Distance Between Us

Chapter 2

Rajesh woke up with his alarm ringing and did his morning routines. He stood by his window and looked out while drinking lemon tea. He lived in a single rented room and worked as a software engineer. He was 26 years old had fair skin with black hair and a fairly built body. he thought his life was good now as compared to earlier. His parents died in a bus accident when he was fifteen. He only had one elder sister who was five years older than him. his father was a mechanic and mother a home maker. They had little money growing up but were a happy family. After their parents' death the two siblings had some difficulties growing up but they have managed as they could. His sister is married now and had a cute four-year-old daughter.

His phone rang and saw that his uncle was calling. He picked up his phone nervously.

"Namaste peddananna (father's elder brother)" he greeted politely.

"Namaste Rajesh. I was just checking if you woken up," his uncle Dinesh said.

"Yeah, I have Peddananna," Rajesh replied. He was an early raiser.

"Be ready by 9:00. I will reach your room by then with your Peddamma (uncle's wife)," Dinesh said but thought of the traveling expenses and immediately changed the plans.

"Umm..how about you come to our house and then we will all leave together?" Dinesh said.

"OK Peddananna. as you wish," Rajesh replied.

Dinesh was satisfied but his wife kamini's voice forced him to rethink his plan. "Say to him that our car is not working properly today. Tell him to come in the rented car. It will not look good if we go by bus. he can effort it for one day, right? He never spends his money on us. We are going so far just because of him. I will have knee pains if I stand in a bus for more time."

Dinesh also though of his leg pain which comes when needed and said in the phone "Rajesh you should rent a car for today and come to our house. Your Peddamma seems to have knee pains and I am also having leg pain. Old age you know."

"Ok I will be there by 9:00 then." Rajesh Hung up the call. How can his aunt say that he doesn't spend money on them. He gave them money for their daughter Gauri's marriage when they asked him. Gave money to bail their son karan anna from jail, for lawyers, hospital bills for Peddamma's knee surgery and many more. They were never satisfied always wanting more. He made a few calls and rented a car.

"Are you ready for your life altering day," came his roommate and friend Jagdeesh voice. they have been friends since school days.

"Life altering day you say. I guess you can say that. I don't know if I am ready or not. I am kind of nervous though," he replied.

"Of course, you are nervous. You should be. You are making a decision to select your wife. You should choose wisely. So, tell me What qualities do you want in your wife?" Jagdeesh asked.

Rajesh thought over it. He doesn't have many requirements for a wife. He wants a girl who would understand him, be comfortable in his lifestyle, cooperate with his sister and his niece. For now, he thought of these things should be enough. But how can he know a girl in first meeting and decide she is the one for him?

Nobody thought of his marriage until his uncle's daughter Gauri's marriage. She was younger than him and everybody asked his uncle about his marriage. His uncle felt insulted and decided that Rajesh should be married as everyone will think he is not taking proper care of him. After his parents' death his uncle was forced to became the guardian of the two siblings and he showed them daily how difficult it was to have them both adding to his burden.

Rajesh prepared the breakfast and eat with Jagdeesh talking about the proposal. Then he got a call that the car is near and he went down along with Jagdeesh. When they were near his uncle's house gate, he saw karan Anna getting into the black Mercedes car. Yes, his uncle had a car. His aunt was talking nonsense about bus ride. How could they ever be in any public transport when they own a jewelry shop. They just did not want to spend one penny on him. He got down the car and greeted karan.

"Hi kirak Anna," Kiran was known popularly as kirak meaning crazy and different.

"Hey there pellikoduka (groom). Sorry I cannot come with you. I am busy today. You make sure to select sexy wife or you will have to regret all your life," advising that karan went away. Rajesh just shook his head.

He could see his uncle and aunt coming out of the house. Rajesh and Jagdeesh greeted them and settled in the car. They saw his interaction with their son but did not say anything. He did not have any problem renting a car for a day, but they could have asked him directly not lying to him. How can he forget it has always been their way. Rajesh looked at his as friend and saw he was already glaring at them. Jagdeesh could see both of their usual behavior with his friend. They did not even invite him inside the house nor did they want to know if he eaten anything.

"We should not be late otherwise there will be bad impression on us. Sudender said they are respected family. I hope they are good" said kamini. Surender was a marriage mediator arranging the marriages. He was popular in their area.

"Did you guys have breakfast?" Asked Rajesh to his uncle and aunt who sat at the back seat.

"Yes. We did" was the curt reply of kamini.

As they were nearing to their destination kamini saw a temple. "Stop the car Jagdeesh there is a temple here."

"But aunty as you said, it is getting late," complained Jagdeesh who was driving the car.

"Stop the car Jagdeesh," Rajesh said as he knew if his aunt's command has to be followed or there will be curses from her the rest of the journey. Jagdeesh understood him and parked the car near the temple. "you two stay in the car we will be quick," said kamini getting down the car with her husband.

"Why should we not go inside the temple? Its your day Rajesh. You should be getting the blessings, right?" asked Jagdeesh confused with kamini's command.

"You know Peddamma. She has her own rules. We can just pray from outside," replied Rajesh getting out of the car.

Both friends prayed and returned to the car and stood waiting for kamini and Dinesh. Rajesh could see it was a popular temple as there were many devotees. He saw a girl serving Prasad to the people outside the temple.

"It seems it is a popular temple. I think your Peddamma came with us, so that she can visit this temple not for your proposal," joked Jagdeesh laughing.

"Maybe you are right," Rajesh laughed joining him. "Let's take a selfie here. It is a very good place," Jagdeesh said taking photos with his phone. Both took many selfies as Jagdeesh was so into taking photography.

Dinesh and kamini came out and they were ready to go. As they were leaving, he saw the same girl he saw earlier helping an old women cross the road with a smile on her face.