Such a Long Journey

Gustad returns the money to Ghulam, feeling that his friendship with Jimmy and his association with Ghulam are over. Ghulam asks if Gustad has seen the latest newspaper report stating that three different magistrates have dealt with Jimmy’s case. Gustad feels that something funny is going on with Jimmy’s case: “How can I believe or not believe? Who can I trust? You? The newspaper?” (215). Ghulam says that Jimmy hopes Gustad will visit him in Delhi so he can explain everything. He has sent Gustad a letter, which Ghulam hands to him. In the letter, Jimmy says he wants to tell Gustad the whole long story and can only do so in person. He hopes Gustad will allow Ghulam to arrange for Gustad to travel to Delhi to see him. Gustad is still skeptical, worried that it’s another trick. He tells Ghulam he will think it over and heads out into the night air. Tehmul meets Gustad in the compound to show him a letter from the building owner, thanking the tenants for signing the petition against widening the road. Gustad takes a copy and tells Tehmul to pass the rest to each tenant in the building.