Change in KS

Part I

Krishna Swamy Learns Scooter Driving

While in tenth grade, Krishna Swamy (KS) wanted to learn how to drive a scooter. His senior showed him how to start, operate the clutch and brake, operate the headlight, and use the indicator lights. Then he taught him the basics of driving, while he sat in the back seat. He also taught how to stop at signals and start, and to permit others to go by the side, and to overtake. Since KS knew how to ride a bike, he thought he could learn to drive a scooter quickly. After four days, he was left alone on the scooter to drive while his friend stood nearby. They practised in the mornings and evenings on a vacant plain sports ground. One day, his friend didn't accompany him. While KS was practising, a girl his age who was also learning to cycle was there. As KS was driving slowly, the girl crossed in front of his scooter. He suddenly applied the brakes, causing him to fall and the scooter's handlebars to hit his left hand. The fall fractured two bones in his forearm, with a small piece of one bone protruding through the skin.

As he fell to the ground, the girl laughed sarcastically and left the scene. KS took that laughter as an insult and grew to hate girls. His friend came by at that moment and took him to the Hospital. X-rays were taken, and he was bandaged on his left arm to prevent movement, with advice to rest for three months. His parents took care of him. After a month of rest, he returned to school with a bandage and passed the tenth grade. Later, he enrolled in an intermediate course at a private college that offers coaching for engineering and medicine, away from his hometown. He joined the MPC group but was unable to pass the entrance examination. 

*

KS meets Damayanthi

He continued his studies and was admitted to a Bachelor of Arts degree program at a city college, where he stayed in the college hostel. He passed his exams with distinction and secured a government job as a junior assistant in the city.  

He rented a room with an attached toilet and went to the office. He was eating at a nearby mess hall, where they provided a lunchbox for the office. His parents stayed in town. He was visiting them and sending money every month.

As he was alone and approaching 25, his thoughts began to drift toward a physical relationship. Opposite his room was a girl with her elderly parents, who worked as an attendant at a nearby primary school. She was caring for her bedridden parents.

Every day, KS observed her as she went to the office. That day, the main door was open, and Damayanthi (DY) was sitting beside her father, weeping. Out of curiosity, he inquired about her. He was stunned to learn that her father had died that morning and that she was alone to face the situation. KS took the initiative to arrange the funeral and comfort DY. He brought food from a hotel, and they both ate. He also helped her with other pooja formalities until the eleventh day. He did all this with his own money. DY said, "I am indebted to you for all the care these days." She asked KS not to eat in hotels, but she would cook for him.

KS was happy and recalled the girl's sarcastic laugh when he fell and broke his arm. Her laughter still echoes in his ears today. KS believed he had a chance to avenge her laughter with this girl. He always pretended to care for her, but she was courteous, caring, and considerate, unlike the girl who had come across his scooter. 

After about two months, KS  rented a two-room house with a kitchen and bathroom and asked DY to move in so they could be together; both had no difficulty. DY's mother understood KS's help and had no objection to the move.

*

 KS takes DY to the Hospital.

DY was sleeping with her mother and KS in the front room. DY was cooking, and they were both attending to their office work since DY's school was nearby. She used to go late and return early. They were comfortable with this arrangement. It was the rainy season, and mosquitoes were everywhere. KS was struck with a high fever. He was shivering. DY took him to the doctor for treatment. The doctor advised that his body be mopped with a towel dipped in water. DY was shy but understood the necessity and began cleaning KS's body from shoulders to toes, front and back.

That day, after attending to KS with medicines and a wet cloth to mop his body, she left for school. At night, she gave him Horlicks milk, and he fell asleep. At midnight, he was shivering with a high fever. DY's mother asked her to check. DY does not know how to control his shivering, so she got her chaddar and combined it with his to provide more warmth, but it was not effective, and he continued shivering. Without much thinking, to give him warmth, she then slipped under his cover and hugged him, placing her leg over him and her hands on his back, pulling his chest close to her. They stayed in that position for about half an hour. His shivering subsided, and he opened his eyes. When he saw her hugging him, he was aroused and kissed her. Until that time, she had not realised that a male hug, a kiss, and her young age made her lose all her senses, and she unknowingly cooperated with him. She felt shy and got out of his bed. He was relieved of his fever.

From that day forward, they used the same bed.

*

KS is Married to Manasa Sri

 KS visited his parents every month, and they started suggesting he should marry early because they were getting older. They began searching for a suitable girl from their relatives' circles.

KS was in a dilemma about whether to share information about DY. He couldn't reveal it because his relationship had already lasted two years. He was unsure how his parents would respond. He left it to fate.

The cycle girl's laughter still lingered in his mind. KS thought it was another chance to penalise a girl and agreed to the marriage. 

 KS's parents received a proposal from a distant relative of his mother. The girl's parents were from a wealthy village agricultural family. They had three children: the youngest was a girl named Manasa Sri (MS), while the other two were boys. She had completed the seventh grade and was at home. Her brothers were involved in farming. They were not yet married, and their parents were waiting for MS's marriage.

MS's parents considered the proposal and informed KS's parents. KS's parents, along with KS, went to MS's house. The girl was fair-complexioned and slim, with long braided hair. She had a long face, a long nose, wide, bright eyes, and a small forehead. She was beautiful and young. She attracted KS, and his parents liked her obedience and behaviour, so they accepted her. The marriage was celebrated on a grand scale in the village. MS stayed with her in-laws for about three months after the marriage to understand their lifestyle.

KS rented a two-BHK apartment in the city. Her parents came and arranged her household essentials needed for KS and MS's family life. MS's mother advised her on caring for her husband and on maintaining a healthy, peaceful family life. MS's parents then left for the village.

KS and MS were living happily. He told DY that he had been transferred to a town and could only visit her on Sundays. As a newly married couple, MS visited her parents every month and stayed with them for a day or two. During this period, KS went to DY. This continued for two years without suspicion from either MS or DY. Sometimes KS's brothers-in-law came to stay with their sister for a day or two. When her brothers married, MS had to stay in their village before and after the wedding to help her mother. KS used this time to spend with DY. Neither MS nor DY doubted KS.

*

DY's Mother Breathes Her Last

  DY's mother's health was deteriorating daily, and she passed away one morning. As soon as DY informed KS, he took leave from work to comfort DY and help her complete all the funeral rites within three days.

He informed MS that he was going on an urgent official tour and would return after a week. After DY's mother passed away, KS felt the house was too big for DY and moved DY to another rented single room with a kitchen and bathroom near MS's home so he could walk there. His visits to DY became more frequent. He and DY continued with their precautions. 

*

MS Delivers a Baby

Meanwhile, MS became pregnant and moved to her parents' home after six months of pregnancy. She gave birth to a boy. During those six months, KS spent time with DY. MS returned to the city three months after delivery. KS welcomed her and the baby. MS was breastfeeding, caring for the child, and cooking. KS grew attached to the baby and paid less attention to DY.

Contd. Part II