The Inheritance of Loss

Biju attempts to call Kalimpong again, but the line has gone dead. A homeless man approaches him at the banks of the Hudson, spouting random trivia about the river, so Biju leaves. On the way to Gandhi Cafe, he considers his failures in America and wonders if he should return to India. Biju shares this with a Gandhi Cafe regular, a travel agent named Mr. Kakkar, who reminds Biju of India’s poor plumbing, heat, disease, and others’ constant requests for money. Biju insists, and Mr. Kakkar sells him an airline ticket for Calcutta. He warns Biju that he will work at an American company even in India, but with poorer quality of life.

Biju prepares for his journey by buying New York souvenirs and other luxuries to take home. Biju thinks of pleasant memories—playing around the village and watching cricket on television—but neglects negative memories of his corrupt school and deceased relatives.

Gyan’s sister told the family of the fight between her brother and Sai. His grandmother scolds him for joining the GNLF and predicts he will be imprisoned if he continues. She forces him to stay home when the GNLF arrives to pick him up that day.