Passage

Every Monday, on his way back from work, Bepin Choudhury would drop in at Kalicharan’s in New Market to buy books—crime stories, ghost stories, and thrillers. He had to buy at least five at a time to last him through the week. He lived alone, was not a good mixer, had few friends, and didn’t like spending time in idle chat. Today, at Kalicharan’s, Bepin Babu had the feeling that someone was observing him from close quarters. He turned round and found himself looking at a round-faced, meek-looking man who now broke into a smile. “I don’t suppose you recognize me.”

Word Meaning:

Thrillers – a novel, play, or film with an exciting plot, typically involving crime or espionage.

Close quarters – very near to a person or thing.

Idle chat – unnecessary, routine conversation.

Meek – quiet; humble.

Drop in – to visit someone casually or unexpectedly.

Explanation:
Bepin Choudhury had established a routine of stopping at Kalicharan’s bookshop in New Market every Monday on his way home from work. He had a particular fondness for reading crime stories, ghost stories, and thrillers. To ensure he had enough reading material for the week, he would purchase at least five books each time. Living alone, Bepin was not very sociable; he had only a few friends and preferred to avoid spending time in idle chat that he found meaningless.

On this specific day, as he browsed the store, Bepin Babu sensed that someone was watching him from close quarters. When he turned to see who it was, he encountered a round-faced, meek-looking man who smiled warmly. Upon making eye contact, the man expressed surprise that Bepin Babu might not recognize him, hinting at a previous connection between them that Bepin may have overlooked.

Passage

“Have we met before?” asked Bepin Babu.

The man looked greatly surprised. “We met every day for a whole week. I arranged for a car to take you to the Hudroo falls. In 1958. In Ranchi. My name is Parimal Ghose.” “Ranchi?”

Now Bepin Babu realized that it was not he but this man who was making a mistake. Bepin Babu had never been to Ranchi. He had been on the verge of going several times but never made it. He and said, “Do you know who I am?”

Word Meaning:

Greatly surprised – feeling or showing shock or astonishment.

Hudroo falls – a specific waterfall located near Ranchi, a popular tourist destination.

Verge of going – at the point of doing something; very close to taking action.

Mistaken – incorrect; having a wrong idea or belief about something.

Explanation:
Bepin Babu asks the man if they have met before, and the man, Parimal Ghose, expresses surprise, reminding Bepin that they met daily for a week in Ranchi in 1958, where he arranged a car for Bepin to visit the Hudroo Falls. However, upon hearing “Ranchi,” Bepin realizes that the man is mistaken; he has never actually been to Ranchi, despite having considered it several times. With a gentle smile, Bepin questions Parimal, asking if he truly knows who he is, highlighting his curiosity and skepticism about the man’s claims.

Passage

Passage: The man raised his eyebrows, bit his tongue, and said, “Do I know you? Who doesn’t know Bepin Choudhury?” Bepin Babu now turned towards the bookshelves and said, “Still you’re making a mistake. One often does. I’ve never been to Ranchi.”

Word Meaning:

Raised his eyebrows – a gesture indicating surprise or disbelief.

Bit his tongue – a sign of hesitation or embarrassment.

Common – frequent; usual.

Explanation:
In response to Bepin Babu’s statement, the man raised his eyebrows and bit his tongue, expressing surprise and questioning, “Do I know you?” He further emphasized that everyone must know Bepin Choudhury. Turning to the bookshelves, Bepin calmly informed the man that he was mistaken, noting that it’s common for people to confuse identities. He then clarified that he had never been to Ranchi, reinforcing his position and correcting the misunderstanding.

Passage

The man now laughed aloud. “What are you saying, Mr. Choudhury? You had a fall in Hudroo and cut your right knee. I brought you iodine. I had fixed up a car for you to go to Netarhat the next day, but you couldn’t because of the pain in the knee. Can’t you recall anything? Someone else you know was also in Ranchi at that time. Mr. Dinesh Mukerji. You stayed in a bungalow. You said you didn’t like hotel food and would prefer to have your meals cooked by a bawarchi. Mr. Mukerji stayed with his sister. You had a big argument about the moon landing, remember? I’ll tell you more: you always carried a bag with your books in it on your sight-seeing trips. Am I right or not?”

Word Meaning:

Bawarchi – a Hindi word for a cook.

Iodine – a disinfectant used for cleaning wounds.

