47. Old man visits Shastri

CHAPTER 47

Old man visits Shastri

Shivayya was sitting with Laxmi in Shastri’s house. Shivayya was very angry. “He saw that I was not in the village and came to meet you.”

Laxmi was surprised. “What a plan he made. How courageous he was to come directly to swami’s house and ask.”

Swami was serious. “Not only that, he said that he has given a word to that producer about Devyani.”

Shivayya became ferocious. “If he had told that in front of me, I would have cut his tongue. I will go now itself and cut his head.”

Shastri and Laxmi stopped him.

Laxmi said, “No. Don’t go.”

“Laxmi, please don’t stop me.” He pointed to Devyani. “After he has said such a thing about our daughter, I will not leave him.”

Devyani came running. She held his hands. “Uncle, please cool down. I will not go just because he says so. In fact I will not get married until you say yes.”

Shivayya became cool. He put his hand on Devyani’s head lovingly.

Shastri said, “Shivayya, look for a good boy. Let us get married.”

Shivayya nodded. “Yes. I will do that.”

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One day at 7pm a 60 years old man wearing Khashai dress and having taken Shiva diksha came to Shastri’s village.

He asked one villager. “Is there a brahmin’s house here?”

The villager folded his hand. “Yes. Come. I will take you there.”

He took the swami to Shastri’s house.

The villager entered Shastri’s house.

Shastri welcomed him. “Come, Hanumantha. Sit down.”

Villager said, “One swami has come to your house.”

The old man folded his hands. “My name was Shankaraiah of Bharadwaj gotra. I am on my way to Shrishailam. It is late so I was looking for a Brahmin’s house to spend the night.”

Shastri welcomed him happily. “Come. Sit down.”

Devyani put a mat. The old man sat down. Devyani brought a glass of water. Swami drank water.

Shastri asked, “Would you like to have bath?”

The old man nodded and got up.

Shastri gave towel. “At night, will you have dinner or tiffin?”

“I have taken Shiva diksha so I have only tiffin at night.”

“Will you have puffed rice?”

“That would be great.”

Shastri looked at Devyani. She nodded and went into the kitchen. Shastri took the old man to the bathroom.