"Mother! Where do trees and bushes come from in the middle of the city? Look at the sky," he said, looking up.
Ramya smiled and gently patted his cheek.
"Shall we give you an advance?" she asked, unzipping her purse.
"I gave it to you. That's why I have the key."
"Did you give it to me?" What if I don't like it?"
"I know you will. Don't I know your taste in our year and a half of friendship?"
Suresh, who had walked to the bedroom, followed her and suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her closer.
"Ramya! From now on, we don't need parks, ice cream parlors or tank bunds to meet. We can meet here!"
"This is me," she said proudly, hugging him.
"Yes, me. "We are the emperors of this small empire from tomorrow." Suresh pulled her closer.
"We are happy. Now reduce this pressure." She released him and laughed mischievously.
"Oh! What are these restrictions, Ramya?" he said sharply.
"There is no flower bouquet when you are showered, no silk scarf when you are showered. There is no water when you are showered," she sang softly.
"I have everything in your embrace" he pulled her closer again.
"Hey! Don't be silly" she kissed him on the cheek and winked.
"Let's go."
He followed her out of the room, saying "Good night".
Suresh dropped Ramya off at the hostel at eight o'clock and said "Good night" and left.
That night, Soujanya asked Ramya, who was looking at the suitcase bags that were packed while she was playing with her guitar.
"Are you moving, Ramya!"
Looking at the dimly lit bedside lamp, she said, "Uh huh...I'm vacating the room."
"What!" Soujanya looked at her in surprise.
"What's so sudden?"
Ramya leaned aside and looked at Soujanya with a smile and said, "This is sudden news for you. Shocking news. But it's been four months since I made this decision."
"And you didn't tell me? Why did you even make this decision?" Soujanya looked at her suspiciously.
Ramya got up from her bed and went to Soujanya's bed and said, "It's happening."
Soujanya leaned aside and made room for Ramya.
Ramya lay down next to her and said, "From tomorrow onwards, Suresh will be staying at your place."
"Suresh! How?" Soujanya was shocked.
"Are you married?" She asked seriously.
"Married!" Ramya laughed. "Soujanya! I don't believe in all these things like marriage and marriage vows. I have decided to live with Suresh."
"Without marriage?"
"What? What will happen?"
"Have you gone mad? We are in India. Do you know what they call people who live together without getting married here?"
"I don't care what anyone thinks. This is my life. I have the right to shape my life the way I like. Saujanya! I don't like the idea of ​​marriage. I can't stand a man tying a rope around my waist and dominating me in the name of marriage. I like to be completely independent. Besides, if I tell you anything else, your heart will stop!"
"What is it?"
"Suresh is already married. He has two children." This time, Saujanya was really shocked.
It seems like we are facing it. How successful will you be!" Soujanya said with a sigh.
Ramya smiled and said, "Don't think too much about me. Sleep well. Good night," she got up and went to her bed.
Ramya fell asleep in a while. Soujanya, who had definite views on marriage and her husband, did not sleep for long.
The next day, Ramya cleaned her room.
She went to the market with Suresh and bought a mat, two headboards, some steel utensils, and a stove. She also bought a folding cot and some plastic utensils. Suresh did not even take a dime. In two days, a delightful little life was formed for Ramya.
She tore a slightly worn light blue chiffon saree with flowers and tied curtains to the windows and doors.
Suresh came every other day for ten days.
Ramya, who had filled her stomach with bread and fast food, found it comfortable to cook and eat with her own hands, as she could not eat chapatti sambar, unpeeled beans curry.
"You are good at cooking," Suresh said that day, eating a bunch of eggplant.
"Cooking is my hobby, don't you?" she asked.
"I never did. I didn't need to. When I go to my aunt's house, my aunt cooks for me," he said.
"I might need to learn here," she laughed.
"I'm sorry," he went to the wash basin and washed his hands. After both of them finished their meals, they tidied up the kitchen.
"You shouldn't talk to the maid," he said to Ramya, who was washing the dishes.
"No, I don't want a third person between us. Besides, the workers need all the attention."
"That's right, no," he corrected her movements.
As soon as he entered the hall, he said, "Ramya, I'll come right away, she's not feeling well. How are you? I'll call you later."
"O.K. Come on."
Suresh went downstairs. Ramya made the bed and changed the blanket. She put two blankets to cover her head. She lit incense. She braided the jasmine garland she had bought in the evening. She changed her saree and put on a nighty.
The window sash opened. The weather outside was pleasant. A cool breeze was blowing. The moon was smiling in the black sky, and the stars twinkled. The transistor turned on. Old Hindi in various Indian languages ​​"E Rahe E Maunam Nadika Kinara....E Chanchal Hawa" filled my heart with thrills.
It had been fifteen minutes since Suresh had come down. She looked out the window impatiently. Suresh was coming in a hurry, crossing the road.

