A suitable Man

Chapter 21

'Kanasu'

Smriti was still very nervous when she faced all three elders of her family. She found ' Dodda' to be a rather formidable lady. But she welcomed Smriti with open arms just like her mother in law. Karunakar blessed her with trembling hands and smiled to make her feel at ease. She felt a lump in her throat when she saw his condition. She also observed how lovingly Vasundhara took care of him.

Mahendra asked her whether she would like to rest as she had motion sickness last night, but Smriti denied saying, all her discomfort had gone away the minute she stepped in to this house, their house. Vasundhara and Mahalakshmi looked lovingly at the young couple.

" Nikku Devaru Edday Malpadu"( May god bless you) Dodda said aloud in Tulu. Smriti smiled and whispered Mahendra to tell her a reply in Tulu... so that she could say it to Dodda, just to impress Dodda. Mahendra naughtily whispered something and Smriti confidently replied Dodda " Aavu, burka tikga" ( ok, see you next time). All of them laughed aloud at her response. Smriti was dumbfounded at this, she asked what did the sentence mean when Vasundhara explained her what she had said to Dodda. Smriti was too embarrassed, she eyed Mahendra angrily but he was having fun at her expense. Vasundhara hit Mahendra and hugged Smriti saying  " You.. Putta, stop teasing my poor 'Sose'( Daughter-in-law), you naughty boy, making fun of her, Don't pay attention to him Smriti dear, he has a habit of teasing everyone, and you don't have to speak in Tulu, we love you just the way you are" and hit him again. Smriti gave a sheepish grin and gave a venomous look to him. Mahendra was still laughing at the exchange of words.

" you just freshen up and we shall show you  around the house" Vasundhara told Smriti. After a quick freshening up, she was served tea and breakfast. Later Vasundhara led Smriti to see their house. It was a two storeyed house. The ground floor had a huge hall, big enough for fifty people to sit at a time. A dining area, kitchen and three bedrooms. The first floor had Mahendra's music room, stacked up with cds,  bluerays and a professional keyboard. Vasundhara informed Smriti how well Mahendra played the keyboard. There was also a library filled with books, that was also Vasundhara's and Mahendra's collection of Kannada And English books. Then there were two guest rooms. The top most floor had the most magnificent room Smriti had ever seen, it opened into the terrace garden which was replete with many flowering plants and shrubs.
The room was painted in sparkling white with a large bed in the centre of the room. There was an humongous sofa at the corner of the room just below a big French window. There was a closet at the other end of the room. The bed was white, everything, even the upholstery in the room were pure white. Smriti instantly liked the room. The furniture in the room was minimal but elegant and cosy.

" who's room is this?" She asked Vasundhara innocently. " Whose do you think it can be ? Vasundhara teased.  "It is yours Smriti, yours and Mahendra's". Smriti loved the room instantly. She looked at the fully bloomed Gulmohar tree peeping from the large French window. The sight was so beautiful. She could imagine herself and Mahendra seated on the large sofa gazing out in to the lovely sight outside. The room had an aura... aura of a man... her man... her Mahendra, Smriti thought lovingly.

Vasundhara brought her out of her thoughts saying, " Smriti dear, you can unpack here. Have rest if you want as you must be exhausted, come down when you feel rested" She pecked Smriti's forehead and went downstairs. Mahendra was still in Dodda's room updating her about the issues and all that happened in Kumta. He was sitting near Dodda with his head in her lap and she was caressing his head lovingly.
"Smriti seems to be a very sweet girl Putta... genuine and artless, it's a rare thing to find dear,Always remember one thing Mahendra, A relationship is not based on the length of time you have spent together but it's based on the foundation you've built together. And she is perfect for you, nurture her and you will see how wonderful she will be with you"
Mahendra looked at Dodda, her eyes glistened as she stared at his grandpa's frame. She continued saying, " You live once, you die once, you love once.... Make every moment count Mahendra, always remember, Family comes first."