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.....he walked into the lane rather well dressed and nicely groomed,  stopping a small boy he asked the directions to najma aunty,s house, the house was covered with blooming  bougainvillea,  hesitating he banged the gate, najma was in the kitchen busy cleaning up tge dishes, putting the plate aside on the counter she speaking to herself  who could  it be this time of the day  crossed the courtyard  to reach the main gate,