All Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty One

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Sita

"Sita," Dhushyanth calls, interrupting Thathayya's stories about his political adventures. "Let's go?"

Thathayya looks up at Dhushyanth. "Why don't you stay for a bit longer?" He asks his grandson. "Have dinner and leave, it's 6 already."

I shake my head at Dhushyanth, hoping he will end the conversation for me.

I cannot eat anymore.

Thankfully, Dhushyanth refuses, "we really have to go home, Thathayya. I have lots of work, and I have to go back to Kurnool as well."

The nominations, of course.

Thathayya nods. "Okay, then, get on with your work," he says, and turns to me, "Sita, are you going to come to Kurnool as well?"

I glance up at Dhushyanth's blank face for a minuscule moment before I smile at Thathayya. "If you want me to, I will be there, thathayya."

Vilakshan Reddy chuckles. "That is your house as well, you should come without asking or informing anyone."

I smile back at him, nodding.

"Before you both leave," Thathayya says, curling his hand to beckon us closer to him. I look at Dhushyanth, and follow his lead, stepping in front of Thathayya. The older man looks up at the both of us, his lips curving into a smile. "Gowri would have been so happy to witness this," he refers to his wife, "her eldest grandson married to such a good girl. I like to believe she's always here for our big moments, like your wedding, or today, for your first Satyanarayana Swamy Vratam as husband and wife." Thathayya continues, "And she would certainly want you to hear: we wish for you, all the happiness in the world, and everything your heart desires. It is on you to ensure that both of you are aligned on these matters; that you desire togetherness and happiness in your marriage."

~.~.~.~.~

As soon as we get home, Dhushyanth tells the driver, "leave the suitcase and the gifts in the foyer, we'll sort through them later," referring to the suitcase we'd shared since it was just a one-night stay and the gifts we received for today's puja.

"Why?" I ask. "Let's take the suitcase upstairs, the gifts can stay."

He meets my eyes, his face set with intensity. "They can come later," he repeats himself, his eyebrows furrowing.

Oh.

I cock an eyebrow at him.

Isn't someone in a hurry?

"Come upstairs, I need help," he calls out, stretching his hand out for me.

"Help with what?" I challenge, staying rooted to the ground.

I notice how his tongue pokes the inside of his cheek as he looks away, sighing, his hands on his hips. "Vasthaava ledaa?" [Are you coming or no?]

"Enduko chepthe vasthaa." [I'll come with you if you tell me why]

I follow his gaze around the foyer, knowing that his eyes will not be able to discern the ears that are always listening. The driver had left to bring our luggage, but we are surely not alone.

To begin with, the kitchen is barely a few feet away, and Dhushyanth's voice is loud enough to be heard from upstairs, even.

"Entha mondithanam," he comments, walking towards me. [So stubborn]