31. Shivayya goes and brings his sister for funeral

CHAPTER 31

Shivayya goes and brings his sister for funeral

The jeep stopped outside Manohar’s house. Shivayya walked seriously to the house. Workers folded their hands in respect.

Raju was sitting with Naga in the room upstairs.

One worker entered and announced, “Brother has come.”

Naga looked down and saw the workers doing namaskara to Shivayya.

Shivayya stood in the hall with two suitcases in his hands. “Amma, Vasundara.”

Vasundara came running to him with tears in her eyes. Naga climbed down the stairs. Raju also followed him.

Shivayya placed the suitcases in front of Vasundara and opened one of them.

“Vasundara, count everything. These were the ornaments mother used to wear. And these were the ornaments which I made for your marriage. These bond papers were of the land which should come to you.”

Shivayya took another suitcase and opened it. It was full of money. “This is the money I had put in the bank to give as dowry for your marriage.”

Shivayya closed the suitcases. “This Shivayya will not be in anyone’s debt. Father is no more. Ever since you got married, he used to shed tears thinking of you.”

He folded his hands. “Will you come for the funeral?”

Vasundara cried loudly. Naga took the suitcases and looked at the bond papers. Vasundara looked at Naga and Raju.

Raju said, “You go and come back quickly.”

Naga said, “I will also come. I have to see the land and take it in my control.”

Shivayya climbed into his jeep with Vasundara. Naga and Raju climbed into their jeep.

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Bhaskaraiah’s body was placed on the pyre. Funeral pyre was lit. The fire burned.

After the funeral, Vasundara prepared to leave.

Shivayya said, “This house will always be open to you. Don’t forget your brother just because father is dead. I would have agreed if you had married any one else except those people. They are demons. They will live because of you. Otherwise I would have killed them.”