Ramu leaves his class, feeling angry and frustrated with the rich, carefree people in Bangalore. He wishes he had his own books to learn and succeed in his exams. His neighbor Jayalakshmi, who is not equal to men, comes to him with a smile of mockery. However, something mysterious and sweetly tender draws him into forbidden secrets.
Ramu leaves, feeling tired, lonely, and possibly cursed by something evil. He hears an unfamiliar but affectionate voice calling him from behind, and he is surprised to see the same old man. The old man tells Ramu that he is Krishnappa’s son and Shama’s brother, and they discuss Hariharapura. Ramu is confused about the old man’s familiarity with Ramu and how he knows their old friend Bhatta, who is already losing his eyesight and has been ill.
Ramu asks about the Corner-House people and Venkanna’s son, Srikantha, and how many children there have. He believes that government service is like prostitution, and he retired from it to stay for the education of his children. He wishes his children were more obedient, loyal, and hard-working.
Ramu meets Srinivasan, who is in his class. He asks Ramu if he is full of pranks and has joined a group of vagabonds who smoke cigarettes and go to prostitute houses. Ramu is unsure if he will let it out, but he promises to never let it out.
Ramu starts to think about his family and friends, but he cannot remember anyone resembling the queer old man, Hosakéré Nanjundayya. His brother Shama, who knew his relatives to the tenth generation, had never spoken about him. Hosakéré tells Ramu that he knows Ramu’s family and often dined in his house. Ramu feels ashamed and ashamed of his memory, but he tries to remember who Hosakéré is.
Nanjundayya reveals that he knew Ramu’s family before Ramu was born and that he used to adore him. He also mentioned that Ramu’s father was his sister’s brother-in-law’s wife’s maternal uncle, and Ramu’s sister was always there to see him. Ramu is now in Chikpet, and Nanjundayya insists on taking Ramu to the Udipi Coffee House.
Ramu refuses at first, but when forced with threats and prayers, he accepts. They sit in the cozy corner near the kitchen door and discuss what to have, dosé, or uppittu. A young boy named Lakshmana comes running, mocking Ramu’s appearance and suggesting that he hasn’t had enough clients. The boy suggests that Nanjundayya has retired from service and is a clerk to some lawyer, but Ramu is surprised by the boy’s mocking smile.
Ramu is tasked with preparing for his exams. He is approached by a crude and malicious man who called for Nanjundayya who mocks him for looking like a bridegroom. Nanjundayya is furious at the man named Vishwanath who tried to make him feel uncomfortable but he is accustomed to the serious air of the man.
The man then brings an mppittu and they continue to talk. Nanjundayya invites Ramu to meet his wife and children, but Ramu refuses. He expresses his fear of the exams and how it has led to the loss of ancient traditions and self-respect. He also mentions Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that examinations are one of the most pernicious elements of modern life.
Nanjundayya argues that examinations have made people slaves, losing their ancient traditions and self-respect. He believes that in today’s world, everyone earns the same amount of money, which can be bribed and humiliating. Ramu, however, insists that he will not become one of these clerks, as he has ten clerks under him.
Nanjundayya offers his blessings to Ramu, promising that he will get through all his exams brilliantly and marry a rich man’s daughter. He asks Ramu not to forget Nanjundayya when he becomes a Commissioner or a Judge.
Ramu is disturbed by the concept of marriage, finds himself struggling with the idea of marrying an uneducated girl and living a life of poverty. He believes that a good marriage is profitable for the moment, but he is concerned about the long-term consequences of marrying for money.
Nanjundayya tries to convince Ramu that he will not forget his achievements, but Ramu is hesitant. He believes that when he becomes a District Judge, he may be turned out by a servant due to his busy or tired schedule. He also mentions the experiences of his cousin Chandrasekharayya, who is his own cousin and grandson.
Ramu is concerned about his relationship with others, including his father’s aunt and grandson, who have been treated poorly due to the pernicious system of education. Nanjundayya pats Ramu again enthusiastically, but Ramu is concerned about his future as an engineer or minister. He believes that the future might hold pearls in its palms, but he is not sure.
Nanjundayya calls for Laksmana for two coffees and dosés. Ramu is intrigued by Nanjundayya’s generosity and the idea of cooking his own food. Nanjundayya explains that even a miser would turn the Generous Cow, especially when Ramu cooks his own food. Ramu is angry and wishes for pity from nobody.
