4

"But that will make the story very grim; the humour will be lost. How will the skeleton show itself exposing all the teeth?

"So, listen further. The doctor's practice expanded and he opened a clinic on the ground floor of our house. I used to make light conversation with him and jokingly enquire about drugs and various poisons that could cause easy death to a person; I used to ask him these things. These subjects were familiar territory for him and he spoke without inhibition. While listening to him, I became very intimate with death; it was as if death was like someone who belonged in my house. Love and death; these were the only two things I came to recognize.

"My story is almost over; there is not much left to be said."

I gently reminded, "The night, too, is drawing to an end."

"I noticed that the doctor was very abstracted since the last few days and he felt uncomfortable in my presence. One day, I saw him dressed in fine clothes and preparing to go somewhere in the night after borrowing my brother's carriage.

"I could not restrain my curiosity. I went to brother and, after engaging him in conversation, casually asked where the doctor was going in his carriage.

"Brother answered briefly, 'to die'.

"I persisted and asked brother to tell the truth.

"Brother answered truthfully that the doctor was going to get married.

"Is that true? I said and broke into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

"I gradually learned that the doctor would receive 12,000 rupees from the marriage. But why did he have to offend me by keeping the marriage a secret from me. Did I fall at his feet saying I would die if he married elsewhere? Men cannot be trusted. I have seen only one man in my life and have learned everything about men in an instant.

"When the doctor returned in the evening after visiting his patients, I went to him, laughing all the while, and said, 'Well, doctor, I heard you are getting married tonight.'

"The doctor was not only embarrassed but rather depressed at my exuberance.

"I asked him, 'why cannot I hear any music on this happy occasion?'

"He let out a sigh and asked, 'Is marriage really a very happy occasion?'

"This answer caused me to break into peals of laughter. I had never heard of such a thing. I told him that there had to be music and the house should be decorated and illuminated.

"I pestered brother and compelled him to have the house decorated for the marriage.

"I talked gaily and spoke about my plans on how I would welcome the bride. I asked, 'Well, doctor, will you still continue to go around feeling the pulse of your patients after marriage?'

"He he he! Although it is very difficult to read the minds of people, especially men, I can say with certainty that my words pierced the doctor's heart like darts.

"The marriage ceremony was to be held late in the night. In the evening, my brother and the doctor sat on the terrace sipping wine; both of them had this habit. Gradually, the moon appeared in the sky.

"Still displaying my exuberance, I went up to the doctor and said, 'Doctor have you forgotten? It is almost time for the marriage ceremony.'

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