24. Laxmi shocked at her father’s decision

CHAPTER 24

Laxmi shocked at her father’s decision

Laxmi was ready to go somewhere with suitcase. As she entered the hall, her father stoped her. “Where are you going with the suitcase?”

“I am going to Uncle Bhaskaraiah’s house.”

“Why? What is the hurry?”

“Ever since aunty expired, there is no one to look after uncle. He is not feeling well. I had promised to come and help after my exams.”

Shivaram said seriously, “You are to get married soon. You should not go to houses where there are no ladies.”

Her mother entered the room.

Laxmi said, “But I will soon be married to that house anyway.”

Shivaram said coolly, “Who said that you will be married to that house?”

Laxmi was shocked.

Shivaram said, “Your life will be spoilt if you marry that uneducated brute. Our standard is different from theirs. Big people will be coming to see you.”

Rajalaxmi was shocked. “What are you saying?”

Shivaram became serious. “Minister Manohar’s son will be coming to see her. They are ready for the alliance.”

Laxmi and her mother were shocked.

Laxmi said angrily, “Since childhood I have decided to marry Shivayya. I will not marry anyone.”

Rajalaxmi stared at Shivaram. “Such thoughts are not good for you.”

Shivaram said, “I am not selling cement pipes like Bhaskaraiah. I have been a cabinet minister since 5 years. You can’t compare my standard with his.”

“What are you saying? He is the one who got you party ticket and money and made you so powerful.”

Shivaram became angry.

Laxmi said, “I am more proud to say that I am Shivayya’s wife than your daughter. I am leaving now itself.”

Shivaram stood in front of her and took out his revolver. “I will burn you both alive. What have you thought about me?”

He looked angrily at his wife. “Take her inside.”

Rajalaxmi just stood staring at him.

Shivaram gave her one slap. “Take her inside, I said.”

Laxmi dropped the suitcase and ran into her room crying loudly. Rajalaxmi followed. Lami fell on the bed crying. Rajalaxmi patted her back.

Laxmi cried, “Father is behaving so badly.”

“He is from a demon family. He will not fear even to murder us.”

Laxmi cried, “I will not marry anyone other than Shivayya. I will die if he forces me.”

Rajalaxmi tried to console her. “Don’t say that. You phone to Shivayya and tell him everything.”

Laxmi phoned to Shivayya and tod him everything.

Shivayya got very angry. He said on phone, “You don’t worry. I am coming now itself. Let me see who will stop me.”

Suddenly Bhaskaraiah who was lying on the bed got up slowly. “Shivayya, what happened? Who are you shouting at?”

Shivayya said angrily, “Uncle Shivaram is getting Laxmi married to that Manohar’s son. She is crying.”

“Who told you?”

“Laxmi and her mother.”

Bhaskaraiah looked at his wife’s photo hanging on the wall. “I knew that he will do this. Even while your mother was in the hospital suffering from cancer he did not come to see her even once. While she was in the dying stage, she wanted to see him so badly. But he did not come.”

Shivayya said, “Papa, you get ready. Let us go and meet him personally. You ask him. If he says no, I will marry Laxmi over his dead body.”

Bhakaraiah placed his hand on Shivayya’s shoulder. “Please don’t do that. Listen to me.”

He took the towel which was hanging on his shoulder in his hands. “I have never begged for anything in my life. As long as I am alive I will not beg. I will get you a more beautiful girl.”

Shivayya was shocked. “What are you saying? Will I ever get such a girl like Laxmi in my life? I have kept her in my heart since childhood. You only placed her there.”

Shivayya went to his mother’s photo. “I will remain unmarried but I will not marry anyone else.”

He went out. Bhaskaraiah observed him leave with tears in his eyes.