21. Shivaram’s proud nature opens

CHAPTER 21

Shivaram’s proud nature opens

A few years passed. Shivayya and Laxmi grew up.

               Manohar was sitting with his elder son and a few followers. “In our jilla, that Shivayya is causing a lot of problems. He has now opened a new association and is acting as if he is a great follower of Gandhiji.”

Oblesh twisted his mustache. “I told you 5 years ago that we should finish him off. But you never listened to my words. Now he has grown so big and has so many followers in all the villages. If you just say so, we will make his dead body fall.”

Manohar said, “I am keeping quiet because of his father, who has given me so much money ever since I joined politics. What to do. Such a bastard was born to that good man.”

Manohar’s son Nagaraju became angry. “You became an MLA and a minister and experienced everything. But what about me? I am having difficulty in winning even the MPP’s post due to that fellow. He is challenging us.”

Manohar said, “This is politics, my boy. We have to plan and win.”

Oblesh said, “Brother, today also the whole jilla shivers at your word except that fellow.”

Just then Manohar’s younger son, Raju climbed down the stairs with a suitcase.

Manohar looked at him. “Raju, are you going to the city?”

“Yes, papa. 6 months more and I will become a surgeon.”

“Good. I will construct a hospital in our jilla. You can start your work here itself.”

He removed a bundle of notes from his pocket and gave it to him. Raju took the money and prepared to leave.

Suddenly Manohar turned on him seriously. “I heard that you are still going around with that sister of Shivayya. I am warning you. If I hear of it again, I will burn you both alive.”

Raju went out. He climbed into his car and took up his cell. He phone to Vasundara. “Hallo Vasundara, I am ready.”

Shivayya’s sister Vasundara took her ringing cell and went out. “I will be at the jilla headquarters in half an hour.”

“How is your mother?”

Vasundara was sad. “What to do? The cancer is in the final stage. My mother wanted to die at home so we have brought her home. She may die at any moment.”

Raju said, “How sad. Are you coming or not? You can’t miss the exam.”

“Yes. I am coming. You just wait in the car at the jilla headquarters.”

Suddenly Shivayya came out. “Who is it?”

Vasundara was shocked. “It is my room mate at the hostel. She is asking whether I am coming to attend the exam or not.”

Shivayya approached her sadly. “You went and wrote the exam. I will look after mommy.”

Shivayya went into the house and entered the bedroom

Varalaxmi was lying on the bed. Bhaskaraiah was sitting near her.

Varalaxmi looked at her son. “Shivayya, phone to Shivaram.”

Shivayya said, “How many times shall I phone to him? You consider him as your brother and what about him? He is such a big minister now. He won’t even receive my phone.”

“Why don’t you try to contact your aunty?”

Bhaskaraiah said, “You have not yet learnt your lesson. Ever since he became a minister 5 years ago, he has never visited us. Even when you were in the hospital due to cancer for 2 months, he did not come to see you even once.”

Varalaxmi had tears in her eyes. “I wanted to see Shivayya’s marriage before dying. That is why I wanted to meet him. I may die any moment.”

Shivayya came near her and held her hand. “Please don’t cry mommy. I will phone to him.”

He phoned to Shivaram’s house. Shivaram’s wife lifted the phone.

Rajalaxmi asked, “How are you, my boy? How is your mommy?”

Shivayya said sadly, “She is in her death bed. We have brought her home.”

Rajalaxmi was shocked. She looked at Shivaram who was having his tiffin.

Shivaram whispered. “Tell him I am not at home.”

Rajalaxmi was shocked. She placed her hand over the receiver and whispered.

“Your sister is dying. She wants you to speak to her.”

Shivaram got very angry. He grabbed the phone and cut off the call angrily.

“When I tell you to tell them that I am not at home, why can’t you do it?”

Rajalaxmi argued. “But she is your sister.”

Shivaram said, “I know that she just wants to talk about the marriage. Why should I give my daughter to that uneducated brute?”

Rajalaxmi was shocked. “How can you say such a thing? You are not human.”

“If I give our daughter to that Shivayya, my image will be spoilt. I am the State minister and he is the son of an ordinary cement pipe manufacturer.”

Rajalaxmi tried to argue. “But you have given your word ever since they were small children. How can you refuse now? Remember that it is due to that cement pipe manufacturer that you became a minister.”

Suddenly Shivaram got up and slapped her angrily. “It is due to my star that I became a minister. I am warning you, if you don’t listen to me, I will tear you and your daughter into pieces.”