Explanation:
The man laughed heartily at Bepin Babu’s disbelief and recounted specific memories from their time together in Ranchi. He reminded Bepin that he had fallen in Hudroo, injuring his right knee, and that he had brought iodine to help treat the wound. The man mentioned arranging a car for Bepin to visit Netarhat the following day, but he couldn’t go due to the pain. He pressed Bepin to recall more details, noting that Mr. Dinesh Mukerji, an acquaintance of Bepin’s, was also in Ranchi at that time, staying with his sister.

The man highlighted Bepin’s preference for meals cooked by a bawarchi over hotel food and mentioned their heated argument about the moon landing. To further jog Bepin’s memory, he pointed out that Bepin always carried a bag filled with books on his sightseeing trips, asking if his recollections were accurate.

Passage

Bepin Babu spoke quietly, his eyes still on the books. “Which month in ’58 are you talking about?” The man said, “October.” “No, sir,” said Bepin Babu. “I spent Puja in ’58 with a friend in Kanpur. You’re making a mistake. Good day.” But the man didn’t go, nor did he stop talking.

Word Meaning:

Puja – a Hindu festival or ritual of worship, often celebrated with family and friends.

Explanation:
Bepin Babu, intrigued yet skeptical, asked the man in a calm tone about the specific month in 1958 he was referring to, keeping his gaze on the books. The man replied that it was October. Bepin quickly countered, stating that he had spent that October attending Puja with a friend in Kanpur, insisting that the man was mistaken. He politely wished the man a good day, indicating he wanted to end the conversation. However, the man remained persistent, neither leaving nor ceasing to talk.

Passage

 “Very strange. One evening I had tea with you in the veranda of your bungalow. You spoke about your family. You said you had no children, and that you had lost your wife ten years ago. Your only brother had died insane, which is why you didn’t want to visit the mental hospital in Ranchi…”

ExplanatioN:
The man expresses his astonishment, recalling a specific evening when he had tea with Bepin Babu on the veranda of his bungalow in Ranchi. He details the personal conversation they had, where Bepin shared intimate information about his family: he had no children and had lost his wife a decade earlier. The man further mentioned that Bepin’s only brother had died in a mental hospital, which explained Bepin’s reluctance to visit such a place in Ranchi.

Passage

When Bepin Babu had paid for the books and was leaving the shop, the man was still looking at him in utter disbelief.

Word Meaning:

Utter disbelief – complete surprise or astonishment.

Explanation:
After Bepin Babu paid for his books and quietly exited the shop, the man continued to gaze at him in utter disbelief, clearly astonished by Bepin’s lack of recognition or acknowledgment of their shared past.

II

Passage

Bepin Babu’s car was safely parked in Bertram Street by the Lighthouse Cinema. He told the driver as he got into the car, “Just drive by the Ganga, will you, Sitaram?” Driving up the Strand Road, Bepin Babu regretted having paid so much attention to the intruder. He had never been to Ranchi—no question about it. It was inconceivable that he should forget such an incident which took place only six or seven years ago. He had an excellent memory. Unless—Bepin Babu’s head reeled.

Word Meaning:

Intruder – a person who intrudes, disrupting or invading someone else’s space or privacy.

Inconceivable – not capable of being imagined or grasped mentally; unbelievable.

Head reeled – he was shocked and confused, feeling disoriented or overwhelmed.

ExplanatioN:
As Bepin Babu approached his car parked on Bertram Street near the Lighthouse Cinema, he instructed his driver, Sitaram, to take a route by the Ganga. While driving along Strand Road, Bepin felt a strong sense of regret for giving so much importance to the intruder’s claims. He was certain he had never been to Ranchi, and it seemed inconceivable that he could forget such a significant event from just six or seven years ago. With a reputation for an excellent memory, he began to feel disoriented, wondering if there was more to the situation than he initially thought.

Passage

Was he losing his mind? But how could that be? He was working daily in his office. It was a big firm, and he was doing a responsible job. He wasn’t aware of anything ever going seriously wrong. Only today he spoke for half an hour at an important meeting. And yet… And yet the man knew a great deal about him. How? He even seemed to know some intimate details: the bag of books, wife’s death, brother’s insanity… The only mistake was about his having gone to Ranchi. Not a mistake; a deliberate lie. In ’58, during the Pujas, he was in Kanpur at his friend Haridas Bagchi’s place. All Bepin Babu had to do was write to—no, there was no way of writing to Haridas. Bepin Babu suddenly remembered that Haridas had left with his wife for Japan some weeks ago, and he didn’t have his address.

