The Pearl Palanquin (12) Annapurna had no strength to think. She had an only son and an only daughter. She did not imagine that Anu’s marriage would take place unexpectedly like this. Murli slumped in his chair without changing his dress. Aanuradha was terribly afraid of the consequences and began to cry bitterly. Murali heard Anu crying and kept quiet for a long time. After a while he approached her and said “Anu” lovingly. “Brother!” She cried and embraced Murali. “ Anu! This day is a very auspicious day in your life. You should not cry like this. No. Not at all. Wipe your tears off your eyes. ” Anu started crying more bitterly. “ I am sorry Anu! I am ashamed of my behaviour. ” “ Murali! Don’t abuse grandpa! The mistake is mine! It is because of me there is no peace in this house. I gave pain to all of you… with my cursed life. ” “ Anu! Forget what all happened! I will do anything for you… but…” He paused for a while. “ All these day I was master of myself. I would have married Indira without thinking of myself. But now I love Neeraja. I can’t desert her. ” Murali tried to console his sister, though lost in agony himself. Anuradha said softly “ brother! I did not imagine that Giri would act as he did. Or else I wouldn’t have agreed to this marriage. Believe me. ” “ You silly! ” said Murali and sat beside her. He took her right hand into his hands affectionately and began to caress her palm and fingers. He saw the wedding ring with red stone on her ring finger and sat staring at it. Anuradha wiped her tears away, “ brother, don’t marry the girl whom you don’t like whatever happens to me…” Anu couldn’t say anything more as the words got stuck in her throat. “ Nothing is in our hands. Go to sleep. It is already very late. ” He changed into casuals and stretched himself on his cot. The wall clock was striking the hours with a steady regularity. Murali kept awake, staring at the clock. 24 It was morning. Murali turned towards the wall on his cot without opening his eyes. He felt that there was a piece of paper on his bed. He was startled. He opened his eyes and looked at Anu’s cot. She was sleeping soundly. Murali picked up the paper and unfolded it. The letter was by his grandfather. He started reading the contents. “ Blessing to Murali, I performed the marriage of Anu and Giri secretly with a particular object in mind. But you guessed it wrongly. I know that it was not proper for them to be married secretly. I wanted to inform you about it before hand. If I had revealed my plan the marriage would not have taken place. So I didn’t tell you. I had told Rajeswari that it was not good to keep Anu and Giri separate from each other. I thought of teaching a lesson to Rajeswari and revealed my mind to Giri. I was happy he agreed to my plan whole-heartily. I never imagined that Giri would take the opportunity to hit me back like this. The reason for this action of mine is the great love I bear for you all. Now all that talk is unnecessary. I have committed another mistake also. I gave my word to my friend Chalapathi that Neeraja would be your wife. Anu is now Giri’s wife. You will have to unite this knotty problem I cannot order you to do this, particularly in this situation. Use your intellect, intelligence and intuition and set things right. I am sure you will not need my help. If there is any need, drop a card to me. I shall be with you in no time. Your loving Grandfather.” Murali read the letter a number of times. Annapurna brought coffee. He asked his mother when his grandfather left home. “He left before I woke up. He didn’t have his coffee. It appears he told your father that he was going. ” Murali bathed and dressed himself up. But he was very much disturbed. His grandfather was an upright man. He would have felt very bad at Giri deceiving him. Murali also realized he himself acted foolishly without trying to understand what exactly happened. What should he do now? Should he marry Indira? No. He cannot do that…. What about Anu’s life? Murali’s mind was in turmoil. Narayana Rao left to the court without talking to his wife or Murali. Anuradha did not come out of her room. She was absorbed in thought as though she had done something wrong. Annapurna did not eat her meal. She called Murali. “ I am going to aunt’s house. Do not go out. Anu is alone ” she told him. “ Don’t go now. I shall go and convince Giri and pacify him. I shall bring him here ” said Murali. “ He won’t come. You do not know his nature. He is more stubborn than you are. ” Murali forced a smile on his face. “ Mother! Don’t I also wish that Anu’s life should be one of happiness and joy? ” “……….” “ Speak, Mother. ” “ What shall I say? To whom? Who listens to me in this house? Did I tell your grandfather to celebrate Anu’s marriage secretly? Did I ask your to try for another bridegroom for Anu? Did I ask you to