Suddenly, Marayi’s voice shattered the peace like the crack of a whip. ‘What is this new fascination?’ she shouted from outside. ‘He goes into the hut as soon as he comes home and shuts the door. He doesn’t open it even after the day dawns. Exactly what wonder lies inside that hut? What is this new habit?’ Her voice must have travelled the length of at least two or three fields in the dark. She just could not leave them alone in their happiness. She wanted to know everything they said to each other. Even if they whispered inside the hut, she could hear it clearly outside. There could be no secrets here. Even when they spoke very cautiously, they felt like she was standing right outside, listening. During the day, if Kumaresan was at home while Marayi was out, perhaps they could talk then. The nights were unsafe for talking.

When he heard his mother’s voice, Kumaresan pulled away from Saroja’s embrace, rose, tightened his lungi around his waist, and said, ‘Wait. I will be back,’ before stepping out.

Did he have to rush to his mother as soon as he heard her voice? What terrible thing would happen if he made her wait for a little while? What could she do? He was always exceedingly polite to his mother. It looked like he was not drunk any more. Saroja sat motionless in the same spot, listening to the conversation unfolding outside.

‘What is it, amma?’ he asked.

‘What do you mean what is it?’ snapped Marayi. ‘There is a village council meeting today. Someone came and informed me in the afternoon. They are going to start preparations for the festival. They want to talk. Go.’

‘Are they waiting for me to go and inaugurate the festival? There are others to do that.’

‘You may be a grown man but you are a complete idiot! Do you think they will proceed with the meeting without talking about your affair? They’ve been patient all this while because they knew this festival meeting was coming up. Today it will only be about your problem. Go and find out what they have to say.’

He considered this for a while. Then he said, ‘Whatever it is, we can find out in the morning. If I go now, I might say something that could escalate into an argument.’

‘Why would you fight with them? Just answer their questions, tell them what they want to hear. Otherwise they won’t leave you in peace. Don’t underestimate the village folk. They value their honour. Respect that. That is all I will say.’

‘We’ll see about all that. You don’t worry, Amma,’ he said and walked back into the hut.

‘Sure! Sure!’ Marayi harangued. ‘You don’t worry about anything. Just go and bury yourself inside her.’

Not for the first time, Saroja wished she could simply remove her ears, just like Kumaresan often suggested.

TEN

TEN