A suitable Man

Chapter 15

Smriti woke up with a start, it was way past her usual time to get up. She felt disoriented as to where she exactly was. It slowly dawned upon her, she was at Hosamane, she was the wife of the lord of this house. "Smriti Mahendra Shetty" .... how wonderful it sounded. In a long long time she hadn't felt as much joy as she was feeling now. She was ecstatic. She got up saw herself in the mirror, " You are looking so funny Smriti, Ganga will not even recognise you in these clothes.... she will think her hero has come .... hahaha... Smriti talked to herself. Suddenly she remembered Shankar was to bring Ganga here that morning. She caught hold of her lungi and flew down the stairs, only to bump into Mahendra on the last step. "Ohhhooo.. ho.. easy my dear, easy, where are you running to in such a hurry???
Smriti, " er... you told me that Shankar will bring Ganga today so I was rushing to see if he had." She took a good look at this man in front of her, her husband now....
" why has he to be shirtless like Salman every now and then.... Doesn't he understand.... he is making me swoon.... And if I fall down swooning, even Ganga is not here to save me..... uffff.... I need some air" Smriti thought ... when he interrupted her thoughts
" Madam, where are you lost, don't tell me seeing me is making you drool" he teased her again... Smriti replied glibly, " huh....you roam around like Salman khan and ask me this ... she bit her lip. Why did you say that Smriti!!! She chided herself.

Mahendra again gave that wonderful smile of his.. " ohhoo, you roam around wearing my T-shirt and ask me this, he again teased her....
Blush warmed her cheeks, she didn't know how to answer this she simply changed the topic and  said, " where is Ganga??
Mahendra laughed at the question, what.. in the gods name could he do with this girl, this beautiful innocent woman... he replied, " She must be on her way, I will get ready and come down in 5 mins" saying so he went upstairs to his room.

Smriti became conscious of her attire, what if Shankar saw her in this. She too quickly went up and changed back in to her saree again. Shankar arrived with Ganga in tow and a small bag in his hand. Smriti came running to him and hugged Ganga lovingly. Ganga too mooed happily nuzzling her. Shankar handed the bag to smriti saying, " shashank asked me to give this to you". Smriti quickly took and opened it to find her mother's portrait and few of her clothes. There was also a small frame of " Idagunji Ganapati" and a letter with it.

It read

Dear Akka,
Hope you are doing well. I cant describe how happy I am for you. Although I couldn't interact much with Mahendra Bhaava, I know he is the best for you. I am going back to Hubli tomorrow. I will study hard, don't you worry about me. I hope Mahendra Bhaava keeps you happy. Appa is in a very foul mood since yesterday, but whatever happens he is our father eventually and he is growing old. Please forgive him, he doesn't understand, in my absence only you are there to take care of him. I shall do as much as I can. We couldn't meet much but always remember I am here for you. I shall miss you a lot Akka.

Yours
Shashank

Tears rolled down Smriti's cheeks as she read this. She backed out for support when she found Mahendra standing behind her reading the letter over her shoulder. He encircled her shoulders and comforted her. She felt so secure in his sturdy arms. He kissed her forehead " Shhhshhh Smriti, I know its very hard for you, and given the circumstances I can understand your predicament" he held her by her shoulders and turned her to face him, " Give me one chance Smriti, one chance, I promise, you will be the happiest woman ever and the most loved till my last breath"
Smriti clasped her hand on his mouth " noooooo..... Mahendra ... don't talk about ......

They were caught in a world of their own, both gazing lovingly at each other, both unaware they were standing in front of Shankar and Ganga. She hadn't removed her hand from his lips. He kissed her fingers lightly " yank ninadde preeti malpuye"( I love you in tulu). Smriti gave him a confused look. Mahendra laughed mischievously and challenged her saying " find out the meaning.... I told you something in tulu*" (tulu- native language of Shetty community).