64. Shastri does final rites of Devyani

CHAPTER 64

Shastri does final rites of Devyani

Rajiv went to Shastri’s house by auto. He made the auto wait for him and entered the house.

Shastri was surprised to see his son-in-law. “Hallo Rajiv, how are you? Where is Devyani?”

“I will tell you.” Rajiv sat down.

Shastri brought water for him. “Is my daughter fine?”

“I got a good lesson for having married your daughter.”

Shastri was shocked. “What happened?”

“She ran away with a film producer to become a film star. “

Shastri was not able to believe his ears. “What did you say? No. It is not possible. She is not of that type.”

Rajiv said sadly, “I married her because she was different from other ladies. Maybe she was waiting for an opportunity. 15 days back she ran away with a producer.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Rajiv took out a paper he had brought. “See. Her photo has appeared in the paper. She is going to act in the new film ‘ANARKALI’.”

Shastri saw the photo of Devyani in the paper. He was shocked.

Rajiv said, “Forgive me, sir. I have hurt your feelings.”

Shastri was speechless.

“Forgive me, sir. I have hurt your feelings. I am leaving now” Rajiv got up and left.

Shastri kept looking at the direction he left.

Suddenly Laxmi came.

Shastri asked her, “Do you know one thing?”

Laxmi looked at his fallen face.

Shastri said, “Rajiv was here. He just left.”

He showed her the paper. “She is dead.”

Laxmi looked at the paper. “Yes. I saw it on TV last night. I could not believe my eyes.”

Shastri said, “I am going to took bath again.”

He took the paper and put it in the fire.

Laxmi kept looking at him.  She thought, “I wonder what he will do.”

She went to her own house at high speed.

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Shastri had kept 3 pindas and was chanting mantras.

Shivayya came with Laxmi on motorbike. They went up the hill at high speed. They were shocked to see Shastri.

Shastri looked at them. “My daughter is dead. I am doing karma.”

Shivayya stared at him. Shastri continued chanting.

Shivayya said, “I will not see her face in this whole life. I never thought that she will do such a thing.”

He went down. Laxmi sat down looking at the flowing water.