Before the village has woken up
Under the grey twilight sky
The terrible man is walking up
I followed him by and by
it's an act of stealth but I must find
the secret that he has hidden behind
He reached the outskirts of the village
where there was a labyrinth maze
of paths each leading to a hill
He continued to walk in the chill
On the terrible man I fixed my gaze
Lest he should vanish in the haze
His foot steps are heard in the silence
with him I have the connivance
He has reached the horizon
Up above in the sky I see the sun
He stood at the foot of the hill
I heard a little bird's trill
He started climbing up the hill
in the biting morning chill
In the village he is a cult
the way up the hill is not difficult
because there is a walk way
I climbed after him with childish gay
The terrible man reached a rubble
but why did he take all the trouble?
It is an eternal mystery
related to the villages' history
***
The morning haze gradually melted down. The sun crawled up the sky like a tortoise and is directly over head. The midday sun is blazing relentlessly and the black tar roads are gleaming like mirrors. The people on the roads are simmered in the his hot rays are piercing through the clear sky. The shop windows glazing in the bright light dazzled the eyes of the onlookers. Bairreddy was riding the bike and Raghava sat behind. The bike stopped at the newly established church. Bairreddy parked his bike in front of the church under the tree where Sandeep was waiting. Raghava got down and look around. There is a large open space and compound wall around the church. It is very peaceful.
"Peace is the beauty of life" said Raghava.
Bairreddy "Well said this is what wise people understand, Sandeep could not understand.
"Your wisdom is certified by a wise man" said Sandeep. Raghava laughed sheepishly
Bairreddy. "Faithless people always jeer at others. Raghava don't mind Sandeep."
Sandeep. "It is a wrong inference. I am not laughing at Raghava. Bairreddy believes that Romance is the beauty of life but he says Peace is the beauty of life.
"Did I say that? " Bairreddy raised his voice
Sandeep: It is your belief is reflected in your actions. Actions speak louder than words.
Bairreddy: Your are a faithless man. Your actions speak your faithlessness. You don't go to your own father's church. You don't trust your own father. You don't tell who your father is.
Sandeep: I can tell you about my father Penchalayya and his ancestors. Can you tell me about your ancestors? We are are Hindu Yadavas - Sri krishna clan. I don't talk about my father because he is doing an unfair business. He is trying to convert the whole town while he could not convert his own family. I have no faith in Jesus. I can't trust my father. I openly say that. I am not a liar.
Bairreddy : You mean I am a liar?
Suddenly a musical voice is heard
"Thou art a lamb's face
Thou hast Cupid's grace
Thou hast Christ's trinity
Thy fame lasts for eternity"
Who is he showering high praise on mean man thought Sandeep as he turned to the singer of the verse " Who are you ?" said Bairreddy blissfully. " I am Mareedu. I am a man in faith." He hugged Bairreddy. Bairreddy was on cloud nine. He forget himself for a moment. "The next moment Bairreddy came into consciousness Mareedu vanshed and his purse too.
Raghava said to Sandeep " If you are against church and Bairredy why are you here?!"
"I will tell you later" said Sandeep and moved.
***
Damini's Ladies ' Hostel
Damini: Hello Aruna!
Aruna: Hello Damini
Damini : I want to tell you something very important but I don't know how to break it.
Aruna: Ok. Think of how to break meantime let me tell you a good news. I participated in the zero hour. Do you know that duration of the zero hour is 30 minutes. I raised a very important issue in the Parliament.
Damini: I have a very important issue. My husband is not it town. I am very much tensed.
Aruna : Stupid you? You have tension for every trivial thing! Are you newly married who could not stand the estrangement ( gap) Have double romance when he comes back, First let me complete. Zero hour is the first hour in Rajya Sabha and Question hour is the first hour in Loksabha. Zero hour is Indian innovation in parliamentary procedure.
Damini : Don't stop finish your friend!
Aruna: Damini?
Damini : Your daughter is arrested by the police for bike racing.
Aruna: Oh! My God! My worst fears came true! She is doing in the same things in Vizag with bikes what she did in Hyderabad with cars. She is very impulsive. her hand is quick. When she slapped Kesava I exhorted her to change her ways.
Damini: She has changed her ways. She stopped slapping. Now she only kicked a boy between his legs. I was surprised when Manju was telling.
Aruna : From the schooling she is like that. She won't change!
Damini : Don't get emotional. Now think of how to get her out.
Aruna : Let her pay the price. She must learn life.
