“Let me see who it is,” Murty garu said in a fake hearty voice. “If it is the devotees, I’ll send them on their way.” Taking a deep breath, he headed to the gate, opening it cautiously.
It was just Headmaster garu. I sat down, heart settling.
“You!” Ammamma jumped up, blood rushing to her face, tiredness forgotten for the moment. “Didn’t I tell you not to blacken my doorstep with your face again?”
Headmaster garu was dishevelled, unusual for a man who took pride in his appearance. He was never seen in anything but a pristine white kurta and a stiffly starched pancha; now, both these articles of clothing looked like they’d lost a bout with the frisky goat by the tea shack.
A tallish young man, dressed in citified clothes of pants and shirt, followed him in.
Lata bobbed her head from Headmaster garu to Ammamma, and back again.
“Please,” Headmaster garu said, palms of his hands joined together. “I feel terrible for the trouble Pullamma is in. I am only trying to help.”
“What trouble?” I said.
No one paid attention to me.
“God save me from the likes of you.” I could tell Ammamma’s heart wasn’t in the scolding. She raised her joined palms above her head. “Leave us alone to our misery. I don’t know why the Yedukondalavadu is testing us so.”
For Ammamma, every setback in life was a test set by the Yedukondalavadu, that God residing on the Seven Hills of Tirupati.
“Give me five minutes,” Headmaster garu begged. Pushing aside the rickety chair, he sank onto the straw mat on the floor. “Five minutes. That’s all I ask.” He leaned against the leg of the chair, and rubbed his eyes with the heel of his palms.
“Why should I?”
“Remember Renuka?”
“I remember my husband and son-in-law, too, those non-men. What of it?”
I shuddered and closed my eyes, trying not to think of Renuka pinni, not succeeding. Three or four years ago I’d watched Renuka pinni, childhood friend of my mother’s, run through the streets of our village – clothes torn, body full of welts – sobbing in terror as a frenzied mob pursued her. She fell at our doorstep, bleeding profusely, begging for shelter.
Ammamma closed the gate on her, and leaned against it, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Why didn’t you help her?” Malli cried, as Lata and I cowered behind our older sister.
Years later, Ammamma’s reply still had the power to haunt.
“She went beyond our help when she became a witch,” she said of the loving woman who’d helped keep our mother’s memory alive.
An hour later Renuka pinni was dead – stoned by the hysterical mob. Ammamma’s intervention might not have made any difference, but at least Pinni would have known we cared.
Now Headmaster garu said, “Kondal Rao was behind that incident.”
What was wrong with Headmaster garu?
Ammamma snorted.
“It is true,” he insisted. “He planted the dead chicken, and the heap of kumkum at Renuka’s doorstep.”
I was shocked. In my mind the red kumkum powder belonged on the foreheads of married women. To think this, combined with dead chicken, was a sign of witches...
“But Shankar said his wife was behaving abnormally due to Renuka’s sorcery.”
“And I’ll say the angle of your nose is causing my granddaughter to come only second in class, instead of her normal first.”
Ammamma made a face.
“Easy to blame Shankar’s wife’s running away on Renuka. But the fact is she ran away because of brutal beatings by her husband.”
“But the villagers proved Renuka was a witch, didn’t they? When they demanded that she put her hand over fire as a test of purity?”
“Which person do you know whose hand won’t burn when put on fire, hanh?” He shook his head in despair. “That girl grew up with your daughters. How could you not believe in her innocence?”
“What can I do if the devil possesses someone’s soul?”
“Like it has possessed Pullamma’s?” he said softly.
Oh no! I was possessed by the devil? I wasn’t a Goddess, after all? My heart started to thump. Ammamma had a scared look on her face for the briefest instant. Then she squared her shoulders, as if gearing for battle.
Headmaster garu paused for a second before adding, “That’s what the villagers are beginning to say, you know. The ones who’re not convinced she’s a Goddess, that is.”
“They don’t know what they’re talking about.” Ammamma dismissed an entire village with the toss of her head. “You haven’t said what this has got to do with my granddaughter’s predicament.”
