“Is it the engagement ring?” asked Chandra as a way of enquiring though he knew from Sathya's demeanor it was not the case.
“It's something of a safety ring,” said Sathya mysteriously. “Hopefully I'll come back to you for mangalasutrams.”
“I wish you would,” said Chandra extending his hand to Sathya.
“Thank you,” said Sathya as he shook Chandra's hand. “Right now I've got jammed at the cross-roads of confusion.”
“Sometimes it helps to talk it over,” said Chandra by way of inviting Sathya's friendship. “If you wish, you can make me your confidant.”
“You're inviting trouble I suppose,” said Sathya heartily. “Don't you know men in love make a boring company?”
“You seem to be an interesting character,” said Chandra, laughing heartily.
“She says there can't be another like me.”
“I suppose she's right,” said Chandra “You've a romantic face like I've never seen before.”
“But she never said so,” said Sathya with a sense of disappointment.
“May I know her name?”
“Kala.”
“Honestly,” said Chandra, “I'm getting more and more curious.”
“Not now, but surely some other time,” said Sathya disarmingly. “I‟m glad you‟re helping me out.”
“I have a feeling we might click well,” said Chandra as he extended his hand.
“It would be my privilege being your friend,” said Sathya warmly shaking Chandra's hand. “I would love to hear your love story some day.”
“Why not,” said Chandra equally warmly, “come out lucky and we shall exchange notes.”
“I suppose, I need all the luck in the world now.”
“I wish tons of it anyway.”
“Thanks a lot for that!”
After introducing Sathya to the veteran and entrusting his work to him, Chandra excused himself.
Reaching home, when Chandra told Nithya about his strange encounter with Sathya, she was so much impressed to express her desire to see the lover who was in a quandary.
“Love seems to be your creed,” she said in the end affectionately. “And I love it.”
Though it was a week since Sathya collected the ring, Chandra was still thinking about him. Somehow, he was eager for Sathya's return and as he appeared shortly thereafter, Chandra welcomed him heartily.
“Any good news?” said Chandra in welcome.
“It's patchy at the most.”
“How did she like the ring?”
“Thanks for the trouble you've taken,” said Sathya gratefully, “she felt it's out of the world.”
“I‟m glad to hear that,” said Chandra in reciprocation. “I'm all for taking more of such troubles.”