***
Three town police station - Waltair Uplands :
If you are convinced that you are being arrested for a crime, you did not commit, do not waste your time discussing this with police. You will get one phone call before you are processed and placed in jail. Use it wisely. Reach out to some adult who can assist you with obtaining a lawyer and bail. Sneha took the phone book and called 24-hour legal assistance service, who can hopefully assign a lawyer to your case and seek bail. said a kind officer to Lakuma
Lakuma received a charge sheet with details of the charges against her. Lakuma was noting the arresting officer's name and badge number and names of the other officers who were present at the station. Just then Bharatavarsha entered the police station with Lawyer Panchali and the Auto journalist. It did not take even ten minutes to prove that Lakuma was not racing. Lakuma and Sneha were released. Sneha went to her hostel but Varsha took Lakuma to Anandanilayam.
***
That night Lakuma had bad music from her mother on the phone. She said to Varsha "Why did you bring that gamine from the station? Let that rebellious girl lie in the station?" "Amma You have mistaken Lakuma just as the police did. She did not race. She is not into racing. She is into motor sporting. May be it is dangerous to her but not illegal. She just came to the beach in biker's gear at a wrong moment when racing was going on. It was a mere coincident!" Kesava, Damini , Malini and Manjusha and Lakuma were over hearing the conversation as the night was calm.
Aruna was inconsolable that fact that her daughter has gone to the police station is weighing heavily on her mind. She poured down her anguish and pented up frustration about her inability to change Lakuma's ways. The call was long. Manjusha and Malini tried to console Aruna. But Aruna's tension was worsened. Malini took the receiver. Aruna said to Malini with a wailing tone "She (Lakuma) has been rough under wrong influence. Today she has gone to the police station! I don't know where she will go tomorrow"
Lakuma took the receiver and said " gallows" Aruna was silent perhaps she was shocked. "If there is any wrong influence it is you" said Lakuma. Damini began scolding Lakuma. " She said "Ay girl ! Don't be stallion like Sneha. Look at my daughter Manjusha and learn." Manjush went and clung to Damini and coiled around her like a creeper. "Look how sweet and lovely she is!" said Damini and kissed Manjusha. Malini took Lakuma near and said "She my daughter. She is lovely and more charming. She is not a stallion your daughter is a stallion" she said showing mock anger on Manjusha and Damini.
Damini twisted her mouth and said " If you stop the melodrama and leave her. I must take her to my house. She will be in my house until her mother comes." Damini turned to Lakuma and said " She will come a take you to Mumbai for a few days"
She will stay in Anandanilayam until her mother comes said Malini and kissed Lakuma on her cheek. Damini appreciated Malini her childhood friend for asking Lakuma to stay with her. Bharatavarsha and Kesava saw her off at the gate.
***
The sky was still hazy. Lakuma was lazy in the bed. She opened her sleepy eyes as the gust of cool wind touched her. She slept on the high traditional cot in a separate room. Through the window she saw Kesava leaving home with his Mrudangam. He has gown busy with his concerts. Manjusha was laying a beautiful multi coloured Rangoli in the front yard. Manjusha and Lakuma looked at each other. Manjusha smiled. " Anything special today?" shouted Lakuma. " every day is special for me," said Manjusha.
"You too can make everyday special for you - with Rangolis" said Malini who entered her room with a cup of coffee." Oh! everyday laying a Rangoli ? Oh! no, not possible for me" said Lakuma with fear filled face. " You can fly the bike like a rocket without fear but you can not lay a Rangoli." said Malini who was amused to see A dare devil girl frightened at the prospect of laying Rangoli. " Malini laughed pleasantly.
Lakuma finished coffee. Malini took her into back yard gave her handful of soap nuts and asked her to crack them. Lakuma felt it was difficult. Malini tried to help but Lakuma refused and cracked them on her own. She took a head bath with hot water. Malini gave her Maju's clothes - a red full skirt and red blouse and pink half saree. Malini dried her hair with white towel and wrapped it around her hair like a head gear. Lakuma came out into the front yard.
