Sahithi's Adventures

The Proposal

“I have a proposal for you.” Sankar stared at the handsome, well-built, 6 feet tall, young man who could not be more than 25 years old. He signalled him to sit on the chair, while he himself sat on the hanging chair in front of the stranger.

“I am listening.” He stated simply. He was curious about what the stranger had to offer.

“I come from a wealthy family in Mangapuram. You must have heard of the Amarapudi family.” A shock hit Sankar like a hammer. Of all things, he had not expected to be sitting in front of a person claiming to belong to the richest and the most powerful families in the kingdom.

“How – how can that be possible?” he stammered in disbelief.

“I had been visiting my friend’s house for some work and saw your daughter at the fair. I also witnessed the ‘incident’.” He paused to let that sink; Sankar looked embarrassed. “Before I could even do something, your daughter was running away. It said two things – she was embarrassed that he, who might have been her lover, had kissed openly.” He raised a hand, stopping Sankar mid-sentence. “I know that it is extremely insulting for the honour of your family to suggest that. But, please understand that I like to make a fair assessment before putting forth my proposal before anyone.” He took a deep breath. “I am not casting any aspersions on your daughter’s character. I am just expressing the assumptions made by people in this case.” He looked at Sankar, who tried to say something, then thought better of it and kept quiet. He nodded approvingly. “The second thing is that she was helpless, which I feel is the case.” Sankar’s face showed some relief at that statement. “Now, the ‘incident’ has marked your family for misfortune and she will never get married.”

“It is not our fault, young sir.”

“It wouldn’t if she had opposed the advances or tried to defend herself. But, the way she conducted herself does give rise to doubts about her intentions.” Sankar’s face was a mix of anger, humiliation and frustration. He dared not offend the scion of one of the most powerful families – the consequences could be devastating for his family. What if he was an imposter? He looked at the strange man, trying to find anything that might strengthen his thoughts. Finding none, he decided to question him a bit to make sure.

“Young sir, if you don’t take offense, may I ask you something?” the young man smiled and brought out a strange pendant which obviously was a family heirloom.

“Did you want to see this?” he asked, handing over the heirloom for inspection. Sankar looked at the pendant closely – it had a locket in which Lord Shiva sat in his Rudra form with a trisul set in a golden ring. There could be no doubt about it’s authenticity nor could there be any doubt about the lineage of the stranger.

“Pardon me, young scion of the Amarapudi Family.” He spoke humbly. “I am older than you, hence I can only bless you.” The man smiled again. “No offense taken, so there is no need to apologise.” He was careful in his choice of words avoiding a respectful address yet being polite. “Now, whatever be the intentions of your daughter in the ‘incident’, it is clear that she can never get married which will never be good for your family.” He was laying it on thick, he knew, but he had to make sure they accepted his terms, which he was sure they would. After all, what choice did they have? He was satisfied to see Sankar lower his head in shame.

“I am looking for some fresh adventures and your daughter would be a perfect companion for me in those travels.” Sankar raised his head sharply at those words, his eyes burling like coals in his anger. “My daughter is not an escort!”

“I never said she was, you misunderstand me.” He paused, savouring the look of confusion on the older man’s face. “Your daughter will accompany me on my adventures and assist me as and when necessary in whatever capacity required.” He used some legal terms trying to throw off the girl’s father. “In simple words, she will be my assistant who will travel with me.”

Sankar looked angry and hurt. “Young sir, I accept you are from a prestigious and powerful family. But, seeking my daughter when better options are available to you is not fair. We are a humble family, though not powerful, we have our own respect in society.”

“Respect that has been tarnished by the ‘incident’.” He said dismissively. “I am offering you a respectable way of saving your face in society as well as, earning a fortune.” He said, striking on human vanity. “I am telling you this because I intend to take your daughter with me now, so that I can start my preparations as soon as possible.”

“But.....”

“If you refuse, I need not remind you what happened to those girls who offended my family.”

Sankar shuddered in terror at the consequences of offending the Amarapudi Family. His daughter would be turned into a devadasi and would become the plaything of rich and wealthy men – a fate that was worse than death. Yet, if he sent her with him, she would never be able to marry in her life.

Lalitha stopped, her eyes staring at the distant horizon. Sahithi didn’t want to disturb the elderly woman, yet she was dying with curiosity. She couldn’t decide whether she should ask the lady or not. While she was trying to gather her courage, the lady spoke, solving her problem.

“Father, I will go with him.” Sankar was shocked. He went to his daughter, trying to prevent her from doing anything stupid. “Child, don’t be hasty.”

“I have thought it out well, father. If I go with him, you and my mother could sell everything and set up home in a far away kingdom with my mother. I will find you and come to you when this journey is finished.” She sighed heavily in regret. “How wrong I was!! I wish I had listened to my father then. But, when fate had different plans for me, why would I even listen?” Sahithi stared at the woman unable to comprehend anything.

“Did you go with the young man on his adventures?”

“Yes, of course I went with him. Do you know what those adventures were?”