In a jealous rage, Kusumalatha threw the screwed up Monitor
Exercise Book page on to which she had carefully and lovingly copied the job
vacancy. She resolved herself not to have anything to do with that ungrateful
fellow who did not appreciate her. She cried silently all night.
Next morning, Kusumalatha got ready to go to the Temple to
teach at Sunday School. She noticed the crumpled piece of paper in the front
yard. She ironed out the creases before respectfully handing it to
Lokuhamuduruwo saying he might think of someone suitable in the village to
apply for the vacancy. Kusumalatha knew only too well that there is no one
other than Silibiris.
As usual, Silibiris followed Kusumalatha home. Silibiris
could not understand why she was in such a foul mood. He just wanted to tell
her the good news about the job Lokuhamuduruwo discussed with him but she didn
t want to hear. She quickened her step instead. Silibiris wondered what devil
had got into her. He wasn't to know at the time. This was going to be his fate
for most of his life.
Kusumalatha saw Chandare sitting on a log by the weva,
smoking a beedi waiting impatiently to reel in a fish.
Silibiris was still blabbering going round and round her on
his Roadmaster trying to get her to listen in vain. She stopped. She stood on
the bund looking directly at Chandare with an inviting smile.
Chandare turned and saw Kusumalatha grinning at him from top
of the bund while his erstwhile friend was going round and round her on his
bicycle blabbering something. Kusumalatha waved just as a fish tugged at the
bait. Chandare was mesmerised. She had not even looked at him let alone smiling
at him before.
Will he reel in his catch or will he be reeled in by
Kusumalatha?
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