The sun was weaving the sky with his golden yarn. Lakuma was feeling blue as she remembered the previous night's conversation. Manju just finished big Rangoli. The flowers in the garden are spreading sweet fragrance. A little rose bud started singing. The Rangoon Creeper is swaying in waves of air. Lakuma moved close to the creeper. "Bright red, pink and white Charming ! Charming!!" She said. "With red skirt, pink half saree and white head gear you look like Radhamanohar flower." Said Varsha his lips sang his heart's feelings
"Kudos to the roaring bravados, let happy hearts sing crescendos
let goodness on goodness breed, Let feminine qualities your heart feed
Let these damsels be the lamps of this house and flowers of the garden"
***
The Sun left his signature in the sky and drowned into the western horizon. Agastya is driving Innova crysta Sandeep and Raghava sat behind. The car crossed Madhuravada and was gliding smoothly on NH16. "Look at the sunset on the road. It is spectacular." said Raghava. " At dusk the sky speaks a thousand colours. This is the time lovers' heart sing songs" said Agastya. "Agastya! who had nothing but legs to carry him has a costly car now. His heart must be singing a love song" said Sandeep. " Off course, I fell in love with the girl when I saw her doing the stunt biking." " Have you told her?" asked Sandeep. "It is not as easy as you think. I lose my face among friends if anything goes wrong" said Agastya.
Raghava : Sandeep you have not told your friend( me) about you. you advice Agastya to tell his love to Lakuma? Sandeep was dilly dallying Raghava and Agastya started laughing.
Rghava : At least tell me what is between you and Bairreddy? when you don't like his ways what makes you meet and wait for him. Sandeep sat silently. The car crossed zoo park.
Raghava: You don't hesitate to speak truth about your father, then why do you hesitate to speak truth about you ? " Penchalayya is an open secret. Everyone knows what my father is. He is converted to Christianity and starts behaving like the purest soul while trying to convert others he is exhibiting his foolishness.
Agastya : How did he lure you into Church?
Raghava remained silent
Sandeep : I will tell you their usual tricks. Tell me into which category you fall.
First, they gather a huge crowd. They give a show of curing AIDS, Cancer, Kidney failure or any other life-threatening disease. People get mesmerized and get converted.
Missionary teams having good budget for conversions hire people who know hypnotism. They hypnotise people and motivate them to convert. “Jesus has chosen you, will you choose him?” They woo people into accepting the faith
They target destitute people “You need food to eat? Join our faith.” I have seen people converting for food at Bairreddy's church.
They provoke Dalits against the other sections of the society “they don't touch you, they don't eat your food, they don't allow you to enter their temples, embrace our religion and find the freedom. directly you will go to heaven.
While hating Hinduism and Hindus they copy Hnduism. They call jesus ‘Yesu Krishna.” They build churches that look similar to temples. Also, they copy the tunes of our songs, sculptures of Hindu culture. Finally they target depressed or terminally ill people.
Raghava: I belong to the last category.
Agastya : Terminally ill?
Raghava : ha hha hha .. depressed
Sandeep: Depressed for what?
Raghava : I have a flickering hope of getting Visa to America. You know my first visit to America is a fiasco. I would like to try again.
Agastya: What is wrong with India?
Raghava : The elders of our country ( fore most leaders) devised a strategy called constitution to make democracy into an everlasting family rule. They made religion based, caste based and gender based laws and ignited the religious war. People continue to hate each other. Insulting other religions and Changing people of other religion is the objective of all religions. The common people are too selfish, foolish and roguish. They live like animals without road sense or common sense. Living with bruits is the most miserable thing sane and sensible men can not afford to do. Today's youth became brainless mob of cinema lovers due to their criminal and immoral parents. Look at the elders of our own families. We three are similar, do you know why? None of us can feel proud of our fathers? Rather we are ashamed of our fathers. If there is anyone proud of his father and fore fathers it is Bharatavarsha. In fact the whole nation is proud of them.
Agastya and Sandeep looked at each other. They thought about their fathers. I know about your fathers but you don't know about my father. Said Raghava. Sandeep and Agastya were curiously looking at Raghava. Have you noticed that I never talk about my father. Do you know his name? asked Raghava. There was silence for two minutes. The car slowed down.
Raghava : My father is Naidu. He lures good looking girls old enough to be his daughters into films baiting them heroine chance. He is a sex hungry wolf, flesh predator and a lecher like most other men in film industry. Once his eyes were on Lakuma.
Agastya felt a bomb blast under his feet. The car came to a squealing halt.
Even Bairreddy's family has unbelievable story. I don't know completely. His ancestors are Legendary Hoodlums. The older generation of Sabbavaram would know it.
***
Eton Bestie School : Vidisha sat on the chair at the garden table in the garden of the School and waiting for Michelle. The school is a ten room rectangular building on the right side. The garden is equally big and rectangular on the left side. The garden and the school are opposite to each other. There is a walk way between the garden and the school. Behind the garden and the school is a small concrete structure - that is Michelle's house.
