Naina watched Jatin in amusement.
“Do you know what I like about you?” she asked softly.
Jatin raised an eyebrow as Shettychacha’s assistant handed them two dosa plates served with chutney.
“Did you actually say you like something about me?” he prompted.
“Actually I like lots of things about you!” Naina laughed. “One of them being your interest in life. You are so interested in everything. I’ve never seen anyone look at a dosa preparation with so much rapt attention.”
“It’s fascinating,” Jatin said, a trifle defensively.
“Yes, but only when you sit down and think about it. And there are loads of other fascinating things, too, which not a soul may have given a thought to. But I’m sure you would. And that’s what I really like about you. Your eye for detail.”
His pleasure at her words was overcome by a very strong feeling of surprise and disbelief. “You really feel that way about me?”
She nodded.
“Thank you! No one has ever paid me such a sincere compliment before. Not even Boss!” He felt as if he were treading on air.
For a moment, they stared at each other, the dosas forgotten. The night chatter swirled around them; so did the bustling crowds, the clinking of the tava, and the scraping of chairs. Someone nudged Naina’s chair in the passing and she snapped out of her gazing and blushed.
“It’s getting late. We better eat fast and leave,” she murmured.
Jatin nodded and the next few minutes were busy, as they polished off the mouthwatering dosas. But his heart was thumping so loudly, he was certain Naina would hear it. He was finally making definite headway with her and the thrill of the thought made his stomach clench.
Naina finished first. She dug into her purse and took out a fifty rupee note, handing it to Jatin.
Rising, Jatin commented on the excellent dosas, handed Shettychacha the money, and bid him goodbye. Then, completely satiated, they walked down the street again.
“Jatin, I want to thank you for taking me to Soniaji’s house today. I shall never forget the experience.”
“She insisted that I bring you along.”
“She’s so different form Priyadidi. I wish my sister were more like Soniaji. Understanding, caring.” Suddenly Naina glanced at her watch. “Ten! Oh God! What will Priyadidi say!”
She looked so panicked that Jatin took her by the shoulders. “Hey, relax! You’re a big girl now. And I’m here to take care of you!”
“It’s not that! You don’t know Priya. My sister’s… well, she’s different. Irritable, easily excited. Let’s get home!”
Naina quickened her steps and Jatin watched helplessly as she raised a hand to hail an auto.
“Where have you been!” Priya’s lined face was distorted with anger. Dressed in a brown wraparound, her hair piled on her head with a butterfly clasp, she looked towering and dominating. “Do you know what time it is? It’s the first day of Ganapati and you couldn’t care less! You know there’s no maid in the house and I have to do all the housework. But you don’t care, do you?”
“Priyadidi, please… ” Naina began.
“Don’t say a word! You ought to be here helping me out, instead - ”
“Look, let me explain,” Jatin cut in hastily. He was partly annoyed and partly taken aback by Priya’s reaction. She was being most melodramatic, throwing her weight around needlessly.
“You!” Priya turned on him and pointed an accusing finger. “Don’t you know better than to be out with a girl this late in the night? What will the neighbours say? Our parents may be dead, but we have been raised in a decent, respectable family. Don’t you dare spoil that reputation!” Priya’s bony body shook with fury.
“Priyadidi, don’t say a word to Jatin. It’s not his fault!” Naina exclaimed.
“Of course not!” Priya lashed out. “It’s your fault, Naina. You are a selfish, insensitive girl, who cannot think beyond a few good dates.”
Naina looked stunned, as if she were slapped. Hot tears sprang up in her eyes. Suddenly she clutched her chest and then her throat. Her breathing seemed to halt. She turned desperately to Jatin.
“Oh God! She’s got an asthma attack!” Priya screamed. Immediately her anger dissolved as she rushed to open her sister’s purse for the inhaler. She fumbled with it. “It’s not working!”
Jatin watched, shocked, as Naina fell on the sofa, her breathing laboured. Priya thrust some money into his hand.
“Please, please - there’s a medical store next door. Run and get an inhaler!”
Jatin nodded and sped out. His heart beat frantically. Naina had warned him that she got these asthma attacks when she was excited or hurt. But this was the first time he had witnessed one. And what a horrifying experience it was! Poor Naina. What a terrible thing to happen to her. He found the pharmacy, quickly bought the inhaler, and raced back to the house. Priya grabbed the inhaler and thrust it into her sister’s hand, who clutched it gratefully. Jatin watched, the feeling of helplessness easing, as her breathing returned to normal. Only then did he realise that he had been holding his own breath. He slumped into a seat, shaken to the core.
“Boss, I need your help.”
Sonia was in the outer office, putting flowers on the small Ganesh idol which had a permanent home on a brown glass shelf. Nidhi was chasing a marigold blossom round the room, tossing it high with her front paw and then running after it. Sonia clasped her palms together in reverence, then turned to face her Assistant.
“Help? But you’ve already found the girl of your dreams.” She smiled as she moved to the inner office. Nidhi instantly lost interest in the flower and meowed after her. The moment Sonia settled in her chair,
