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Devadasi
Chapter Listing
Chapter XIX
It was about three months since the separation. Meena's pregnancy had been
confirmed by the midwife. It was also unmistakable in her figure. Muthu was
coming to the end of her resources.
It was then that she met Ganapathy accidentally one day.
' I want to talk to you Ganapathy ' she said. ' Will you not at least listen
to me ? '
' There isn't much to talk about, is there, after the way you behaved ? '
Ganapathy had been terribly unhappy after his master left town and it showed
on his face.
' Where is your master ? '
' He is away at present.'
'Come with me to our house please; then, you will know everything.'
' I am somewhat busy.'
' I know I was wrong in what I did, but believe me, I had enough reason for
doing so. I can't explain everything, here, in public. Please come. I am sure
Meena will be happy to see you.'
He followed her somewhat reluctantly. When he went into the front room,
Meena was sitting on the carpet, leaning against a cushion and he did not
recognize her condition immediately. But when she saw him, she got up slowly
with some effort.
' Ganapathy ! Where did you spring from after all these days ! ' she asked.
Then he noticed her condition. ' Amma, what is this? Why did you not tell us
before ? Why have you kept it hidden from us ? '
' So much has happened to ruin me Ganapathy, I don't know what to say '
Meena leaned against the pillar.
' Sit down child: you look tired and pale. And you should not be like that
in your condition.'
He made her sit down and be comfortable. Then he returned to Muthu.
' Why did you not tell me before this ? ' he asked angrily. ' Why did you
turn me out when I came ? '
' I myself did not know anything about this when we left your master's house
' Muthu answered. ' But by the time I knew your master would not see me.'
That was how Meena found out that her mother had lied to her about Udayar
not sending word and not even coming himself. What agonies had she suffered
because she thought he had ignored her ! If only she had known: ' How could
you do such a thing to me mother ? ' she wailed.
' I thought it was the best,' Muthu said calmly, ' But of course, I didn't
know you were pregnant. And then it was too late.'
' But why did you leave us in the first place ? ' Ganapathy was still in the
dark about it.
Then Muthu told him the whole story, about what she had heard from Subban
and how she had had it confirmed by Chettiar. Meena sat still, shedding tears.
' So you see, one day he is sure to go back to his wife,' Muthu concluded.
' What will be Meena's position then? I wanted her to leave while she still
had a chance to go back to her career and not be left in the lurch. Can you
blame me ?'
' How little trust you have in my master ! ' exclaimed the loyal servant.
Then he turned to Meena, ' Amma, could you not at least have asked for an
explanation before leaving him ? '
' How could I trust a man who had lied to me about his marriage?' asked
Meena.
' Yes, that is true,' Ganapathy spoke almost to himself ' It is true he
is married in theory. His uncle made him get married against his will
because the marriage was advantageous from his point of view. My master
was forced to agree.
But he walked out after the marriage ceremony and has since not spoken
either to his wife or to his uncle. He wants to forget that he was ever
married. That is why he did not tell you, because he himself considers
that he is not married, not because he deliberately wanted to cheat you.'
' But one day, will he not go back to her ? ' Muthu argued. ' Pressure from
the two families and social demands will make him take her back. As time
goes on, he will want a legal, socially acceptable son who can carry on his
name. His conscience will smite him and he will leave Meena.'
' We cannot foretell what might happen in the future,' said Ganapathy.
' But whatever might have happened, he would not have let Meena down if
she had not walked out on him.'
' Poor girl ! ' sighed Meena.
'What poor girl ? ' her mother snapped out.
' His wife,' Meena answered. ' If I, who have a profession to go back to,
who can think of other men if I wanted to, suffer as much as this, how
much should that girl suffer ? A discarded wife with no past and no future
to look forward to, shunned by everyone as an omen of ill-luck, a burden
on her family her fate is worse than mine.'
' Don't you worry about her ! ' Muthu cried. ' Society guards her honour,
upholds her rights and blames the man, but you have to fend for yourself.
The moment he leaves you, your name is at the mercy of every clever rogue
who wags his tongue. No one will protect your rights and when you are old
and ugly, they will throw you on the scrap heap of society as I have been
thrown.'
' All the same, her tragedy is greater than mine,' said Meena.
' Never mind her, but think of what is to be done,' Muthu said. ' Where is
your master, Ganapathy ? ' she asked.
' I don't know,' said Ganapathy helplessly. ' He has not been the same since
you left him. He has not taken any interest in his farms and has neglected
his affairs. Now he has gone on a pilgrimage, I do not know where, But I
will find him.' He turned to Meena, ' Don't you worry Amma; I will find him
and bring him back to you. And when I do don't you ever do anything to lose
him again.'
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