Thimmakka and Parvati hold on tightly to each other. The other women scamper towards the wall of Dasegowda’s house. When the lightning lets up after a good five minutes, Sundru is swaying where he stands. Parvati breaks free from Thimmakka’s hold and runs towards her Sundranna. As she reaches him, in time to provide frail support, she hears him reach out to the Ramani doll again and whisper, ‘Maadhi!’

Maadhi? Who Maadhi? The one her Rajanna died for? Parvati frowns. She is not getting any answers now. Silently, tugging Sundru by the hand, she leads him back towards Thimmakka. Together they take Sundru back home.

23. Sundru’s Story

23

SUNDRU’S STORY

nnaiah is waiting for them, eyes filled with knowledge and pain. He goes into a trance as soon as Sundru leaves and recovers only after the unseasonal lightning flashes are past.

He gives Parvati a searching glance as he takes Sundru from her. She refuses to meet his eyes. Annaiah places his hand on her head. He helps Sundru, delirious once more, back to his bed. Parvati moves closer and looks pleadingly at Annaiah. He sends everyone away, except Parvati. Thimmakka goes too, dragged out by Ajji.

Sundru is muttering something. Maadhi, he groans. Parvati, unable to sit, paces up and down. She goes to the jar that has the paanaka, pours out some and takes it to Sundru, dripping it down his mouth. Annaiah, grinding some kind of a herb, starts to sing softly. Sundru and Parvati quieten down and listen.

Some time later, Sundru opens his eyes and addresses Parvati clearly and coherently. ‘The first time I saw Honni with Krishnegowda was much before our Rajanna went over the wall. They both saw me watching and separated. I turned and went away, totally stunned. I decided to tell Rajanna. I went to the wall where he sat waiting for that Maadhi every day. He was not there. I climbed the banyan tree and stood on the wall, looking all around. I was about to turn back and search for him in the village, when I saw a form stealthily creeping up to one of the tents.

‘I didn’t think about who or what. I slipped down the banyan tree branch onto the other side of the wall and went to the tent. There were sounds of a scuffle going on inside. I opened the tent flap and saw Rajanna trying to kiss a very plain-looking girl who was fighting him.

‘I heard sounds of someone coming and looked at the girl for help. She understood and turned away the person who was coming. I helped Rajanna get up and we left. I turned to nod my thanks to her. She smiled at me and I just stood there frozen.