Vidisha has set the tripod stand and fixed the canvass on it. Vidisha is wearing dark green salwar- kameez. She was looking like a garden nymph in the green dress. An octogenarian, came with a cup of tea and placed it on the table. He is Michelle's grand father Beckett. Vidisha folded her hands and said " Namaste," Later she said, "Why did you take strain Mr. Bucket?" The old man smiled and said " "Look at the old woman" He showed the woman plucking weeds "That is strain. She is taking strain. I have pleasure in bringing a cup of tea to the guest, but I have strain in listening to the guests mispronouncing my name. I am not Bucket, I am Beckett." He said looked angrily and went away. She saw Michelle coming into the garden from the purple crotons. She is wearing dark blue skirt and yellow full sleeve blouse. Michelle came near sat at the table and greeted Vidisha. Vidisha also greeted her.
How beautiful you are! You are like Sachi , the queen of Indra.
Michelle: Thanks but I never heard this comparison. Hindus always compare any beautiful girl with Mahalakshmi.
Vidisha: Any normal beauty is compared with Mahalakshmi but you are tantalisingly beautiful. According to legend, due to her sensuality, Indrani was desired by many Asuras, many of whom tried to marry her.
Michelle : It is a fitting comparison because I have an Asura loitering around me.
Vidisha : Then you are lucky.
Michelle: What ! Am I lucky because he is the man in power?
Vidisha: No, because you have only one Asura! I have four Asuras!
They both laughed for a while. "Vidisha, take tea." reminded Michelle.
Vidisha started sipping the tea. She was looking around the garden.
It is a well planned well spaced and well cultivated garden with healthy grass crotons and flowering plants. The sun shines bright on the plants and beautiful butterflies hover above the flowers. Many people think that flowers spread fragrance but they spread colours too. Vidisha felt recharged in the garden.
Vidisha: This is the biggest and the best garden in the village.
Michelle: Doesn't it look like a school?
Vidisha: No, for me it is not a school because I am not.
Michelle: Yes you are an artist.
Vidisha: Shall we start the sketch?
Michelle: Why you don't want to spend some time with me?
Vidisha: Today Varsha is coming
Michelle : Your boyfriend?
Vidisha: No, he is my childhood friend.
Michelle: So , he is your bestie
Vidisha: What do you mean by bestie? By the by what is Eton Bestie?
Michelle: Eton Bestie in our school's name. Eton is a town near London on Thames. Eton has educated prime ministers, world leaders, Nobel laureates, award-winning actors, and generations of the aristocracy. Bestie is a person whom we like and spend time with.
"Varsha is my bestie but he is coming to help me in a case. Vidisha told briefly about Bairreddy's advances. Varsha is my Bestie. I will call him so. I admire the way you speak you are a magic box of knowledge said Vidisha with a bouncing voice. The glint of her alacrity is clear in her eyes.
Your heart gleams in your eyes when you hear his name. Are you in love?
No, no.. Vidisha dismissed. "but your voice is very weak." said Michelle
"When you say things you don't like the voice is always so!" said the old woman who spent time in plucking weeds. "She is my grandmother Emma. She must be somewhere around seventy but has sound health perhaps due to the garden work" said Michelle.
"Sound mind in sound body..." she said and started teasing Vidisha.
Vidisha took the book " Works of William Blake" lying on the table and covered her face. The Garden , a poem by Blake attracted her. It is a short poem. She just skimmed the poem.
I went to the Garden of Love,
And saw what I never had seen:
A Chapel was built in the midst,
Where I used to play on the green.
And the gates of this Chapel were shut,
And Thou shalt not. writ over the door;
So I turned to the Garden of Love,
That so many sweet flowers bore.
And I saw it was filled with graves,
And tomb-stones where flowers should be:
And Priests in black gowns were walking their rounds,
And binding with briars, my joys & desires
When Vidisha put the book on the table the grandmother and grand daughter had finished the conversation. It seems Michelle had told her grandmother about why Varsha was coming. She said " You don't know about Bairreddy's ancestors. They are the legendary hoodlums of this state. Police are helpless. To challenge them is to ..."
