Ajan's former employer, the owner of the jewellery shop, would, now and then, ask him to come to his shop for help, whenever the shop had an important customer.
The shop owner found that Ajan's expertise on the quality and value of precious gems impressed the potential customers and gave them the confidence to buy the gems, with a feeling of conviction.
It was during such a visit to the jewellery shop of his former employer that Ajan met the young woman.
From the way the woman had dressed, talked and acted, it was obvious that she belonged to a wealthy family. Whether she was speaking to the shop assistants or to the shop owner, she displayed an authoritarian tone.
When the shop owner introduced Ajan to her, saying, "Madam! Ajan is an expert in identifying the quality of stones and assessing their value. He will help you to select the pearls," she threw a nonchalant look at him.
However, within a short time of listening to Ajan explaining the different grades of pearls, their characteristics and value, she was impressed by his expert knowledge about precious stones. She began to look at him with respect and admiration..
After she had bought some pearls and left the shop, the shop owner thanked Ajan for facilitating the sale.
"Who is this lady? She is so authoritarian!" said Ajan.
"She has a reason to be so. She is the daughter of a high level official in the palace" said the shop owner.
"What is her name?"
"I don't know her name. Since she bought pearls from me, we can refer to her as Miss Pearl!" said the shop owner.
After sometime, Ajan received word from the shop owner that Miss Pearl wanted him to visit her residence.
Ajan went to her house, feeling apprehensive whether she didn't like the pearls bought by her on his advice and whether she called him for reprimanding him for giving her wrong advice.
But, contrary to his fears, Ajan was given a warm reception when he reached her house. The servants served him some dishes, in spite of his saying that he was not hungry.
"It is Madam's order that you should be taken to her chamber, only after you take food" said a servant.
After Ajan had had his food, he was taken to the 'Madam's' chamber.
"Welcome, gentleman!" Miss Pearl received him enthusiastically. "I have known many experts well versed in the intricate knowledge about gems. But I have never come across a person with such an incisive sense of discrimination like you. I have some more precious gems with me. I want you to examine them and give me an assessment about their quality and value. I keep buying and selling gems. But I want to keep rare gems with high value, permanently with me. I need your help in assessing the values of the gems I have" said Pearl
Ajan examined the gems shown by her, one by one, studying them closely, and explained to her about the quality, characteristics and value of each of them.
When he took leave of her, after completing his task, she offered him gold coins of considerable value as remuneration for his services. But he refused to receive any remuneration from her, saying, "I consider it my fortune that I am able to serve a noble person like you."
Ajan was often thinking about Miss pearl.
'What a majestic personality, with a commanding appearance, cheerfulness and affability! Why did I get a feeling of being overwhelmed, in her presence. I used to be amused reading writers comparing the eye of a woman to a lily flower. But her eyes do remind me of lily flowers!
'Will I get a chance to meet her again? Oh, what a stupid desire! I am nowhere near her in status. I am fit to be only a servant in her house. But, if I were to be a servant in her house, commanded by her and spend my time looking at her flower-like eyes from close quarters and admiring her majestic appearance from being near her, I would be fortunate! Oh, what a stupid thought!'
But, Ajan could not help having such thoughts quite often.
After a few weeks, Ajan received a message from Miss Pearl, asking him to visit her house.
This time, she was slightly upset.
"What is this, young man? I called you to my house only to make an assessment of my gems. But it has led to people gossiping about you and me!" she asked in an angry tone.
Though such rumours reached his ears also, Ajan did not attach any importance to them. With Pearl herself calling him and asking about the rumours, he had a fear that perhaps things had gone a little far.
"Madam! I have not done anything to cause such rumours."
"You call me 'madam!' Is this the way to address a woman you are going to marry? My name is Parivadhini" she said, smiling.
"I don't follow..."
"When I first heard about the gossip of the people of this town, I felt angry. But, after pondering over the matter deeply, I realized that the talk of the people only reflected my inner feelings. If you like this Parivadhini, please tell me. I will talk to my father and ask him to make arrangements for our marriage."
Parivadhini bowed down her head, involuntarily.
Ajan was struck with wonder by the sight of the commanding Parivadhini bowing down her head like a timid girl.
Section 3
Gossiping by Others
malaranna kaNNAL arumai aRiyAdhu
Verse 1141
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