A team of doctors at St.John's Medical College pronounced the verdict. Joe was terminally ill. He has only a couple of months to live at the age of twenty six. He accepted it philosophically and resigned to his fate. Luckily for him the monster within was not paining him too much. He discarded heavy medication. He decided to read as many stories as he could read before he could bid farewell to the world. He went to the college book stall. He soon became familiar with Julie the sales girl. He liked her and loved her. He did not tell her about his passion for her. He kept mum about his ailment.
   
Every alternate day he visited the shop and chatted with her for few minutes. They often shared one cup of coffee, by-two and a pack of Marie biscuit. She too liked his company and listened to his musings. Every time he bought a book. She would wrap it beautifully and give him as if she was offering a gift.
   
When Joe failed to show up for days together Julie got worried. She went in search of him.  She found out his house. His mom received her in his room. She told her that he died of cancer a week ago. Shocked she sat on his bed. Her quivering eyes saw a shelf stuffed with story books. She also saw the stack of books on the table neatly wrapped. She found none of them was open. Suddenly she wailed hysterically. The bewildered mother asked:
    
“What happened? Beti, why are you crying?”
   
“Amma, why didn't Joe open up any one of those packets?  I knew he loved me dearly. I loved him twice he loved me. I could not open up in public as I was from a poor family. I kept my love letters inside the book. He never spoke of his disease. I never knew he would leave me so soon.”
    
She wept bitterly beating on her chest.
His mother stood there like a statue!