In 1984-85, I was in my final year of school in Delhi, preparing for the board examinations. Of all the subjects, English was my favourite. The teacher who taught it was a young, charming woman with large kohl-lined eyes and a mild demeanour. Having done fairly well in English over the years, I had become something of a favourite student of hers.

One morning, she walked into class with unusual solemnity. Beside her stood a well-dressed, gently stooped gentleman with deeply lined features and thick-rimmed spectacles. She informed us that, as she would be proceeding on extended leave-perhaps leaving the school altogether-due to personal reasons, the gentleman would take over our English classes until the board examinations. I remember feeling crestfallen at the mere thought that this might be the last time I would see her, which, sadly, it turned out to........

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