23. Vasanti tells Maestri about Madesha

CHAPTER 23

Vasanti tells Maestri about Madesha

          Maestri entered Vasanti’s house in the evening as promised. Vasanti brought one plate full of bajji (fried stuff). Maestri sat on the cot.

Keeping the plate in front of him, Vasanti said, “Hot hot bajji. Just put them into your mouth. They will melt.”

“Don’t talk with double meaning. You are like bajji.”

“Just put the bajji into your mouth and then take me in your arms. You can then compare both and see which is more hot and tasty.”

Maestri laughed and put a bajji into his mouth. He stared at her and said, “It is very tasty. I feel like eating it daily.”

Vasanti laughed and pointed to her neck. “Just tie the mangalasutra. I will give you whatever you want for 24 hours a day.”

Maestri looked at Vasanti’s chest. “I will eat now itself like this hot bajji. But what to do? I am waiting for Madesha to become a police officer.”

Vasanti went into the bedroom and returned with her hands at her back. “I wanted to give you something.”

Maestri looked at her from top to bottom. “I thought you will give only after the marriage.”

Vasanti extended her closed palm in front of Maestri. “I will show you if you promise not to get angry with me.”

Maestri shook his head. Vasanti opened her palm. There was a packet in her palm. Maestri took it and opened it. “What is this?”

“Earrings for Ganga.”

“Vasanti, why did you purchase? I was planning to purchase anyway.”

“You are our leader, our saviour. You keep helping everyone. I am yours. Can’t I help you? Please don’t refuse.”

Maestri looked at her with pride. He hugs her happily. “Madesha is writing final exam just now.  I am sure that he will pass. He will become a police officer in 6 months. Then we can get married. Then we can always be close to each other.”

Vasanti moved away. “I have to tell you something about Madesha. Mallesha told me.”

Maestri was shocked. “What did he say?”

“Madesha does not attend college. And he is roaming around with a playboy named Michael.”

Maestri bit his teeth. “What are you saying? If this is true, I will peel his skin.”

Seeing his angry, Vasanti went and held him. “I know that you are very much attached to him. You are sacrificing everything for him. You have so many dreams about him. What I told may be true and may be false. After all Mallesha and Madesha are not best friends. Please be cool.”

Maestri took up his phone. “Madesha where are you?”

Madesha was drinking with Michael in his room. He was shocked to hear his brother’s voice. “Brother, I am doing combined study.”

Maestri believed him and felt relieved. “Ok. Come home early today. I want to talk to you.”

Cutting off the call, Maestri looked at Vasanti. “He is dong combined study.”