Fiction: A lustful boss, a cheating husband, an unsuitable lover make three women seek one another

In her ground floor flat, Mrs Gandhi was instructing Bahadur, the cook, to put the finishing touches to the special anniversary dinner. He had come in only at half past six, having been sent to the market to get grapes by her mother-in-law when he should have been assisting her.

The kheer was ready; only water-soaked dry fruits were left to be added to it and also some powdered green cardamom seeds. “Just a pinch,” she told him.

The mutton-mince koftas were fried and had to be added – very gently – to the tomato gravy that needed to simmer on the stove for at least fifteen minutes. “Don’t turn on the stove full flame,” she said. “And remember not to sprinkle any coriander leaves on it.” Sunil disliked coriander in meat dishes and it had been a real challenge to find a substitute for it. The mint leaves she had found as replacement were not very fresh – Sunil might point out that they were yellowed; he could be quite critical.

“Onions have to be cut very fine and fried till brown and crisp. Take care that they don’t burn. The peas pulao is already sitting in the rice cooker. Don’t overcook...

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