Word Meaning:

Losing his mind – becoming mad or mentally unstable.

Intimate – very personal and private.

Deliberate – done consciously and intentionally; not accidental.

Explanation:
Bepin Babu questioned whether he was losing his mind, but that seemed impossible given that he worked daily at a reputable firm and held a responsible position. He had just spoken for half an hour at an important meeting, indicating he was functioning well. However, he was unsettled by how much the man knew about him, including very personal details like his wife’s death, his bag of books, and his brother’s insanity. The only falsehood in the man’s claims was about Bepin having gone to Ranchi; it wasn’t a mistake but a deliberate lie. Bepin was certain he spent the Pujas in Kanpur at his friend Haridas Bagchi’s house. Although he considered writing to Haridas to confirm his whereabouts, he realized that Haridas had recently moved to Japan with his wife, and he didn’t have their new address.

Passage

But where was the need for proof? He himself was fully aware that he hadn’t been to Ranchi—and that was that.

ExplanatioN:
Bepin Babu concluded that there was no need for any proof to validate his claims, as he was completely certain that he had never been to Ranchi. His confidence in this fact left no room for doubt or further questioning.

Passage

The river breeze was bracing, and yet a slight discomfort lingered in Bepin Babu’s mind. Around Hastings, Bepin Babu decided to roll up his trousers and take a look at his right knee. There was the mark of an old inch-long cut. It was impossible to tell when the injury had occurred.

Word Meaning:

Bracing – stimulating or invigorating, providing a refreshing feeling.

Lingered – to spend a long time over something; to remain in a place longer than necessary.

Hastings – rapidity of action or motion; often referring to a swift or hasty movement.

ExplanatioN:
While the bracing river breeze was refreshing, Bepin Babu felt a lingering discomfort in his mind. To investigate further, he rolled up his trousers to examine his right knee, where he discovered an old inch-long cut. However, he found it nearly impossible to determine when he had sustained the injury.

Passage

Had he never had a fall as a boy and cut his knee? He tried to recall such an incident, but couldn’t. Then Bepin Babu suddenly thought of Dinesh Mukerji. The man had said that Dinesh was in Ranchi at the same time. The best thing surely would be to ask him. He lived quite near—in Beninandan Street. What about going right now? But then, if he had really never been to Ranchi, what would Dinesh think if Bepin Babu asked for confirmation? He would probably conclude Bepin Babu was going nuts. No; it would be ridiculous to ask him.

Word Meaning:

Going nuts – becoming mad or crazy; losing one’s sanity.

Explanation:
Bepin Babu began to question whether he had ever fallen as a boy and injured his knee, but despite his efforts, he couldn’t recall any such incident. Suddenly, he remembered that the man had mentioned Dinesh Mukerji was in Ranchi at the same time. Considering this, Bepin thought it would be wise to ask Dinesh for clarification, as he lived nearby on Beninandan Street. He even contemplated visiting him immediately. However, the thought of what Dinesh might conclude if he asked about a trip he never took made him hesitate. Bepin feared that Dinesh would think he was going nuts, leading him to dismiss the idea as ridiculous.

Passage

And he knew how ruthless Dinesh’s sarcasm could be. Sipping a cold drink in his air-conditioned living room, Bepin Babu felt at ease again. Such a nuisance! Just because they have nothing else to do, they go about getting into other people’s hair.

Word Meaning:

Ruthless – showing no mercy or compassion; harshly severe.

Nuisance – a person or thing that causes inconvenience or annoyance.

Getting into other people’s hair – annoying or bothering someone unnecessarily.

ExplanatioN:
Bepin Babu was acutely aware of how ruthless Dinesh could be with his sarcasm. However, as he sipped a cold drink in his air-conditioned living room, he began to feel at ease again. He reflected on how annoying it was that people, out of boredom or idleness, often meddled in the affairs of others.

Passage

After dinner, snuggling in bed with one of the new thrillers, Bepin Babu forgot all about the man in New Market. Next day, in the office, Bepin Babu noticed that with every passing hour, the previous day’s encounter was occupying more and more of his mind. If the man knew so much about Bepin Babu, how could he make such a mistake about the Ranchi trip?

