Dhriti - Part 2

Vasantha and Rajarao have two kids – Vineela and Vishwa. Both the kids are very bright in studies and are regularly first in their classes. Rajarao’s father Venkatarao struggled to even get his son complete degree studies as he struggled financially. Venkatarao had two young sisters and two young brothers and their responsibilities when he was getting married. Venkatarao, as the oldest son in the family, helped his father in every way and did his duty to the family. Rajarao’s earliest memories have all been about his aunts’ weddings, aunts coming home during pregnancy, uncles’ weddings – and his father’s efforts in earning enough to ensure all needs are met at home. In spite of all the troubles, Rajarao never saw a frown on his father’s face. He only saw the happiness of being responsible and the content of ensuring his family’s happiness. And rest of the immediate and wider family reciprocated with their love towards Venkatarao. Coming to their home was a treat for all the grandsons and granddaughters. The first festival of the English year – Sankranthi is a big festival in the house with the entire family coming together to celebrate. Venkatarao instilled great values in his son Rajarao but could not give him expensive education. Rajarao hopped on to the IT bandwagon when it was fresh in Hyderabad through training in the latest technology then and got a good job in the industry. As soon as Rajarao had the job, he was married to Vasantha. Vasantha fit the family really well. Venkatarao retired and started enjoying his life with his own grandchildren.

 

 

“Mum! Do you know we have been ragged in the college today? We enjoyed it so much – you have been unnecessarily worried about ragging! They really tried to scare me but I was not scared at all. The seniors were such a joyous bunch!”

 

“Ha ha, we were never worried for you. It was the seniors we were thinking about. Did you show have some mercy on them or did you make them cry?” responded Dhriti’s mum Poorna.

 

For a split second, the boy’s image was in Dhriti’s mind and she smiled at the happy thought. “Well… I did want to extend it but showed my generous spirit” joked Dhriti.

 

“Really, you showed who is the boss, sis?” asked Dhriti’s brother and sister together as they entered the kitchen. Kaarthi and Aarthi are twins. Dhriti was excited with the new audience and proceeded regaling them with the whole tale. Soon, the kitchen was filled with laughter from all three. Poorna looked at all of them with love and affection.

 

Dinesh just got back home and was drawn to the laughter and started telling stories from his own time at the college.

 

“Ok, that’s enough everyone, let’s eat now. Kids, can you set the table? Dhriti, can you take the dishes to the table? Dinesh, can you get the water please?”, allocating the remaining tasks, Poorna settled at the table.

 

“You gave us all so many tasks and you are lounging at the table??”, teased Dhriti.

 

“Mum made all the food, surely you can help a little now?” explained Dinesh while setting the table and bringing the dishes quickly.

 

Dhriti appreciated all that her father does at home and reiterated it. “My dear father! I have seen male domination at almost all of my friends’ homes but not ours. Karthi, make sure when you grow up, you continue to respect women!”

 

“My son will respect women, but you need to start respecting men. All the complaints we get are about you!”

 

“Really? Who is complaining? Anyway, food tastes amazing, mum” Dhriti changed the topic quickly.

 

 “Girls should have the courage to stand up for themselves, Poorna. Don’t teach her to be afraid for no reason. When you are not in the wrong, keep your head high. If someone has wronged you, make them aware but don’t go overboard as not everything is in our favour all the time.” Said Dinesh with passion and protectiveness. He continued, “Dhriti, people you have come across so far are different to the people you will cross in your new college and life. Not all are good and of course not all are bad. Just observe, don’t rush into anything.” Poorna noticed that Aarthi and Kaarthi are already half asleep at the table.

 

“Ok, enough class for today. Continue your lecture tomorrow. “ Poorna has cut in waking up the kids and ensuring all finished their dinner properly.

 

“Ok, goodnight mum and dad”, saying this Dhriti went to her room.

 

She slept as soon as her head touched the pillow. Sometime after midnight, she woke up as if stung! ‘Those sharp looks from Vishwa! How did I allow so much talk, should nip it in the bud before it gets dangerous’. She had some water to calm down and then thought perhaps they were innocent looks and she is reading too much into it? She fell into sleep soon after with a smile

 

Dhriti is the eldest daughter of Dinesh and Poorna. After her, they had the twins 9 years later. Poorna and Dinesh’s lives revolve around the kids. Dinesh’s mum lives in a nearby village. Dinesh is her only son and she comes to visit for a month whenever she likes. Dinesh tried hard to convince her to come and live along but her response remained the same – may be later… When it has been too long since her last visit, Dinesh takes the family and goes to her home for holidays.

 

Poorna’s parents live in the same city and as does her brother Anvesh. Anvesh is in a good software job within the city.

 

 

As soon as he entered the campus, Vishwa looked around searching for Dhriti. She was no where to be found. Slightly disappointed, he started towards his class. Once he reached the class, he decided he couldn’t sit in the class anymore and came out quickly. After spending good part of the hour looking around, he finally reached the campus garden and settled under a tree. His friends were very surprised to see Vishwa bunking classes and sitting under a tree. Normally, Vishwa doesn’t miss any class – on top of that, he insists and ensures all his friends (and their friends or anyone who would listen, really!) value the education they are getting and attend all classes. This made Vishwa a favourite amongst teachers. Hence, this scene of Vishwa not being in a class created a sensation and slowly became a big group around the tree.

 

Soon, Vishwa wanted to get out of the big group and signalled to his friends to go to the canteen for a tea. They heard huge laughter before they even entered the canteen and that made Vishwa’s heart leap – he knew he would see her as soon as he enters the canteen and there she was sitting with her friends. All his tiredness flew away and he directed his friends to the same table as Dhriti’s.

 

“Hey Dhriti!” he tried to say casually and not as if he spent all morning looking for her. This surprised his friends again as it was quite out of character for Vishwa to go and start a conversation with a girl.

 

“Hello”, responded Dhriti still laughing about whatever was the previous conversation about.

 

“Ooh, what is the joke, tell us too!!”

 

Dhriti and her friends looked at each other- “hey, you can’t just come to a group of girls and ask us for our jokes”

 

“Oh well, fine then – don’t tell. Just tell what you would like – Coffee or tea?”

 

“Such good manners! No, thank you – we have had our coffee and now we are going. You can take whatever you like.”

 

“You are going already, please do stay for a bit longer…” requested Vishwa.

 

“Hey bro, stop shocking us with your unusual behaviour today!! We have weak hearts and girls, please – go now” Vishwa’s friend Praneet turned and bowed to the girls.

 

With another peal of laughter, girls went to their class.

 

“Vishwa, what is going on? We need to know, we must know and you have to tell us now! You have been acting strangely all day today – you have missed your very first class, said hello to a girl by yourselves and then requested her to stay longer?? What is going on???” repeated Praneet.

 

“What are you talking about? Nothing strange at all. Hey, did you finish the assignment for the class today?” Vishwa changed the topic and got the friends all moving to their next class.

 

‘Oh dear, I have been behaving strangely today – and due to my behaviour, a girl should not suffer any jokes or nuisance. I have to control how I behave and what I say, otherwise these monkeys will not let me off so easily next time”, decided Vishwa.

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To be continued...