marry Indira? Are all things happening in this house according to my wish and desire? No one heeds me….. Or else our fair name wouldn’t have been tarnished like this. ” “ Mother! ” “ Don’t pain me any further. I talk irrelevantly in my agony. You will feel hurt. Anyway, I shall go to their house myself. I am prepared to face any situation. ” “ Mother! Don’t feel desperate. I shall go and get Giri. You eat your food.” Murali changed his dress and took out the scooter. As he was about to start the postman gave him an envelope. Murali opened the envelope. The letter was the order stating that he was selected and that he should take the training. He was over-joyed on reading the contents of the order. But soon he became thoughtful. He wanted to go in and tell his mother about his selection. He thought it was not the time to reveal it. He drove straight to Rajeswari’s house. What would be the atmosphere in that house? Giridhar may talk in a rash manner. He would, certainly. Even then he should not get disturbed or become emotional. He has to face the situation with courage. The servant boy comes running to him as he went in. “ Who are all available at home? ” Asked Murali. “ Madam is not well. She is sleeping in her room upstairs. Sir has not yet come from camp. Indiramma has gone out with her friends. I told Sunanda garu that you have come. She asked me to make you sit in the hall ” said the boy. Murali wanted to ask whether Giridhar was at home. But did not do so. He sat in the chair and picked up the newspaper. Sunanda came dressed in a green silk saree. She had tied her hair into a knot and a huge red ‘mandara’ flower was stuck into the knot. She had smeared turmeric paste to her feet and her forehead had a huge red bindi dot as big as a rupee coin. She looked like a forty-year-old housewife in her get up. She thrust something into his palm saying it was ‘Prasadam.’ “ You will get training orders. My intuition tells me so. I am also praying God for this to happen ” she said in a very normal tone nonchalantly. Murali handed to her the order papers silently. “ Oh! Why didn’t you tell me all this while? ” She asked hem, her eyes sparkling with joy. “ Congratulations to the Collector ” she said extending her hand to Murali. “ Sunanda!” “ Yes!” “ I wonder how you keep calm and talk to me so casually? Do you know what happened last night? ” “ I know.” “ Then?” “ Murali! On such occasions like this one should not lose composure. By the way, when are you leaving for the training? ” “ First marriage. Then training.” “ Marriage! When? With whom? ” “ Sunanda! Anu is my life. I don’t mind whatever happens to me. I am of course tortured with the thought that I am being bound like this by force. Time is not in my favour. I decided to bow to fate. I tell you I don’t like or love Indira. She may love me for which I am not responsible. Yet, I have decided to marry Indira for the sake of my sister. I wanted to convey my decision to Giridhar and aunty. Please call aunty. ” “ Murali! ” Sunanda shouted with disbelief. “ Are you still angry with me? ” said Murali. “ No! I am pained! Will you marry Indira because people have forced you? Will you put aside your individuality? No! No! Don’t, Murali… Do not torture Neeraja for the sake of Indira. Indira can live without you. But Neeraja… You haven’t understood how much she loves you. If you had, you wouldn’t have taken this decision. Pardon me, Murali. Once I asked you to marry Indira. But to day I strongly warn you not to marry Indira. Do not agree to this marriage…” “ Sunanda!…” “ Heed me Murali! Do not agree to this marriage. Do not ask me the reason… Do not marry Indira. ” Sunanda did not know that Rajeswari had come and had stood there. She had heard every word uttered by Sunanda. Rajeswari slapped Sunanda’s cheek in great anger. Murali was stunned at Rajeswari’s action. “ Aunty! ” He shouted. “ I didn’t believe Indira however much she told me against you… Today… I heard you talking against her! What should I do to you now? What punishment will be appropriate to you? ” Said Rajeswari grinding her teeth. She lifted her hand again and Murali quickly held it. “ Aunty! I tell you. I will not marry Indira… Not at al. Do you hear? Don’t be angry with Sunanda without reason. I came here only to tell this to you ” said Murali and suddenly turned round and looked into Sunanda’s eyes. Though she was crying, there was satisfaction in her looks. Murali took a step turning back. Indira was standing there with a frown on her face. They both looked at each other for a moment. Indira now stepped forward. “ I never entreated you to marry me. I didn’t tell you that I loved you. Even if you are willing I am not ready to marry you. Not at all. Do you know? It is better to commit suicide than marry a stonyhearted person like you. Shall I repeat this ten times