By BIPIN AURORA

From Notes of a Mediocre Man: Stories of India and America

Ramesh Thakur had three houses—one in Defence Colony, one in R.K. Puram, and one in Malviya Nagar.  But he was not happy.

“So much dusting, Chandar.  I go to each house once a week.  I dust, I dust.  The sofas, the tables, the mantelpiece.  I do not forget anything.

“But it is hard work, Chandar.  It is not easy.”

But still I was happy for him.  He was retired, he needed something to do.  This kept him busy.  He had three houses:  there was security in that.  He had some place to go three days a week:  this kept him busy, there was security in that as well.