ABSTRACT
Shera recognises Shahni’s voice. How can he not? Following the death of his mother, Jaina, it was Shahni who had taken it upon herself to see to his upbringing. He hides his long-handled chopper under the hay-load and picks up his hookah: ‘Ei Huseina, Huseina.’ How Shahni’s voice has shaken him! Just a moment ago, he had started contemplating how after breaking into the dark cell of the haveli he would be grabbing all those boxes of silver and gold … but then, she with her ‘Shera, O Shera.’ He seethed with rage. On whom to take it out? On Shahni? He yelled at his wife: ‘Are you dead or what? … May Allah send you death!’
