And Devdas? where was he? He spent that night sitting on a bench in the Eden Gardens in Calcutta. It wasn’t as though he was wrung with grief, instead he was troubled by a lack of feeling, a kind of numbness. Sometimes, people who have lost a limb, whether through accident or disease, try to move that missing arm or hand, and are puzzled, for a moment, that nothing happens, before they realise that it is no longer there to respond to their command. So too, felt Devdas, that which he thought was forever his, was suddenly lopped away from him, and no word or command of his would have any effect now, any rights he had held, had been struck away.

At this point, the sun rose, Devdas stood up and wondered, ‘What now ? Where shall I go ?”

Suddenly, he thought of the boarding house where he used to stay. Choonilal would be there. Devdas began walking, sometimes he stumbled, once he fell, once he swayed into someone – who thought he was drunk and pushed him away. Somehow, after wandering here and there, he made it to the boarding house, arriving just as Choony, fashionably dressed, was leaving.

“Hey, if it isn’t Devdas!”

Devdas stared at him silently.

“When did you get back? You do look worn out- what are you doing!”

This because Devdas had sat down on the sidewalk. Choony helped him up and led him indoors. Taking Devdas to him own room, he asked, “What’s the matter, Devdas?”

“I left home yesterday.”

“Yesterday? Where’ve you been all day ? and all night ?”

“In the Eden Gardens.”

“Are you crazy ? Tell me, what’s up ?”

“What’s the point ?”

“Well, never mind, have something to eat now. Where are your things ?”

“I didn’t bring anything.”

“Oh, all right! Come, eat something.”

ChooniLal forced Devdas to eat a little, then made him lie down on his bed.

“Try to sleep a little. I’ll wake you up later.” With that Choony left.

When he returned, it was about ten at night, he found Devdas in a deep sleep. He did not wake him, instead he took a blanket and a mat, and made a bed for himself on the floor. Devdas did not wake all night, and slept through daybreak. Finally, at ten the next morning, he woke and sat up. “Choony! When did you get back ?”

Choony replied, “Just now.”

“I hope I haven’t put you out ?”

“Not a bit!”

Devdas gazed at Choony. “Choony! I have no one. Will you adopt me ?”

Choony laughed, he knew Devas’ family was very wealthy. So he said, “Adopt you? Fine. Stay with you me as long as you wish.”

“Choony, what’s your income ?”

“Brother, my income is slight. I have some property from which my elder brother sends me seventy rupees a month and that suffices me very well.”

“Why do you never go home ?”

Choony turned away slightly.