seetha would really never have forgiven me then. And a part of me did crave her forgiveness.

“It’s fine, men, I told you, no? And don’t worry. I’ll give you a call soon about that thing you asked me.” And with a wink, he was gone.

I hoped he’d come through.

Then it was me and Seetha, just like it had always been. Except before, I could escape to Kaavi’s if I got too lonely.

“So, you’re here for Kaavindi Baba’s wedding, no?” she said, picking up my bags as if they were empty and leading me inside.

“Yes, that’s right.” I don’t really know who Seetha spoke to or how word got around, but she had always been up to date with all the Colombo chatter. Then again, everyone except me seemed up to date with the chatter.

Seetha might have been angry with me, but true to her word, she had kept the house exactly as it had been. Just the way my mother left it.