After yesterday's unwarranted remarks of Akshay targeting Ramesh Annada Babu scolded Akshay when he went to see them the next morning. Hemamalini didn't speak to him and she walked out of the room. She sent a note to Ramesh through her servant saying:"Akshay Babu was horribly rude to you yesterday. Why did you not come round this morning ? I was expecting you. Why should you worry about what Akshay said ? You know I never pay any attention to his foolishness. You must come round early to-day. I am not going to attend any of my activities up-till then. Ramesh could understand the pain that Hemamalini's gentle sympathetic heart had suffered and tears came to his eyes. This craving of him had remained unabated with her throughout the night and the morning until, unable to restrain any longer, she had given it expression in her note.
Ramesh hastened to Annada Babu's as soon as he saw that note. Hemamalini had anticipated an early visit and was waiting expectantly in the sitting room; a faint smile played on her lips as Ramesh entered the room, but it vanished in an instant when he merely asked, " Where is your father ?"
" In his room. Why ?, do you want him for anything ? He will be coming down soon for tea."
"I must see him at once ; it's some thing very urgent," said Ramesh and went to Annada Babu's room. He was dozing in a chair with a newspaper over his face. At Ramesh's cough he woke up and looked at Ramesh.
Ramesh, however , went directly to the point. " I want you to put the wedding off for a few days," he said, " I have some very important business."
Annada Babu was aghast with this new development. " You take my breath away, Ramesh ! It's not like a case in the court, you know ; you can't apply for adjournments and get them just when it happens. What is this important business of yours ?" he remarked. Hearing that it was very important, urgent and Ramesh couldn't put it off, Annada Babu collapsed in to his chair like a tree felled by a hurricane.
"We can't put it off as I can't explain matters, whatever, to the people whom we've invited. If any one asks me I'll say, ' I know nothing about it. The bridegroom knows his own business and he'll be able to tell you when it'll suit him to be married', " suggested Annada Babu with disgust. He even insisted Ramesh to inform this to Hemamalini. On his request Annada Babu ventured to reveal it to her . Hearing this Hemamalini turned pale and her eyes sought Ramesh's face. A criminal caught red-handed could not have looked guiltier. Ramesh could imagine that this news would subject her to a rude shock and would be unbearable to her ; but an arrow once discharged never returns and he knew that this arrow had pierced Hemamalini to the heart
" Well, it's your own look-out," said Annada Babu, turning to Hemamalini. " you two must decide what is to be done."
" I know nothing about it, dad." Hemamalini raised her eyes with a glance that was like a wan shaft from the dying sun falling on a storm-cloud and left the room. Ramesh sat still for a minute or two, then rose suddenly and went out.
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