I was the cashier in the Canara bank, in a village . Normally, there was no rush, still a cashier is busy because she has to tally the cash. One day I lost one thousand because, I gave one hundred ten rupee notes, instead of ten notes. The fellow had only asked for change. He hurriedly went out to catch his bus. In that village, there were only two or three trips in a day. I am sure, it was he who went with my cash and I cursed him. I cannot even recognize him . I was concentrated in counting the cash.
After one week he came. Yes it was he; I remembered his moustache. He came direct to me and said:”Madam, I am sorry. I was in a hurry and caused you loss. Forgive me. “
He gave me nine hundred rupees. When he was about to leave, I queried:”Sir, do you remember me?”
“Oh my God, you are Indu; I had come to see you formally as bride- to- be. Are you married?” “No.”
“If you can wait, I would be happy to talk to you. Please sit in that chair.”
I thought he is a gentleman, otherwise, why should he come, spending money and time for a poor girl? Character is the best quality of any one, man or woman. I made him wait till five and we left together.
First, we had tea. I was about to pay, when he promptly took out his purse and paid. I saw he had lot of money in the purse:”Are you a businessman?” “you cannot call it business; it is a chit fund, I am runnning. In my line, honesty is the key word.”
“Where are you staying here. This is far away from your home, I know.?
“It is ladies’ hostel; there is a guest room.”
There were other ladies also from the bank and the presence of a man enlivened the atmosphere. We changed our dress and came to the guest room. I told the cook to have an extra meal ready.”Veg or non-veg, Madam?” I said non, without asking him. He okayed it.
When all others left for their rooms, we began serious talk. I started the topic:”See at that time, I was willing for marriage; I had liked you. But, father said you have no work and so it cooled off. What is your condition now? Are you still a bachelor?”
“Yes and no. I married, but she died by a fever; she was theer months pregnant. I loved her very much.”
“Sorry to hear that. Anyway, one has to accept His wish. I shall try to fill the gap, if you are interested.”
“I too am interested; but the astrologer is blaming my horoscope. My wife will not survive, he says”
“Damn the pandit. I will talk to my father now itself.” She went to the phone in the main hall and dialed. I was standing close to her. They went on talking for half an hour. She repeated her willingness and said, threateningly, “We are willing and what have you to object? There is the Registrar’s Office here itself”
In the morning her father gave in and promised the wedding, at her home only.
He gave me nine hundred rupees. When he was about to leave, I queried:”Sir, do you remember me?”
“Oh my God, you are Indu; I had come to see you formally as bride- to- be. Are you married?” “No.”
“If you can wait, I would be happy to talk to you. Please sit in that chair.”
I thought he is a gentleman, otherwise, why should he come, spending money and time for a poor girl? Character is the best quality of any one, man or woman. I made him wait till five and we left together.
First, we had tea. I was about to pay, when he promptly took out his purse and paid. I saw he had lot of money in the purse:”Are you a businessman?” “you cannot call it business; it is a chit fund, I am runnning. In my line, honesty is the key word.”
“Where are you staying here. This is far away from your home, I know.?
“It is ladies’ hostel; there is a guest room.”
There were other ladies also from the bank and the presence of a man enlivened the atmosphere. We changed our dress and came to the guest room. I told the cook to have an extra meal ready.”Veg or non-veg, Madam?” I said non, without asking him. He okayed it.
When all others left for their rooms, we began serious talk. I started the topic:”See at that time, I was willing for marriage; I had liked you. But, father said you have no work and so it cooled off. What is your condition now? Are you still a bachelor?”
“Yes and no. I married, but she died by a fever; she was theer months pregnant. I loved her very much.”
“Sorry to hear that. Anyway, one has to accept His wish. I shall try to fill the gap, if you are interested.”
“I too am interested; but the astrologer is blaming my horoscope. My wife will not survive, he says”
“Damn the pandit. I will talk to my father now itself.” She went to the phone in the main hall and dialed. I was standing close to her. They went on talking for half an hour. She repeated her willingness and said, threateningly, “We are willing and what have you to object? There is the Registrar’s Office here itself”
In the morning her father gave in and promised the wedding, at her home only.
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