When Hemamalini returned from Kshemankari's house she found a large thick envelope addressed to her on her table. By the hand-writing she found that it was from Ramesh. Her heart beat fast as she saw it , took it to her room and started reading the contents.
Ramesh had given the whole story of his connection with Kamala, keeping nothing back. In conclusion he had written : "Circumstances have severed the tie with which Heaven linked your life with mine. You have given your heart to another. For that I do not blame you at all, but neither must you blame me. Although Kamala and I never lived for a single day together as man and wife, still I ought to confess to you to you that as time went on I became more and more drawn to her. Precisely what the state of my feelings is now I do not myself know. If you had not cast me off my heart would have found its sure haven in your love. It was with that hope that in my distracted state I hastened to you. But when you so obviously avoided me because you no longer cared for me, and when I heard that you had consented to marry another, then all my doubts and distraction returned."
"I found that I could not forget Kamala altogether. But whether I forgot or not, no one in the world except myself will suffer for it. Why, indeed, should I suffer either ? I can never forget the only two women who have ever found a place in my heart, and to cherish their memory all my life will be an inestimable boon to me."
"The momentary glimpse that I had of you this morning so affected me that I returned to my quarters confirming myself as an unfortunate wretch ; but I shall never do that again. It is with composed and indeed a cheerful mind that I bid you farewell ; and I take my leave of you with a full heart. Thanks to you both and thanks to Providence I feel no misery at this hour of parting. I wish you all happiness and prosperity. Do not think harshly of me, for I have given you no cause to do so."
After reading the letter Hemamalini rushed to her father's room and said, "Dad, I've had a letter from Ramesh Babu. Please take it and read it, and let I have it back" ; and handing the letter she left the room.
Annada Babu read it through twice and returned it to Hemamalini. His final comment was :"Not a bad thing anyway ! Nalinaksha is a much better match than Ramesh. It's is just as well that Ramesh has left the field clear."
Next minute Nalinaksha was shown in. Annada Babu was little surprised to see him and wondered what business had brought him, inasmuch as they had parted only a few hours before, after a long conversation. He opined that Nalinaksha must be really in love with Hemamalini.
He was just planning to bring the young people together and then to retire on some pretext or other when Nalinaksha came straight to the point.
"Annada Babu, there is a proposal that I should marry your daughter. Before we go further I want to tell you something which you ought to know."
"Very well ; in that case you ought to tell it."
"You did not know that I am married already !"
"Yes, I knew, but--"
"I'm surprised to hear that you knew it already. Any how the point is that you suppose my first wife to dead ; but there is no certainty about that. In fact I believe myself that she is alive," expressed Nalinaksha.
"I pray Heaven that may be true. Hem ! Hem !" called out Annada Babu.
Hemamalini entered the room.
"There is something in that letter that Ramesh wrote to you. You hand it over to Nalinaksha." asked Annada Babu. Hemamalini brought it and handed it to Nalinaksha.
Nalinaksha read the letter through. Amazement deprived him of the power of speech and he could offer no comment.
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