13. Devyani joins tailoring class

CHAPTER 13

Devyani joins tailoring class

Devyani entered the tailoring institute with her friends. The instructor, Kadar was excited to see such a beautiful girl. He started giving her special attention to Devyani and kept moving around her. But she did not pay much attention to him.

One day, when Devyani was going home, he accompanied her half the way on his cycle. She ignored him. The other girls became suspicious. Kadar started telling everyone that he loved Devyani and was going to marry her.

Laxmi was shocked to hear of Kadar. But she did not believe it for she knew Devyani’s character. But later she thought maybe it was true for Devyani was now a grown up girl. When thoughts started pestering her, she locked the door and went to meet Devyani.

Devyani was stitching a cloth in her room. Laxmi approached her.

Devyani smiled. “Hallo aunty. Please come in.”

Laxmi looked at the smiling Devyani. She did not get the courage to ask about Kadar. “How is the tailoring class?”

Devyani said, “Just one month of training is needed to make me perfect in stitching a blouse.”

Laxmi thought, “One month? Wonder what will happen by then. But I can’t ask her about Kadar. She looks so pure.”

She got up to leave. “I have to go to the temple.”

Devyani asked, “Can I also come?”

Laxmi shook her head. “No. I will go and come back quickly.”

Shastri was closing the temple. He saw Laxmi climbing up the steps.

Shastri thought, “Wonder why she is coming at this time?”

He saw the tension on her face. “What happened?”

Laxmi wiped her face. “I came to see you.”

Shastri said, “I would have come down. No problem. Come. Let us go down together.”

They went down together.

Shastri asked, “Tell me. What is the matter?”

“Let us sit in the shade.”

Shastri started wondering. “Wonder what the matter is. Has Shivayya scolded her?”

He asked, “What is the matter, my dear? Has Shivayya scolded you?”

Laxmi said, “No nothing like that. It is about Devyani.”

She expressed her doubts about Devyani and Kadar.

Shastri was shocked. “What are you saying?”

Laxmi said, “I know Devyani is not of that type. But everyone is talking about it. Maybe that boy is of that type.”

Shastri said, “Yes. Grown up girl. We should get her married quickly.”

They went silently.

Laxmi said, “Don’t say anything to Devyani. Let us just plan for the future.”