Ramya

I never thought about writing about her.  But she came to my mind today. So writing.

Who is Ramya? Is she my relative? Not really. She is daughter of my dad's close friend. I call him Biju chettan. Chettan because if his age. He is considerably younger than dad. But they used to be roommates. Biju Chettan used to do all kind of work to make a living. He used to do labour work, tire work, catch fish from a dam nearby. Then, dad gave him idea of contracting engineering work from MIDC. He was hard working and trustworthy. His business of engineering works boomed exponentially. My dad used to keep his books. His current business is in lakhs per month.

Then comes Ajitha chettathi. For Ann's reference, she is the woman who called you. She was married at a very young age. She had Ramya soon after. Then her husband ran away leaving her and Ramya. The husband was a crook it seems. They didn't background check. When police caught upto him, he ran. Ramya don't even remember her real father. Chettathi didn't give up. She got a job in Parle G factory nearby. She was supporting family of 4 with that salary in Mumbai.

Then, my dad and Biju Chettan moved in next door. Biju Chettan was diamond in the rough. And chettathi found him. They fell in love and decided to marry. My dad supported him. I was in Pune at that time. My mom was skeptical about the relationship. But she knew Biju Chettan and accepted it. I used to go to Mumbai every weekend. So my mom told me about the new development during the week. Dad didn't tell me, but told mom in Trivandrum. I had no prejudice. If they loved each other and wanted to live together, that's how it should be. That was my opinion. When I went there that weekend, they were worried how I will react. I ended all their worry by calling her "Chettathi" and getting blessing by touching her feet. They all love me and support me from that day forth. Later I came to know that Chettathi is only 2-3 years older than me.

Biju Chettan's family was against the relationship first. They hated me and my dad for supporting them. They changed their mind about Chettan and chettathi when Biju Chettan's engineering work skyrocketed after marrying chettathi and the money Biju Chettan sends home to Kerala also was increased. But me and my dad is still in their bad books.

Ramya started as an annoying small girl who will always run after me calling me Manu Mama, Manu Mama. I entertained her at first. Then when she became too clingy, I started distancing from her. She was 5 years old. Her mom won't allow her to play outside. I was the only person anywhere near to her age she ever could interact with. So, she needed me for everything. From Holi colours to Diwali crackers. She saw a brother she never had, in me.

Then I got married. Ramya had a growth spurt. I was afraid to go beside her. But, she was always skeptical about Reshma. When all 3 of us together, she will stare at Reshma for minutes at a time. It made Reshma and me uncomfortable. I will ask her what is wrong and she will shrug her shoulders and say nothing.

When the issues started, she didn't care about anything. She stood with me. I doubt she knew what happened. Anyway. That's when she got her WhatsApp. She will ping me and ask the same question. When will you come? I will give some dates. When that date is past, I will give some other dates. That's when I asked her about her staring Reshma. Then she tells me about her intuition.

Ramya: This woman is no way a match to Manu Mama. I was wondering what he saw in her. And I knew from day one that this marriage is not going to last. It was a surprise that it lasted this long.

Me: If you knew all these, why didn't you tell me before marriage?

Ramya: I saw her first on your marriage day. Also, what should I say when people are in love?

Me: Love? 🤣😂🤣😂

Then I went to Mumbai on my dad's retirement party. She was the centre of attraction. She bought 9k dress for that occasion alone. But, she stayed the innocent girl. I took some photos with her and put that in WhatsApp status along with lot of other photos of the function. I was blocked in Reshma's WhatsApp. So, I didn't worry about her seeing these photos. But somebody else saw the photo and shown it to her.

This girl is 15 years old even if she doesn't look that. Reshma called her mother and bad-mouthed her and Ramya for bewitching me. Also that I am not a nice person. They should give their daughter a pregnancy test. Etc. They were shocked. Even I was shocked. This is after Reshma declared that she don't want to be anywhere around me. I was confused and went to her home and talked to Reshma's dad. He didn't care about what Reshma did. I could have blasted them then and there. But I didn't. May be that's why Reshma did such a thing. Knowing that she can get away with it. Now I have changed. I can easily humiliate a person in public without remorse. Reshma knows that and will never dare to pull such stunts in future.

Nothing changed after the call. I went to Mumbai twice after that. Lived in their home for weeks. Me and Ramya will roam in Mumbai in her scooter, whole day. She grew more beautiful too. 😉

Biju Chettan and chettathi knew me way before Reshma knew me. They know that their daughter is stupid. They trusted me to keep her safe when we go out together. I have never broken that trust. Before going out, I will give her mom the iteniary of where we're going, even if she never asked me. I will give her minutes of the journey even if she won't ask me.

We keep some secrets too. One of our common friends suggested me marrying Ramya instead of looking for other alliances. We went to their home in scooter and me mingling with her closely gave them that idea. Also we both have a few pounds extra in our body. I rejected the idea on the spot. We laughted about it on the way home. We decided to keep this a secret in order to avoid putting ideas into people's mind.

She still messages me in WhatsApp occasionally. Main theme will be asking me when I will be going to Mumbai. December 27th she have a dance program it seems along with her Mohiniyattam group. She keep on asking whether I will attend. I will simply say that I will try. She will pass out from her 12th standard in March.