Malhotra weds Murthy Revisit to GolMal

Chapter 16 - "Mission misleading..."

Murthy House: Nandini's room: 11:45 am:

Kishori: "Kanna, I want you in the living room when Swami Adhiraju will come. I don't want an excuse. Arthavayitu?" (Understood?)

Kishori stirs her forefinger in front of Nandini's grumpy face. Her voice is concrete hard. She doesn't enter the room rather prefers to stand on the threshold of her granddaughter's room.

Nandini: "Don't worry, Amms. I am not so fool or timid to avoid this temporary nuisance in my life. Whatever your Swami wants to say, he can. I will do whatever I want. I think you understood."

Only then, Vimesh appears from behind of his mother-in-law. Unfortunately, he has to go out with Harshad for important bank work though he wanted to stay at home while Adhiraju Swami is supposed to come.

Vimesh: (Scolds) "Nandu! What kind of way of talking is this to your elders? We are not your enemies. We want your good only. You are too young to realise all these things now."

Vimesh runs his restless fingers through his paper salt hair. Nandini keeps Ador on the bed and gets up from the bed. She saunters at the cupboard and takes out a saree. She knows her Amms is expecting her to wear a saree in the place of this churidar when Swami Adhiraju will come. Kishori doesn't like North Indian outfits. Who will make her understand that India has become a metropolitan country and its young generation follows a metropolitan culture? Saree, Salwar suits or western outfits are not limited and confined to any particular province or community nowadays.

Nandini: (In a sad tone) "That is the problem, Appa. Elders always think that we youngers can't make any good decision for our life. But the fact is, sometimes the elders do only bad for the youngers by their obstinance. I had probably never looked back at Manik if I would have been convinced that Amms' or your notion about him is right. But I can't leave him just because you both want to. I love you all, Appa but I love myself too. For me, my happiness is equally important as my loved ones'. Anyway, I will meet that Swami for sure and I know if my destiny is connected with Manik then no horoscope can separate us. Nanna pritiya mele nanage nambike ide." (I have faith in my love)

Vimesh keeps looking at his daughter for a brief moment. Perhaps he tries to fathom if Nandini is talking all these in obstinance or whims but the shine in her eyes depicts something else. For the first time, Vimesh doesn't feel to suppress his daughter's razor-sharp words. He always considers Nandini as a strong-headed girl and he always has appreciated this trait of hers. After all, if a woman can dance and be free and not be embarrassed, she can rule the world.

Vimesh: (In a profound voice) "Time will say who is right to secure your destiny and I will be happy to be wrong if you are happy with your decision."

He tightens the knot of his tie and leaves. Kishori looks at his dispersing frame. Suddenly she feels isolated in this battle.

Nandini: (In a mocking tone) "Perhaps you lost a supporter, Amms. Do call me whenever your clairvoyant comes."

She flips to the mirror and wraps the saree around her upper torso. A mischievous smile is beaming on her plumpy lips.

...............................................

Some time ago: In the alley in front of Murthy House:

An auto enters the alley. A person peeks out his head to observe the surrounding. It seems that he is trying to search for any particular house. The person is wearing a white vesti and mundu (A traditional dress for Kannadiga men). His forehead is adorned with white sandal tilak indicating that he is a religious man.