About ten days before the Kamanahabba that year, with preparations in full swing for Ooramma’s jathre, she suggests that perhaps Sannegowda should go to the rishi and ask him for a cure. Sannegowda looks at her with stunned astonishment and then begins to laugh. He says, in a manner more affectionate than usual, ‘That is a good idea. I will go today itself.’

That night, without informing anyone, he leaves. When he finds out, Doddegowda is unhappy, because he and Sannegowda are the bearers of Ooramma’s wooden palanquin during the jathre. With the festival just two days away, how can Sannegowda disappear like this? Then it strikes him that Sannegowda is in no condition to carry Ooramma. Perhaps he is sparing the family some humiliation by disappearing like this. Doddegowda goes to Kalegowda’s house and requests him to be the other pallakki bearer. And the jathre goes off without any hitch, other than some sniggers from the villagers, who know fully well why Sannegowda has been replaced.

A week later, Sannegowda is not back. Ningamma finally asks Ajji if she knows where he has gone. When she hears his destination and the reason for it, she gives Ajji a look of shock and pity and walks off. Three nights before the Kamanahabba, Ajji overhears Ningamma telling Doddegowda, ‘It’s high time she knows where he’s gone. You have to tell her. It is your duty as the head of the family.’

Ajji does not want to hear any more. Everyone is hiding something from her. Night or not, she is going to Annaiah right away; he is the only one who will tell her, truthfully, what is going on. Gangi has returned after giving him food and is now sleeping. She will not miss her mother.

She is making her way in the bright white light of the moon when she hears someone call her name softly. She turns slowly, wondering who could be accosting her at this hour of the night. She is used to respect from the village folk – is she not the daughter-in-law of the headman’s house? Nobody should dare talk to her when she is going unaccompanied in this manner.

The sly quality and urgency in the voice stops her. She can make out the form of Dasegowda shuffling towards her. A shudder of revulsion passes through her. She has had to avoid his lustful looks and sly advances for years. All through her childhood, when her mother threatened her with gumma, it was Dasegowda she visualized.

Over the years, she learns to ignore him. Her mother has told her that he is a holy man. Ajji herself has seen Ooramma come on him to give messages to the people of the village. So there must be some good in him…

Her only worry, of late, is that Dasegowda has started eyeing Gangi. She has tried to warn her daughter, but the girl is naïve. She has eyes only for Kumaraswamy, Ajji thinks fondly. She has often wanted to discuss the matter with Sannegowda, but when is he available for such discussions? He is always away on a pilgrimage.