[wxxxx]

The readers want Sunny to get the air conditioner installed by Sunday morning—hiring a different technician if necessary—so that the landlord, Mr. Azad, won’t be bothered by the heat when he arrives in the evening. The readers also want Sunny to buy a bottle of a good brand of liquor from a shop after the AC installation is complete, and on his way back, to pick up Durex Sensual Water-Based Massage & Intimate Lubricant (200 ml) and ten packets of condoms from a pharmacy. Sunny should then hand the liquor, Durex Sensual Water-Based Massage & Intimate Lubricant (200 ml) and the condoms to his mother, Mrs. Anjali Sharma, and tell her that these items were brought to entertain their landlord, Mr. Azad.

This would tie back to the conversation that took place on Saturday night between the landlord’s mother and Sunny’s mother, Mrs. Anjali Sharma:

"[Ammi’s eyes stayed on her. “I saw you when you were leaving. Near the gate. Full dressing. Hair, makeup, that black saree. The blouse was… open. From the back also, I think. Building has eyes, Anjali. Everyone would have seen you get into the car like that.”

Ma’s shoulders had gone still. She glanced at me, then back at Ammi. Colour had risen under the bite. “Ammi… the function had a dress code. Azad Sahab said the clothes should look proper. He chose the blouse. I wore what he asked.”

Ammi gave a short breath. Not quite a laugh. “So if tomorrow he says wear nothing and come down, you will wear nothing? Is that the rule now? He says, you do?”

Ma’s mouth opened. For a second no sound came. Then the words arrived tighter than before. “Ammi, what are you saying? Please. Sunny is sitting here. Do not talk like this in front of him.”

“So what?” Ammi said. She did not raise her voice. The chair creaked when she shifted. “He lives in the same room. He sees the marks on your neck.” "He hears the building. I am only saying what I saw with my own eyes. You did not look like a woman who has a grown son. You looked like those women who stand outside hotels and smile for photographs. I have lived in this building for thirty years. I know the difference.”

Ma’s eyes had gone wet at the corners. She did not wipe them. Her hands stayed clasped. “I wore what was required for one evening. If it was wrong, Azad Sahab can tell me himself. I am not going to sit here and discuss my clothes while my son is listening. Please, Ammi.”]"

Sunny felt embarrassed after overhearing the conversation between the landlord Azad Sahab’s mother and his own mother, Mrs. Anjali Sharma. Upon returning home from Azad Sahab’s place, Sunny confronted his mother, Mrs. Anjali Sharma, with some upsetting remarks. Mrs. Anjali Sharma was deeply annoyed by her son’s words. Yet, Sunny's mother Mrs. Anjali Sharma makes them happy by Sunny bringing a good brand of liquor, Durex Sensual Water-Based Massage & Intimate Lubricant (200 ml) and condoms for the landlord Azad Saheb setting everything aside, she pulled Sunny into an embrace and said, “My sweet son, I love you more than anything. The line stays—always.”

The conversation that had provoked Mrs. Anjali Sharma’s annoyance with her son is as follows:

"[Sunny sat on the edge of the mattress. Then, he said to his mother, Mrs. Anjali Sharma, “I told you not to go down. The landlord Azad Sahab’s mother talks to you as if you were hired for the day. I don’t like hearing that.”

Mrs. Anjali Sharma turned her head. Her earring caught the dim light filtering through the window grill. Her eyes were dry now, but her voice was sharp. “Just shut up, Sunny. It’s none of your business what she says or what I do downstairs. I know what I’m doing. You don’t have to stand there and lecture me every single time something happens. Everyone in this building wants to dish out lessons—now you, too? Please, stop it. And let me sleep.”

The words struck home. Sunny’s throat tightened. He looked down at the bedsheet between them. “I’m sorry, Ma.”]"