Such a Long Journey

Gustad is troubled by Roshan’s continuing illness, the money hiding in his coal cupboard, and Sohrab (though he won’t name this last worry in his own thoughts). As he makes his morning prayers, he marvels that the vinca plant remains so healthy and strong despite the insults it suffers. The police officer, known in the Khodadad Building as Sherlock Bamji, stops to talk to Gustad. Gustad complains to him about the stench from the black wall and asks if Bamji can use his authority to stop people pissing on it. Bamji laughs this off and tells Gustad that Tehmul told him about the big pile of money. Gustad laughs and pretends to think Tehmul was jabbering nonsense. Gustad decides he will have to give Tehmul another warning about their secret.

When Gustad comes home from work, however, Tehmul is not in the compound. Instead, Gustad sees Cavasji leaning out his window, shouting at the sky. His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Pastakia, runs down the stairs to catch Gustad. She asks him for a cutting of the subjo plant for Cavasji’s treatment. Gustad doesn’t like her but gets her the cutting for the old man’s sake.