The Space Between Us

Dinaz has a sudden hankering for chaat at the seaside and persuades Sera and Viraf to come along. On the way, they remark that it is now almost three years since Feroz died. The last time Sera came to the seaside for chaat was with Feroz, a few days before his death. Sera reminisces on Feroz’s death. Feroz had changed after Banu’s death, confessing to Sera that it was difficult for him to watch Banu grieve after Freddy’s death. Sera suggested going away for a while, and Feroz promised they would once Banu was more stable.

Three days later, Feroz came home early from work complaining of a general uneasiness, and lay down for a while. Sera made him some soup and went to wake him later in the evening. She found him dead in bed, his eyes still open. Sera broke down sobbing, while Bhima consoled her. Viraf and Dinaz arrive shortly after. Viraf pronounced Feroz “a prince of a man” (262). Sera had a moment of clarity as she realized that Feroz was being rewritten in a much more favorable light moments after his death.

In the present, Sera thinks about how the past three years have been the happiest of her life, with the children living with her and a grandchild to look forward to.