Her hands were skinny but untanned. And the tattoo, on her wrist, was astounding – a trident. I felt that when she massaged me, saw when caressed. Even in deep sleep, it cuddled me to comfort.

She was ostracized for having a baby before marriage, and I eloped, out of shame, when I was five.

I started a new life in a city hooked on drugs, though lavishly enjoying my life. I never cared where she was but years later, I saw the same tattooed hand, haggling for money but she said she enjoyed a lot.