***

Ramya's chariot was moving along gracefully. Soujanya brought the letters that had arrived at the hostel. Three letters written by her father, looking for his relations and giving details of the grooms.
She wrote a reply in a flash and dropped them all.
To my father,
Don't look for my relations. I have decided to live with my friend Suresh. Greetings to my mother.
Ramakanth, who did not understand "living together", and Bhuvaneswari arrived in the return post. Looking for the address written by Ramya. Although Ramya was initially surprised to see her parents arriving early in the morning, she was overjoyed later.
Did you ask for a share? Didn't you tie him up in my house and send him to her? Did you ask him to leave his children? What did I do? He comes once a week. He stays with me for two nights only. He comes on Saturday and goes there on Monday morning. We spend those few hours together wonderfully. There are no secrets or suspicions between us. We live like each other, mind and body."
Ramakant slowly opened his mouth.
"What will you say if the people around you ask who he is?"
"Why should you tell me? Why do they need to know who he is?"
'So you want a secure life for yourself, a respectable environment around you, and you live like a broken kite?"
"How can I be a broken kite, father? Who said my life is not secure? I will buy a house of my own as soon as possible. I have a government job. What else do I need?" Ramya said as if she was being flattered.
Ramakant laughed.
"What else do you want, you won't understand even if I tell you now. After a while, you will know what you have lost and what you want. Then when you look back, you will have nothing left for yourself."
"Why, father! You are making assumptions and scaring me. Don't I have the right to live the way I like? Suresh is very good. No harm will come to me because of him. I will come in the evening. You will see for yourself," Ramya said persuasively.
"Okay, come. I also want to see who that person you like so much is. But remember one thing, never bring him to our house," he said firmly.
"What?" she asked with a voice mixed with a little surprise and pain.
"People around me ask who he is. I don't know what to say, so I put on a white face. I can't say that my daughter has kept it. Because I don't have the courage like you. I am a socialite. If you had at least a tali on your forehead, I would have answered him with a second wife."
"Is tali worth it, father? In your eyes, I consider tali as an ornament. If it is mandatory to wear it, I will get it and wear it today."
"You sinful person! How can you talk like this about a sacred marriage?" Gayi Mandi Bhuvaneshwari.
Ramya looked at her mother. Tali beads the size of a rupee coin were moving on her heart. A big dot of saffron and black beads on her forehead.
"Huh, purity! What is purity? In this country, purity is attributed to jewelry and objects. But people do not have it. Purity is related to the mind. Since the tali is worshipped with yellow saffron, purity is attributed to it. Similarly, this jewelry. This ring, the earrings, too. Should I worship it with yellow saffron and tie it with Suresh's hand?"
"Mother! Greetings to you and your elders. I am not as educated as you. My mother and father taught me the same thing. They did not teach me how to lift weights like you. I cannot answer your questions. Come on! Get up and let's go. I cannot stay here even for a moment longer." Bhuvaneswari got up abruptly.
Ramakant said, holding her hand and making her sit down. "Don't get angry, Bhuvan! Let's go see your son-in-law, who is not your son-in-law, in the evening. Be patient."
"Hey," she said.
Ramya's heart sank and she was angry.
Doesn't she have the right to follow the way of life she likes? She has built her future in a way that gives her happiness and comfort. So what is the loss for them? Why does her mother hate her. Even in the age of robots, should a girl's life depend on her parents' decisions? How reasonable! How fair.
There was no need to continue the conversation.
Ramya yawned, "I'm so tired.... I'm going to sleep, good night" she went inside and closed the door.