Word Meaning:

Snuggling – settling or moving into a warm, comfortable position, often associated with feelings of coziness or security.

ExplanatioN:
After dinner, Bepin Babu forgot all about the strange man from New Market as he snuggled into bed with one of his new thrillers. However, the next day at the office, he found that the encounter was increasingly occupying his thoughts with each passing hour. He began to wonder how the man could know such personal details about him yet make an error regarding the Ranchi trip.

Passage

Just before lunch, Bepin Babu decided to ring up Dinesh Mukerji. It was better to settle the question over the phone; at least the embarrassment on his face wouldn’t show. Two-Three-Five-Six-One-Six. Bepin Babu dialled the number.

“Hallo.”
“Is that Dinesh? This is Bepin here.”

“Well, well — what’s the news?”

“I just wanted to find out if you recalled an incident which took place in ’58.”

“’58? What incident?”

“Were you in Calcutta right through that year? That’s the first thing I’ve got to know.”

“Wait just a minute… ’58… just let me check in my diary.”

Word Meaning:

Ring up – to make a phone call to someone.

Embarrassment – a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness.

Explanation:
Just before lunch, Bepin Babu decided to call Dinesh Mukerji to confirm some details, thinking it would spare him the embarrassment of discussing it face-to-face. He dialed the number, and upon Dinesh answering, he confirmed his identity. Dinesh inquired about the news, prompting Bepin Babu to ask directly if he remembered an incident from ’58. When Dinesh asked for clarification, Bepin Babu indirectly asked if he had been in Calcutta that year. Dinesh said he needed to check his diary for that information.

Passage

For a minute, there was silence. Bepin Babu could feel that his heartbeat had gone up. He was sweating a little.
“Hallo.”
“Yes.”

“I’ve got it. I’d been out twice.”

“Where?”

“Once in February — nearby — to Krishnanagar to a nephew’s wedding. And then… but you’d know about this one. The trip to Ranchi. You were there too. That’s all. But what’s all this sleuthing about?”

“No. I just wanted to — anyway, thanks.”

Bepin Babu slammed the receiver down and gripped his head with his hands. He felt his head swimming. A chill seemed to spread over his body. There were sandwiches in his tiffin box, but he didn’t eat them. He had lost his appetite.

Word Meaning:

Sleuthing – conducting a search or investigation like a detective.

Gripped – held tightly.

Explanation:
After a brief silence, Bepin Babu’s heartbeat quickened, and he started to sweat as Dinesh checked his diary. Dinesh revealed that he had been out twice in ’58: once in February for a nephew’s wedding in Krishnanagar and again for the trip to Ranchi, which Bepin Babu was also a part of. When Dinesh questioned Bepin Babu about his inquiries, he chose not to respond and abruptly hung up. Overwhelmed, Bepin Babu gripped his head, feeling dizzy as chills coursed through him. Despite having brought sandwiches for lunch, he lost his appetite and didn’t eat.

III

Passage

After lunch-time, Bepin Babu realized that he couldn’t possibly carry on sitting at his desk and working. This had never happened in the twenty-five years he had been with the firm. He had a reputation for being a tireless, conscientious worker. But today, his head was in a whirl.

Word Meaning:

Carry on – continue.

Conscientious – diligent and meticulous in one’s work.

Head was in a whirl – confused and unable to think clearly.

Explanation:
After lunch, Bepin Babu realized he could not continue working at his desk as if everything were normal. This feeling was unprecedented in his twenty-five years at the firm, where he was known for his hard work and attention to detail. However, unlike his usual self, he found himself unable to think clearly today, feeling confused and overwhelmed.

Passage

Back home at two-thirty, Bepin Babu lay down in bed and tried to gather his wits together. He knew that it was possible to lose one’s memory through an injury to the head, but he didn’t know of a single instance of someone remembering everything except one particular incident—and a fairly recent and significant one at that. He had always wanted to go to Ranchi; to have gone there, done things, and not to remember was something utterly impossible.

Word Meaning:

Wits – mental sharpness or intelligence.

Tried to gather his wits together – made an effort to calm down and think clearly.

Utterly – completely or absolutely.

