Tell A Thousand Lies (11 page)

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

A
mmamma’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.”

“Oh!”

“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?”