“Kondal Rao is behind the escalating frenzy of Pullamma’s Goddess-hood.”
“I’ll doubt my friend’s husband, or what?” Ammamma gave a caustic smile. “The past few days have been overwhelming for my granddaughter, I grant you, but the curiosity will die soon enough.”
I looked at Ammamma in amazement. Wasn’t this the same lady who’d been crying over my fate?
“He has been bringing in people by the truckloads.”
Ammamma harrumphed. “A few people from the village don’t make a truckload.”
“It does.” Headmaster garu’s voice rose in frustration. “If you’re trucking people in from the surrounding districts.”
“Pray, what will these truckloads of people do?”
“Consecrate the birth of their Goddess, of course.”
Chapter 13
Kondal Rao’s Machinations
Ammamma’s face drained of colour.
“Kondal Rao is searching for land to build Pullamma a temple, as we speak,” Headmaster garu said. “The headcounts pouring into the village are mostly daily wage earners, quite happy to do their leader’s bidding, and wave at the television cameras in return for a day’s pay, and free country liquor.”
So I was a Goddess, after all?
Ammamma didn’t seem convinced, however, because she blindly felt for the cot behind her, and collapsed on it. Why didn’t Ammamma realize if I had my own temple, it would be so much easier on all of us? My devotees would be able to seek me out, I would be able to do what I had arrived on the earth for.
“You better believe the seriousness of it,” Headmaster garu said. “In Renuka’s case, Kondal Rao planned the whole thing after her husband’s death. After all, who is an easier prey than a widow? Witch-hunting in the olden days might have been due to fear and ignorance, but in these times, greed plays the bigger part.”
“But Kondal Rao garu is my friend’s husband!”
“And that makes him a good man?”
Headmaster garu leaned forward, tone urgent. “Kondal Rao is diabolically ambitious – he makes Shakuni look like a thumb-sucking innocent. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He is desperate to become a Minister in the State Government. Has been for years.”
Headmaster garu wasn’t saying anything that Jhampaiah, the labourer, hadn’t already told us. But Kondal Rao garu couldn’t be bad. He knew I was a Goddess.
“What does this have to do with my Pullamma?”
“Goddess by his side. Elections around the corner. What do you think?”
“What do my powers have to do with elections?” I was confused.
“Pullamma, Child, you have no powers.” Headmaster garu’s voice was gentle.
“But I saw it with my own eyes, I saw that man throw his crutches away, and walk again.”
“He’s Kondal Rao’s man. Never had a problem with his legs.”
“But... but... doctors did the test. That woman didn’t have cancer.”
“That’s right, and she didn’t have cancer when she sought your blessings, either. Kondal Rao has been sending his people with various, made-up ailments to trick people into believing you have miraculous powers.”
“What about Ranga Nayakamma? She said I was a Goddess.”
“She’ll say anything for a crate of whiskey.”
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“He’s also behind the miracle rumours.”
Ammamma began to moan.
“This young man came in search of me late last night,” Headmaster garu said, indicating the younger man leaning against a veranda column. “He has horrifying tales to tell about Kondal Rao’s various attempts to grab power.”
What am I going to do, God?
“Where does he get the authority to pass judgment on someone like Kondal Rao garu, hanh?” Lakshmi garu said.
“Srikar is Kondal Rao’s only grandson.”
Lakshmi garu closed her mouth abruptly.
My heart thumped. Kondal Rao garu’s grandson. That couldn’t be good.
“You’ve grown up,” Ammamma said. “I didn’t recognize you.”
Srikar was already working in the city when we visited his grandparents in the village, so I’d never seen him. He looked too nice to be related to someone like Kondal Rao, no more respectful garu for him. How could I have been foolish enough to have been taken in by that vile man?
The younger man bent and touched Ammamma’s feet.
Ammamma put her hand on his head in an automatic gesture of blessing.
“If his grandfather is as wicked as you say, should the boy be here at all?” Lakshmi garu said.
