25. Laxmi’s engagement with Naga

CHAPTER 25

Laxmi’s engagement with Naga

Engagement party was going on in Shivaram’s house. Manohar, his wife, Naga and relatives had all arrived. Shivaram and his wife welcome them with great respect.

Laxmi was brought out wearing a beautiful sari and was made to sit near Naga. She sat coolly. The pundit recited the mantras and the engagement was over. They fixed the date for the marriage. Invitation cards were printed. Shivaram gave invitation cards to the CM and other cabinet members.

Manohar and Naga also distribute invitation cards. The marriage was announced in TV and newspapers.  Shivaram sent the card by post to Bhaskaraiah. Shivayya got very angry and went to tear it. But his father stopped him. “Don’t tear it. It is the invitation card of Laxmi’s marriage. Laxmi is a very good girl. You should not do this to her.”

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Manohar and family come to visit Bhaskaraiah. 10 cars followed for security. Sleeping Bhaskaraiah got up and invited them into the house.

Manohar gave the invitation card. “It is my son’s marriage. You should come.”

Bhaskaraiah opened the invitation card and looked at it. “Ok. Let it be so. But I am not well.”

Naga said crookedly, “You send your son, Shivayya.”

“Ok. I will tell him.” Said Bhaskaraiah feebly.

They left. As they were moving out of the gate,
Shivayya arrived in his jeep.

Seeing him, Manohar stopped the car.

Naga said, “I have given the invitation card. Don’t fail to come to the marriage.”

Shivayya looked at him seriously and thought, “If the marriage takes place.”

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Marriage arrangements were going on. Shivaram bought many dresses, saris and ornaments for Laxmi. The house was full of relatives and guests. Shivaram’s brother Venkatraidu took responsibility and carried out all tasks. Laxmi was seen running around welcoming everyone. The choultry was also decorated. The marriage was to take place the next day.

Laxmi approached her mother who was sitting alone in one room. “Amma.”

Her mother nodded. Suddenly Venkatraidu’s wife came into the room. Rajalaxmi looked at Laxmi. “You go and come back quickly.”

Laxmi smiled. “Ok, mommy.”

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In the choultry the bride was missing. Shivaram was in tension. It was already 3pm. “Where is Laxmi?”

His wife was surprised. “She told me that she was going to her friend’s house to put mehandi. She promised to return by 1pm.”

Shivaram was frustrated. He looked at the clock. “But it is already 3pm. If you had told me, I would have got a queue of ladies from the beauty parlour here itself.”

He looked at her suspiciously. “You only must have planned something.”

Rajalaxmi said, “If you want, you can ask your brother’s wife. She was there when Laxmi left.”

Shivaram put his hands on his head in tension. “I am cabinet minister. The bridegroom and party will arrive soon. What shall I do? I have to hang myself.”

He hammered his chest with his hands. “If the TV crew come to know they will make everything public. If they announce that minister Shivaram’s daughter has run away what shall I do? I will lose my prestige. How will I face Manohar?”

He walked to and fro in tension.  “It must be the job of that badmash Shivayya. He must have kidnapped her.”

He took his cell and phoned to Bhaskaraiah.

Bhaskaraiah listened to Shivaram’s words. “Shivayya? He was here only since morning. He must have gone to the factory now.”

Shivaram sat with his hands on his head.

At 7pm, sensational news opened on TV. Everyone came to know that minister Shivaram’s daughter had run away from the choultry. The TV showed Shivaram in tension.

The TV crew interviewed Manohar.

Manohar said angrily, “Don’t you have any other job?”

Shivaram held Manohar’s hand tight. “Please forgive me. I never thought that she will do such a thing.”

Naga said angrily, “This is not the fault of your daughter. It is the job of that badmash.”

Manohar bit his teeth.

Oblesh said, “I told you long back that we should cut him to pieces. Now he has become a banian tree. He has taken away our Naga’s bride. If this is true, I will cut his head and put it at your feet. Not only that, I will make that Laxmi fall at your feet whole life.”

Naga shook his fists angrily. “If he has done such a job, I will not sleep until his head falls. I will not get married whole life. I will just keep that Laxmi with me”