8. Madesha strays away

CHAPTER 8

Madesha strays away

Maestri was taking the cows on the road. Vasanti had her vegetable shop on that road. She saw Maestri coming down the road with cows. “Eh Maestri, is it time for you to go up the mountain with the cows?”

Seriously, Maestri said, “Yes. What about you? You are busy selling vegetables, I suppose.”

“Just usual.”

Maestri waved and moved on. One old lady was watching them. She said to Vasanti, “Maestri is such a good person. He helps everyone. Sakamma is very lucky to have him as her son.”

Vasanti looked in the direction in which Maestri went. “Not just his mother. His brother Madesha is also lucky. And also his sister Ganga. I am also lucky to have him as husband.”

Another lady said, “True. Everyone needs him He is everywhere. He is the son of this village.”

Vasanti was excited. “I am waiting for his brother Madesha to become a police officer so that I can get married to him.”

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          Madesha got down from the bus with his friend Mallesha. Both of them started walking towards college.

“Madesha, you look very happy today. Has she given you a smile today?”

“Not that. I won a small jackpot today. My brother has given 500 rupees as pocket money for the first time.”

Mallesha was surprised. “Looks like your brother has come into your line.”

Madesha looked at him seriously. “I only brought him into my line. My mother is very strict. But brother is different. If I just show any sadness, he dissolves. He gets ready to do anything for me. Just watch. Soon my dresses will change.”

“Your brother is a leader in our village. You are lucky to be born as his brother. And we are lucky that Maestri was born in our village.”

Suddenly, Michael came on bike and stopped near the boys. “Hallo boys. Will you go to college or come with me?”

Mallesha became serious. “If we join you, we will miss college and also spoil our life.”

Michael got angry. “Have you considered me as a playboy? I get attendance even if I bunk college. And I know how to pass even if I don’t attend classes.”

Mallesha said sadly, “You are all rich people. You don’t have to work hard for living. But we will eat only if we work hard. Otherwise we have to sleep empty stomach.”

Michael turned to Madesha. “Madesha, what about you? Will you follow him or come with me to have fun? I will pay for everything. From drink to biryani.”

Madesha’s hand went to his pocket. He could feel the 500 rupee note. “I have already eaten biryani twice with you. This time I will pay. If this condition is ok with you, I will come with you.”

Michael was happy. “Looks like you have hit a jackpot.”

Madesha removed the 500 rupee note from his pocket. “I brother has given me pocket money.”

“That note is too big for the dress you are wearing.”

Madesha was shocked to hear Michael say that. “Just wait and watch. In two weeks, my dress will change.”

“You people live in the village outside our city. You eat only if it rains. If it does not rain, you have to come to the city for work. But the price of your land went sky high due to the airport. I suppose your brother sold some land.”

Mallesha said sadly, “In our village, the land rate has not increased. Madesha’s brother sells milk to earn money. They don’t own land anyway to sell.”

Madesha looked at Mallesha seriously.

“Come on. Let us go.” Michael said to Madesha.

Both of them left on bike. Mallesha stood watching sadly. “This boy has started telling lies to his godly brother to get money. He is going with that playboy. He will get spoilt completely.”