"All along we have been looking forward eagerly for the arrival of Raja
and Ramani? At last, they came, but stayed for half the period at their in-law's
house in Delhi; then came to us, but without staying even for four days left for
Ooty and Darjeeling, and returned home just before the departure date and flew!
I haven't even got the joy of taking up sweet Pinky in my arms even for
once contentedly. Nor did I have the pleasure of listening to her sweet talk. Look,
to stay in the town and the home in which he was born and brought up for
25 years, he behaved as though he is on a bed of thorns. 'Cause he had stayed
for five years in a foreign land, this land and parents had become sore to him.
All through those years he had lived drinking this very water, but today the
same has turned out to be poisonous. During all the days that he stayed here,
he bought water from the shop and drank. See how he has changed!"
laments Srilakshmi.
Venkatarao does not say anything. Remaining silent for a minute,
Srilakshmi continues, "As Ramani's mother and father visited them when the younger
one was born, we could not go. Except through videocassettes, we could not see
the kid contentedly. Knowing that he loves to eat putarekulu and kajalu, I bought
them, but he left them here saying luggage might exceed. All through his stay
of four days, he has been displaying irritability and vexation. And his saying at
the slightest opportunity, 'you both too come down there,' has pained me so
much!" sobbing, she disgorged all the sorrow in her mind. |