“First of all,” Headmaster garu said, “you need to believe Kondal Rao is a dangerous man.”
“But he is helping my Malli get married!” Ammamma said.
I gritted my teeth. Hadn’t Headmaster garu just gone over how Kondal Rao had tricked me?
Headmaster garu took a deep breath. “He is here to marry Pullamma, if you are willing. No dowry.”
“Who is?” Ammamma asked.
Headmaster garu clicked his tongue. “Srikar, of course.”
I raised my head, not trusting I’d heard right.
“What is the need?” Lakshmi garu said. “Kondal Rao garu gave Pullamma the power, and the money. This, when she had no other options in life. He helped her. What’s wrong with that?”
“My grandfather is manipulating Pullamma through that oracle,” Srikar said. “That’s what is wrong.”
“If people really believe Pullamma is a Goddess, why would she need someone else to interpret her actions?” Ammamma said.
“Because it is convenient for Kondal Rao,” Headmaster garu said. “It also helps that Pullamma hasn’t spoken out loud during her audience.”
All because I hadn’t opened my mouth? But what could I have done? Nothing wise had come to my tongue.
“Seetamma garu, what’s your answer?” Headmaster garu prompted Ammamma.
“To what?”
“Will you give Pullamma in marriage to Srikar?”
My stomach lurched. He was really willing to marry me? Could he not see how black I was?
“But why?” Ammamma asked.
“I prefer not to sit back and watch as he ruins yet another life,” Srikar said.
I studied him. Could he really mean it?
“That man is your grandfather,” Lakshmi garu said.
“Don’t I know?” Srikar’s jaw tightened. “We’re talking about the man who seized all of Renuka garu’s lands and emptied out her bank accounts. When I close my eyes each night, it is her blood I see on my conscience.”
“You’d believe that of your own grandfather?” Ammamma clapped her mouth in horror.
“I wish I could say ‘no.’ But I’ve been hearing rumours for years. When I finally set out in search of the truth, I found out more than I’d ever wanted to.” His eyes looked bleak. “Much as I’d like to, I can’t deny his involvement anymore.”
“What about your parents?” Lakshmi garu demanded. “Do you think it would make them happy if you ran off with a dowry-less girl? They must have spent hundreds of rupees raising you, educating you. The girl you marry will enjoy the fruits of their labour. Don’t they deserve to get some of that money back?”
Lakshmi garu never forgot to talk like the mother of sons.
“And... Pullamma is so... black. Don’t you deserve better?”
“Lakshmi!” Murty garu gave me an apologetic look.
Lakshmi garu shrugged.
“Srikar’s father died a few years ago,” Headmaster garu said to Lakshmi garu. “His mother disappeared when he was two. No one knows where.”
I considered Srikar. Something we had in common. I didn’t have parents, either.
Headmaster garu turned to Ammamma. “Please don’t argue just for the sake of arguing, Seetamma garu. Time is of essence now. Accept this offer of marriage.”
“But he isn’t tall enough for her,” Ammamma wailed.
Headmaster garu worked his mouth, but nothing came out.
Despite the thick tension, I giggled. The look of incredulity on Headmaster garu’s face was comical. He shook his head before finally finding his voice. “We’re trying to prevent Pullamma’s life from being ruined, and you are comparing heights? Forgive me for saying this, Seetamma garu, but have you lost your mind?”
“No… no… of course not,” Ammamma stammered.
“We can’t afford to waste time,” Srikar said, his voice sounding more strained than ever. “Don’t underestimate my grandfather. Come morning, he’ll be here with a new plan, which could even place Pullamma’s life in danger.”
I suddenly realized this wasn’t easy for him.
“My grandfather thinks he can manipulate people’s lives to suit his own. Our family won’t be able to wash away the sins of Renuka garu’s murder for a hundred generations.”
“Have you thought about what will happen when he finds out his grandson has married his Goddess?” Ammamma asked.
“If I do end up marrying Pullamma, I’ll have to cut off contact with my grandparents.”
