4. Shastri is shocked to see Devyani’s tears

CHAPTER 4

Shastri is shocked to see Devyani’s tears

Looking at the boy’s mother, Shastri said, “We also have agreed to the match. In 3 days time, I will come to your village with Shivayya. We will write the marriage card there.”

Mother was very happy. “Very good. It would have been good if you had sent her to tailoring class. But no problem we will send her to computer classes and also teach her English once the marriage is over.”

Swami smiled. “After marriage, she is yours. You can teach her anything you like.”

The guests got up and left.

Laxmi looked at Shivayya. “Devyani is waiting for you. She has prepared your favorite puliogare. You have lunch.”

Shivayya was not in the mood. “I am not hungry. I have to go somewhere.”

He climbed into the jeep and left. Laxmi understood the situation and kept quiet.

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That night Shivayya sat for dinner at 10pm. Laxmi brought tiffin and kept it on the table. She served puliogare. “Devyani was sad that you left without lunch. She has sent puliogare for you.”

Shivayya looked at her seriously and started mixing the puliogare but he did not put a single morsel into his mouth. He remembered the incidents which took place in the afternoon. Tears appeared in his eyes. Laxmi understood.

Shivayya washed his hands in the plate without eating and wiped his hands on his towel. “You have dinner. I am not hungry.”

He went and sat on the chair. He closed his eyes. Laxmi put the plate for washing. She sat near him with her head on his lap. Tears appeared in her eyes and fell on his lap. He opened his eyes and patted her head. She looked up at him. “If you make up your mind, you can easily stop that marriage. If you just say one word, they will not even sleep in this direction.”

Shivayya said coolly, “Shastriji is like my guru. I cannot do anything like that to him. Still 3 more days are left. Let us wait and watch.”

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Shastri was sleeping on the bed and cooling himself with a hand fan. Devyani was pressing his legs. Shastri looked at her face. “You are very lucky my dear. The boy has a government job with a very good salary. Only son. Owns a house in the city. I am sure that you will be happy after marriage. It is all that god’s blessings. I can die happily now. You must be tired. Go and sleep.”

Devyani was looking somewhere. She got up and put bed sheet over her father. Then she went and lay on her bed.

At mid night Shastri got up to go to the bathroom. He put on the light and looked at his sleeping daughter. She was in deep thoughts with her face upwards. He was shocked to see tears on her face. He approached her and put his hand on her head.

Suddenly Devyani got up and wiped her eyes. “Daddy, do you want water?”

She got up to brought water.

Shastri kept staring at her. He pulled her hand and made her sit down again.

“I understand your mind, my dear. If you had a mother, you would have told her everything.”

He put her head on his chest. He rembered what had happened long back when they were staying in Peetampuram.