Some more memorable moments from my newly published Dark Romance”Her Untamed Soul”

Education & English language as a passport to the marriage market:)

Yet, the cunning landlord and businessman had something else in his mind. He invited the local MLA’s family, personally, on his daughter’s birthday’s pretext. He gave sole responsibility to his wife to entertain the Chief Guests.

Latha looked ravishing in her Kancheepuram saree, Fuchsia pink and parrot green contrast with golden floral patterns. The parrot green border displayed exquisite work of ornate peacocks of golden hue.

Her mother accessorized her with small danglers patterned as golden cages. A slim neckpiece adorned her delicately shaped swan neck with an elegant little bird hanging between her nubile breasts. She wore patterned bangles on both her hands, complete with ruby and emerald rings on her little fingers.

She was tallish. Her dark silken hair half opened, and the rest at the back held together with a golden butterfly. Her Kohl–rimmed eyes and a small red spot on her forehead between the curved brows accentuated her beauty. She flashed a girlish smile and said, “Vannakam“(a greeting that shows respect), joining her hands when introduced to the MLA’s family.

Their eyes admired Latha, which did not go unnoticed by Aadhi. Their seventeen-year-old son said ‘Hello’ to Latha, to which she promptly answered.  The boy came to the village on holiday. He was studying in a reputed public school in Chennai. The Parents were surprised that Latha could exchange a few sentences in chaste English with their son. Latha’s parents felt proud of their daughter because she created an impression on their VVIP guests.

Indeed, it was their first step towards their secret plan. The family considered their girl as their prized possession who could fulfill their biggest dream of life: To get Latha educated so that she could prove to be an eligible candidate as the MLA’s future daughter-in-law”.

 Both Aadhi and Anna were beaming with ingratiating smiles and glib talks. Anna insisted, “Please help yourself with some more sweets, Aiyya (Sir). Everything is home-cooked with pure ghee, condensed milk made by me at home.  Madam, please do not hesitate. We are your people.”

They pampered their son Raja by serving special rice pudding into his bowl. I hope you liked it, son.  Vaasu observed from a distance and felt envious of his sister because of her attention from all corners.

When the MLA asked Latha if she learned to cook from her mother, she was upfront in her reaction. She said she loved solving maths, reading books, and sports more than cooking. The MLA, Mr. Krishnan, felt amused and laughed aloud at her pert answer.

But her parents were highly irritated by their girl’s supposed arrogance.  They noticed the raised brow and expression of displeasure in the MLA’s wife’s eyes, Ranya, as she observed Latha with curiosity. But her son felt attracted to the bold girl.

Later, when the guests took leave, her father severely rebuked her for acting bright in front of his chief guests. He issued a warning to his wife to bring up their daughter appropriately, or she would have to face the consequences in the future.

Anna felt guilty for her girl’s upbringing. She blamed herself quietly and resolved to be stricter with her daughter.

Latha, the rebel

Two days later, while she returned from college, Anna noticed with an open-mouthed gasp that Latha had not only chopped off her long silky tresses but cropped it to her shoulder length.

She visited a parlor after the college was over and did the makeover. She wore a loose-fitting full sleeve shirt and loose trousers.

Her mother thought she looked like a scarecrow and completely alien!

Anna screamed at her, “What have you done to your hair, you daft creature? Oh my God! Are you insane? Do you know how ugly and unfeminine you look now?”

“That is exactly my mission, Amma,” said Latha in an amused tone. She added,” If I look unattractive, how can I turn on the unwanted guys in my college? You should be happy that your girl has no affair with guys, bringing shame to you.”

Anna slapped her forehead and said, “What a harpy I have given birth in my house. What will your Pa say if he sees you? Haan? Latha, are you not aware of our family tradition that our women are not allowed cropped hair? What will the townsfolk think of you? Are you a widow?”

Her daughter answered, “I feel very uncomfortable with long hair. It needs time to maintain. I can talk to Father regarding this. I do not care about any other opinion, ma. Besides, it is high time our villagers saw specimens like me, hahaha.”

The mother kept staring at her as she skipped her way into her room like a dashing young boy. Anna was apprehensive about her free-spirited daughter. Her brother hardly noticed her as he avoided her because he disliked his sister’s ways.

Father’s support for his son’s criminal activities

As she stepped into her house, she found her mother upset. Anna could not help yelling out, “This boy will land up into great trouble one day.” She addressed Aadhi with regret, “You could have stopped him from venturing out yesterday night.”

Aadhi was pondering over something and drinking Rum in the courtyard, sitting on a charpai (a bedstead of woven webbing or hemp stretched on a wooden frame on four legs, standard in India). He suddenly got irritated and said, “Stop your crooning woman. I can take care of Vaasu. No one can harm him. The Police just told me to keep him there until the fever subsides.”

Anna replied, “I know you can take care of the police. But what about those in the rival gang? You don’t think they will seek revenge for what he did so recklessly?”

“Stop it now, or I will strike you on your fat face. Do not invite my anger with such demoralizing talks!”

He flung his half-finished content of Rum on her face, loathing the very sight of her. Anna went into the washroom, shedding tears in silence. Latha stared in horror and disgust. Then she tried to calm down her mother as she cleaned her face, quivering in fear and shame.

She whispered to her, “Amma, please don’t worry. He is going to be okay. He will learn from experience not to play with fire.”

 “Latha, he has stabbed a man to death in front of witnesses. Can you imagine?”  she said in a choked voice.

The girl was stunned. She knew Vaasu had been indulging in street fights but never thought he was capable of killing someone!

Instantly, she felt a chill run down her spine. She hugged her mother, but she lost all words of consolation for her. To be a mother of a murderer is not an easy experience for a woman, and to come to terms with this harsh truth is more brutal.