Explanation:
Upon returning home at two-thirty, Bepin Babu lay in bed, trying to calm himself and think clearly. He understood that head injuries could lead to memory loss, but he had never heard of someone forgetting just one specific incident while remembering everything else—especially a recent and significant event. Since he had always wanted to visit Ranchi, it was particularly hard for him to accept that he could forget such an important experience.

Passage

At seven-thirty, Bepin Babu’s servant came and announced, “Chuni Babu, sir. Says it’s very important.” Bepin Babu knew what Chuni had come for. Chunilal had been at school with him. He’d been having a rough time lately and had been coming to see him about a job. Bepin Babu knew it was not possible to do anything for him and, in fact, told him so. But Chuni kept turning up like a bad penny.

Word Meaning:

Having a rough time – experiencing many difficulties or problems.

Turning up like a bad penny – appearing where one is not wanted or welcome.

Explanation:
Around seven-thirty in the evening, Bepin Babu’s servant announced that Chuni Babu was at the door, claiming it was very important. Bepin Babu immediately recognized that Chuni had come to ask for help regarding a job, as they had attended school together. Chuni had been facing difficulties recently, and despite Bepin Babu’s previous response indicating he could not assist him, Chuni continued to show up uninvited, likened to a “bad penny,” signifying that his visits were unwelcome.

Passage

Bepin Babu sent word that not only was it not possible for him to see Chuni now, but not for several weeks. But as soon as the servant stepped out of the room, it struck Bepin Babu that Chuni might remember something about the ’58 trip. There was no harm in asking him.

Word Meaning:

Sent word – conveyed a message.

Explanation:
Given the circumstances, Bepin Babu informed his servant to tell Chuni Lal that he couldn’t meet him now or for several weeks. However, as soon as the servant left the room, an idea occurred to Bepin Babu. He realized that Chuni might recall details about the Ranchi trip from ’58, and he thought it would be worth asking him about it.

Passage

Bepin Babu hurried down the stairs and into the living room. Chuni was about to leave, but seeing Bepin Babu appear, he turned around hopefully. Bepin Babu didn’t beat about the bush. “Listen, Chuni – I want to ask you something. You have a good memory, and you’ve been seeing me off and on for a long time. Just throw your mind back and tell me – did I go to Ranchi in ’58?”

Chuni said, “’58? It must have been ’58. Or was it ’59?”

“You’re sure that I did go to Ranchi?”

Chuni’s look of amazement was not unmixed with worry. “D’ you mean you have doubts about

having gone at all?”

“Did I go? Do you remember clearly?”

Chuni sat down on the sofa, fixed Bepin Babu with a long, hard stare, and said, “Bepin, have you taken to drugs or something? As far as I know, you had a clean record where such things were concerned. I know that old friendships don’t mean much to you, but at least you had a good memory. You can’t really mean that you’ve forgotten about the Ranchi trip?”

Word Meaning:

Didn’t beat about the bush – came straight to the point.

Off and on – now and then.

Throw your mind back – think back and recall a past event.

Explanation:
Bepin Babu rushed down the stairs into the living room, where Chuni was about to leave. Upon seeing Bepin Babu, Chuni turned back with hope. Without wasting time, Bepin Babu asked Chuni if he remembered whether he had gone to Ranchi in ’58, emphasizing Chuni’s good memory and their occasional meetings. Chuni hesitated, unsure if it was ’58 or ’59. Bepin Babu pressed for confirmation, which left Chuni both amazed and worried, questioning if Bepin Babu truly doubted having taken the trip. When Bepin Babu asked again if Chuni remembered the trip clearly, Chuni sat down and gave him a piercing stare, incredulously suggesting that Bepin Babu might have turned to drugs. He remarked on Bepin Babu’s generally good memory and implied that, despite their waning friendship, forgetting something as significant as the Ranchi trip was hard to believe.

Passage

Bepin Babu had to turn away from Chuni’s incredulous stare. “Do you remember what my last job was?” asked Chunilal. “Of course. You worked in a travel agency.” “You remember that, and you don’t remember that it was I who fixed up your railway booking for Ranchi? I went to the station to see you off; one of the fans in your compartment was not working — I got an electrician to fix it. Have you forgotten everything? Whatever is the matter with you? You don’t look too well, you know.” Bepin Babu sighed and shook his head.

Word Meaning:

Incredulous – unbelieving or doubtful.

Sighed – emitted a long, deep audible breath expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, or similar emotions.

Shook his head – an act to show disagreement or a negative response.