more? ” Shouted Indira at the pitch of her voice, though Rajeswari was trying to pacify her. Murali felt that Indira slapped him with her words. He felt like giving her a resounding slap on her cheek but controlled his emotion. “ Thank you, ” he said and walked out to his scooter. He drove fast for three or four miles to control his mind. The joy of having received selection and training orders was completely lost. With what decision did he start out at home? What happened after reaching Rajeswari’s house? Some force was pulling him in different directions. Why were things happening like this? Was it for good or for bad? Why was Sunanda so firm that he should not marry Indira? There must be a very strong reason for this behind it. But she didn’t reveal it. It was difficult to find what it was. Okay! But what should he tell his mother if she asked for Giridhar… How should he convince her? Oh God! Why did he get entangled in this strange situation? His heart was yearning to meet Neeraja. But he could not go to her. He kept driving from place to place. He was afraid of going home. It was not even five. At last he reached Neeraja’s house after Chalapathi Rao left for the club. 25 Murali met Neeraja at the gate. Neeraja was watering the plants. On seeing Murali she walked towards him very happily. She didn’t greet him with a ‘namaste’ as was her habit. Instead she said, “ Please come in ” and lead the way. Murali followed her mechanically and sat in a chair. “ Grandfather went to the club a short while ago. He waited for your arrival.” “ Why did he wait for me? ” Neeraja didn’t reply. She looked straight at him and asked “ don’t you know? ” “ Know what? ” “ Then I too don’t know, ” she said coyly. “ Your grandfather wrote a letter. Here it is, ” she gave the letter to Murali and left him saying she would get tea. The letter was the reply from Dasaratharamaiah to Chalapathi Rao’s letter. It stated that he would be coming there soon and that Chalapahi Rao should fix up the auspicious day for the marriage, and that he would go over to them with Narayana Rao and Annapurna for the betrothal etc., Murali felt happy at the contents of the letter but soon became thoughtful and a little disturbed. He felt that the marriage should not take place so soon. Rajeswari should first receive Anuradha into her house. Later… “ You are very thoughtful. Could I know what is on your mind? ” Said Neeraja handing the tea to him. Murali stared into Neeraja’s eyes. She bent her head and started sipping tea. “ They say that shyness adds beauty to a girl.” “……….” “ Neeraja! Look up. I want to discuss many things with you.” “ I’ve been ready to hear you since a long time. You didn’t discover it.” “ Is that so? ” “ Yes. ” “ Look at me. ” “ No need. Go ahead. I’ll listen to you. ” “ Nothing doing. ” “……….” Murali bent forward and held her hand. She did not pull it back from his grip. “ Neeraja! Are you willing to marry me? ” Neeraja bent her head down further. Her lips began to quiver. “ Tell me Neeraja! Tell me directly. Don’t be afraid. I say, speak! ” “ Is it proper for you to hold my hand so hard and force me to talk? ” Murali quickly let go her hand. “ Now tell me, quick. ” “ I don’t know. ” “ If you delay answering me our grandfathers will make us man and wife. Will you say ‘ I don’t know’ then also? ” Neeraja raised her eyebrows to mean ‘yes’. Murali said, “ I want you to speak. ” “ I can’t speak, ” she said naughtily. Murali again held her hand and pulled her close to him. There was naughtiness in the fear she expressed on her face. Murali was not aware of what he was doing at that moment. He made Neeraja sit by his side and put his arm on her shoulder. “ Neeraja! I want you!….. I’ll marry none but you. I never imagined that we’d come so close to each other when I saw you the first time. Neeraja! Are you also in a hurry to get married? You made your grandfather write to my grandpa without informing me. ” “ Are you not in a hurry? ” Neeraja asked pretending a little anger. “ I think …… yes. ” “ No. You don’t seem to be so. ” “ Whether I am in a hurry or not my grandfather will not keep quiet. He will not enjoy peace of mind till he makes me sit in the pearl palanquin with you before me as my bride. He will not sleep till then. ” “ Pearl palanquin?… should you ride in it? ” said Neeraja with surprise in her voice. “ Not only me. You too! ” “ Tut! Tut! Don’t you feel shy to sit in the pearl palanquin? You are not a kid. ” “ Whether I am a kid or a grown up young man I can’t help it. I too felt shy in the beginning when I learnt that I have to ride in it as a newly married groom. But there is a strong link between me and the palanquin. ” He then narrated the whole story behind the palanquin and said, “ you cannot escape riding in the pearl palanquin. ”
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