16. Shermi and Avinash make plans

CHAPTER 16

Shermi and Avinash make plans

Chandru was packing some suitcases in the room. Madhavi and two or three workers were helping him.

Chandru said, “Madhavi, the cooks have already arrived at the temple. Even the tent has been put up. Let us take Shermi and go there with these suitcases.”

Madhavi said, “Do one thing. I will come with Shermi at 1 o’clock. We will bring the cash and ornaments with us.”

Shermi was doing makeup at the mirror. She heard what her mother said.

“Mommy, today, I have computer exam. I will finish it and come directly to the temple at 3pm.”

Madhavi looked at her seriously. “What did you say? Are you mad? Today is your engagement day. You need not went to the computer class.”

Shermi started crying. “Mommy, I have exam today.”

“You keep giving excuses.”

“Please mommy, my hard work of the whole year will go waste.”

“I said no. It is impossible.”

Shermi turned to her father. “Daddy, please explain to mommy. I will certainly come at 3pm to the temple. Please.”

Chandru looked at his daughter lovingly. “Let her go, Madhavi. Shermi, you make sure that you come to the temple exactly at 3pm.”

Madhavi felt helpless. She had to agree. “Ok then I will go with daddy.”

Shermi was very happy. She hugged her mother. Madhavi opened the suitcase.

“As soon as you return from the class, you wear this sari and the ornaments. By 3pm, you must be ready. I will send the car for you.”

Shermi thought for a while.  “Mommy, do one thing. You keep both the suitcases here. I will decide later which ornaments to wear. Is it ok?”

Madhavi said, “Ok. You bring them with you when you come. But be careful.”

She gave her a key. “This is house key. You keep it with you. If your father is free, he may also come to pick you. But be careful with the suitcases. Bring them with you.”

Shermi was happy. “Sure. Thank you, mommy.”

Shermi came and hugged her mother happily. Then she climbed up the stairs to her room.

Shermi went to the balcony and looked towards Avinash’s room. Then she took up her cell and punched Avinash’s number.

Seeing Shermi’s call, Avinash came out into the balcony.

Looking at Avinash, Shermi said, on phone, “Avi, I am doing as you told me. Already I am 50% successful.”

Avinash was very happy. “Very good. Tell me what all you have done.”

Shermi said on phone, “My parents are getting ready to go to the temple. All arrangements have been made at the temple. My husband-to-be will arrive at 3pm. The engagement is at 5pm.”

Avinash said, “I know all that. Tell me about our plan.”

Shermi said on phone, “I am telling you that only. Just wait. I am coming to the point. I have told them that I have computer exam. My mother refused to allow me to go. But I started to cry. My father’s heart melted and he made my mother allow me to go. I told them that I will come to the temple at 3pm.”

Avinash said seriously, “Very good. But what about the important item? Our future happiness?”

Shermi said seriously, “ I will be waiting for you at 4pm at Shankarpally railway station.”

Avinash became desperate. “It is not enough if you come. Vehicle needs petrol.”

Shermi was surprised. “What vehicle? What petrol?”

Avinash clutched his head in frustration. “You did not understand? I am talking about the cash and ornaments. Only if you bring that, you will get visa to come with me to America.”

Shermi laughed. “I have made arrangement for that also.”

Avinash was very happy. “Very good. You are my would- be now and soon you will be my wife. We will go to America and live happily.”

Shermi said, “Really? Will all that come true?”

“Sure. You are my dream girl. My heartthrob.”

Shermi was very happy.

Avinash said, “If you wait at Shankarpally, I will come at 5pm. We will catch the Gulbarga passenger and then go to Bombay.”