Summary

In this story, an unnamed male character reflects on his brief love affair with an unnamed female character who has moved from Nepal to America to attend school. The man asked the woman before she left if they would marry when she returned in two years, and she was noncommittal. He describes the woman as a “free spirit” (216), whereas he has always been shy and reserved.

He recalls falling in love at first sight and dreaming about her before they ever spoke. They worked in the same office building. Once they began talking, his dreams merged with reality so he had a hard time remembering what really happened and what he imagined. They went on walks through the city together and she sang to him. The narrator notes that “the earthquake was yet to come” (219).

One day, he walked through...