Before Emma finished Michelle intervened and said " Don't scare her before she begins" The grand mother walked into the house. Vidisha asked Michelle to sit at the table. Michelle's face looked like pearl in the sunlight. Vidisha drew her rotund face, her thick hair, full breast, her curvaceous body and the round table. The book title was visible clearly. "Garden of Love"
Michelle: I have never seen such a skilled painter. Judging the dimensions, maintaining light and shadow. You are a great artist and a living legend but you have made a mistake!
Vidisha: What is it?
You have changed the name of the book Garden of Love but it is Works of William Blake
Vidisha: I like the poem Garden of Love.
Michelle: Oh! did you understand the poem? Do you agree with the poet?
Vidisha: Yes, He wrote about grave yard, I think it is the Garden of love.
Michelle was agape (open mouthed) for a while and broke into a smile. Then she started saying Garden of love is not about grave yard. It is about desire and sex.
Is it? but the " I saw it was filled with graves,.. tomb-stones .. black gowns were walking .
Michelle laughed again. If you read from the beginning , he says he has "never" seen it means he is aware of the Church's attitude towards sexuality. The Garden of Love is a symbol of this belief – that desire and sex should be natural aspects of human life. Organised religion is enemy to love and sex. It imposes control and restrictions and curbs natural desires and wishes killing our happiness. Vidisha stood agape.
***
It was 12.00 noon. Vidisha was walking along the road after finishing Michelle's sketch. She left the canvas and brushes at Michelle's place because she needs two more sittings two finish the painting. She is wearing a silky shiny dark green Panjabi dress with a white mantle on the top. Her enormous thighs are promptly visible from the slits of her Kameez - the upper garment, hanging a little above the knees. The salwar (a pair of pleated trousers) is rather tight as her thighs have grown thicker and stronger . This so-called sex-specific fat appears to be physiologically advantageous from aesthetic point of view. when she is worried about the development around the pelvis, thighs and buttocks, doctors said the fat is hormones driven. Her friends said that those are the assets of women.
Suddenly she felt her mantle was squeezed. She thought it was wind and caught her white mantle but it was of no help. The force was great that her mantle is off from her breast. she turned back and discovered her mantle Bairreddy on motor cycle. Bairreddy and his friend were on motor cycles with on pillion each. The four Asuras are back again, she thought.
She is just like Hollywood actress Ann Margret who acted in Train Robber. How do you relate her to Ann asked Bairreddy's friend. That is a foolish question said Bairreddy " Haven't you seen Made in Paris and Liva Las Vegas? He asked his friend again.
Vidisha wanted to move ahead but she was obstructed by the motor cycles.
If you can see those films you could have seen her thighs and breast. Particularly the film the Prophet you can see all her beautiful curves. said Bairreddy.
How can I see yesteryears films now? asked his friend.
Don't worry, You can see Vidisha's, they are same delicious curves. A group of people walking along the road were coming near. Vidisha slapped Bairreddy and snatched her mantle." Today you will be behind the bars" she said. Bairreddy threw a smile and moved.
***
Sabbavaram Police station
Sub Inspector Sadasivam took complaint from Lawyer Panchali sitting in front of him and looked at Bharatavarsha" Why sir, You have already given me the complaint, Why are you taking strain? Varsha did not speak. Sadasivam looked at Panchali and said" I have the complaint madam. Law will take its own course. It will not spare any criminal.
Panchali: Police is empowered investigate but you can't take as much time as you want.
Why did you not arrest him? why did you not bring him to the station?
Sub Inspector: How can I arrest him without proof?
Panchali: Police can arrest an accused involved in cognizable crime without the warrant from the Court.
Sub Inspector: I need one more week to determine that genuinity of the complaint.
Panchali : As per law “The Police Officer cannot sit upon any elaborate inquiry to ascertain genuineness or reasonableness of the information and cannot refuse registration of criminal case. It does not lie under the domain of Police Officer to substitute preliminary or detailed inquiry with the investigation of the case, as the investigation can only be done after registration of an FIR.
Sub Inspector Sada sivam was searching for words.
Panchali: Officer ! You are still young (immature) Don't teach me law. You did not see the complaint this complaint you about you - neglect of duty.
Sub Inspector: We tried to arrest Biareddy but he is not in town. He blurted out something. Panchali threw a strange look. The Inspector felt uncomfortable with his own statement " You see After all he is a student. He wants to pursue education abroad. His visa process....
Before the Inspector finished Nagireddy's men stepped in "No problem Inspector! make an FIR. We can get it with drawn by the complainant."
Panchali: Once registered, an FIR cannot be withdrawn even by the complainant, FIR can only by quashed by the High Court.
