Hearing the commotion, Kumaresan’s other relatives had come running from the houses nearby. Saroja did not know any of them, and her husband was in no state to make the introductions.

One of his aunts exclaimed, ‘Oh! It is our Nōndi! He has come with his new wife to eat a feast here. Hey, you! Go get the batter ready for some snacks.’

Everyone smiled mockingly at them. They scrutinized Saroja—who sat on the veranda with her head bowed—from all angles.

‘Look at her!’ said one of the women. ‘She was not ashamed to elope with a man, but she is feeling shy now!’

Another one said, ‘If the people in Kattuppatti had any regard for their honour, they would have chased this donkey away by now.’

Yet another aunt added, ‘Do you know what a great man your father was? In all these years after his death, has anyone dared to say a bad word about your mother? She has preserved this family’s honour. You were born in the same family. Yet you stand here after having brought such disgrace upon us. Did you think your uncles have no honour and respect to protect? How dare you come here! At least your appucchi stopped with a few beatings. If your uncles were here, they’d have chopped off your legs!’

Kumaresan did not look at any of them in the face. There were children too in the crowd. These were the same children who used to climb on to his shoulders and for whom he brought gifts whenever he visited from Tholur. They would run and play with him, these same children who now stood away from him, wide-eyed and hesitating. Saroja was relieved that none of his uncles were there that day.

Then appucchi spoke again. ‘Run away from here before your uncles return. They want to hack you to pieces. They are very upset that the boy whom they raised has done something like this. Your uncles had plans to build you a tiled house on the rock and get you married to a nice girl. Couldn’t you find a girl in our village, from within our caste? We can’t even face our people. You have shamed us all. If your uncles see you now, they will hack you to death. Hey, you! Give them something to eat if you want and send them on their way. If our boys ask, we will tell them that we were feeding some workers.’

After that, Saroja did not want to remain there for another minute. She pressed Kumaresan’s hand urgently, and he responded by getting up and walking out of appucchi’s veranda.

Ammayi said, ‘Please wait, my dear. Please eat a little food at least. You have come all the way in the sun.’