The Pearl Palanquin (4) “ Stop it ” said Murali and left the place. “ Annapurna! Is it your boy that went in? He has grown tall! I saw him when he was a little fellow. The fair complexion, the hefty stature, the curly hair, the gait with a slight forward stoop, Oh God! He resembles his grandfather like a photocopy. Look at his broad chest. He takes after Dasaratharamaiah in toto… As we have not been meeting often, relationships are easily forgotten. I have been thinking of coming here to see this fellow for a long time. My health did not permit me all these days. ” The sixty year old stout woman, Dasaratharamaiah’s cousin by distant relationship, said to Murali’s mother. As Murali sat down to eat his food, the old lady started observing him keenly. The moment he munched the first morsel of food, Murali shouted it was very hot. “ This is fine! You are shedding tears for this little extra use of chillies. Your would be wife devovours large morsels of green chilli ‘ chatny ’ and ‘ korivi karam ’ with great relish. She eats the combination of Gunturu Gongura and ripe chillies with ghee or butter saying that the wonderful taste is heavenly. To tell the truth, our Telugus imbibed their courage and bravery only by eating this hot preparation. ” She paused for a while. “ You have not known my Nagananchari. She doesn’t drink a drop of water after consuming quantities of ‘ korivi karam ’. She is a beautiful girl. The celestial beauties Rambha and Urvashi don’t stand anywhere near her. But she can’t control her sleep. She waited in the verandah for you for a long time. She went to sleep and is now snoring like an innocent baby. You can talk to each other in the morning. There is no hurry. We are after all relations and don’t run away. Do you know why I came? It is to fix your marriage with Nanchari. I am happy and satisfied after meeting you. ” Murali couldn’t stand this unending talk of the old lady. “ Anu! Curds! ” He shouted with irritation. “ Look here! What all you said is good to hear. But Narayana Rao or Annapurna has not said a word that they agree to accept your grand daughter as their daughter-in-law. You are talking of fixing the auspicious time for the marriage without taking their consent. The marriage cannot be performed if you decide it yourself ” said tuft headed Raghavaiah caughing heavily. “ You need not have such doubts. I tell you, my Nagananchari was born as Murali’s wife. Though a court bird, wherever you are, you should come and help me in controlling the cooks during the marriage. You are the only reliable person I know. People attend marriages only to eat, not to help. Women spend all their time in changing sarees and men in shuffling playing cards. That is why I request you to be by my side at the time of the marriage. ” With these words the old lady Kameswari silenced the old man. Murali stood open mouthed at the words of the old lady in surprise. The tuft headed grand father prolonged the conversation and asked Kameswari. “ By the by, how much dowry etc., are you prepared to offer? ” “ Why do you ask me those details? ” “ Just like that. Only to satisfy my curiosity. ” “ If so, okay. I shall transfer two acres of the wetland to Nanchari. In addition I give her ten sovereigns of gold. All this because we are giving our child in marriage to Murali. ” “ But I hear that the land you are offering is most infertile and no crop grows there. I also learnt that you got gold coverings on the bangles and chains. ” “ Do not talk rot without learning the truth. If the land is tilled and taken care of personally it produces gold. Any way why do you talk of jewels? ” “ Your aunt my wife has been pestering me to buy her bangles or chains for an ensuring function in the family. Gold is costly. That is why. ” “ I see! So you are now the ideal couple celebrating Shasti Poorthi…” It looked as though there was no end to their conversation. Narayana Rao left the files in his room and came out. “ Murali is not interested in marriage yet. More over it is he who decides when to marry. It is better you drop the matter ” he told Kameswari. “ What is it you say? My Nanchari was brought up from her childhood as Murali’s wife. How can she permit any other man to tie the mangala sutra around her neck? Anyway you said it is Murali who decides. I will go and ask him ” so saying the old lady slowly got up and walked towards Murali’s room swaying sideways. “ Brother! She is coming! ” Shouted Anu. “ Oh God! Who is this Nagananchari? She has arrived like a devil in my life. By the way, did you see her? ” “ Yes! She looks exactly like Surpanakha. Beware! The old lady! ” Cautioned Any. As there was no way of escape Murali quickly stretched himself on the mat and covered himself fully in a blanket. “ Murali! My darling boy! What are you doing? Are you still reading? My darling boy!