***

On Saturday, Suresh came to the office.
Ramya got on the scooter behind him and sat down.
"Shall we go to the cinema today?"
"Sorry Ramya! Today is Nidhi's birthday. I came to drop you off at home and sit for a while."
Nidhi was Suresh's eldest daughter.
Ramya said a little cheerfully. 'Hey! You can tell me that before, let's buy a nice gift. I will also come to your house"
"You! Don't," he said angrily.
Ramya's mind was blown by his attitude.
"What Suresh! Shouldn't I come! "We might all be meeting."
Suresh didn't know what to say. Is there anything wrong with taking Ramya home now? Shobha's house is a bit dirty. She feels bad if Ramya says anything.
"Don't think so, Ramya! I'll take her home another day."
The scooter stopped in front of the apartment.
Ramya quietly went and took a bath, mixed milk, sugar and tea powder and put it on the kettle stove.
Suresh came back and hugged her and didn't let her breathe for a while.
Ramya pulled away and said seriously. "Suresh! According to our agreement, today is the day you should be with me. But you said it's your daughter's birthday! I'm leaving you. For half an hour. Don't come for an hour and do such nasty things. I don't like it. I don't like such a vow."
"Okay, mother! I won't touch you. It's wrong," he said, sitting on the kitchen platform.
She looked at him slowly while offering him a cup of tea.
"Tell me the truth, I haven't told your wife about us, have you!"
"No, if I tell her, how can I not cry and fight?"
"What will you do if someone who knows about us tells you? You can tell me better! If you tell me like that, we can all get together."
Suresh looked at Ramya strangely. 'How can that happen, Ramya! Isn't our relationship confidential?"
"Why is that happening? We are going around in public."
"Maybe. What is the evidence that I am living with you just by going around?"
"What do you mean?"
"Look Ramya! Our relationship is unbreakable. It's unprecedented. I don't want everyone to know about it and take it lightly. Our people haven't yet developed the heart to view extramarital affairs as sacred. They call it an illicit relationship or keeping it."
Suresh's words seemed true, but somehow Ramya felt there was no need to keep the relationship a secret. She could tell everyone if she needed to! She could live normally like everyone else!
Suresh got up, came closer to Ramya, and said caressingly. "Don't spoil your mind with crazy thoughts. Let's enjoy tomorrow and then go? Nidhi is waiting for you."
Ramya smiled. "Go alone. Grant me my wishes."
"Sure," Suresh walked away briskly.
She felt something as she watched him leave through the window. My mind went blank, as if someone had taken my belongings from me, as if I had been ostracized from society and thrown into a remote place.
She sighed deeply and turned off the transistor.

***

Ramya's life is going well.

Suresh picks her up from the office on Friday evening, spends time with her until Monday, and returns home on Monday morning. Whenever he wants to see her, they meet and chat for an hour. This routine seems to be working well.
There is no rush to wake up, cook, pack up the suitcases, or get angry. The mother-in-law's and father-in-law's services are boring.
Ramya gets up at five thirty and goes for a walk for half an hour. Then she sweeps the plot, cleans the rooms, and cooks. She gets ready and goes to the office at eight thirty.
In the evening, she goes to a meeting or cultural program from the office and returns to the plot at seven thirty. If she is in a good mood, she has a simple curry or soup for dinner. Otherwise, she eats bread! She studies for an hour and then goes to sleep. She recently bought a washing machine. She puts clothes in the washing machine once every three days.

