‘The parcel,’ I said, pointing to the opened packet on my study table, ‘has just delivered a part of me.’ My friend Anoop was aghast. He thought he had just heard words that were macabre and waited with eyes open for the rest of the gory details. He, however, did hesitatingly ask, ‘Hope you aren’t hurt.’ I silently weighed his concern in my mind and said, ‘Yes, I am. Terribly hurt. Though not in a way that needs me to seek medical help.’ ‘Thank God!’ ‘But I’m hurt,’ I insisted, ‘for I’ve lost what I’ve loved.’ ‘What? Don’t tell me Shikha has finally decided to say no to you.’ ‘Shikha has agreed to marry me,’ I said. Anoop gave an exasperated look and said, ‘I give up. I cannot understand this mystery.’ I said, ‘Shikha came to my room a couple of days back and said in a firm tone – I hate that smelly stubble. Come with me. She then took me to a barber’s shop and said, ‘Get in there and come out to bowl me over with a clean-shaven look!’ ‘Sounds interesting,’ said Anoop, ‘and so you went in and said bye-bye to your friend of ten … Continue reading Part and parcel