02 — The Empty Chair

By the end of the week, the small table had become Mr. Rao's table. He arrived at nine, ordered tea, and read the newspaper from the last page forward. Dev never asked about the second cup.

One Thursday, the chair opposite him was occupied. A little girl sat there drawing a purple elephant. Her mother was filling out an application form at the counter and had run out of hands.

Mr. Rao examined the drawing. 'An excellent elephant. Does it have a name?'

'Tomorrow,' the girl said. 'Because I will finish it tomorrow.'

He laughed. It was the first time Dev had heard him laugh, and the sound changed the room in a way no new furniture ever could.

When the mother came to collect her daughter, Mr. Rao offered them the extra tea. That evening, Dev found the drawing on the table. The elephant now had wings.

On its back, in careful adult handwriting, someone had written: Some things are worth leaving unfinished.