54. Manikyam takes Devyani to his house

CHAPTER 54

Manikyam takes Devyani to his house

Naga, Tirupati and Rajiv were enjoying. Manikyam came with Devyani. Seeing her, Rajiv turned his head away. Devyani understood and remained by Manikyam’s side.

Naga said, “Brother, tomorrow you have to pay the remaining amount.”

Manikyam nodded and took her to the car. “Have you seen your husband?”

Devyani closed her eyes crying bitterly.

Manikyam said kindly, “Forget everything. God is there.”

The car moved. Manikyam stopped the car at a lonely place. Devyani looked at him in a shock. He gave her a bottle of water. “You go and wash your face. My wife should not misunderstand.”

Devyani got down and washed her face. He gave her a towel. She wiped her face and sat inside again.

Manikyam looked at her face in the mirror. “Don’t tell my wife what has happened.”

Devyani nodded.

The car stopped in front of Manikyam’s house. Dhanalaxmi opened the door and looked at Devyani.

Manikyam said to Devyani, “Come in, my dear.”

Devyani entered the house with the suitcase.

Manikyam looked at his wife. “This is Devyani. She has newly joined as a designer. She has come from a far away place and has no place to stay. She will be with us until I find a place for her to stay.”

Dhanalaxmi smiled at Devyani. “Come, my dear.”

She took her to a room upstairs. Manikyam too followed them.

Dhanalaxmi said, “You can stay in this room.”

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

Manikyam sat at the dining table. “Call her for dinner.”

Dhanalaxmi went up the stairs.

Devyani was lying on the bed.

Dhanalaxmi approached her. “Come for dinner, my dear.”

Devyani said, “I am not hungry. I have a headache.”

Dhanalaxmi touched her forehead. “Oh! How hot you are. I think you have high fever. I will bring milk and tablets for you.”

She went out of the room.

Manikyam was having dinner.

Dhanalaxmi came with milk and tablets. “That poor girl is having high fever. Tomorrow we will take her to the doctor. I will give her tablets.”

Manikyam looked at her and nodded. Dhanalaxmi climbed up the stairs.

Dhanalaxmi gave Devyani milk and tablets. Devyani took the tablets and drank the milk.

Dhanalaxmi said, “You sleep now. I am sleeping in the opposite room. If you need anything at night, don’t be afraid to come and knock.”

Devyani was shocked. She had tears in her eyes. Dhanalaxmi patted her head kindly. “Why are you crying? Did you remember your mother?”

She had tears in her eyes. “Looking at you, I remember my daughter.”

She looked at her daughter’s photo handing on the wall and wiped her eyes. Then she went out.

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

At night Manikyam has no sleep. He looked at his wife. She was fast asleep with back to him. He slowly got up and went to Devyani’s room. He opened the door and peeped in. Devyani was fast asleep.

Manikyam thought, “I hope she will not commit suicide because of what has happened to her.”

He went back to his room and looked at the god’s photo.

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

Dhanalaxmi got up at night. Manikyam looked at her worried. She went to Devyani’s room and touched her forehead. Devyani opened her eyes.

Dhanalaxmi said, “Your fever is a bit down. Will you have anything to eat?”

Devyani shook her head. Dhanalaxmi went out.