The depravity of this world

‘I tell you Mr. I have a beautiful wife.’
The man slumped half on the table and half on the bar stool, sweating despite the cold night. I swirled the ice cube ignoring him. Tonight, I truly wished to relax and not speak to any.
‘A wife as pretty as the morning sun, radiant and youthful.’ He said, chewing on peanuts. He smiled then, reminiscing.
Suddenly his face puffed up, red blotches bloomed on his cheeks and his breath came out choppy, breaking his long cry into a series of mini wheezes peppered with snivelling yelps. He was choking- on the peanuts.
As the whole incident was unfolding precisely where I sat, I had no choice but to thump his back, quite vigorously and revive him myself. Calming down, he offered me whiskey.
‘If it weren’t for you sir, I would’ve left the world and then my poor Malti, what would’ve she done? Though I do not wish to live, I thank you for saving me.’
‘You have a beautiful wife, why would you not wish to live?’
He whimpered, ‘She left me to be with God.’
‘Your wife is dead!’ I blurted ‘Then who is Malti?’
‘Oh Malti’ he cried. ‘She is my wife’s sister, as beautiful as a rose. I do not have the means to take care of that good girl and that she is- pure and good. She even gave me money to drown my sorrows here.’
‘What?’
‘Yes, both our drinks are thanks to that levelheaded girl. She knows how I need it to soothe my headaches and unending woes. She works hard to get good clients, but some don’t pay well, even though she puts on great makeup and dresses just right.’ He said shaking his head, ‘I tell you sir, the depravity of this world.’

I left the drinking hole in a hurry. The taste of alcohol felt foul on my tongue. I quickened my steps to my rooms, wanting to get rid of it. Opening the door, I rushed in towards the sink and gargled. ‘Disgusting man.’ Spit ‘His dead wife’s sister! It surely is a depraved world.’
As I settled on my bed, I noticed an envelope kept on the side table and a smile lit up my face. ‘Mother’

‘Dear Son,
I miss you, and so does your darling sister. We are doing well and there is good news to be had. It’ll take away all our stresses, including my doctor’s bills, and your room rent; all of it.
You remember our widowed landlord? Of course, you do. How silly of me to ask. He has some affection for us, especially your sister for she has grown into such a beautiful woman. The good-hearted man has proposed marriage.
After plenty of deliberation and understanding the advantages of such a union, your sister has come around and agrees to the match. Though he is advancing in age, his virtues are many, and the familiarity is certainly a plus.
He saw your sister in her finery and to my relief instantly agreed to our terms. She had won his heart, for that night she looked like a rose. She had put on great makeup and dressed just right.
Sending all our love and waiting to hear from you, my darling.
Your Mamma.
PS: Enclosing the cheque for this quarter’s rent of your rooms and some extra for your expenses.