Change in KS

Part II

KS Visits DY

KS visited DY a month later, but DY was angry and refused to speak to him.

 He said, "I had an office duty in another town and went there for a month." 

 KS took her to hotels and parks, and they had a great time over the weekend. He resumed his routine with MS and the office.

*

MS's Brothers find that KS and DY move closer.

 MS's brothers came to the city on personal business that weekend. They went to the hotel for lunch, where they saw KS and DY at another table. They were feeding each other. This made them doubt KS's relationship with DY, but they didn't dare to ask KS directly. Because they respected KS greatly, they wanted to learn more about their relationship. They followed them to DY's home and saw KS staying with her that night. They confirmed that KS had a romantic relationship with DY.

This revelation angered them. They still harboured doubts and kept someone monitoring their brother-in-law's movements to verify. After three months of observation, the individual confirmed the KS and DY relationship and provided details about DY. He also informed them that they had been living together before KS married their sister.

MS's brothers were surprised by the details and blamed themselves for not discovering KS before the marriage. They kept the information to themselves and did not inform either their sister or their parents.

*

MS comes from an Orthodox Family.   

MS's parents were neither from lower nor upper-middle-class families. MS's Father is highly respected in the village. He and his wife value social norms, especially those related to marriage. They expect everyone in the family to adhere to the marriage system, regardless of any complex issues. They believe that mutual trust is the foundation of marriage. Any breach of trust by either spouse is considered punishable. It was the village's rule, and MS's Father, as an elder, often repeated it. They believe married couples have a sacred duty to have children, raise them, and entrust them to society.

MS and her brothers grew up in such an environment. MS's brothers could not accept KS living with DY.

*

MS's Brothers plan a trip to the Seaside Temple with KS.

MS's brothers informed their parents about KS's relationship with DY and their plan to kill KS at the Sea. The parents were pleased and encouraged them to proceed with the plan.

MS's brothers planned a trip to a seaside temple town and asked KS to join them. KS was happy to visit the temple and the beach and willingly agreed to go. The three of them travelled in a car driven by one of the brothers. The journey on the highway took about two hours. They had darshan of the deity and offered prayers. After the darshan, they went to the hotel, had lunch, and rested. In the evening, they went to the beach to enjoy. People with children were enjoying the sand and seawater. Roasted peanut vendors carried their peanuts in baskets. Parents stood with their children, enjoying the waves. Children shouted with joy whenever a wave hit them. Parents either lifted their children or moved them back. Whenever a wave hit, it tried to drag the people standing on the sand. People stood side by side, holding each other tightly. The couple put their hands on each other's waists and enjoyed the waves drenching them.

KS gets drowned in the Sea.

KS and his two brothers-in-law wanted to enjoy the waves, so they went into the Sea. Being young and enthusiastic,  all three went a bit further into the Sea. They held onto each other. As they were having fun, a massive wave suddenly hit them, causing them to lose their grip. The wave dragged them into the Sea. The brothers knew how to swim. They left KS to his fate. The eldest brother reached the shore, and his phone was ringing. It was a call from their father. He asked them not to kill KS and to bring him back. So he jumped into the Sea and pulled KS to the shore. They provided first aid, and a medical doctor on the beach assisted KS in returning to normal.

MS's Father had a Dream.

 That night, MS's Father had a dream. For MS's parents, it became a burden to look after their grandchild's developmental needs and education in their old age. Their sons had family responsibilities and were not always available when needed. MS was a widow confined to the home. The parents understood the fate of their daughter and their grandchild without a father, but they could not help at this stage. They felt that MS should receive higher education, at least up to the undergraduate level. Their age also prevents them from managing diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, knee joint problems, and the development of Alzheimer's. They became dependent on others, and how could they take care of MS and her child?

MS's Father discussed the dream with his wife, and they agreed to bring their children, including KS, back from the beach, which prompted the phone call.

*

MS's Parents and Brothers warn KS of dire Consequences.

After restoring normalcy in the MS's house, MS's parents invited all their children and their families to their village home for the Bathukamma and Dasara festivals. When all the women in the house went to participate in Saddula Bathukamma at the village's natural water tank, MS's Father asked KS to stay at home.

He told KS that "He came to know about KS's illegal relationship with DY, and it is not correct for him in the long run. I, as an elderly person and a well-wisher of you and your child, suggest that you discontinue such affairs."

 KS was initially surprised that his father-in-law was aware of his relationship with DY. Meanwhile, his brothers-in-law joined the discussion, looking serious. KS realised that the information came from his brothers-in-law.

At this stage, KS's father-in-law left the place to continue the discussion with his sons. 

They said, "We hope that you have a clear understanding of what our father said and that you will abide by his words. Otherwise, we will step in."

KS could now understand why he was saved at the last minute when he was about to drown in the Sea. He knew his fate if he did not follow his brothers-in-law's advice. They will take any step to kill him, so it was better to follow their advice. Hence, he listened to them carefully.

Our dear brother-in-law, "You know only one phase of our personality, and we are people brought up in the village, and you will find it difficult to face our rough and rugged actions, which you will not be able to tolerate. We need not explain further, and hope you understand the consequences."

With these words, they left the place.

KS gets a Transfer

MS's Father understood KS's facial expressions, and the next day, he took KS to his head office with a well-known political friend, arranging for KS's transfer to the closest location to his village. KS was surprised by these developments. MS's Father met KS's boss and requested that KS be assigned to a lot of office work, which meant KS would have to work on Sundays and holidays and, as a result, couldn't leave this place.

 With this transfer, he also gained a deeper understanding of his father-in-law. KS was unable to meet DY, although he genuinely wanted to meet her and comfort her for his failure to do so. After the transfer, his brothers-in-law kept a close watch on his efforts to meet DY. His heavy office workload, frequent weekend visits from his brothers-in-law, and MS's love and care for him and the child led him to stay at home with his wife.

 And he had no time to think about DY, and he gradually forgot their relationship.

*

DY waits to no Avail.

DY waited several days for him and contacted him on his mobile, but received no response. She went to his office to find out that he had been transferred from that place. She thought he would come to her someday, but to no avail. She waited and waited, wept silently for her fate. She now understood the importance of marriage. Marriage is a socially recognised and secure bond between a male and a female, without which she has no claim on him. She had no children with him. She had offered herself totally with love and affection, but it was all futile before the marriage.

*

MS joins a Distance Education Course.

MS's Father understood the necessity of education for girls to lead a good family life and joined her in a distance education course to pursue further education, with the help of KS. While working from home, MS was cared for with tea, coffee, or snacks, which brought KS closer to MS. MS was responsible for caring for the child, her husband, and her own studies. These experiences helped him gain a deeper understanding, and MS and KS grew closer, enjoying each other's company. As a result, he began to forget DY.

KS Changes His Thinking

KS understood that the Cycle Girls episode need not be applied to all girls. Not all girls were the same; some were sarcastic and laughed at others' injuries. Some even sympathise and help. Everyone had to be considered on their behaviour.

***