***

That day, when Ramya came home from the office, everything was in a hurry. Many children and adults were seen beautifully dressed and frolicking. In the plot opposite, a tape recorder was playing Western music. Some children were dancing to the music. Everyone in the entire plot was there.
Ramya found it funny. No matter where she looked, they would be locked in someone's house. All the plots that used to be quiet were noisy.
She called a little girl and asked. "What's so special?" Are you all dressed up nicely?"
"Today is Pinky's birthday party" she said.
"Pinky" meant Ramya, the daughter of the other flat, walked in.
"What is this? Why didn't you invite me to the party? Did you call everyone in the whole flat and find me? What? I haven't been here since morning! Someone can come and call me now. I need to give Pinky a nice gift. Ramya took out the monkey toy she had bought. It had shiny black fur and a big tail! It was cuddly. Pinky smiled, imagining the happiness that was shining in her eyes. She put the toy aside and went to the bathroom. In half an hour, she was dressed up nicely and was sitting drinking tea. Ramya was waiting for someone to invite her when she heard this.
She felt very sad. What had she done, why were they looking at her so differently? What had she done wrong? Don't you deserve to share in their happiness?"
She drank a glass of hot milk and went to bed. She didn't feel like studying. She turned on the transistor. She loved listening to old Hindi songs in various Bharati. The soft solemnity in Rafi's voice, the sweetness in Lata's voice touched the heart, creating turmoil in the layers of the mind.... It would have been better if Suresh was by her side! If only she could share the pain caused by the plots tonight and the sweetness of the songs with him! She should apply for a telephone connection immediately. At least if there was a phone at home, she could have a chat with Suresh for a while.
Nidradevi, who had been naughty for a long time, finally felt pity.

***

"Suresh! Do you know that our plots had a party yesterday and didn't invite me!" Ramya said while offering her a cup of tea.
Suresh didn't speak. He paused a bit and said. "Ramya, you pony! What's the harm?"
"I don't think there's any harm, but if everyone is having so much fun, I feel like sharing their happiness. Charita, who lives on the second floor, said that I kept you. That's why no one invited me. They even tell the little kids. That I'm not good."
"Don't listen to them! Leave me"
"I will leave you but sometimes it hurts. What exactly is keeping you? My mother also said the same. I feel sexual when I hear that word."
Suresh finished drinking his tea, put down the cup and took Ramya's hand in his and said, "All this is normal, Ramya! Our society looks down on a woman who has an affair with a foreign man outside of marriage. She feels like she has gone bad."
"And she respects the man who has a relationship with the same woman."
'That's special! For generations, there have been certain rules and regulations for women in our society. Every woman who gets married has to die on the sword like you."
"What uncivilized thoughts! When it's someone's life, why shouldn't they live as they please? All married people are immoral, and those who are not are spoiled! But why tie a life that should be filled with love and affection with a knot? Oh! No matter what anyone thinks, this life is good for me. I can't bear more responsibility in this busy life of mine." Ramya lay down with her head on Suresh's chest.
"Good! You just have to have this kind of self-confidence," he said, correcting his mistakes.

