‘My head swam, there was such fragrance in the air. I had to drag my eyes away … Was this Rajanna’s Maadhi? I didn’t know. I only knew that she was all I wanted, all I want, all I need to live. There was no time to tell her any of this. I had to bring Rajanna back to the real world.

‘About two days later, Honni came to my room and closed the door. I sat up in my bed, my heart hammering. She smiled at me and stood, her back to the door. She looked not like my sister-in-law, but like a beautiful red-and-orange flower.

‘My throat went dry. She turned, latched the door firmly and came up softly to me, without letting her anklets or bangles make any sound. I just sat there, looking stupid. Parvati, I cannot tell you what happened next. When you grow older, perhaps you will understand … No, I have to tell you, whether you understand or not.

‘She undid her blouse and cushioned my head on her breasts. She caressed me, made me mad with the scent of her. She gave me the utmost pleasure I have ever felt. She fell on me in the bed, this bed, held me, touched me, kissed me. But it wasn’t Honni, Parvati. You have to believe me. I didn’t do all that with my sister-in-law. She was Maadhi, she came as Maadhi. My blood was humming with her name, still does, Maadhi, Maadhi…’

Parvati listens silently, hanging on tightly to Sundru’s weak hand. Honni did that? No! And what is this Maadhi? First Rajanna, now her always-rational Sundranna! She turns to Annaiah, who continues grinding and softly singing.

Sundru speaks as if he would never stop. ‘Rajanna fell very ill. We were trying all kinds of medicines. One day, Honni came to me and said, please come and hold him, I want to give him milk. He is throwing it at me. I, like a fool, went with her and made Rajanna drink that milk.

‘Parvati, that milk was poisoned. Rajanna drank the milk and said he wanted to sleep, so I left them. In the middle of that night, Honni came to my room. I thought I was in for another session and sat up, panting in anticipation. Then I noticed that Krishnegowda had followed her into my room.

‘Krishnegowda sneered and said, don’t be disappointed, mari, first we have some work for you and then the reward. They asked me to follow them. We went to Rajanna’s and Honni’s room. Rajanna was cold as a corpse. Shocked, I looked at Krishnegowda. Remember the milk you gave him, he asked me mockingly. I nodded, uncomprehending. He drank it and died, said Krishnegowda. I sat down, horrified. What had they made me do!