Storymania - The Pearl Palanquin by Govindaraju Sita Devi

The Pearl Palanquin (13)
Govindaraju Sita Devi

     Neeraja’s face turned pink with shyness at the thought of riding in it.

     Murali lifted the face of Neeraja holding her chin lovingly. “ You do not know how beautiful the pearl palanquin looks. ”

     “ Does it? ”

     “ Yes. I shall show it to you. Will you come? ”

     “ When? ”

     “ Now.”

     “ Now?…How? ”

     “ I shall take you on my scooter to our village, show it to you and leave you here. Okay? ”

     “ Funny? Why? ”

     “ I don’t know, ” she said.

     Murali pulled her very close to him and began to caress her wrist and the colourful bangles. He saw the ring with the reddish pink stone on her ring finger. He turned the ring this way and that. Neeraja experienced an inexplicable joyous sensation all over her being. She took the ring and kept it in her palm and closed it. Murali opened up her closed palm, took the ring and put it on his finger. He removed his ring, which had a blue stone from his little finger and put it on Neeraja’s finger. Neeraja sat still and did not object to Murali’s action.

     “ Neerja! Our hearts are one. We want each other. True! But I think I need some time for our marriage. There are certain things, which have to be attended to by me. Could you tell your grandfather and make him agree for a postponement of our marriage?”

     “ Why? What are those affairs? ” Asked Neeraja looking at the blue stone of the ring given by Murali.

     “ I can’t give an account of them now. I shall tell you later in a leisurely manner. ”

     “……….”

     “ More than all that, I received my training orders. I may have to go soon. ”

    “ When? Why didn’t you tell me till now? ” Asked Neeraja pulling a long face.

     “ You didn’t allow me to tell you ” so saying he showed her his papers. Neeraja’s face glowed with excitement and joy.

     “ Congratulations ” she said happily.

     “ Thanks ” he said looking naughtily at her.

     “ Wait a minute. I shall get sweetmeats ” she said and went in ignoring the protests of Murali not to bother.

     Murali looked at his wristwatch. He had been with Neeraja for a very long time. Neeraja brought pieces of ‘Mysore Pak’ and thrust a small piece into Murali’s mouth.

     “ Okay! I shall get going. ”

     “ Day after tomorrow is Sunday. You should be here at eleven O’clock for lunch. After lunch let us go to a movie. I shall catch grandpa in a good mood and try to make him agree to your suggestion. But I am afraid you will be away for many months for the training. ”

     “ Can’t you wait? ”

     “……….”

     “ Neeraja! A few weeks ago we didn’t know each other… But now I feel that we have known each other for ages. What about you? ”

     “ I feel so myself. ”

     “ Can’t you speak your mind clearly in your own words? ”

     “ I can. But in my joy I can’t find words to express myself. ”

     “ Is that so? ”

     “ May God bless us! So you are visiting us on Sunday! ”

     “ Yes… but will you go with me to matinee show? ”

     “ Yes! ”

     “ Don’t you feel shy? Aren’t you afraid? ”

     “ No ” smiled Neeraja.

     “ Then okay. Good night. ”

     As Murali drove home he wondered how he could be so intimate with Neeraja.

     The letters of the grandfathers might be one reason, he thought. Murali and Neeraja were talking to each other maintaining distance between them till two days age. It was a surprise to him, how they broke the barriers between them so easily and so quickly. What was there in it to feel surprised? The crest gates of love broke open. That was all. But. …Though grandfather gave his consent to their marriage, will his father and mother agree to it? He knew that his mother approved Neeraja the first time she met her. Then what about Anu? Unless Anu’s problem was settled he should not marry. He should have explained the problem to Neeraja. He must acquaint her with it before he left for his training.

     A rickshaw stopped at their gate as Murali locked his scooter. He saw his mother and father getting off the rickshaw. Murali went into his room trying to guess where his parents had gone.

     Anuradha was lying on her bed. His father and mother came into the room quietly and sat down on chairs silently.

     Could they have gone to aunt’s house? Did an ugly situation develop there? How foolish he was! He should have returned home early. Murali felt ashamed of himself. He did not feel like coming out of his room. He was not inclined to talk to Anu also. He was getting angry that his grandfather’s action had given rise to uneasy feelings in many people’s minds. He guessed that his grandfather’s extreme love for Anu made him act as he did. But the consequences after the marriage took an ugly turn giving rise to uncertainty, pain and sorrow. he did not know how to solve this knotty problem. The more he tried, the move it was getting complicated.

     After an hour his mother called him for dinner. Murali showed his mother the selection orders and told her briefly that he may have to leave shortly. His mother’s face glowed with joy for a moment and the glow disappeared soon. She went and told her husband about Murali’s selection and training. Murali couldn’t hear what his father said. It was indeed joyful news but was received at the wrong time.

26

     Murali was feeling terribly bored to stay at home. He learnt that Giridhar had left for Jemshedpur. His mother informed Murali that Rajeswari had said that she was not responsible for Anuradha’s marriage with Giridhar. This news made Murali feel defeated and lost. Indeed he had planned to meet Giri and convince him about receiving Anu into their house. Murali was angry with Giri leaving to Jemshedpur without informing them. If Giri had anything against him that was not the way to retaliate.

