No one was coming towards her. Nothing was happening. She was just lying inside the hut on the rock . . . No, no, she was dreaming, sleeping in her house in Tholur. Every­thing would vanish if she woke up. Should she wake up and see what happened? But she couldn’t wake up. It looked as though she would have to live through this unending torment.

She could see the light from the fire around the bush. It would not take the fire too long to reach her. She could see the flames leaping through the leaves and twigs on the ground like twisting, coiling snakes and ravenously climbing the trees. She was surrounded by light. She felt its hot breath closing in around her.

Her dream would end now. Any moment now she would wake up and laugh at what a terrible dream it was. If she told someone about it, they might even laugh at her. It would be one of those long dreams of which she’d remember every detail.

Enough of this dream.

She tried to wake up. But her eyes kept closing.

All right, there was no other way but to continue with the dream, she decided. This fire was coming to embrace her and release her from some terrible, freezing cold. She readied herself to welcome it with outstretched arms.

At that moment, through the din of sticks cracking and twigs snapping in the fire, she heard the distinct sound of Kumaresan’s bicycle approaching.

GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

Athai A kinship term that refers to one’s paternal aunt, or mother-in-law, or any female relative or acquaintance who is placed in that status.

Daavani A long piece of fabric often worn by south Indian girls or women over their torsos, wrapped over a shoulder, with the loose end either hanging free at the back or tied around the waist. It is worn in combination with the pavadai or the long skirt.

Dey! An affectionate as well as irreverent mode of address where the addressee is a man.

Jaggery Unrefined sugar made from the sap of palm trees or from sugar cane juice.

Kozhambu A spicy gravy made with fresh or dried vegetables or fish and tamarind juice, eaten with rice.

Kurma A side dish made with cooking vegetables or meat in a thick coconut gravy. It is often had along with flavoured rice or bread.

Mapillai A kinship term often used to refer to a son-in-law or someone who could, within the systems of relationship, possibly be considered a son-in-law. But it is often also used as a term of endearment between men who are peers.

Melam and Nadaswaram Musical instruments often associated with auspicious occasions. Melam is a two-sided drum played with a stick on one side and with leather knuckle-caps on the other. Nadaswaram is a double-reed wind instrument that is accompanied by the melam.

Poovan A type of banana grown in the wetlands of south India.