On the third evening after the funeral, the tent was pulled down; the official mourning period was over.

I want to talk to you, he said to her brother, perhaps we could go for a walk.

They walked in a street calmed by the impending sunset. Only a few cars passed. He said, I can’t stay here for long. I have to go back to my work in Scotland.

I’m sorry, the brother said, we could not have your wedding.

But you understand …

It’s going to be difficult for me to come again. I think we should go ahead with our plans …

We can’t celebrate at a time like this.

It doesn’t have to be a big celebration.

You know, she had a big wedding party last time?

No, I didn’t know. She didn’t tell me.

I blame myself, her brother suddenly blurted out, that son of a dog and what he did to her. I knew, you see, I heard rumours that he was going with that girl but I didn’t think much of it, I thought it was just a fling he was having and he’d put his girlfriend away once he got married.

They walked in silence after that, the sound of their footsteps on crumbling asphalt. There was movement and voices in the houses around them, the rustle and barks of stray dogs.

Finally her brother said, I suppose we could have the marriage ceremony at my flat. But just the ceremony, no party …

No, no, there’s no need for a party …

I’ll talk to my father and my mother, see if they approve of the idea.

Yes, please, and after the ceremony …?

After the ceremony you can take her back with you to your hotel …

Right.

Her father has to agree first.

Yes, of course.

He walked lighter now, but there was still another hitch.

You know, her brother said, we lost a lot of money marrying her off to that son of a dog. A lot of money. And now again this time … even just for a simple ceremony at my place, I will have to buy drinks, sweets, pay for this and that.

On a street corner, money was exchanged between them. He handed her brother one fifty-dollar bill after the other, not stopping until he sensed a saturation.

Thanks, better not tell her about this, okay? My sister’s always been sensitive and she doesn’t realise how much things cost.

His hand trembled a little as he put his wallet away. He had previously paid a dowry (a modest one, the amount decided by her) and he had brought the gifts in good faith. Now he felt humiliated, as if had been hoodwinked or as if he had been so insensitive as to underestimate his share in the costs. Or as if he had paid for her.