11. Romantic moments

CHAPTER 11

Romantic moments

          It was 8pm. Vasanti came to see Maestri with a tiffin in her hand. She brought the tiffin close to Maestri’s nose and said, “Smell and guess what is inside.”

Maestri sniffed. “What will you give me if I guessed what is inside?”

Moving close to Maestri, Vasanti said, “I will give you everything that is inside me now itself.”

Maestri looked at her seriously. “You are becoming very naughty.”

Vasanti gave him a pose and said, “Just open your eyes wide and look at me from top to bottom. You will know everything.”

Maestri looked at her from top to bottom. Then he got up and approached her. Close to her ear, he said, “I feel like getting married to you right now.”

Vasanti caught hold her his hand and pulled him to her. She hugged and kissed him. He also kissed her. Both of them went into dreams.

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Madesha comes home late

It was 11 pm. Maestri was sitting on the cot outside the house. His mother came out and sat near him looking at the road.

Maestri was worried. “The last bus has arrived. But Madesha is not home yet.”

Sakamma too was worried. “I was also thinking the same. He has many friends in the city. Maybe his college left late. He must be in his friend’s room. Just phone and find out.”

Maestri was desperate. “I have already tried that. His phone is switched off.”

Ganga came out. “Brother, it is already 11. Eat one ragi ball and go to sleep. After all, you have to get up at 3am to milk the cows.”

“How can I do that Ganga? I usually eat only after you and Madesha have eaten.”

Sakamma patted Maestri’s head lovingly. “Yes. You always sleep with half filled stomach from childhood. You always eat the leftover after your brother and sister have eaten. It is only after you started selling milk that we are getting enough to eat.”

Ganga had tears in her eyes as she looked at her brother. She brought ragi ball and kept it in front of him. “Brother, you work hard. Don’t wait for Madesha. You have given him 500 rupees. He must have had a feast with that money.”

“He is a grown up boy who goes to college. Let him eat.”

Suddenly they heard the sound of motorbike. Madesha got down from bike outside the gate. Michael had given him a lift. Starting the bike, Michael said, “You have given a good party today. Tomorrow is my turn and then day after tomorrow, your turn.”

Madesha said happily, “Ok. Bye.”

Michael left on bike and Madhesha entered the house.

Sakamma looked at Madesha and asked, “Why are you so late today?”

“Exam is coming near. I was doing combined study with my friends. I missed the last bus.”

Maestri was happy to hear this. “Ok. Have dinner first.”

“I don’t want. It was late and that is why I had dinner with Michael. He has a bike. He left me home.”

Maestri was shocked. “Do you have combined study daily from now on?”

Madesha said coolly, “Yes brother. If I want to pass, I have to do combined study. If I become late, I will miss the last bus. What to do? If I had a bike like Michael, there will be no problem.”

“How much does it cost?”

Looking at Maestri coolly, Madhesha said, “Maybe around 60.”

Sakamma said, “His College is in the city to which you go daily by cycle to sell milk. Just get him a cycle.”

Madesha was shocked. “What are you saying mother? Most of the students in our college come by bike or scooter. I am the only helpless fellow who comes by bus. How can you expect me to go by cycle?”

Maestri was sad. “You must attend combined study. You must pass with first class. You must become a police officer. I will take loan and get you a bike in one week.”

Sakamma was shocked. “Don’t keep giving him whatever he asks for. You will get only empty shell. Do all students from our village go by bike?”

Madesha stared at his mother seriously. “You keep coming in the middle all the time. The price of two cows is equal to that of one bike.”

Maestri looked at his mother seriously. “Why are you getting agitated? I will do something. I will get money from somewhere. You don’t worry.”

Sakamma was sad. “If you give everything to him, what about your grownup sister? We have to get her married.”

“Ganga is as important to me as Madesha. They are like two eyes to me. I will make him a police and also find a good boy for Ganga and get her married. Then only will I get married.”

Sakamma looked at Maestri with love. “Yes my son. I know what a good man you are.  But it is 8years since Vasanti grew up. Her parents are waiting for her to get married to you.”

Maestri laughed. “Do I not know that she was born for me? She knows very well that I will not marry anyone else. You don’t worry.”

Ganga pointed to the plate. “Brother, please eat.”

“No. Madesha refused to eat. So I too don’t want to eat.”

Ganga was sad. “He has eaten stomach full in the city and is already asleep. But you will be sleeping with empty stomach. It is all your fate.”