Finally FIR was lodged with in an hour Bairreddy was arrested.
***
The next moment the news reached Vidisha. She could not believe it had actually happened. She switched off the TV and ran to the back yard where her father and mother were lamenting to the baby cow. They were sitting at the cow shed feeding the baby cow. The cow was in the front yard. It has been very difficult to get that notorious man's brother get arrested. More difficult it has been to sustain the insult. When Vidisha broke the news they were overwhelmed with emotion " What am I listening? Our waiting ears are bleeding. The anxiety and stress are gone." said Ahalya. " I felt I was walking nude. The village doesn't know the truth. It is not bothered about it." said Vidisha. Tears were trickling down her cheeks. Seshachalam wiped daughter's tears. Ahalya hugged Vidisha and let calf go. The calf ran to the mother. They heard Laxmi mooing. Moo.. Moo... Vidisha ran to Laxmi ( cow). She sat on haunches and kissed Laxmi on face and Muzzle. Ahalya was laughing. Sesachalam was crying. Vidisha was playing with Laxmi. She pressed her face against her face and started stroking her dewlap. Laxmi too has emotions including excitement, love and sadness.
***
The carnatic music concert in the newly built Shiva temple complex near welcome towers at Sabbavaram has drawn the music lovers from all walks of life. There is sufficient reason for that. The renowned singer duo from Hyderabad, known as Hyderabad brothers Raghavachari and Seshachari are singing in the concert. That attracted music buffs from Visakhapatnam. Hamsini of Bengaluru is accompanying them with violin and Kesava from Visakha is supporting them on mridangam.
The concert also serves the purpose of publicizing the 200 flats of Welcome Towers. The concert was organized by Welcome Group of Companies. Very few people know that MLA Simhachalam is the MD of Welcome Welcome Group.
Hyderabad brothers have such reputation that Raghava , Basava and Agastya did not want to miss the program. They went to Sabbavaram from Visakha. Vidisha and her mother also came to shiva temple complex. The complex is in an extravagant gated community of 20 acres surrounded by hills. The newl built flats became the talk of the town. The program is yet to begin. Some are watching the temple and someare watching the towers but Agastya was watching the hills.
He said " Look there is another temple on the hill. Perhaps it is also a shiva temple" "That is not a temple . That is a house." said Vidisha. Basava laughed " A house on the hills? who is that wise man built a house on the hill?" Raghava also laughed.
Vidisha asked her mother pointing to the building on the hill " Amma , Did you not tell me that it was a house ? whose house was that?" " I don't know exactly but people say that long back some tribals used to live there." But why should they live on the hill?" asked Basava. " Because they are tribals said vidisha looking at her mother. " when we came to this village twenty years ago they were there". A black scorpio drove in. There was a hustle and bustle. The Hyderabad brothers came by car. Kesava and Hamsini came with them.
Bairreddy was dropped at the temple complex by Sub Inspector Sadanandam. Vidisha was shocked and depressed. Bairreddy went on to meet Simhachalam.
The concert started by 10.00 am. The mesmerizing voice of the brothers has taken the audience into a divine musical world of melody. The concert lasted for two hours. The artistes were felicitated by M.L.A Bairreddy was present beside him on the stage. Bairreddy He smiled and greeted Vidisha from the dais. He took the shawl to cover Kesava. Kesava got off the stage and walked away. Many people hated his behaviour except Vidisha who loved it.
Muradangam is accompaniment, You are not independent musician. You have to follow somebody. What is your career? what future you have? What makes you head strong? Bairreddy stopped Kesava as he was going away and demanded an answer.
Nobody taught me to be ambitious. I have no aspirations. Leave alone career. The Hyederabad brothers started learning music from their father right from the age of six. Once a varnam or a kirtana is taught they had to repeat it for a week at least 100 times daily. Their father would sit before them and watch them do the exercise. Such rigorous training they had. It is complete dedication. I walk with the noble. You walk with the ignoble. I don't know my future but I know your future. Jail is your future.
He is a worthless man. My brain gets drained off. I get pissed off when I speak with him. From the beginning he is like that. He said to his friend who came there. Kesava smiled and walked away.
