Ramani and Velu moved to Dasgupta's house which was big and posh. Ramani kept her boutique going, as she did not like to be idle. A big part of her earnings went every month to the Home.

One evening, a ragged and bearded man with a cloth bundle held close to his chest came to the Home. He asked for the Matron, Ms. Leela. When she came out to meet him, he asked her whether Ramani was there still. She told him Ramani was not there but with her husband, a well-known camera man.

The stranger sat down and said in a shaking voice, "I came to deliver a package sent by Shiv Kumar, who had been Ramani's husband. How is the boy, Velu?"

The matron was anxious to know where Shiv Kumar was, but the stranger mumbled that Shiv was dead. The matron was sad to hear this, as Shiv had been a capable young man. The man gave the cloth bundle to the matron and tried to get up, but fell down in a faint.

A doctor was summoned and after examining him, said, "He is dead. He was perhaps on the verge of collapse due to malnutrition and starvation. Who is he?

The matron herself did not know the man's identity. She said, "He told me that he was the friend of a man who was married to one of our girls. Perhaps his cloth bundle may reveal his identity."

The cloth bundle was opened and they were astonished to see stacks of hundred-rupee notes iun a bag inside the bundle. The only name on the bag was "Shiv Kumar." Hearing the sound of of a car coming to a stop inside the Home, the matron saw Ramani and Velu getting down from the car.

"Ramani, come here my dear. Here is some gift for you sent by Shiv," called out the matron.

Ramani came running to where the matron, doctor and others were standing, looking at an inert figure on the ground. Ramani bent over the figure and saw a bearded and emaciated face - none other than her beloved Shiv's! He seemed dead. She let out a loud cry of distress. "Oh my darling Shiv! Where were you all these days? Why did you not come earlier?" she went on saying amidst sobs.

The matron was astonished to hear that the dead man was Shiv. She handed over the cloth bundle to Ramani, saying, "Poor man! he must have worked tirelessly to save the money and bring it for you and Velu. The doctor says he was ill due to starvation and must have collapsed suddenly. He was asking about you and Velu and has left this moeny for you."

As if in a trance, Ramani took the money bag, weeping uncontrollably. Poor Shiv! All his labour was in vain. Love's labour lost!