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‘No problem as such. But wouldn’t it be a wee bit awkward?’

‘Awkward for who? You?’

‘Not me. You.’

‘I don’t have any problems. You’re much better than that chudail.’

In that entire exchange, the ‘You’re much better’ echoed in Chandar’s head over and over again.

The breeze blew into the auto, passed him by and seemed to caress Sudha’s face. The breeze was happy as was the auto, the road was overjoyed and the city too overflowed with happiness; Chandar was happy too. But his happiness was peppered with hesitation.

D for Dimaag ka Dahi

Sudha stepped into Chandar’s home, walked around a bit and said, ‘You’ve kept your place clean. Nice!’

‘Yeah. Guys can keep their place neat and clean too.’

‘It’s nice. If I don’t find a place for the weekend, I’ll stay here.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yeah, why not? Do you have a problem?’

‘No, no. Let me get your things inside. Want to eat something?’

‘Yeah, I am hungry. Do you have Maggi?’

‘Sure. You rest, I’ll get it.’

‘Listen …’

‘What?’

‘Can you make some tea as well? That chudail fucked up my head big time.’

‘All right. There’s no milk in the house, though. Black tea will do?’

‘I haven’t had black tea, but can try. Make it.’

‘Sure, madam!’

‘You are probably thinking, what a sticky situation I have got myself into?’

‘That’s exactly what I have been thinking. I have wanted to get stuck with someone like this for a long time now. With a girl at two in the morning. It’s good that I am stuck with you.’

‘That’s why you stay alone? You make really delicious Maggi.’

‘What could go wrong with Maggi? I like compliments but only when they truly mean something.’

‘That’s all right. I don’t like to dish out compliments either.’

‘Then why did you do it now?’

‘You’ve cooked Maggi so late at night, that’s why.’

‘No need for so much formality, yaar. Okay, listen, you sleep in the room inside, I’ll sleep here outside.’

‘You’ll be able to sleep here in the hall?’