12. Maestri visits bank

CHAPTER 12

Maestri visits bank

          Maestri entered the manager’s cabin in bank. Manager smiled and welcomed him. “Come. Sit down Maestri.”

Maestri smiled but did not sit. “You are a big person. How can we small people sit in front of you?”

Manager laughed. “Tell me.”

“I wanted loan.”

“Are you planning to purchase more cows? Tell me how much you want. We get very few people like you who pay back at the right time.”

“Not cows. My brother is going to Degree College. He wants a bike.”

Manager smiled. “No problem. I will sanction it today itself. You can come tomorrow for the money.”

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Madesha parked the new bike in front of the house. Ganga did puja and gave Prasada to everyone. Maestri looked at Madesha and said, “Ride carefully.”

“You don’t worry brother. I will ride the bike like you ride the cycle. It is not difficult to own a bike as it is to maintain it. One cannot go to college on bike without 100 rupees in pocket.”

Sakamma is shocked. “100 rupees per day means 3,000 rupees per month. What will happen to us if you start spending so much? I told your brother that day itself that cycle is enough for you.”

Maestri said seriously, “Why are you taking so much tension about everything? I will get another cow to makeup for that.”

Vasanti came in.

Maestri asked Madesha, “Did you purchase clothes? Was the amount enough?”

Madesha removed 4 pairs of clothes from his bag. Sakamma was shocked to see the clothes. “You took 5,000 rupees and got just 4 pairs of clothes? Have you brought anything for your brother and sister?”

Madesha said seriously, “He gave me just 5,000 rupees. It was not enough even for my clothes.”

“How terrible. You have paid 5,000 for just 4 pairs. What will happen to your brother if you spend like this? You will finish him due to your habits.”

Madesha pretended not to hear.

Maestri said, “Why are you talking like that mother? He is a college going kid. He must dress properly. I am a milk seller. I need just a pair lungi, shirt and towel for the whole year.”

Ganga had tears in her eyes. Seeing this, Maestri went near her. “Why are you crying? Is it because he did not bring anything for you? Next month there is fair in the city. I will get new clothes for you and mother from Brahmam’s shop today itself. I can repay in instalments.”

Ganga takes out a torn lungi of Maestri. “Do you know how many times I have stitched this lungi? And yet you keep wearing this.”

Mother looked at Maestri sadly. “You have reduced yourself to a person who lives on loans.”

Maestri patted Ganga’s cheek. “Don’t worry if my clothes tear. We can stitch them. But the dreams I have for you all must not tear. They cannot be stitched again.”

Vasanti had tears in her eyes. She thought, “You are mine. You are sacrificing everything for others. Will I leave you? I want to see you like a prince in the fair.”