Chapter 40

                                    

                                              
''Vikram, I am not suppose to speak to you till the wedding. I don't want want to upset my Patii.'' Sona pleaded.
                          
''Does she have a problem about we talking over the phone?''
                          
''Its considered  inauspicious. Please, its just the matter of few days.'' Before she could hear his reply , someone snatched the phone disconnecting the call.  

                          
 "I told you already. You seemed to have vowed not to listen me at all". Sona made puppy face as Dev went on and on."Anna, will you please stop it"  Sona was successful in calming Dev but all came to a halt when they found Neelambari on the door, her eyes mad in rage.
                          
Sona froze, she quickly hid her form behind Dev's fearing the out burst. Sona wasn't aware that her grandmother knew of her marriage as Dev had requested Neelambari to keep it a secret. He wanted his sister to leave the house with smile and not with a guilt.  He joined his palms in a request making Nellambari huff.
                          
Sona went on her toes to peep through her brother's shoulders. Her throat went dry when her grandmother gestured her to come forward. "Come here"
                          
Sona gulped ,, she took baby steps to her grandmother wishing for an idea to get saved but all looked impossible.
                          
"Patti!" Sona is about to explain  but Neelambari's silenced with her palm.
                          
"Namma kudumbam thaan intha ooruke oru mun maathiri. Intha oorula irukura ovvorutharukum namma kudumbathu mela periya mariyathai iruku. Athu naama Zameen kudumbam nu oru kaaranam irunthaalum, mukkiayamaana innoru vishayam namma nadathai. Zameen kudumbame ipdi nadanthukaraanga, athanaala naama pannalum athu thappu illanu makkaluku thonum. Apdi oru nenappu vantha, intha oorula ithana varushama naama kaapathitu vantha olukkam kettu poidum. Athu unnala kettu poga vendamnu naa nenaikaren" Neelambari finished saying in one breathe.(Our family is the example for this village and the people here. Each and every one in this village respect us. That's not only because we are a Zameen family, it's because of our behavior also. They should not think that why should we not do the same what the Zameen family did. If they get this kind of thoughts, it will spoil our reputation of both family and the village. And i don't want you to be the reason for that)
                          
Sona knew this wasn't just about her recent phone conversation, it was about the last meeting with Vikram. For a moment guilt pressed her chest. 
                          
Neelambari too felt bad looking at the dull face of her  favourite grandchild but she kept a straight face, "Naa en sonenu unaku purinjurikum nu nenaikaren. Ellaroda paarvaiyum namma mela iruku, atha eppavum un niyabagathulayum manasulayum vachuko. Po poi thoongu"(I hope you understand. Everyone has their eyes on us, keep that in your mind and heart. Go and sleep)
                          
Sona took a flight , fearing that her grandmother might call her back again leaving Dev with Neelambari 
                          
Neelambari's eyes went to Sona's ankles and then to Dev, he just hung his head low. He tried to follow Sona to escape his round of lecture but Neelambari's voice halted his steps, "Avaluku Annan maathiri nadanthuko" (Behave a like a brother for her).
                          
Dev stood silently, his eyes on the floor. Neelambari heard the foot steps and added in english, ''Dev, we are not alone in this house. There is lot of staff, they believe in rituals which might sound superstitions to Sona and you. Ask her to behave , its just matter of few days.'' He nodded, he felt guilty about breaking the trust of the woman who gave him love and trust more than his own.
                          
His feet halted, he turned and ran back to hug his grandmother, ''I love you.'' She smiled, "I know.''
                          
Dev kissed her wrinkled forehead before walking away. Rathores would reach by morning and he wanted all to be perfect. Though, he was the heir to Suryagarh but this was his home. The smell of wet soil and simplicity of people made him feel welcome.