Explanation:
Chuni Lal stared at Bepin Babu with disbelief, prompting Bepin Babu to look away. Chuni then asked if Bepin remembered what his last job was, to which Bepin replied that he worked in a travel agency. Chuni pointed out the irony of remembering his job while Bepin had forgotten that he was the one who arranged his railway booking to Ranchi. Chuni recalled specific details, such as going to the station to see Bepin off and how he had called an electrician to fix a faulty fan in Bepin’s compartment. Unable to comprehend Bepin’s forgetfulness, Chuni expressed concern about his friend’s well-being, noting that he didn’t seem well. In response, Bepin Babu sighed deeply, acknowledging his confusion and distress, and shook his head.

Passage

“I’ve been working too hard,” he said at last. “That must be the reason. Must see about consulting a specialist.” Doubtless, it was Bepin’s condition that made Chunilal leave without mentioning anything about a job. Paresh Chanda was a young physician with a pair of bright eyes and a sharp nose. He became thoughtful when he heard about Bepin Babu’s symptoms. “Look, Dr. Chanda,” said Bepin Babu desperately, “You must cure me of this horrible illness. I can’t tell you how it’s affecting my work.”

Word Meaning:

Must see about consulting – (here) may have to consult.

Thoughtful – absorbed in or involving thought.

Explanation:
Finally, Bepin Babu acknowledged that he had been overworking, which might be affecting his memory. He realized he needed to consult a specialist about his condition. Consequently, Chunilal left without bringing up the job opportunity, likely due to Bepin’s state of mind.

Bepin Babu then visited Dr. Paresh Chanda, a young physician known for his bright eyes and sharp nose. Upon hearing about Bepin Babu’s symptoms, Dr. Chanda appeared thoughtful. In a moment of desperation, Bepin Babu pleaded with the doctor to help him overcome this terrible illness, expressing how it was negatively impacting his work.

Passage

Dr. Chanda shook his head. “You know what, Mr. Choudhury,” he said. “I’ve never had to deal with a case such as yours. Frankly, this is quite outside my field of experience. But I have one suggestion. I don’t know if it’ll work, but it’s worth a try. It can do no harm.”

Explanation:
Dr. Chanda shook his head after listening to Bepin Babu, indicating his concern. He candidly expressed that he had never encountered a case like Bepin Babu’s throughout his medical career. Acknowledging that the situation was beyond his expertise, he nonetheless offered a suggestion. He emphasized that while he couldn’t guarantee success, it was “worth a try,” assuring Bepin Babu that there would be no harmful effects from attempting it.

Passage

Bepin Babu leaned forward anxiously. “As far as I can make out,” said Dr. Chanda, “and I think you’re of the same opinion — you must have been to Ranchi, but due to some unknown reason, the entire episode has slipped out of your mind. What I suggest is that you go to Ranchi once again. The sight of the place may remind you of your trip. This is not impossible. More than that, I cannot do at the moment. I’m prescribing a nerve tonic and a tranquillizer. Sleep is essential, or the symptoms will get more pronounced.” Bepin Babu felt somewhat better the next morning. After breakfast, he rang up his office, gave some instructions, and then procured a first-class ticket for Ranchi for the same evening.

Word Meaning:

Anxiously: in a manner resulting from or revealing anxiety.

Tranquilizer: a medicine to reduce stress and anxiety.

Procured: got (with a little difficulty).

Explanation:
Bepin Babu leaned forward with anxiety, eager to understand Dr. Chanda’s advice. The doctor explained that it was likely Bepin Babu had visited Ranchi but, for some unknown reason, the memory of that trip had faded from his mind. Dr. Chanda suggested that returning to Ranchi might trigger those memories, noting that this possibility was not negligible. He admitted that this was the most he could do at that moment, and prescribed a nerve tonic along with a tranquillizer to help Bepin Babu sleep better, warning that lack of sleep could exacerbate his symptoms.

The next morning, Bepin Babu felt a bit improved. After breakfast, he called his office to issue some instructions and arranged for a first-class ticket to Ranchi for that evening.

IV

Passage

Getting off the train at Ranchi the next morning, he realized at once that he had never been there before. He came out of the station, took a taxi, and drove around the town for a while. He realized that the streets, the buildings, the hotels, the bazaars, and Morabadi Hill — he had no familiarity with any of these. Would a trip to the Hudroo Falls help? He didn’t believe so, but at the same time, he didn’t want to leave with the feeling that he hadn’t tried enough. So he arranged for a car and left for Hudroo in the afternoon.

