Ramayya was driving through the village, still thinking about the money he had to collect. His anger had not yet settled after the argument at home.
As he passed a residential street, he noticed a crowd gathered in front of a house. People were dressed in colourful clothes, and the atmosphere suggested that a family celebration was taking place.
Suddenly, Ramayya recognised someone standing near the entrance.
It was Subhash, a man who had borrowed money from him.
Ramayya immediately stopped his car in front of the house, stepped out, and shouted.
"Subhash! Hey, Subhash! Come here!"
The people gathered outside turned towards him in surprise. Some began whispering among themselves.
"Who is that man? Why is he shouting at Subhash?" one person asked.
Another replied, "I don't know. Maybe it's someone who has come to collect money."
Hearing his name repeatedly, Subhash hurried out of the house.
"Sir, please... Why are you shouting? What happened?" he asked nervously.
Ramayya looked at him angrily.
"What happened? Are you asking me what happened? Where is my money? You promised to repay it two days ago. But you haven't paid even the interest! Do you think I will keep waiting for you?"
Subhash looked around, feeling embarrassed.
"Sir, please lower your voice. My daughter's engagement ceremony is taking place inside. All our relatives and guests are here. Please don't create a scene in front of everyone."
Ramayya was not interested in listening to him.
"I don't care whether you have an engagement, wedding, or any other celebration! You borrowed money from me, and today you have to repay it. You already missed the deadline. Now you have to pay double the interest. Do you understand?"
Subhash folded his hands.
"Sir, I am not refusing to pay you. I am going through a difficult situation. I need just a little more time. I will arrange the money and settle everything. Please don't disturb us today. My daughter's engagement is an important occasion for our family."
Ramayya laughed sarcastically.
"Every time I come here, you have a new excuse! First, you said you would pay last week. Then you asked for two more days. Now you are asking for more time because of your daughter's engagement. How many more excuses should I listen to?"
Subhash tried to control his emotions.
"Sir, please understand. I have already invited so many relatives. Everyone has come to bless my daughter. I promise I will repay your money very soon. Please leave now."
But Ramayya moved closer to him.
"I didn't come here to listen to your family problems. I want my money. If you cannot pay today, tell me clearly. I will take whatever action is necessary."
Their argument grew louder.
The guests standing outside began watching the confrontation. A few relatives came forward and tried to understand what was happening.
One of them approached Subhash.
"Subhash, who is this man? Why is he demanding money during the engagement?"
Subhash lowered his head in embarrassment.
"He is the person I borrowed money from. I told him I would repay it soon, but he is demanding it today."
The relative looked at Ramayya.
"Sir, this is a family function. Please give him a little time. You can discuss the money matters later."
Ramayya immediately turned towards him.
"Who are you to interfere in my matter? Did I lend you the money? If he borrowed it, he must repay it. Why should I wait?"
His harsh response left everyone speechless.
Meanwhile, inside the house, the bride's family noticed the commotion outside. The bridegroom's father, who had been sitting with the relatives, came out to see what was happening.
He looked at Subhash and asked angrily,
"What is all this? We came here to celebrate an engagement, not to witness a public argument. Why is someone demanding money from you in front of everyone?"
Subhash rushed towards him.
"Please don't misunderstand me. I will explain everything. This man lent me some money, and I have asked him for a little more time. I never refused to repay him."
But the bridegroom's father was already uncomfortable.
"How can we proceed with this engagement when such financial problems are happening in your family? If you are unable to manage your own commitments questioned by bridegroom father.
"Please, don't say that. This has nothing to do with my daughter. She has done nothing wrong. We have been preparing for this engagement for weeks. Please don't take such a decision because of this incident."
His wife rushed out of the house, followed by their daughter, who was dressed beautifully for the engagement.
The young girl looked confused as she saw the crowd gathered outside.
"Dad, what happened? Why is everyone standing here?"
Subhash couldn't look into her eyes.
Her mother held her hand and tried to calm her down.
"Nothing, dear. Just stay inside. Everything will be fine."
But the situation had already gone beyond their control.
The bridegroom's father turned towards his relatives and announced,
"We cannot continue with this engagement. We came here expecting a respectable family atmosphere, but we have witnessed something completely different. We are leaving."
Subhash stood frozen.
"Please, sir! At least think about the children. They have done nothing wrong. Don't punish my daughter for my financial problems."
But the decision had been made.
The bridegroom's family began leaving the house.
The engagement ceremony, which had been planned with so much excitement, came to an abrupt end.
The decorations remained in place. The food was still being prepared. Relatives who had arrived to celebrate stood around in confusion.
But the happiness that had filled the house just a few minutes earlier had disappeared.
Subhash's daughter slowly began crying.
"Dad, why are they leaving? Did I do something wrong?"
Her question broke his heart.
He had no words to answer her.
Subhash turned towards Ramayya, his eyes filled with anger and pain.
"Are you happy now, sir? You came here demanding your money, and now look at what has happened. My daughter's engagement has been cancelled in front of everyone. I asked you for a little time, but you didn't even care about her future!"
Ramayya remained unmoved.
"That is not my problem. You borrowed money from me. You should have thought about repayment before arranging all these celebrations."
With those words, he turned around, got into his car, and drove away.
Subhash stood helplessly in front of his house, watching the vehicle disappear.
His wife held their crying daughter close. The relatives slowly began leaving, whispering about the incident.
What was supposed to be one of the happiest days in their daughter's life had become one of the most painful days for the entire family.
Meanwhile, Ramayya continued driving as if nothing had happened.
He had collected no money, but he had left behind a broken family.
He didn't realise that the consequences of his behaviour might soon reach his own home.
By the time he returned to his street, news of the cancelled engagement had already begun spreading.
And when the story reached his family, nobody could believe what Ramayya had done.
To be continued.....