“And that is all right with you?”
“I’m perfectly fine if I never again set eyes on my grandfather. But my grandmother… I’m all she has.” He cleared his throat. “Still, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if inaction on my part caused something to happen to Pullamma.”
“Your grandfather will find out eventually.”
“I don’t doubt it. But, by then, Pullamma will be my wife. As member of his family, I hope she’ll come under his protection.”
“You can’t be sure,” Lakshmi garu said, “and yet, you want us to place our girl in your hands?”
I was astounded. When had I been her girl?
“Who can be sure of anything?” Srikar said. “But what is the alternative?”
“The risk is too big,” Ammamma said.
“It is one we’ll have to take,” Srikar said. “I’m not so naive as to think he will be happy about the disappearance of his Goddess. But realistically, I’m the best chance your granddaughter has.”
“How can you be so sure?” Ammamma asked, wiping sweat from her face, despite the chill of the night.
“Do you see any other way?”
Ammamma’s shoulders slumped in defeat.
“Then give us your blessings.”
“Kondal Rao garu can go from MLA to Cabinet Minister,” Lakshmi garu said. “Even Chief Minister. Who knows?” She wagged a finger at Ammamma. “Seetamma, don’t bring misfortune upon your head by taking on such powerful people. Let Pullamma be a Goddess. Where is the harm, I say? It will set Malli and Lata up for life. You, yourself, will be able to lead a life of comfort. And it’s not like Pullamma will be left destitute or anything. She’ll have all the clothes she desires, all the jewellery, all the comforts she could ever think of. Which fool would walk away from something like this?”
Please, God, if you do just one thing for me, shut this woman up.
“What about a life free from manipulation?” Srikar cut in. “What about a husband, children, a house of her own?” He turned to Ammamma. “Don’t you want all these for your granddaughter?”
“Ranga Nayakamma is as good as a Goddess,” Lakshmi garu said. “She is married. She has children.”
Headmaster garu snorted. “Ranga Nayak
amma is a joke. Besides, her so-called visions started after she was married. Which young man will have the guts to come forward and marry Pullamma, the Goddess, hanh?” He looked earnestly at Ammamma. “Srikar is the only young man you will find willing, given what is going on now.”
“No dowry, the girl black like anything.” Lakshmi garu darted a quick glance at Murty garu.
Murty garu’s lips tightened. “Seetamma garu,” he said. “Pullamma can’t possibly spend the rest of her life giving darsanams.”
At this moment I could have forgiven Murty garu anything, even being married to Lakshmi garu. A deep tremble started up my legs, then spread to my upper body. Ammamma hurried to me and pulled me into her arms. I hid my face in her shoulder.
“Srikar works in Hyderabad,” Headmaster garu said. “He has a respectable job as a construction supervisor.” Headmaster garu looked at his watch. “It is just past 1:00 o’clock. If we leave immediately, we will be in Hyderabad by morning. We must get them married right away.”
Ammamma looked at me.
Not knowing how to react, I turned to Lakshmi garu and Murty garu, who wore identical expressions of disbelief.
“I don’t know what to think,” Ammamma said.
“This isn’t the time to think, this is the time to act.” Headmaster garu struggled up. “A car and driver are waiting outside. Let’s go.”
“Wait,” Srikar said, raising a palm.
My heart missed a beat. Had the colour of my skin affected his nobleness?
“We’re all making decisions on Pullamma’s behalf,” he said. “This is her life we’re talking about. I want to hear from her that she is ready to come away with me to Hyderabad, to marry me.”
I looked at Srikar, shyness forgotten in my shock. Whoever asked a girl what she wanted?
Ammamma appeared as shell-shocked as I felt.
Everyone waited expectantly.
I sneaked another glance at Srikar. My heart skipped another beat. He was slim and nice looking, almost as tall as me. A lock of hair fell endearingly on his brow. He was as different from his grandfather as an auto-rickshaw’s horn was from a cow’s. He gave me a small, encouraging smile.
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