     The more Murlai thought of Giri the more he got agitated. He went to the park at six in the evening. He had a severe headache. The thought of Anu’s future bothered him. He stretched himself on the grass and covered his face with his palms. Very near the place where he was he heard voices whispering from behind a bushy plant. In the beginning he didn’t give any attention to the voices. But he realized one was Indira’s voice. As he felt convinced it was her voice he was all ears and heard the conversation with great attention. He wondered what matters Indira had to talk confidentially in whispers.

     “ Early in the morning… at 3 O’clock. At the station… We will meet there, ” said the male voice.

     “ I am afraid…” Indira’s voice.

     “ Don’t worry… I shall be there… be ready… Act quickly. ”

     “ No… first marriage…. later journey…”

     “ Not so… both in Madras. ”

     “ Okay. At 3-30 then. ”

     Murali sat up and heard the conversation. Their strategy was clear. He wanted to reveal himself and hit the fellow then and there but controlled himself. Who was this man? Was he the same person who took Indira on his scooter? Murali remembered his friend telling him that Indira was seen with Satish who was married and was living with his wife and children. Before Murali could make up his mind they walked away from that place. Murali could clearly see the man’s face. The man should be Satish.

     Murlai thought over the problem deeply. He went to his friend and discussed with him a secret plan and returned home at ten in the night. He couldn’t sleep. He began to pace about in the room restlessly.

     “ Brother! ” Called his sister.

     “ Haven’t you slept yet? ” Asked Murali.

     “ Why are you so restless to-day? Don’t think of me and torture yourself. You needn’t worry about Giri. He has a loving heart. He will not desert me. I have that confidence. Even if something untoward happens, I can bear it with courage. I have a degree. I shall find a job and stand on my legs. You have to leave in a couple of days. You will be back after many months. Be brave and happy these two days and gibe support to father and mother. ”

     Murali was surprised at the words of his sister. She looked so innocent a few days ago. How courageous has she grown within these two days! Every girl should possess courage, he thought.

     He smiled at her. “ Yes. I shall follow your advice. Anu set the alarm clock at 3 in the morning. In case I don’t wake up at three do not hesitate to wake me up. I’ve some urgent work to attend to. Don’t forget to wake me up. ”

     “ Yes. But what’s that work so urgent? ”

     “ You’ll know it by and by. ”

     Murali was happy that Anu was talking to him without any agitation or worry. He couldn’t sleep till 2 a.m. Anu was constantly looking at the alarm clock. Anu woke him up about three a.m. He quickly had a wash and dressed himself. He covered his head with a muffler. “ Your eyes are glowing red. Didn’t you sleep? ” He asked.

     “ I couldn’t sleep. If mother asks me where you went what should I tell her? ”

     “ Tell her that I went to see a friend off at the railway station. I don’t know by what time I return. But don’t get worried. ”

     Anarudha did not understand the strange behaviour of her brother. She was certain he didn’t tell her the real reason. If he was going to see a friend off, why was he agitated?

     As she came in Narayana Rao asked her what the matter was. She told him that Murali went to the station to see a friend off.

27

     The streetlights had gone off. It was very dark. No one was awake. The constables on their rounds had completed their last beat. Murali slowed down and stopped a little away from Rajeswari’s house. Lights were not burning in her house it was pitch dark all round. Murali moved closer to Rajeswari’s house. He wondered whether he heard Indira correctly. But he was sure she said she would leave at three thirty. Had she, by any chance, left earlier? There was a lot of time left for the train to depart. If he didn’t catch her then, he would have to suffer all his life. What should he do to save the situation? As his thoughts flew in different directions he heard the gate open. Murali held his breath.

     Indira came out with a leather suitcase in her hand and walked briskly looking on all side. She could observe in the darkness a hazy figure sitting on a scooter. For a moment she stopped and stared at the figure but walked on. She was afraid that some rowdy element might follow her. She began to sweat and shiver. She walked past the figure boldly and she congratulated herself for her courage. She continued walking thinking that she would not be able to get a rickshaw or an auto at that hour. As she walked she shifted the suitcase often from one hand to the other.

     Murali started his scooter and followed Indira. The head light of his vehicle clearly revealed Indira. She couldn’t avoid him. She had walked about half a mile from her house.

     The scooter stopped by the side of Indira.

     “ Hello! Good morning ” said Murali getting off the scooter.

     Indira’s heart almost stopped beating. Her lips went dry. Her voice got stuck. Oh God! Murali! Here! Now! At this time of the morning! She didn’t expect that Murali would be there. When she left the house her father was not in town. Her brother had left already. She felt happy that she got out of the house easily not being observed by her mother and sister. She thought that everything was okay and walked out of the house boldly. Murali accosting her on the road frightened her.

     “ Can’t you talk? Or are you upset that I confronted you at an odd hour like this? ”

     “……….”

     “ So sorry. You could not get an auto or a rickshaw. If you don’t mind I shall give you a lift. Give me that suit case… come on….”

