A suitable Man

Chapter 2

Chapter 2.

Smriti was at a loss of words, after about a moment she spoke, "Bhadmakar Pat"?.... She bit her tongue... "er..... Padmakar Bhat, yes that's my father". "Yes yes, he told me you would be visiting, please come inside, Appa will be a bit late,". He didn't say anything as Smriti ushered him inside the house. The sparsely furnished drawing room had only a diwan and a table, he sat on the same. The room seemed to be filled with him as the diwan and table looked small in front of his big frame.
Smriti smiled and asked, "Would you like some tea or coffee or Kashay or lemon juice or Kokum juice??..... she was going on and on when he interrupted her saying, "I would like to have water". Smriti was again at a loss of words. She said, " I have made Kesari Bhaat too, would you like to have some?
For the first time since he came, he smiled the broadest smile Smriti had seen and said, " Ahh yes, I just love Kesari bhaat, hadn't had it in a long time, and I won't mind having it.
Smriti hurried from where she was standing saying , " Oh yes, I will bring it right away". She almost broke in to a run, searched for the finest crockery her dear mother had managed to save, and just laid out the food and water. She came out with the tray and put it in front of him. He removed his aviators and placed them besides the tray. He took a large swig of water and started eating the Kesari bhaat. He seemed to have liked it as he was smiling at Smriti in between taking few spoonfuls. He said, " this is delicious, can I have some more?. Smriti said eagerly, " yes yes, I made the entire rice only for you, as Appa had instructed me". After almost finishing off the Kesari bhaat, he smiled and said, " So what's your name?
Smriti replied, "its Smriti, and yours? He said, "Hi, I am Mahendra. Both looked at each other for a moment, and again he gave a lopsided grin. Smriti's heart made somersaults at this display. She asked him, " So Mr. Mahendra, what do you do?

Mahendra replied, "I have just returned back from my masters in Mechanical engineering from MIT, have come here to my ancestral home in Urkeri. It was locked all these years, so I thought I would spend some time here managing it and have certain things to settle before I go back." His voice was grim at the last sentence.

Smriti wanted to strike up a really impressive conversation with him. She had never been beyond Kumta, but had heard of many engineering college names from friends and Aquaintances. So to impress him with her knowledge, she said, " Oh yes, I know your college, SIT, it's in Tumkur near Bangalore.... They teach really good there and the Mechanical engineering professors are too good"

Mahendra smiled saying, "I am from MIT,Boston".
There was a second of awkward silence, when Smriti laughed out and said, " MIT or SIT, how does it matter?, Engineer is an engineer everywhere. She subtly changed the topic saying, " let me show you around our "Thota". She stood up and led their way in to the garden, showing him the trees of betel nuts and Arica nuts. She didn't need to impress him in this information as she knew the uses of the trees and the income they provided at the back of her hand. In fact he was impressed with the knowledge she had. She took him to the cowshed and as promised to Ganga, she introduced her to him. Ganga too behaved like a shy girl, moving her head from side to side.
They came back to the house, Smriti talked about herself, her education, her current job as a teacher and her aspiration to be a full fledged teacher. Mahendra nodded his head in agreement. Smriti told him about her younger brother Shashank who was studying in Hubli.
They had no idea about the time when they heard loud chatter and guffaws. Smriti went towards the main gate and saw her father coming inside with another stranger in tow. Padmakar chuckled at him and pointing towards her said, " this is my daughter Smriti". This stranger was really like how Smriti had imagined, just like the actor Omprakash. He folded his hands in a namaste saying, " Smriti putti, how are you?I am your Appa's friend, Gajanan Talgod.Actually I was supposed to come in the afternoon but the bus from Udupi was delayed so I just got down and met your Appa at the bus-stand".
Padmakar was in a good mood and said, " yes, I had informed her about your visit, and guess what she has made Kesari bhaat for you!!!! Your favourite.

There are no adverbs in English vocabulary to express what Smriti felt at that moment. She thought " if this is Mr. Talgod, who is the man sitting inside!!!!, and my good lord, He has almost finished the Kesari Bhaat. Smriti shivered at the thought of her father's reaction. She looked back to see Mahendra leaning on the entrance door with his hands to his chest. He was smiling at her when Padmakar noticed. He was annoyed seeing an unknown man in his house.
He shouted at Smriti, " who is this man? To which Smriti meekly said, "Appa, this is Mr. Talgod...
"What!!!! Are you out of your mind Smriti" barked Padmakar. He turned to Mahendra and asked in a cold tone, " who are you Mr, and what are you doing in my house?

Mahendra was amused, he smiled and replied in a cool tone, his eyes not leaving Smriti, " I am Mahendra Shetty of Hosamane, Urkeri."

To be continued.....