2. Boy and family arrive

CHAPTER 2

Boy and family arrive

At 11:30, Shivayya came to Shastri’s house in a jeep. He entered the house. Shastri was reading a paper. Laxmi was helping Devyani get ready.

Shivayya looked at Shastri. “The boy’s father had phoned. They will be here soon.”

He looked at his worker. “You go to my house and bring some chairs.”

The man left.

Shastri said, “No need, Shivayya. I am a simple person and would like to remain so. These mats are enough.”

Shivayya knocked on the bedroom door. “Laxmi, is Devyani ready? They will be here soon.”

Laxmi opened the door. Shivayya saw the doll like Devyani and was very happy. “Our daughter is like a golden doll. The boy is very lucky.”

Shivayya looked at Laxmi. “Put a black dot on her face to ward off evil spirits.”

Devyani felt shy.

Suddenly a car came and stoped in front of the house. The bridegroom party got down. Shastri and Shivayya went to the gate and welcomed them.

There were mats spread on the veranda. Swami pointed to the mats. “Please sit down.”

But the boy’s mother did not sit. She looked around for chairs. But there were no chairs in Shastri’s house. Boy’s mother said, “Don’t you have any chairs?”

Swami’s face fell. “The chairs will arrive soon.”

Just then the workers brought chairs from Shivayya’s house. Everyone sat on the chairs but Shastri and Shivayya sat on mats.

Mother was surprised. “Why don’t sit on chairs?”

Shivayya smiled. “No. we are comfortable here only.”

Laxmi brought panka in a jug and started pouring into glasses. She offered it to the boy’s mother. Seeing it, she twisted her face. “What is this?”

Laxmi said, “This is panka. Lemon panka. It is good for the heat.”

“I remember drinking it when I was young. But if I drink it now, I will get allergy.”

Shivayya was shocked. Laxmi went in and brought water.

Mother looked at the water with disgust and said proudly, “We drink only mineral water. We knew it will not be available here. So we have brought it with us.”

She removed a bottle of mineral water from her bag.

Laxmi felt disgraced. The boy’s mother drank the water. “In our house we always have a stock of coco cola for the heat.”

Shivayya said immediately, “No problem. Coco cola is available in our village too.”

He looked at one worker. “Bring 2 crates of coco cola from the shop.”

Immediately the workers brought one dozen bottles. They opened the bottles and gave to the guests.

Shivayya was very angry to see the arrogance shown by the boy’s mother. He looked at the boy. He was very black.

Laxmi brought Devyani, who gave sweets and fried stuff to everyone. Everyone looked at her in awe. She was so beautiful. Then she sat down with her face down.

Boy’s mother asked, “What is your name? What are your qualifications?”

Laxmi said, “Her name is Devyani.”

Shastri said, “She has passed 10^th in 1^st class. But I decided not to put her in college.”

Boy asked Devyani, “Which programs do you watch on TV?”

Devyani looked at him was a shock.

Shastri said politely, “We don’t have TV in our house.”

Hearing this, Laxmi said anxiously, “She comes to our house to watch TV.”

Mother said seriously, “You people are only answering all our questions. Let the girl talk.”

She looked at Devyani and asked, “In our house we watch only English channels. Do you know English, my dear?”

Devyani was silent.

Boy said, “My mother has forgotten Telugu. She always speaks in English. That’s why she is asking.”

Laxmi became serious. She said in English, “Languages are created for the sake of conversation. Each language has its own importance. We must love and respect our mother tongue.”

The boy was shocked. “You speak so well in English.”

 Shivayya said proudly, “Yes. My wife is a gold medalist in M.A. But I am only 10^th. Ours is love marriage.”

Boy laughed, “You are made for each other.”

He looked at Devyani. “Like us.”

Shivayya bit his teeth. He took the jug of panka and drank it all. Boy’s mother was surprised. She pointed to coco cola bottle. “Don’t you drink this?”

Shivayya said, “I am an earthly person. I like this only.”

Mother said, “We will go out now and talk about the alliance.”

The bride groom party went out. Devyani went into the bedroom.