***

That day was Diwali.
Ramya felt like going to the village and spending time with her parents. But why should she go to her father who had told her not to bring Suresh? At least they didn't write a letter to Ramma for the festival. At least her younger brother could have written, but what happened to him? If she had accepted the relationship they had brought, bowed her head, tied a talisman, and gone to her in-laws' house as per the rules, they would have invited her to every festival and given her clothes! When it got dark in the evening, she lit candles and arranged them beautifully on the balcony wall. She wore a new saree. Suresh had told her in advance that he would not meet her that day. They would have made a fuss if he was not at home. She had invited her to their house.
"He's not home," she said.
Ramya called again after an hour. The same answer. No matter how many times she called that day, Suresh was nowhere to be found.
Ramya couldn't sleep that night. She got up at dawn and hurriedly left for Suresh's house. Looking for the address. When she left, he was sitting comfortably, drinking coffee, and reading the newspaper. He was very worried when he saw Ramya.
"What are you doing?" he said, lowering his voice.
"You didn't tell me you were taking leave!" she said angrily.
His wife came and looked at Ramya suspiciously.
"No one," she said.
"He's my colleague....that Shobha, give me coffee," Suresh stammered.
Ramya was annoyed by the way Suresh had behaved with her in front of his wife at that house. Why was he so afraid? Why should a man who was so afraid agree to have a relationship with her? That's why he kept her quiet, saying that there should be secrecy. Suresh, who had come to pick Ramya up on the bus, got angry.
"What did you come home to say you were going to have sex?" Ramya was shocked by his attitude.
"What's that, Suresh! It's been ten days since you've been together. You haven't even called. What's more, you're at home on leave. What do I know? You must be feeling unwell! I was so angry. Why shouldn't you come to your house?"
"Look, Ramya! I already told you this. We're eating meat, so we're not going to go around with bones in our mouths. I have some work to do. I've given you leave. Should I give you a reason for that? You are always arguing because you are calling. If you come home like this again, won't it be a nuisance to me?"
Ramya said angrily, "I told you too, Suresh! I don't like secrecy in my life. I will openly follow the way of life I like."
"You are brave. You have no fear. I have respect. Don't ruin it, Ramya"
Ramya looked at him with a confused look.
'So, you have respect and peace, but I don't want them. Is that it! Do you think what I am doing is so disrespectful?" Are you the Suresh who can't help but see me every day? Are you the Suresh who calls four times a day? How much you have changed!"
Ramya laughed. There were many feelings in that laugh. Words cannot express, they cannot be defined.
I wanted to walk with you for the rest of my life. Would you leave me like this? We wanted to face this world and live together. Can't you convince your wife?
The car arrived. Ramya boarded the car quietly.
The next day, Suresh came. Ramya could not even invite us. Suresh, who used to be a little naughty when he arrived, was also a little emotional.
Ramya offered him coffee. He said while drinking it. "Ramya! Every Friday, he always makes a fuss about where I am going. It is becoming difficult for me to come here every week. I come when I can."
Ramya sat still and listened. Have there been any disturbances in her life?
"There is no peace of mind at home. I don't like to watch and fight."
"While thinking about this, Suresh, I asked her to tell us about our affair. But you yourself said it was a secret. If it continues like this, will our relationship last forever?'
Suresh did not speak.
Ramya said again, "Suresh! It's not over yet. Tell me that you love me."
"Are you crazy? Would any wife say that?"
"Can you cheat without telling me?"
"How can you cheat? What injustice am I doing to her?"
"She can ask that question herself."
"Ramya please! Don't bother me. Don't pester me to do things that are not my responsibility. Am I leaving you forever? Can you understand and cooperate?" Suresh got up in disgust.
Ramya got angry. "Should I cooperate? Can't I ask that there?"
"How can I ask?" She's my wife."
"Oh! Ramya's heart sank. "Wife" who is she? Suresh's wife? How can I ask? She can't tie the knot! Even if she did, he would still act like this.
"I'm going," he said, leaving Ramya in a whirlwind of thoughts and left.
Ramya sat there like a statue for a long time.
Ramya didn't call Suresh for four days. He called her two or three times, but she didn't meet him. On the fifth day, Suresh came to Ramya's office. Everyone in the office was looking at Suresh. Ramya immediately got out and came outside. As soon as Ramya sat behind him, Suresh started his scooter and started heading towards Abids.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
Suresh was very excited.
"To buy a saree," he said.
"For whom?"
"You....have you forgotten? Your birthday is on the sixth."
Ramya had indeed forgotten. She couldn't remember anything lately.
"Do you remember that well?" she asked.
"Ramya, don't I love you? Why don't I remember? Circumstances can cause some difficulties. So what if I don't love you at all?' He said softly.
Suresh's words worked like a drug on Ramya. Too bad! He was getting crushed in both places. He should understand himself. How could he, who was educated and cultured, also get into a fight with him?
The scooter stopped in front of Chandana Brothers.
Ramya, who was walking inside the shop with Suresh who had parked, stopped.
Sridhar was next to Pramod who was coming out of the shoe shop. Pramod had two carry bags in his hand.
"Pramod," Ramya shouted happily and ran forward.
Pramod turned his head. The happiness in his eyes, which had widened in surprise, flashed for a moment and then disappeared. He hurriedly walked forward.Sridhar, who had stopped and was looking at Ramya in surprise and happiness, followed Pramod.
Ramya's face broke into a smile. Her face turned red with shame. Suresh saw the sadness in Ramya's face, who was clenching her lower lip with her teeth, and asked.
"Who are they?" Ramya didn't speak for a few moments. Then she said.
"My younger brother Pramod, my aunt's son Sridhar"
Suresh didn't speak. He put his hand on her shoulder and said, "Take it easy." Ramya stood there silently.
"Say, Ramya! Forget this incident. Let's get the saree,"