“She's Chandra's pearl, Nithya,” said Anasuya to Yadagiri.
“The brightest ever,” Yadagiri said in all happiness.
“Oh, no,” said Nithya to Anasuya blushing to her roots, “you‟re ever more beautiful.”
“I've given them our word,” Anasuya seemed to preempt her husband, “I knew you wouldn't object.”
“I wouldn't have done any differently,” Yadagiri said joyously.
“But there's a little hitch,” said Anasuya tentatively. “She's not of our caste.”
“That won't bother me anymore,” said Yadagiri pensively. “What matters is their happiness.”
“She's not sure about her parents either,” said Anasuya as though he should prevail over them.
“If they approve, well and good,” said Yadagiri nonchalantly. “If not, we would marry them, and in style.”
Nithya was so touched that she found herself touching Yadagiri's feet.
“May God give you a blessed life,” he blessed her.
The wedding of Nithya and Chandra that soon followed became the talk of the town. While all were overawed by its grandeur, some felt it was reformist and hoped that it might be a harbinger of change. However, many wondered whether the marriage would've taken place in the first place if the bride were less charming for her base and the groom not so well-heeled for his caste.