Explanation:
Upon arriving in Ranchi the next morning, Bepin Babu quickly realized that he had never visited this place before. After exiting the railway station, he took a taxi and explored the town for a while. He found that he was unfamiliar with the streets, buildings, hotels, markets, and even Morabadi Hill. Doubting whether a trip to the Hudroo Falls would jog his memory, he still felt compelled to try, not wanting to leave without having made an effort. Consequently, he arranged for a taxi to Hudroo and set off in the afternoon.

Passage

At five o’clock the same afternoon in Hudroo, two Gujarati gentlemen from a group of picnickers discovered Bepin Babu lying unconscious beside a boulder. When he came round, the first thing Bepin Babu said was, “I’m finished. There’s no hope left.”

Explanation:
Around five o’clock that afternoon in Hudroo, two Gujarati gentlemen from a picnicking group found Bepin Babu lying unconscious next to a large rock. Upon regaining consciousness, his first words were, “I’m finished. There’s no hope left,” indicating his despair and sense of hopelessness.

Passage

Next morning, Bepin Babu was back in Calcutta. He realized that there was truly no hope for him. Soon he would lose everything: his will to work, his confidence, his ability, his balance of mind. Was he going to end up in the asylum at…? Bepin Babu couldn’t think anymore.

Explanation:
The next morning, Bepin Babu returned to Calcutta, fully aware that there was no hope left for him. He began to fear that he might lose everything—his will to work, confidence, abilities, and mental stability. The thought that he could end up in an asylum if his situation deteriorated plagued him, and he felt overwhelmed, unable to think clearly any longer.

Passage

Back home, he rang up Dr Chanda and asked him to come over. Then, after a shower, he got into bed with an ice bag clamped on his head. Just then, the servant brought him a letter which someone had left in the letterbox. It was a greenish envelope with his name written in red ink. Above the name, it said “Urgent and Confidential.” In spite of his condition, Bepin Babu felt that he ought to go through the letter. He tore open the envelope and took out the letter.

Explanation:
Once home, Bepin Babu called Dr. Chanda, requesting him to come over. After taking a shower, he lay in bed with an ice bag on his head to alleviate his discomfort. At that moment, the servant handed him a letter found in the letterbox. The envelope was green with his name inscribed in red ink, marked “Urgent and Confidential.” Despite his condition, Bepin Babu felt compelled to read the letter, prompting him to tear open the envelope and extract its contents.

Passage

This is what he read —

Dear Bepin,
I had no idea that affluence would bring about the kind of change in you that it has done. Was it so difficult for you to help out an old friend down on his luck? I have no money, so my resources are limited. What I have is imagination, a part of which I used in retribution for your unfeeling behavior.
Well, you’ll be all right again now. A novel I’ve written is being considered by a publisher. If he likes it enough, it’ll see me through the next few months.

Yours,
Chunilal

Explanation:
The letter addressed to Bepin expresses the writer’s disappointment over how wealth has changed him. Chunilal questions why it was so difficult for Bepin to assist an old friend who is struggling. He mentions his own financial limitations, stating that he has no money but possesses imagination, which he used to take revenge on Bepin for his callousness. Chunilal assures Bepin that he will be fine now, revealing that a novel he wrote is under consideration by a publisher. If the publisher approves it, Chunilal will have enough money to sustain himself for the next few months.

Passage

When Dr. Chanda came, Bepin Babu said, “I’m fine. It all came back as soon as I got off the train at Ranchi.”
“A unique case,” said Dr. Chanda. “I shall certainly write about it in a medical journal.”
“The reason why I sent for you,” said Bepin Babu, “is that I have a pain in the hip from a fall I had in Ranchi. If you could prescribe a painkiller…”

Explanation:
When Dr. Chanda arrived, Bepin Babu informed him that he had regained his memory of the Ranchi trip from 1958, stating that it all returned to him the moment he disembarked the train. Dr. Chanda remarked that it was “a unique case” and expressed his intention to write about it in a medical journal. However, Bepin Babu clarified that he had called the doctor not for the memory loss but to seek a prescription for a painkiller for the hip pain he sustained from a fall in Ranchi.