I explained with such intensity, Ananya became concerned.

*Are you OK, baby? I shouldn't have left you.'

*I'm fine. I'm glad I had time. I feel better.'

*I love you,' she said, brushing floppy hair off my face.

*I love you, too,' I said and clasped her hand tight.

Our order arrived, she cut the cake in two pieces and passed my half to me. I wanted to change the topic. She read my mind.

*So, tell me about this Citibank event. There is a concert?'

*Yes,' I said, *only for clients though.'

*Do I get to come?'

*Of course, I'll get passes for your family.'

*Who is performing?'

*S.P. Balasubramanium, Hariharan and....' I paused.

*Wow, those are big names. Who else?'

*Some new singer.'

*Cool, I'm sure mom and dad will love to come.'

I nodded. I spoke after a few more sips of coffee. *I've tried enough, Ananya. I want to go back.'

I told her about my conversation with my mother about transferring back to Delhi.

*What do you mean?' she said, wiping my milk moustache.

*I can't work in Chennai forever. I'll give it a few more weeks, and then I'll tell your parents to take a call on me.'

*Weeks? What if they say no?'

*Then we'll see. I've surrendered everything to God anyway.'

*What?'

*Nothing, let's go. I want to hit the road while there's still light.' I picked up my helmet.

37.

*Aunty, sorry to bother you, but the concert is next week,' I said over the phone.

I had called Ananya's mother from my office in the afternoon. I had the design of the newspaper ad in my hand.

Citibank Priority Banking is pleased to invite its clients To an enchanting musical evening at Fisherman's Cove Featuring maestros: S.P. Balasubramanium Hariharan And new talent, Radha The concert will be followed by dinner.

By invitation only.

(For passes, contact your customer rep or any of the branches.) Note: New account holders who open an account before the concert will also get invites.

I hated the last line as it was too blatant. However, Bala insisted on it.

*Hello, aunty? You there?' I said.

*What have you trapped me in?' Ananya's mother wailed.

*You are practicing, right?'

*Yes, but....'

*But what? Have you done any Kaho Na Pyaar Haisongs? Those are hot,' I said.

*Yes, I have. Film songs are easy. It is ... my confidence.'

*You'll be fine. I am sending the ad to the newspaper today. Your name is in it, without surname as you insisted. It will come on Sunday, the day of the concert.'

*Don't, don't put my name. What if I decide not to come?' she asked with a touch of panic.

*It's fine. There are plenty of Radhas in Chennai. Nobody will know which one did not show up,' I said.

*I'll let you down,' she said.

*You won't.' I said.

*Until when can you remove my name from the ad?'

*Saturday. Don't think like that, please,' I said.

*OK, still wanted to check,' she said.

*Fine, and practice the Ek Pal Ka Jeenasong. It is number one on the charts,' I said.

*I said take my name out,' Ananya's mother called me on Sunday morning at 6 a.m.

*You saw the ad already?' I rubbed my eyes. I picked up The Hindu from under the chummery entrance door. I opened Metroplus, the Sunday supplement.

*Yes,' she whispered. *What is this?'

She had called when uncle had gone for a bath. Ananya hadn't woken up and Manju huddled in his room with his best friends a Physics, Chemistry and Maths.

*I couldn't do it,' I said, and made up a story. *The newspaper told me Metroplus goes to press two days before. Only the main paper can be changed until the night before.'

*So, what are we going to do now?'

She had called me the previous morning to get her name removed. However, I never called the newspaper to change the ad wordings.

*Nothing, we'll just say Radha fell ill,' I said.

She kept silent. *Won't it make you look bad?' she enquired after a pause.

*Yeah, won't be the first time though. I'll manage. Anyway, all of you will come for the concert, right?' I said.

*OK listen, if I do have to perform, where and when do I have to report?'

My heart started to beat fast. She was going to do it. *Aunty, everything is well organised. We have a room next to the concert garden that will act as the greenroom. Come there three hours early, by four. OK?'

*Yes,' she said.

*Thanks, aunty,' I said.

*I should thank you. I haven't told anyone at home yet.'

*Good, make an excuse and leave the house. See you.'

38.

*Which one should I wear?' Ananya's mother asked, sitting on the king-size bed of the cottage we had converted into a greenroom. The make-up artists, sound engineers and the staff of Hariharan and S.P. had already arrived. The main singers would come only at the last minute. However, Radha had come early and laid out three Kanjeevaram silk saris for me to choose from.

*They are all beautiful,' I said.

The first was purple and gold, the second yellow and gold and the third orange and gold.

*Touch-up, madam?' the make-up man came towards Ananya's mother.

*I should leave the room,' I said. Even though we had half a dozen people around, I felt awkward watching my potential mother-in-law applying mascara.

*I'm so tense, I can't choose,' she said, wiping sweat off her forehead.

The make-up man applied foundation on Ananya's mother's cheeks. I tried not to look.

*Take the orange, nice and bright.'

*That's my wedding sari. I've hardly worn it since that day.'

*Tonight's quite special, too.'

The make-up man sprayed water on her forehead and wiped it.

*I'll be outside. I'll see you on stage.'

She closed her eyes and folded her hands to pray.

I came outside and checked the food arrangements. I called Ananya at six to make sure they left on time.

*You are going to kill me,' Ananya said.

*Why?' I said.

*Mom is not coming.'

*Why?' I said, careful to sound upset.

*She said my grandmother fell ill in Thirukudayur. She left after lunch.'

*Where is Thirukudayur?'

*Six hours form Chennai. She won't be able to make it.'

*What about you guys?'

*We are almost ready. I wanted to wear my mom's nice orange Kanjeevaram sari but I can't find it. I hope she has not lost it. She wouldn't take it with her, hardly the occasion.'

*Leave soon, Ananya, I can't promise good seats otherwise,' I said.

*OK, OK, bye,' she said and hung up.

Bala arrived at 6:30 with Anil Mathur, the country manager. Anil had flown down from Mumbai. Bala had ensured that a Mercedes brought Anil straight to the venue. Bala tailed him like a Tamil villain's sidekick, showing him the arrangements and taking credit for the entire event.