When It Drizzles

When it Drizzles Part 17

When it Drizzles
17

Their love, which had been going on without any obstacles for a year, was first discovered at Ashok's house. From there, he came to ruin everything. Gopala Menon, who can shake the whole of Kannur with a single word.

Kovilakath Gopala Menon, the elder, who was standing in front of Archana’s house, called out Archana’s father's name loudly. Hearing that voice, her father, mother and she went down to the courtyard. Anyone who saw the man standing in the courtyard would be shocked at first glance. He was over six feet tall, with a body that matched it, a broad chest, a honey complexion, a high nose and a high forehead. Not even a man could look into those eyes more than once. Archana only looked at him once. Such was his intensity and authority. He was dressed in a Kasav dhoti and a kuta. He had a long umbrella in his hand and had left it in the courtyard. He called out her father's name in a loud voice.

"I am Gopala Menon. Gopala Menon of Kovilakath. My grandson, Asok Menon, is the son of my son Raghunanda Menon. Let me tell you about my visit. I had heard something about my grandson Asok and your daughter. I must not let you hear it again. If I have to come here again, I may not leave anyone alive here. Tell me about your daughter and make her understand."

With this, Asok's grandfather left the yard without even entering the house. Her father and mother were shocked and left. The thing is, they know Asok. But they did not know that he was the son of Gopala Menon's son in Kovilakath. If they had known that wouldn’t support her. Even she would not have wanted her Ashokettan. Because there was such a gap between their families. She was lower in caste. Her family could not even enter into Asok’s house. Financially also they had Elephant and goat difference.  There is no one in Kannur who does not know Gopala Menon. They even had their own buses.

After that incident, Asok and Archana never saw each other again.

Asok completed his course and left college. Archana continued in college again.

But on the day of Ashok's last exam, Ashok went to see Archana without informing anyone. Archana also started crying when she saw Ashok.

"How long has it been since we last saw each other? Didn't you complete your course? I had seen you from a distance for so many days. I was relieved that you were in this college. What will we do now? How will we see each other? I won't marry anyone else but Ashokettan. If that happens, I will die."

Archana cried and hugged Ashok.

"Don't cry. I came to say goodbye. I can't stand to see you crying like this. I came to tell you about my plans. You have to do as I say. Saji's sister, who is with me in class, is here. I will give her the letters for you have and you should give reply in her hand."

"Can we trust her, Ashok?"

Archana was doubtful.

"You have to trust her. We have no other choice."

Asok did not come to college after he left that day. Saji's sister would bring letters. Archana would give her reply in her hand. No one knew about this. They continued to see each other through letters until Archana completed her course.

Asok was in Chennai with a friend. That's where he had set up a clinic. In a very short time, Asok had earned a reputation as a good dentist. He also earned well.

No one in the Kovilakam family needed any of Asok's savings. Therefore, no one questioned where the money Asok earned went. Asok kept it all.

Gopala Menon also thought that after he threatened him that day, Asok and Archana had backed out of their love. Otherwise, no one would have disobeyed his word. But Gopala Menon did not know that his grandson was planning to overcome all that and live with Archana.