30. Shivayya shocked to hear of sister’s marriage

CHAPTER 30

Shivayya shocked to hear of sister’s marriage

Bhaskaraiah said, “What a terrible thing that girl has done. Did she have to go and marry a boy from that family?”

Shivayya was very angry. “If she had married any other person I would not have said anything. But that fellow. Our enemy. I feel like cutting her to pieces. But what to do. She is after all my sister.”

Laxmi said, “Leave it. She loved him and got married.”

She patted Shivayya’s back. “Forget the matter. You have so many other important matters to think about.”

******************************************

A shamiana had been put up. Bank managers and staff had arrived. Farmers were sitting all around the place.

Shivayya said, “I am asking you bank managers and staff only one thing. If you fund our society we will give seeds and manure as loan to the farmers. We will also give loan for agricultural purpose. When the crop appears we will allow them to sell it in our bazaars. The society will return the loan with interest. The crops will be insured so that the bank will not lose their money in case of natural calamities. The soil testing officers, LIC field officers, bank managers and field officers have all come to this meeting. I request you all to think about the matter and help the society.”

Manager got up to speak. “Shivayya is making wonderful village development programs for the farmers and the downtrodden. He has already been doing it successfully in his own district since last 2 years. He is giving a new hope to the State itself. We are ready to provide all the help the society needs.”

One elder said, “We are so happy that energetic Shivayya has come to our jilla and is adopting the real Gandhi marg to develop our jilla which was destroyed by the fraction leaders.”

People came to put garlands on Shivayya.

Shivayya folded his hands. “No need. I am also a farmer like you all. I am also an earthly man.”

One man said, “Shivayya, who owned thousands of acres of land has distributed most of his land and has kept only 10 acres for himself. He is a great person who has done ‘bhu dana’.”

Shivayya climbed into his jeep. Suddenly his cell rang. It was Laxmi.

Laxmi said, “Uncle is no more.”

Shivayya was shocked.

***********************************

Hundreds of people had come to the funeral of Bhaskaraiah.

Laxmi said, “Shall I tell you something? Your sister should come for the funeral. Please go and bring her.”

Shivayya nodded his head and took out his cell.

Vasundara’s husband picked up the phone. “Hallo.”

Shivayya said on phone, “I am Shivayya speaking. Will you give the phone to my sister?”

Naga said angrily, “Put the phone down.”

Raju put down the phone. The phone rang again. Naga picked it up.

Shivayya pleaded, “Please give the phone to my sister. My father has expired. I want to tell her.”

Naga said angrily, “We cannot send her.”

“Please don’t say that. Her father has expired.”

Naga became serious. “Have you maintained any such relationship with us send her? The bond broke long back.”

Shivayya got angry. Laxmi patted his back. He looked at her. She nodded her head.

Shivayya said on phone, “Please don’t talk like that. My father loved her very much. Please don’t say that you will not send her.”

Naga became serious. “What have you given to her to call her your sister or

Bhaskaraiah’s daughter? Have you given her land or gold? If I put a case, you will go to jail. Bhu dana it seems. You have given away the land which was to come to her also.”

Shivayya became serious. “Mr. Naga. I am not a loafer like you. My heridity is different from yours. I have separated her property long before my father died. I am coming to see you now itself to settle everything.”

He put down the phone. “Laxmi, opened that cupboard.”

Laxmi opened the cupboard.

Shivayya said, “Give me mother’s ornaments.”

Laxmi handed over the ornaments.

“Fine. Now give me those bond papers.”

Laxmi gave him the bond papers.

Shivayya packed everything and went out.

Laxmi followed him. “Are you going alone?”

Shivayya said seriously, “Yes. I will be back in one hour. I will bring her with me.”

Satya looked at Shivayya. “Brother, shall I come?”

“No. You all look after the guests.”  Shivayya left in the jeep.