… What? I thought it was Murali. Anu, where is your brother? ” “ Brother! Brother! ” Anu called. “ He is sleeping aunty! ” “ Aunty! Who told you to call me so? By the by, I saw you and your brother talking to each other. How can he go to sleep so soon? Anyway, wake him up. I want to talk to him. ” “ Brother! Brother! ” Anu shouted. Turning to the old lady she said “ My brother sleeps like Kumbhakarna, grandma, no, aunty, no, no… grandma. If my brother starts to sleep he will not wake up even if trounced by elephants. Not even when drums are sounded at his ears. On the other hand he produces sounds like the Canaadian rail engine. ” “ Is that so! Bring a bucket full of water ” said the old lady as Murali began to snore. Murali was afraid that the old lady may pour water on him to wake him up. “ Water! Grandma! No! Aunty, no! That is… grandma! What shall I call you? You used up all the water available. ” Murali appreciated Anu’s timely intelligence. “ Yes! Yes! It is the evil eye of the old man Raghavaiah that has its effect on Murali. Okay! I shall talk to Murali tomorrow ” said Kameswari and left. Murali congratulated Anu for saving the situation for him. Kameswari and Raghavaiah could not sleep, planning and counter planning their strategies, one to get the marriage fixed and the other to get the talks failed. 9 “ Sunanda! Sunanda! ” Murali came shouting. “ Congratulations! Open your mouth! ” Said Sunanda who came out with sweat-meats. “ Thank you! Have you already known the result? But how do you know my number? ” “ I noted your number long ago. Didn’t I note your number? Perhaps you forgot. But eat this first ” said Sunanda. “ So from to day you will be known as ‘ Muralidhar, B.A., LLB’! ” “ Yes! That is so! But eat this first ” Murali offered sweet-meats to Sunanda. “ This is fine! You worked hard and passed the exam. Why should I eat? ” “ For making me to study. When I lacked confidence that I would pass, you encouraged me to read without wasting time. Though I did not secure a rank I passed with credit. You should share my happiness by eating this. Oh! God! Good riddance! These examinations! They kept me under a great tension. ” Both felt happy. Sunanda particularly for he close to meet her and tell her about his success at the exams. “ How can you get degrees without hard work? ” asked Sunanda laughing. “ Congratulations! As you didn’t fail you should arrange a party in a hotel, then a movie etc! Etc! ” Said Indira who walked in just then. “ Don’t run away! I shall change my dress and be back in a minute ” she turned to Sunanda and said “ Sister! Keep a watch on this Srikrishna Paramatma! ” Indira ran in. Murali searched his shirt and pants pockets. He had hardly three rupees. He wondered what to do. “ Sunanda! You should also come with us to the movie. I shall inform Anu also. ” Said Murali. “ Not to-day. Any other time ” said Sunanda. “ You complained that you didn’t work hard and yet passed the exam, ” said Rajeswari coming there. “ No class! Only a pass ” said Murali. “ So what? You passed the exam! Will you start practice or will you study for M.L? Or will you seek a job somewhere? ” Continued Rajeswari. “ Not any of these things. Bawa will take the I.A.S. and become a District Collector!” Said Sunanda. “ Yes! Yes! That will be good! Of course you will have to work very hard for it… So that is your aim! I didn’t think you aimed so high! ” Said Rajeswari. “ It’s not my wish aunty! It is grandpa’s desire. He has been dreaming of it for many years. Indeed he wanted to make father a District Collector. But father couldn’t make it. Grandpa won’t keep quiet even if I say ‘no’ to it. I have to strive for it. Grandpa said he would sit by me and make me read. Though it is a very heavy responsibility, I will not shirk from duty. ” Murali began to think. More than the joy of having passed LLB, the responsibility of fulfilling his grandpa’s desire began to weigh heavily on him. He has to put all his faith in God. “ Bawa! I am ready! ” Said Indira standing before him smartly dressed. “ Not now! We shall go to the movie sometime later. I have to inform grandpa about my passing the exam. I came here to inform Sunanda on my way. ” “ No! Nothing doing! We must go to a movie now. ” “ Sunanda didn’t get ready. I haven’t told any yet. ” “ You are giving me lame excuses. Tell me that your pockets are empty! I have my purse with me. There is enough time if we go by scooter. I shall drive. Or if you want I shall sit behind. Let us go first! ” Indira began to drag Murali holding his hand. Rajeswari laughed happily at the pranks of her daughter. As Murali started the scooter Indira cautioned him to drive carefully and not hit the traffic constable. She sat close learning on his back holding his waist. As he drove along one or two of his friends who saw Indira learning on him stopped to stare at them. On the main road Murali turned the scooter towards his house. “ What is this? You are taking me to your house! No! No! I won’t come to your house ” shouted Indira. As Murali kept driving on without heading her Indira shouted again “ Bawa! If you don’t stop I will jump off the scooter! Stop! Turn towards the cinema hall. Or else…” “ Do you want to jump off? Do, as you like! Think for a while. Don’t you want your limbs to be intact? ” Murali kept saying and reached his house. Anu came running out. “ Brother! Grandpa has come from the village. He is waiting for you. ” “ What! Has grandpa come! I wanted to go to him ” Murali ran in leaving Indira at the gate. Dasaratharamaiah washed his feet and face and had settled down in the easy chair holding the glass of water given to him by Annapurna. Murali expected his grandpa to embrace him with joy. But he was surprised to see him calm and silent. He knelt before his grandfather and said: “ Grandpa I’ve passed the exam! ” Dasaratharamaiah kept silent. “ Friendship cut! ” Said Anu laughing. “ Why? ” “ He came in the hot sum learning that the results will be out to day. He bought a copy of the newspaper at the bus station and came home direct. But you were not at home. More over…” “ Oh! Sorry grandpa! I knew that you would come today. So I came direct from Suunanda though Indira wanted me to take he to a movie. I brought her here instead of taking her to the theatre. Oh God! I left Indira alone outside. Please call her in ” said Murali. “ She went back home, ” said Anu. Murali felt sorry for Indira. Dasaratharamaiah held Murali by his hand and pulled him on to himself. Murali fell on his grandfather. Caressing Murali’s head he said “ Congratulations Mr. Muralidhar! ” and started shaking Murali’s hand with joy and affection in his eyes. “ Indira seems to have left, ” said Annapurna. “ Let that scooter girl go! First give coffee and tiffin to Murali ” said Dasaratharamaiah. Looking at Murali he continued, “ As I got off the bus I saw a big crowd. With great difficulty I could manage to buy a copy of the newspaper. Many boys tried to find their numbers from my copy. When I asked the boys to buy a copy themselves, do you know what one of them said? ‘ My brother asked me not to buy a copy. He failed every time he bought a copy. He wanted to test his luck this sixth time by not buying a copy. ’ I had great difficulty in getting out of the crowd. I tripped over and fell hurting my knees and elbows trying to catch the boy who wanted to find his brothers’ result. As the boy started to run I sought the help of the boy in finding your number as I left my spectacles in the village in my hurry to know your result. The boy’s brother failed this time also. ” Murali brought boric powder and pressed it on the bleeding wounds on the elbows and knees of his grandfather. “ Murali! A new chapter has to begin now. Do you know what you have to do? ” Asked Dasaratharamaiah looking affectionately at Murali. “ I’ve not forgotten grandpa! I think of it in my sleep also I’ve already bought the books and have started studying them. ” “ Is that true? ” “ Yes! ” “ I know! You will fulfill my wish! I shall do my best to help you... yes! You will become a District Collector! Later you will marry a beautiful girl and both of you will sit in the pearl palanquin. I shall walk in the forefront with my gold laced upper cloth on my shoulder, the bandsmen following me….” “ Stop! Stop! I will tell the rest ” said Anuradha. “ You will ask the bandsmen to increase the volume of their music in the school street and the temple street and then…” Annapurna came with the eats in plates and everyone started eating. “ Grandpa! How is Yashodamma? ” Asked Murali. “ She is okay. She is eager to see you. I am sure she will be sitting at the doorstep till I go and tell her the happy news of your having passed the exam. ” “ Grandpa! Will she really await my arrival there sitting at the doorstep? ” “ Yes! I can’t tell you how much she loves you. You did not visit our village for a longtime as you were preparing for the exams. She wanted me to write to you but I didn’t, as it would disturb your studies. ” “ Is that so? Grandpa you take rest here. I shall go and tell Yashodamma that I passed the exam and return tomorrow morning by eight O’ clock. ” “ Do you want to go now? You haven’t yet told your father that you passed, ” said Annapurna. “ Murali! I shall also go with you. ” Turning to Annapurna Dasaratharamaiah said, “ tell my son I shall come again soon. ” Dasaratharamaiah stepped into his chappals adjusting his upper cloth. He didn’t listen to the pleadings of Annapurna and Murali to stay away and take rest. As Dasaratharamaiah proudly walked out with his arm on the shoulder of Murali, Annapurna looked at Murali with disapproval. 10 It was getting dark when Murali and Dasarataharamaiah got off the bus. As they neared the canal Murali remembered his first visit to the village, his sitting on the shoulders of his grandfather. Now the canal had very little water, as it was summer. People were easily walking through the knee-deep water from either bank. Murali had visited the village many times and crossed the river on the bamboo raft. If the river was flowing full now, he would carry grandpa in his arms to the other bund, he thought. Dasaratharamaiah was telling someone that Murali had passed his law examination. “ So your grandson is also going to be a lawyer, ” said the postmaster of the village post office. “ No! No! This fellow will not set up practice as a lawyer like his father. He will pass the I.A.S. and become a District Collector. He will one day be the Collector of this District. That is my long cherished wish. ” Murali was taken aback. ‘ Oh God! Grandpa has already started the propaganda that I would become a Collector. Who knows how things turns out ’ he thought to himself and grew angry with his grandfather. “ Murali! Will you lead me across this canal or should I do it? ” Asked his grandfather smiling. “ Why do you say so sir? ” Said the post master. “ Your grandson is no longer a little boy. He will carry you on his shoulders if you want. ” Murali felt it strange that the post master expressed the thought which struck him. Murali held his grandfather’s hand and lead him across the canal till they neared their house. As they neared their house Murali started running like a boy.
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