A suitable Man

Chapter 5

Smriti's house

Daily routine started for Smriti at 5:30a.m, where she cleaned her courtyard, put rangoli in front of the 'Tulsi Katte', fed and cleaned Ganga and prepared breakfast for herself and her father. Her father used to go with his cronies for his daily rounds of cards, betting and gambling. There was no one in the house to whom Smriti could speak freely, Ganga was her only companion. She used to speak with her brother Shashank every other day. But as his exams were nearing he was also busy in preparations, so the calls were not so frequent.

While cleaning and feeding Ganga, Smriti talked a lot to her. Today was also no different, Smriti cleaned Ganga was stacking the fodder saying, " My dear girl, why are you so happy today!!!!! Today no hero is coming, in fact I am going towards Urkeri as you know I have to cross that Footover bridge to go to school. Oh my good lord Ganga, what if I come across Mr.CID!!!! You know Appa na, if he sees me even smiling at him, what ruckus he will create.... I have to stay away from him. I will take the other route through Baggon, yes... that will be better". She got ready for school and started for her school. On the way who ever she met, she smiled, talked about their well being, gave them free advice (if any) and went ahead cheerfully to her school.

As she reached the school, all teachers seemed to be in a hurry, arranging chairs, tidying up the classrooms and running around doing some work or other. Smriti was confused, today was no festival or any function in the school, yet why were these people in a frenzy. She stopped her colleague Mangala mid way and asked her, " What's happening? Why are you acting like you are working very hard.. and chuckled. Mangala said, " Arey stupid girl, Do you know who has come to our school!!!! His Family had donated generously the land and the grant too to start this school, he is going to donate more funds towards the development and construction of secondary school and Junior college too. What a great man!!!". Smriti asked, " where is this great man?. Mangala pointed towards the Principal's office where few people were standing surrounding a man. Smriti's heart sank seeing the man, he was the tallest person standing there talking animatedly with the principal. She hid behind Mangala muttering to herself, " arey... I took the longest route to avoid coming from Urkeri and here he is, oh god!! Please let him not see me at all". She tried to become as inconspicuous as possible. Their Principal summoned all the staff and students to meet the benefactor of the school Mr. Mahendra Shetty. Smriti stood behind Mangala just next to the exit gate. She stood looking down fiddling with her saree pallu. The Principal briefed them about the contribution made by his grandparents to the school and how he was also carrying forward their good work. Mahendra stood smiling next to the Principal Sir, but his eyes were searching for that curly head amongst the crowd. And then he spotted her, standing near the gate, trying hard to find something in the ground below. He felt a sudden urge to tease her, but controlled it when the Sir started introducing him to his staff. One by one he greeted everyone and then it was her turn. Their eyes met , hers were wary, his were with mischief.

Sir said, " this is Smriti Bhat, the latest addition to our family and also the youngest... She is also the efficient one as she completed the Consensus of population for the government  in one month flat. Although she is a part time teacher, she wants to be a college teacher too. Na Smriti?? Smriti was still standing with her head down, When Mahendra said, " Are we not building a college for her???... he bit his tongue, I mean, Are we not starting a junior college too? And smiled at her. Smriti shot up her head and looked him, " What did he say, a college for me? She thought. Mahendra added, " We can also start engineering colleges too, she must be knowing quite few where they teach really well!!!! This time he was suppressing his laugh. Smriti knew he was teasing her. She looked at him angrily. He smiled knowingly. This exchange of glances was unnoticed. She excused herself and went back to her work. She could feel his gaze upon her. He was talking to others but his eyes were searching her and not once did he waver his gaze.

He went away after his discussions, he wanted to become friendly in the neighbourhood and gain their support to serve his motive. He had earlier gone to the police to find about the cases filed twenty years ago and if there were any in the name of Mr.Shetty. He didn't find anything important but one of the old constable told him that sometimes the matters were handled by the local Sarpanch before it came to the Police. Mahendra checked the names of the sarpanch at the time of his grandpa and there he came to know about Padmakar. The constable also told him, that Padmakar was the Sarpanch till a few years back and he was overthrown due to his notorious habit of gambling. He gave him the address and advised Mahendra to talk to him for any information.

Mahendra also found out that Sheena Nayak had now become a local corporator and shifted his base to Honnavar. He did not want to rub any of them on the wrong side at present because he didn't have enough evidence against Sheena Nayak or for that matter against anybody linked with him.

He planned to take this slowly, first he would make himself known, secondly he would gather trust from the people around and then he would take a step further. If he believed his grandfather was murdered, then the past had to be dug up cautiously and without attracting any kind of suspicions.
When he was in the process of repairing his house, a person came to meet him. His name was Shankar Gowda. Mahendra said, " Yes Mr. Shankar, how can I help you?.... The man had tears in his eyes looking at Mahendra. He said slowly, " My good lord Putta,  you have grown so big and tall just like your father, You will not remember me but I am Shankar, I worked for your family when I was a boy of eighteen. The epidemic of cholera had wiped out my entire family. It was only your good father who gave me work and helped me come out of the misery.Please let me work here with you too, it would be a privilege for me to do so". Mahendra was astonished to find this old retainer, who could help him if need be. He said to Shankar, " Anna, I am very happy to hear that people still remember my family and it's heartening to know that you would like to work with me, as it I need a caretaker for this estate and you are god sent".
Mahendra's felt good thinking about Shankar who offered his services, he also told Mahendra that there were many of his father's old retainers who would like to work for him too. Suddenly the totally unknown unfriendly place was becoming friendly and inviting to him. He openly embraced this opportunity and employed them on the estate.

It was a two storied house with a courtyard in the middle surrounded by the house on all four sides. It had twelve rooms, a big kitchen and a huge cow shed at the back of the house. It was surrounded by a garden beyond which was the boundary wall. The total estate spanned almost 2  acres of land. The fire had destroyed a large part of the east facing side of the house. Mahendra had engaged a lot of labourers and workers to restore the east wing. As he lay on his bed that night, he was satisfied with the great beginning he was having now. But the total restoration of the house and the investigation of the murder would take time, a long time. Mahendra decided that he would not take up his job in California. He would inform them officially. There was too much to do here, his job could wait, but not the justice to his family. He believed that he needed to make his roots stronger so that tomorrow he could fly higher, so high that the sky would be the limit.

Thinking all these things his eyes started drooping when suddenly  two beautiful greenish brown eyes flashed before him, looking at him angrily. He dreamt of petal shaped lips smiling at him, the evening sun highlighting the brown curly hair, a faint scent of jasmine.... He felt his heart warming, he didn't want to come out from this dream....

Smriti was working furiously in the cow shed talking with Ganga, " how dare he Ganga, how dare he !!!! He teased me in front of our Principal, it is good our Principal is partially deaf so I was saved.. thank god!!!! But I am going to teach him a lesson." Ganga too mooed in agreement. Smriti finished her work and went back in a sullen mood.

" Don't wait any longer. Dive in the ocean, leave and let the sea be you"- Rumi