Chapter 25

By then, the tea had arrived.

"This is my wife, Kaveri," Raman introduced, gesturing towards the woman who served the tea as she received her own glass.

Upon hearing her name, a feeling of unease crept over me.

"Don't worry, she's genuinely from Pollachi," Raman reassured, as if he had gleaned my thoughts.

"But I know Malayalam," the woman confirmed this after Raman's statement. We exchanged small smiles.

"You should enjoy your tea," Raman insisted. Meanwhile, Devu was taking in the beauty of the house, clutching a bag that seemed too heavy for her delicate frame.

I sensed Raman noticing the distance between Devu and me as we sat.

"She was my only companion when I moved here from the town. And when she asked me if this companionship would last a lifetime, I didn't think twice. I married her. Her father handed over the transport company and this house to me," Raman explained, taking sips of his tea. Just then, their daughter entered.

"This is our daughter, Priya. She's in her first year of college..."

I offered a smile in her direction.

"So, dear, how do you like the house?" Raman asked Devu, who seemed a bit restless in her seat, eyes darting around.

Devu nodded in agreement to Raman's question.

"It's going to be a pleasant stay, isn't it? Let's get your room ready now, okay?" Kaveri suggested.

"Sister, you speak Malayalam quite fluently..." I complimented as I returned the empty tea glass to them. They responded with a modest smile of pride.

She accompanied Devu back inside. Devu hesitated at first but eventually followed the lady indoors. Raman and I engaged in conversation while they were inside. After a considerable amount of time, Devu and the lady emerged.

"You're still chatting away?" Kaveri asked Raman as soon as she descended.

"If he finds anyone, he'll talk their ear off..."

"Why don't you go..." Raman asked.

"Go take a shower and freshen up. We'll have a meal afterward," Raman instructed, then headed to his own room, followed by Kaveri.

"That's the room," Devu pointed out, sensing my uncertainty. When I entered, I could tell she'd already taken a bath and looked refreshed. Without further ado, I made my way to the bathroom, but just as I was about to step inside, Devu entered. She had already brought the bag I had been carrying inside the room, searching for something within it.

She delved into a nearby cupboard, producing the outfit I needed to change into. The pain of missing her father was evident on her face. I showered in silence, at a loss for words to offer comfort. I was beginning to feel a pang of sympathy for her. It weighed heavily on me to think about what she was enduring at such a tender age. It was as though an inner voice was urging me to find her father, regardless of the hurdles. Unbidden, a question echoed in my mind, asking who else she had in her life. Most importantly, my foremost aim was to dispel this sorrow from her. The challenge was figuring out how to achieve it.

Even the cold water cascading from the shower couldn't quell the intensity of my thoughts.

After I finished bathing, Kaveri called us to eat. I noticed Devu assisting Kaveri and Priya in the kitchen, murmuring something.

Kaveri and Devu shared Tamil jokes, while it was apparent that Priya wasn't as fluent in Malayalam. Devu caught my eye while laughing at a joke, and I suddenly detected a blush on her face. However, she didn't avert her gaze from mine. That's when Raman approached.

"Aren't you hungry?" he inquired, drawing closer and giving my shoulder a tap.

Though the spread wasn't extensive, the food was delicious. We all rose from the table together. Despite my weariness, I couldn't decline when Raman suggested going outside for a walk. We strolled aimlessly along the street, illuminated by the glow of the streetlights, flanked by houses on either side. For a while, none of us exchanged words.

"Do you know everything about Devu? Has she confided in you?" Raman began without preamble.

"She's shared quite a bit."

"And her family matters?"

"She has. Everything about the house... and her father..."

"What about her mother?" he inquired, and I understood what he was getting at.

"Yes. Her mother...," I began, but his age and the weight of the situation prevented me from using the word whore at that moment.

"Not her mother," he corrected me.

"When her mother passed away, Devu was only two or three years old. At that time, burdened with debt and lacking any means, I had to leave the town. Eventually, Ajayan married Janaki. It was the biggest mistake of his life. He thought Janaki's presence would bring stability for him and his daughter, but it was never enough for her. I still don't know how Ajayan endured all the humiliation while living in that house. Whenever questioned, he always insisted it was for his daughter. He shielded Devu from the prying eyes that visited their home."

As Raman spoke, he did so with the air of someone who was simply listening.

"Devu was always his priority. She was his world."

"And she still is," I affirmed, based on what I knew.

"And now?"

I gazed at him, puzzled by the intent behind his question.

"I will never say that what you've done is wrong. I understand that Devu's situation would never be secure without Ajayan. What you've done is commendable. Embracing her, knowing her circumstances, is truly admirable. My Ajayan will come to appreciate that. In the new person she has chosen to be part of her and her father's world, I believe no mistake has been made."

Raman spoke without being privy to the full story, yet I refrained from interjecting. Delving into the events of that day from the start might lead to disbelief, just as it had with others. Moreover, I didn't want Raman to develop a negative view of Devu. Why bother with such complications? The truth only needed to be affirmed before two people: her father and my mother.

"What's on your mind?" he inquired.

"Just... Janaki. How is she? What's her story..." I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"She was a child born out of wedlock to an unknown father. That was the only identity Janaki had back then. A stigma that wouldn't fade, no matter how hard one tried to wash it away. But Ajayan fought relentlessly to shield Devu from being tarnished by that stain," he explained.

"Though she yearned for a better life, Janaki never received any marriage proposals. Knowing everything, Ajayan brought her into his home, offering her the life she aspired to. However, at some point, she veered back onto her mother's path," Raman continued before falling silent.

"It's all just rumors," he concluded.

"It's all because of him. That..." Raman began, but the name he intended to say remained unspoken, as if he couldn't bear to utter it. However, he was unaware that the name he had in mind was already familiar to me.

"No, I don't mind sharing that. It's all part of their fate. They inhabit a harsh world where many hesitate to venture. Devu is one of them, a lotus in a tainted place. Sometimes circumstances may have led her there. And at times she..."

Raman didn't attempt to gloss over it.

"It's thanks to your compassion that she's still here, at least. Ajay would acknowledge that."

I felt a swell of pride at Raman's words, though I kept it to myself.

"Some of the choices we make in life may seem misguided," Raman mused. "But I believe Devu did the right thing. You should stand by her."

When he spoke those words to me, who had recently handed Devu back to her father, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

I held great respect for him for the care he extended towards Devu, even though she was just a friend's daughter whom he had never met.

"Are you currently studying?" he inquired.

I was lost in thought.

"Yes..." I finally replied.

"What are your plans after that? Don't just focus on work, is it enough to go about like this?"

"No, uncle, I need to look into something. I thought it best to complete my studies first."

"Mmm... if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask me..."

I expressed gratitude for his kindness.

To be continued...