“What about lunch?” Sathyam wondered aloud.
“Meera will prepare some avial for us,” proposed Ramu. “How come we haven’t thought of coffee yet?”
“You know Sathyam won’t have coffee,” said Meera, still smarting from his tease, “and you’re busy abusing women.”
“What a coffee-like coffee!” said Ramu, as Roopa served them some filter coffee.
“The credit goes to you for getting the right mix of a coffee powder,” said Roopa
“The Coffee Shop is down the lane for you,” said Ramu, “Sathyam, you would be the loser if you don’t fall in line.”
“What next?” Sathyam thought aloud.
“Ryan’s Daughter,” announced Ramu, “I’ve blocked tickets for the evening show.”
“Looks like your fiancé is very enthusiastic,” said Roopa to Meera as they went into the kitchen to prepare lunch.
“He’s good at heart,” said Meera, “but obstinate like a child.”
“May I know,” Roopa tried to sound casual though curious, “how it all began?”
“He was my rude boss once,” said Meera smilingly, “but later I realized he’s a committed and hard working disciplinarian. When I realized how soft he’s at heart, I developed a soft-centre for him in my heart. In time, he declared his love and I disclosed mine.”
“I wish you all the best,” said Roopa extending her hand to Meera.
Soon they had a sumptuous lunch after which the betrothed left the newly weds with a promise to meet at Liberty at 5.30.
After siesta, on their way to the movie, Sathyam took Roopa on his Lambretta to his old lodging to let her have a feel of his bachelor living, when riding pillion, she turned apprehensive as assorted vehicles whizzed past them. Moreover, she felt swamped in the traffic and worried about being hit from all sides, but soon, seeing those women, riding pillion, clutch at their men in a romantic fold; she ruefully recalled her own daydreams of yore. While Sathyam goaded her to get closer, holding the seat-handle for support, she sat erect, as though to distance herself from the reality.
As anticipated by Sathyam, they found Padmavathi in the verandah.
“Glad you’re married,” said the landlady after greeting them warmly. “But know I miss you sorely.”
“I told Roopa,” said Sathyam like the one freed from a necessary evil. “I had greatly enjoyed my stay here.”
“Roopa, no woman ever justified her name as you do,” said Padmavathi, bowled over by her beauty, “and he’s the best behaved man I know apart from my poor man.”
While Padmavathi pressed them to stay on for dinner, they excused themselves to go to the movie and Padmavathi allowed them to leave only after Roopa took the blouse piece she gave to commemorate that first visit. When the Sathyams reached Liberty, they found the engaged waiting for them.