12. Shastri cancels the marriage

CHAPTER 12

Shastri cancels the marriage

Devyani was lying on Shastri’s chest. Shastri carassed her head and made her get up. He went and took an inland letter. “You don’t worry, my dear. I will cancel the marriage.”

In the morning, Shivayya came to Shastri’s house as usual. Devyani who was putting rangoli smiled at him. “Come in uncle.”

Shivayya looked at her face seriously and then looked away. He went into the house. Devyani followed him.

Shastri welcomed him. “Shivayya, come in. Sit down.”

He looked at Devyani. “Devyani, bring coffee for uncle.”

Devyani went into the kitchen to bring coffee.

Shivayya sat down on the mat. Devyani brought coffee. But Shivayya refused to take it. “No. I don’t want any coffee.”

Shastri looked at Shivayya in surprise. “What happened, Shivayya?”

“Since yesterday afternoon, I am not feeling well. I am not able to eat anything.”

Deyani took the coffee away and stood at the kitchen door smiling.

Shastri asked Shivayya, “Do you have cold or fever? Have you taken tablets? Shall I make strong kashaya for you?”

“It will not be cured by kashaya swami.”

Shastri took a cover from the cupboard and gave it to Shivayya. “Shivayya, I am canceling the marriage since it is not a good match. I have written a letter to them. Can you post this?”

Shivayya was shocked. He looked at smiling Devyani. “Bring coffee, my dear.”

Shastri was surprised. “What about your fever? Is it not better to have kashaya instead?”

Devyani brought coffee and gave it to Shivayya. He caught her hand and patted her cheek. He looked into her eyes. “You are my life. I am so happy that the marriage has been cancelled.”

Shastri understood everything. Shivayya looked at him. “I am feeling all right now. I am going to the city today. I will post this. Not only that, I will also phone to them.”

Shastri said, “Everyone asks what she has learnt. Maybe we should send her to tailoring class.”

“You don’t worry about that. In the next village, a Muslim boy has opened a tailoring institute. I will get her admission there. Already 2 or 3 girls from this village are going there. Devyani can go with them.”

Shivayya looked at Devyani. “Will you go?”

Devayani smiled happily. “As you wish, uncle.”