***
Vidisha set the tripod stand and canvas and looked at Michelle. She is wearing the same green Panjabi dress but with a different biscuit colour mantle. She saw Michelle wearing the same blue skirt and yellow full sleeve blouse. " Same dress! " said Vidisha. But you changed the mantle. Yesterday you were wearing white mantle, today you are wearing biscuit colour mantle. " The new mantle is more attractive than the white. You are gorgeous!" said Michelle. " Vidisha smiled and said" shall we start?" Michelle said "off course!" and shrugged her shoulders. She sat at the garden table but the point of view and angle are not matching with those of yesterday. Vidisha went near and adjusted her arms, shoulders and face and went to the canvas. She stared once more and is satisfied "But... she said and stopped .." She was hesitating to ask something.
"Don't hesitate ask me anything" said Michelle.
They are looking bigger than yesterday
Michelle smiled and said " I am wearing a push bra"
"So shall I enlarge the size?"
As you like? But which size is better yesterday's or today's ?
Big is beautiful said Vidisha and started giving quick strokes on the canvass. The work continued for one hour without respite. Vidisha dropped the brush on the wooden palette. Michelle got off from the table and walked to the canvass and was watching carefully"
Vidisha: I know what you are watching, big is beautiful!
Michelle : You made them more beautiful. You even made yours more attractive
Vidisha: What?
Michelle: why did you change the mantle? The biscuit colour mantle is more attractive than the white. So it implies
Vidisha: I burned the white mantle...
Michelle: What!
Vidisha told the story what happened the day before and also told that how Bairreddy was arrested and released. Vidisha's face turned pale "It took three weeks for me to get him arrested he came out in three minutes" She said with a quivering voice. Michelle was could not speak instantly as Vidisha's words left her in dismay. After a minute she said" The law is full of loopholes and our lawyers are good at exploiting it. Finally any criminal can get bail." Vidisha suddenly remembered something. " Can our lawyer not stop that?" Michelle laughed. " We can't trust lawyers. They get colluded."
Can lawyers get colluded?!
Why not ? It is quite common. My cousin's lawyer got colluded with the opposing lawyer. She has not got the share in the property, or maintenance after divorce. Even in our school case our lawyer sided with the opposing lawyer.
Just then penchalayya came in. " I want to talk to your grandfather!" He said. " Please sit down you came at the right time "said Michelle. Penchalayya sat on the other chair.
What is the school case?
The school was established two decades ago. Nobody said that the school land belongs to him. And this gentleman is helping us by through his MLA friend. Penchalayya grinned at Michelle and Vidisha. Vidisha felt ugly and turned her face. He was telling her how noble was the MLA when Mr. Beckett came and took him into the office of the school.
After they had gone Vidisha said to Michelle" Why did you allow this renegade here? You are falling in the trap. "I don't know, it is my grandfather's decision." replied Michelle.
They saw Mr. Beckett walking with Penchalayya towards the gate. Mr. Beckett saw Penchalayya off at the gate and walking back into the house. He stopped to see the portrait and said " The portrait is lively, but haven't you finished yet?
Monalisa and Madame X are world famous portraits. Leonardo da Vinci took 4 years to draw Monalisa and while John Sargent took 2 years to draw Madame X.
So another two years you are going to spend in this garden? said Mr. Beckett. Vidisha smiled and said "I don't need years. I need three more sittings. That's all"
How many sittings are required for a portrait?
Normally six sittings of one hour each.
I am glad if you finish your portrait while the school and garden is still in our hands.
Vidisha and Michelle both felt sudden whipping . Come on , Let us have lunch. It is lunch time." Vidisha resisted but when Emma came and said " I have not prepared anything special to you. Everything is ready! Mr. Beckett will be upset if you refuse him. Vidisha walked into the house from the garden.
Grandpa I am too young to advice you but Penchalayya is a shady man. Ha.. hha.. hhaa... Mr. Beckett laughed. " At 25 you are still a spring chicken. You are slow to judge and quick to forgive a naïve (innocent)girl.
"You never visited my house. we met outside and you came into school office a couple of times." said Emma. Michelle said " sit down on the sofa! How is the house?" The wall were sparsely decorated with pictures. One picture is Young Emma and Beckett with a baby in her arms and a kid standing beside her. " That is Michelle and her sister Rachelle. She is married and we are looking for alliances for Michelle." said Emma. There is picture of holy heart on the wall and picture of couple just beside it. " Michelle's parents my son and daughter in law both died in a road accident" said Mr. Beckett. Vidisha had heard that before. She did not want the heart breaking talk again.