Lakshmana then brings the dosé and coffee. Nanjundayya explains that having a home is essential, especially for someone who has lived in such comfort. Ramu is confused about the idea of marriage, but Nanjundayya believes it is a natural occurrence. He asks Ramu about his age, claiming he knows his horoscope, which shows him to be nineteen years, four months, and three days old.
Nanjundayya tries to convince Ramu that marriage is a good idea at this age, but Ramu refuses to think about it. He feels happy to have made the decision and needs forced moments to make up his mind. Once he has made the decision, he stubbornly holds onto it.
Nanjundayya, a man with a long history of dealing with modern young men in Bangalore, is determined to win the game. He has spent three and a half years in this city, and he knows how to manipulate people to his advantage. He believes that Ramu, is not one of the ideals for a decrepit, dying old man like him.
Nanjundayya, however, is determined to make Ramu get married, as he has placed all his hopes in him. His father was a great friend of Nanjundayya’s and he wanted to see a rich man in him and marry a daughter of money and distinction. He expressed his desire to have a son who would be brilliant, sincere, and loving like Nanjundayya, and he would be happier with a beautiful wife and a home to live in while in Bangalore.
Ramu, on the other hand, was moved by Nanjundayya’s love for him and the idea of having a home to live in while in Bangalore. Nayundayya believed that if he were Ramu, he would marry now, so that he would have a home to live in while in Bangalore and a wife ready to live with when he would become an Assistant Commissioner in four or five years. Nanjundayya, however, would have married if he were Ramu, as there are few families in Bangalore that he knows that treat him with consideration and love. He knows of at least fifteen mothers who would fall at his feet and offer their daughters in marriage to him.
Nanjundayya asked Ramu what he would think of marrying to a rich man’s daughter, but he had to be patient and think over it. He decided to refuse, saying that he would go home in a few days and when he returned, he would have decided one way or the other. For the moment, he would say no.
However, Jayalakshmi suddenly came into his mind, and he was not going to ask her opinion of it. Her brilliant, mocking smile came back with cruel precision, and he decided to drop her. He had never cared for her and had never asked her to be friends with him.As time passed, something in Nanjundayya revolted and affirmed itself with terrible softness, filling his being with warmth, peace, harmony, and a luminous fecling.
Nanjundayya is eager to find a suitable bride for Ramu. Nanjundayya promises to be the same old chap, tender, generous, and paternal, and only wishes for Ramu’s happiness. They finish their coffee, pay the bill, and he joins Ramu on the steps. Ramu is happy to be going home, but now he has to go and work. He asks Nanjundayya when they will see each other next.
Nanjundayya is embarrassed by his appearance and asks Ramu to go by Dodpet, where they arrive in a quiet lane. Nanjundayya apologizes for forgetting his engagement with a friend and asks Ramu to come with him for a few minutes. Ramu agrees, but Nanjundayya becomes annoyed and asks for excuses.
They reach the New Market Square, where they are introduced to Vishwesh-warayya, one of Nanjundayya’s best friends. Vishwesh-warayya is a class-fellow of Ramu’s and has become one of the richest and most powerful men in Bangalore. He has four sons-in-law and all in responsible posts due to his influence. Ramu is tired of all this and thinks about his room, books, and examinations.
Nanjundayya points towards a two-storied bungalow in a narrow square, which is furnished in modern style. They enter the drawing-room, where Nanjundayya opens the door as though it were his own house. Vishweshwarayya is tall, dressed in a navy-blue suit in European style, and has a deep, deferential voice. He thanks Ramu for having honored him with this visit and leads them to the drawing-room. Nanjundayya is silent and looks more annovate than ever.
A charming girl of eleven or twelve, dressed in a gorgeous Dharmawar sari of blue and gold, enters with a silver plate full of fruits, cakes, and glasses of coffee. She sits between her father and Nanjundayya, shyly and awkwardly. There is a crammed silence. Nanjundayya turns dramatic towards Ramu, roaring with victorious laughter. He has won. Ramu sat on his chair, feverish with indomitable hatred.
Suddenly, a cat at the window licked its feet and glowed at Ramu and fell on the autumn leaves below. In the neigh-bouring room, his fat landlord sneezed. Ramu thinks he has fallen into the trap and decides to marry the girl. The innocent voice sings, “My Prince, Royal Prince, Charming Prince, Eternal Prince, You are mine and I am yours,
Virtuous and adorable, my Lord, my Husband.”
Manohar Malgaonkar Upper Division Love Summary
