A suitable Man

Chapter 3

Padmakar swallowed hard at the mention of the name of Mahendra's House. Twenty years back, Hosmane in Urkeri belonged to the richest man in Kumta Mr. Jagganatha Shetty, a kind landlord and a philanthropist. Jagganatha had met with a tragedy and overnight his family had left Kumta and went elsewhere. No one exactly knew where the family relocated. At present seeing Mahendra in his house made Padmakar a bit restless. He asked Mahendra sharply, »What work do you have here? Your family left this place long ago. How are you related? »

Mahendra replied, « I am the grandson of Mr. Jagganatha Shetty, you must be knowing him as you were the Sarpanch here. I have come to find some clues about what exactly happened to my grandfather here »

Padmakar was shocked to hear this but he didn't show it on his face, he said, « So what if i knew him, he and his family disappeared twenty years ago ». I don't know anything else » saying thus he dismissed Mahendra and walked away. Mahendra stopped him and said, « even if you don't give me any information, i am going to find out myself ». His tone had a warning edge which Padmakar understood. He just shrugged and went inside the house.
Smriti stood rooted where she was, observing everything unfold in front of her. Mahendra looked at her and winked saying, » by the way thanks for your treat » and went away.
Smriti couldn't react, just managed a half smile, when she heard her father yelling. She ran back home.
Padmakar had settled his friend in the only bedroom they had. He went to the kitchen angrily saying, » You stupid dumb girl, how did you allow anyone inside without asking their name? I don't want you to be friendly with that boy, and he is not welcome here at all » Do you get that!!!! Fix this in your dumb head and now go prepare dinner quickly «
Smriti was almost in tears. she hurriedly prepared dinner and on pretext of feeding Ganga went to the shed.

Once inside, she shut the door and cried. She missed her mother badly. As if sensing her pain, Ganga mooed. Smriti got up, wiped her tears and smiled, she knew there was no point in crying. She brought the hay to Ganga and said, « You just eat and moo around, dont advise me anything, You could have told me na, Arey Smriti ask this hero his name.... full name!!!!, but no... you were busy ogling at him.... One look at a handsome man and you lose your head.... but do you know Ganga, he is not some ordinary Man.... he seems to be Daya Shetty of CID... has come to investigate his family matters". Ganga mooed as though in disbelief. Smriti patted her saying, " next time any stranger comes, please don't advise me to just stand and stare... ok... now go to sleep, its too late.
Smriti came back home. As her Appa and Talgod uncle were sleeping in the bedroom, she went to sleep in the 'Devare Kone' or temple room. It was pitch dark, save for the small "deep" lit in front of the idols.
Smriti said her prayers, looked at her mother's portrait hung on the wall and sighed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered her mother. Sumitra was ailing for quite sometime till her death 3years back, but she made sure that her children, especially her daughter was fit enough to take care of herself and her family. Sumitra emphasised the importance of education and saw to it her children studied well. Apart from education, she shielded Smriti and Shashank from the mis-givings of their father. Honesty, hardwork and perseverance were always of prime importance to her. At a young age Smriti had become much mature. She had an amazing ability to find happiness in even the hopeless of situations. She was always a smiling and cheerful girl who craved for her father's love and acceptance.

Smriti lay down and stared at the ceiling, thinking about the day's events and couldn't sleep a wink. She thought about all the things she did and admonished herself for her stupidity. She said to herself, " one handsome man, that also you came across in such a long time, and you messed it all up".... he must be thinking of you as a stupid village girl, not knowing anything. Then she thought about his reactions, how he smiled at her, how he looked at her. She blushed thinking of him. There was something magnetic in him that she was getting pulled towards his thoughts. But then she realised he was way ahead of her league. Sadly and slowly she drifted to sleep imagining him standing at her gate.

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Hosamane, Urkeri

Mahendra was also tossing and turning in his
Bed. From the time he had landed in Kumta, he had been running around getting things done. He had re-opened his house, was getting it repaired as it was in a dilapidated condition. Finding labourers was very difficult in the small town. He had visited the taluka head offices, police stations to look out for any records, FIRs or any other documents that may give him a lead. He dealt with corrupt officials, local people to gather some information. After putting the pieces together, he deduced that his grandfather didn't die a natural death. The last few days had been very taxing on him, emotionally as well as physically. The only nice thought he could think of was his meeting Smriti. Her naivety, her simplicity had struck a chord somewhere. But he had lots of things to settle, inspite of this he couldn't stop thinking about her.

Love had sowed its seed somewhere deep inside and there was still time for the realisation.

To be continued

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