The Distance Between two Books.
It had been six years since Shyam’s wife died. It was a love marriage, won after long struggles to persuade parents and relatives. They lived happily for two years. His wife was a special educator who dreamed of working with special children. When she got an opportunity to work in the United Kingdom, it filled them with joy. They felt God was showering them with grace; they felt lucky. But fate had a different plan. His wife lost her life in a train accident before she could leave. His life was ruined; without her, it felt like hell. The first few years were filled with visitors, condolences, and rituals. The second year brought loneliness. By the third year, people stopped asking if he was all right. Life settled into a quiet routine: work, home, television, sleep. Shyam tried to distract himself with books, concerts, exhibitions, and book launches. He often visited temples to find peace. Kapaleeswara Temple in Mylapore became a ritual; every Friday he could be seen sittin...
