Once Again…???!!! – Chapter 2: the Genesis – 1

Disclaimer: The characters in this novelette are purely fictional. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

‘Did you like the girl?’ Ammu whispered into Kiran’s ears.

‘Amma, I would like to talk to that girl first.’ Kiran whispered back. Then turning to Raghavan, he asked, ‘Sir, can I speak to your daughter, alone?’

‘Of course Mr. Kiran! There is no hassle in that. Swati, take Mr. Kiran to the terrace, so that you could speak to each other alone. That would help you to know each other better.’

Swati led Kiran to the terrace.

Raman, Ammu’s eldest son continued his conversation with Raghavan. ‘.. We are three in our family. Our elder sister is in Kerala with her husband and a son. I am the second one. I have a son. He is doing his degree final year. Actually, he has got some lab practical class today and so was not able to accompany. Kiran is the youngest in the house. He was born here in Hyderabad after we moved here from the village in Kerala. Hence, his name has the Hyderabadi influence. And, there is a lot of age difference between us. We are a closely knit family and would like to remain in the joint family even after Kiran’s wedding.’

For Raman, Raghavan seemed to be an interesting character. Sunder, Raghavan’s son, joined their conversation, every now and then. Kaveri, the beautiful wife of Raghavan, went into the kitchen to look into the next set of activities that needed her attention.

‘I liked this girl. She is so simple for a modern girl. Look, she is not at all very pompous. There is not even any make-up on her face. Just, so simple. And, she has even applied oil on her hair. I feel, she will be the best match for Kiran.’ – Ammu murmured to Geeta, her daughter-in-law.

‘As they say, the first impression is the best impression, Amma I too liked this girl. She looks just simple and great’, said Geeta. She whispered at a very low tone – ‘But, did you notice one thing Amma, this girl has not gotten the beauty of her mother’.

‘Yes! Yes! But, she is certainly good looking too…’

In about a half hours’ time, Kiran and Swati came down. Kiran told his mother and brother that he liked the girl. The same way, he wanted to know Swati’s opinion.

Geeta volunteered. ‘Did you like our Kiran, Swati?’

There was no response. Swati’s head was bent towards the floor. ‘You don’t have to feel bad or embarrassed, Swati. We would like to know your opinion too’, told Ammu.

Still there was no response. Kaveri plunged in to rescue her daughter. ‘Probably she is a bit embarrassed to accept that she has liked Kiran. Isn’t it said that silence is acceptance? Take her silence as acceptance’.

Ammu started, ‘But..’.

Raman interrupted Ammu by saying ‘Don’t force her, Amma. Let her take some time. Also, what Mami says, sounds fine. Swati, probably, you could tell about your liking to your parents, later’.

There was no response again. Swati, lifted herself up and walked inside..

‘Yes Mr. Raman. I will speak to our Astrologer and come over to your place tomorrow. Then we can decide on the other things’, said Raghavan.

‘That’s absolutely fine. I think we will take leave of you now. Amma, shall we leave?’

After the traditional formalities of exchanging the betel leaves and the more important kumkum to the ladies, Kiran, Ammu and others left Raghavan’s house.

While on their way back, though everyone wondered as to why Swati did not speak at all and just walked away inside, nobody dared to discuss that further…

Once Again…???!!! Chapter 2: the Genesis
to continue…

Once Again…???!!!