" The walls are newly painted right? A drawing room and two bedrooms. right? The house is as fresh as prim-rose! She turned to the left and found a inset cupboard - a three door cabinet with sliding doors. Above the wall there is a wooden gun, set in the gun hanger. "
It is the famous .303 Engield Rifle introduced in 1904. General Dyer used it in Jalinwala bagh in April 1919" said Michelle. Emma was setting the dishes on the table. Michelle opened the cupboard doors that revealed rifle rack with half a dozen guns. standing. I saw this kind of a rack in the police station. said Vidisha. She was apparently appalled. Michelle said" My grandfather likes guns and spent all his life with guns and bombs. He likes them so much that he chose Michelle for my name. Mr. Beckett is a surrendered Naxalite!" Emma said " only Naxal, he is a Naxal leader!" said Emma. Vidisha believed her words and was horrified. Emma laughed at Vidisha. Mr. Beckett scolded Emma and Michelle. " That is why I said you are innocent. This girl must get married soon! only marriage can fix this naughty girl" said Mr. Beckett wringing Michelle's ear.
Vidisha understood that it was their play and was relieved of the tension. Her heart became light. The three sat at the dining table. " what about granny , She is also naughty" Vidisha said enthusiastically. " Yes my dear, but she is not a girl. She is already married." They all laughed.
Vidisha: What is your job grandpa! I 'm a weapon designer engineer. My job is called weaponeering. I worked in the army. I worked as weapons maintenance engineer in Ordinance factory. Maintenance of the weapon system to ensure their proper functioning at all times. Removing the faulty or non-working devices is my job. They all finished the lunch. Vidisha was about to go she said to Michelle " Be careful with Penchalayya"
When you have to choose between two evils you have the lesser evil Penchalayya is a lesser evil than Nagireddy. Penchalyya is motivated by immorality. His greatest weakness is his inability to love his mother. He is a snake that eats her own eggs but Nagireddy is a hereditary hoodlum. He fir offered help to settle the case out side the court. I refused him because he has deadly criminal history. He is worse than Penchalayya. worst of all is he is proud of his history.
The family has been following a life of crime for nearly a century. They are hereditary criminals who consider their occupation to be an honourable calling. Nagireddy's forefathers were pretty hard law breakers. Nagireddy' s great grand father Aggi reddy had 15 convictions. He was a a terror. when he walked out the whole village shuddered with fear. The police admits that most of his crimes go unreported as he is feared throughout the surrounding countryside. Once he robbed some gold and fled. The villagers gave chase, overpowered him and recovered the gold. Two days later, Aggireddy sought revenge. He raided the village with a gang of his friends and had forcibly taken away the gold and a girl. The villagers again put up a fight but could not overpower the gang because they were excellent marksmen who use bows and arrows. If they are cornered they are ready to take lives.
He did not belong to this village He frequented to this village. Nobody knows why. None had the guts to follow him or spy on him. He continued to rob the surrounding villages for several years. He used to sell the stolen goods in Madras chor bazar. When he became old naturally his activity is reduced. Once he was entered the village from madras and was climbing up the hill. It was evening. A group of police followed him. When he was half way up the hill, the police thought it was a good moment and opened fire. Aggireddy was good and ducking. He hid himself behind a boulder. His followers from the hill top gave police a volley of arrows. The police were shy of entering the village later.
His son Anjireddy continued the dacoity and raiding the villages as a tradition. He started robbing the passengers in the trains. Superintendent of Police persuaded him to give up crime and surrender. A surrender ceremony was arranged. Anjireddy never touched weapons but Surprisingly 30 rifles have been part of the ceremony. He was depicted as what he was not. When police and politicians started talking about reforming outlaws, we think that they were sympathetic. But very often it was only for publicity. When Anjireddy realised that it is a political drama he escaped miraculously. Nagireddy was very proud of it it is taken as valour by his kin. He lived a secret life but he remained a terror because he used to challenge police and strike where he wants. His last days were spent on the hill. It is believed that he was buried on the hill beside his father.
His son was Baiarreddy was a big rowdy sheeter. He had a dozen cases a rape and two murders , but he was not afraid of courts or police. He was the one who was arrested twice. He managed to escape twice. Finally he was sentenced to death by the judge. The judge said hang him until he is dead, dead dead." Bairreddy said " go to hell, hell hell" three times. Such a fearless godless man. In the entire lineage there is one man who had committed least crimes is Bukka reddy whose children are Nagireddy and Bairreddy. During Bukkareddy's time politicians evolved as bigger criminals than decoits and outlaws and provided shelter to them. Thus five generations of Bairreddy's family is hereditary out laws who look at criminal life as heroic life.
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