     “ No need ” said Indira holding the suitcase.

     “ Okay! I shall get going! By the way, people who look at you can easily guess that there are jewels, money and costly clothes in the suitcase. It is better to believe some one known to you than an unknown person. What do you say?… I give you a minute’s time. I have important work to do. ”

     “ Go away…..”

     “ Okay! Look! The beat constable is sitting dozing under the tree there. I will wake him up and tell him that a young girl is running away with money and jewels. He will take care of you and I will have no worry. Shall I tell him? ”

     “ Murali!…”

     “ Yes. If you sit on my scooter I shall take you safely where ever you want to go without the constable interfering with you. Or else…”

     “ How do you know where I want to go? ” Said Indira suppressing her anger.

     “ I don’t care where you want to go. I only want to take you to your destination safely. That is why I took the trouble of meeting you in this darkness. There is a selfish motive in my coming here. If you clear the way, my marriage with Neeraja takes place without any hindrance. That is all. ”

     Indira began to think whether she should believe Murali and his words. The beat constable neared them and looked at them suspiciously. “ I say, who are you? ” He asked threateningly brandishing his lathi. Murali kept quiet looking into Indira’s eyes. Indira began to shiver. The constable grew more suspicious at their silence and focussed his torch on their faces going near them.

     Indira moved close to Murali in fear as Murali looked at her askance. He pulled the suitcase from her hand and put it before him near his feet. “ Sit behind me ” he said with an authoritative tone and started the engine.

     “ There is nothing. The scooter gave a little trouble. Now it is all right. We are going to the station. This girl is my…” so saying Murali moved off.

     After going a little distance Indira started fidgeting.

     “ Eh! You! If you fidget like this I shall take you to the police station. If you sit quiet I will take you to the railway station. You see, however much you hate me I am your bawa. Permit me to share your joys and sorrows. What do you say?…”

     Indira sat silently observing which way Murali was taking her. She felt that he was driving through lanes not known to her. She started to threaten him saying she would jump off. He knew she did not think of the consequences if she jumped off. He kept talking telling her that he was taking a short cut to the railway station. Finally he stopped before a very common looking house. The doors of the house were open.

     Murali got off the scooter, held Indira with one hand and the suitcase with the other and almost dragged her into the house. Indira struggled to get free.

     A young man dressed fully with an air bag slung to this shoulder was about to slip out of the house just then. His wife woke up and awakened her father-in-law also. Murali had informed the father of Satish the previous evening about his son’s plan to elope with Indira.

     “ You have a wife and two children. Aren’t you ashamed? ” Cried his father and slapped on his son’s cheeks holding his shirt collar.

     “ Indira! Look! Here is your lover. She is his wife and these are his children. There is his mother bending her head in shame at her son’s noble act. Now tell me. You loved this Satish carried away by his handsome personality and play-acting. Now take a look at the nature of this handsome looking man. He is the villain that made lovely girls like you fall a prey to his lust. Yes! You can go along with Satish if you want. Go away when it is still dark. But this is not what cultured people do. Okay. Satish! This girl has come away from her parents without the knowledge with money and jewels. Yes, take her away if you can in the presence of your parents, wife, children and me. Yes! Come on! Why don’t you step forward? Indira! Why don’t you say something? Perhaps you didn’t know that Satish was married and had children. There was no need. Your job was to love. That’s what you knew. I’ve finished my duty. I am going. ”

     Indira stood motionless staring at Murali. Was Satish married? Had he children? She stared at the wedding photograph of Satish hanging on the wall. She quickly held Murali’s hand.

     “ Bawa! ” she said.

     “ Yes! What? ”

     “ Bawa! Wait a minute. I will go with you. ”

     Indira broke one of her bangles and walked towards Satish who stood pale and lifeless. She scratched the cheek of Satish with the broken bangles. Satish pushed Indira away with pain. His father held back the arms of his son and said to Indira.

     “ Do it again so that he remembers his folly throughout his life, so that he will not play with the lives of girls like you. Make more scratches that will not get erased. We did not know about our son’s evil deeds till Murali told us last night. Should you not be careful and think twice before believing rogues like my son? I apologize to you for my son’s senseless and evil-minded behaviour. ”

     The face of Satish was bleeding and Indira went on scratching the cheek of Satish with her broken bangle with a vengeance for he had deceived her.

     “ Indira! Stop it! Don’t behave like a devil yourself ” cried Murali, pulled her away and took her out. He took the suitcase and Indira sat on the scooter. As he started driving, Indira began crying aloud learning on Mural’s back.

     Murali kept quiet purposefully. They neared Rajeswari’s house. Servant maids and milk vendors were moving on the roads. “ Indira! Your house. Stop crying ” said Murali.

     Indira looked stunned. She wiped her tears off her eyes and said. “ Bawa! I pray you! Take me away somewhere… far away. How could I enter my house having left without the knowledge of my parents? I can’t. Take me far away… anywhere! ”

     “ Don’t worry Indira! I shall go in along with you. I shall talk to your mother. Don’t be afraid ” he assured her.

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