Some mutton for dinner, snuff-box for his old man, a jasmine garland for demised mother.

Payday shopping is safe thus far. Now Aniket has to explore the turbulent water, like every month. A comics book amounts to spoiling the kids, a cigarette pack for self means surfeit, and tuberose sticks for Mitali spells overindulgence. She can’t be blamed. Her adroit housekeeping keeps their meagre existence going.

Yet, at night she’s sure to caress the sprinkled tuberoses and stop worrying for tomorrow, just on this day. Aniket will be forgiven, the month’s drudgery will be forgotten, just for this day. It’s payday.