Mohanaswamy Read online

  MOHANASWAMY

  VASUDHENDRA

  Translated from the Kannada by

  RASHMI TERDAL

  For

  Mohanaswamy and his friends

  Mohanaswamy’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather

  Mohanaswamy’s son, grandson and great-grandson

  CONTENTS

  The Gordian Knot

  Bicycle Riding

  Kashiveera

  Anagha – the Sinless

  At the Peak, for the First Time

  When Unspoken Words Come Back Haunting

  Bed Bug

  The Unpalatable Offering

  Four Faces

  Mt Kilimanjaro

  P.S. Section

  About the Book

  About the Authors

  Copyright

  THE GORDIAN KNOT

  The evening glow had faded into darkness, but the lights had not yet been switched on in the house. Although Mohanaswamy had come back from office at 5.30 p.m. as usual, he was not his usual self. He went straight to the puja room and squatted down in front of the idol of Lord Krishna. Restless and overwrought, he fixed his eyes on Krishna and engaged in a silent conversation with him while the Lord stood still in his wooden frame, with the flute at his lips and the familiar bewitching smile on his face.

  Normally, after coming back from office, Mohanaswamy would switch on the radio. He would keep the pressure cooker on the stove and sweep the floors clean, eagerly awaiting Karthik’s arrival. ‘Where are you?’ he would send him an SMS and wait impatiently for the mobile phone to beep with a reply.

  But today he was not in a mood to do any of that. Forlorn and heartbroken, he sat in front of Krishna for what seemed like hours, with his eyes closed.

  On his way back home, he had bought half a kilo of ladies’ fingers from the market. Ladies’ finger curry, shallow-fried in oil and liberally sprinkled with chilli powder, was Karthik’s favourite. He savoured every bite of it. ‘You cook better than my mother,’ he would exclaim to Mohanaswamy, whose heart swelled with happiness.

  Today also Mohanaswamy had planned to surprise Karthik by rustling up his favourite dish. But as soon as he reached home, Shobha aunty, Karthik’s distant relative, had called. Her husband worked for a reputed company in Bengaluru. They owned a big house at Vijayanagar. Karthik and Mohanaswamy lived in Malleshwaram. The couple knew Mohanaswamy well as he had accompanied Karthik to their house several times. During one of their visits, Mohanaswamy had given them some chatnipudi which he had prepared. Shobha aunty’s husband loved it so much that he pestered her to call Mohanaswamy and take down the recipe. This hadn’t gone down well with Shobha aunty, who found it ridiculous to call up a twenty-five-year-old man and ask for cooking advice. But she could not disobey her husband. So she called Mohanaswamy reluctantly.

  Mohanaswamy knew that Shobha aunty was scared stiff of her husband. One evening, he had gone to her house alone to give her something. The main door was wide open. But lights were out. ‘Aunty…’ he called out as he fumbled into the dining hall. There she was, sitting at the dining table, sobbing her heart out. Bemused, Mohanaswamy went near her. Seeing him, she began weeping aloud.

  ‘What happened, Aunty?’ he asked in concern.

  ‘That bolimaga, the son a shaved widow, twisted my arm so badly. I can’t take the pain!’ she said, showing her right hand.

  Then she began massaging her hurt arm gently with her left hand, smearing some oil on it. It took a while for Mohanaswamy to figure out whom she was referring to. On realizing that the ‘bolimaga’ was none other than her husband, he felt sad.

  ‘But why did he do that, Aunty?’ he asked in a low voice, softly touching her hand.

  ‘Aaah…!’ she withdrew her hand, screaming in pain. ‘He comes to me only when he wants my body. He doesn’t even care about my likes and dislikes in bed,’ she said harshly, spewing venom. Mohanaswamy sat with her for a while before returning home. He did not mention this to Karthik. The next time he met Shobha aunty, she seemed normal and spoke to him cheerfully, as if nothing had happened. Mohanaswamy felt relieved. However, the image of Shobha aunty sitting in darkness and massaging her hand loomed before his eyes frequently.

  Today, after briefly explaining the chatnipudi recipe over the phone, Mohanaswamy got into a casual conversation. ‘So, how’s life, Aunty? What’s happening?’ he asked.

  ‘Everything’s fine, Mohana. As you know, we all have to pack and be ready for our Mumbai trip next week,’ she said effusively.

  Mohanaswamy was bewildered. She had mentioned ‘we all’ and that confused him. He wasn’t sure whether he was included in this. ‘To Mumbai? Why, Aunty?’ he asked hesitantly.

  ‘You are asking me? Why, did your friend Karthik not tell you? Next week he is getting engaged! The ceremony is in Mumbai! How come you didn’t know about it?’ she said in a surprised tone.

  Mohanaswamy’s world came crashing down. Was Karthik really getting engaged? ‘I don’t know, Aunty, Karthi did not tell me,’ he spoke with a choked voice, trying hard to compose himself.

  ‘Oh … he didn’t tell you? Perhaps he wanted to give you a surprise. He saw the girl four weeks ago and agreed to marry her. He has seen quite a few girls before, but hadn’t liked any of them. But this girl, she is so pretty, he said “yes” to her in the blink of an eye. She is very beautiful, has big wide eyes. And stylish too, becoming of a Mumbai girl. They speak Kannada at home. Her father is from Dharwad. But our Karthi – born and brought up in a village – has seen city life only recently. He is completely besotted with her. I worry that once they get married, she may twist him around her little finger. Anyway, they say that marriages are made in heaven, so we don’t really know who’s made for whom,’ she said with a sigh, finally ending her long speech.

  Mohanaswamy feared he would end up weeping if he spoke further. He disconnected the phone immediately and texted her: ‘Aunty, signal is weak’. He switched off the mobile, threw it in a corner and then sat in front of the Krishna idol, shivering and crying.

  It slowly began to dawn upon him why Karthik had become so secretive of late. He would stealthily step out of the house to make calls. He would even take his cellphone to the bathroom sometimes. When he came home late, he gave lame excuses about being caught up with work. Mohanaswamy had not suspected anything out of the ordinary. Now, as the truth behind his strange behaviour flashed across Mohanaswamy’s mind, he sat in utter disbelief. The tender ladies’ fingers that he had brought for Karthik lay forgotten on the floor in a corner.

  The doorbell rang at 8.30 p.m. and Mohanaswamy felt somewhat relieved. It must be Karthik. ‘I know you will never deceive me, I know,’ he whispered into Krishna’s ears as he took the idol in his hand and kissed it passionately. Karthik rang the bell incessantly. Though he had a set of keys with him, he never carried them to office. Unlike Mohanaswamy, he didn’t believe in discipline. Real happiness lay in acting as per the need of the hour. But Mohanaswamy’s disposition was quite different. He would lose his peace of mind for the whole day if he put a little extra salt in the curry by mistake. For him, everything in the house should be in order. The bed should always be clean, without a single crease on the sheet. The bathroom should be spick and span, else he would lose a night’s sleep over it. Trousers, shirts and other clothes shouldn’t be seen hanging here and there. He promptly washed his and Karthik’s clothes, ironed them neatly and kept them in their place.

  As the doorbell continued to ring, Mohanaswamy switched on the lights and opened the door. The sight of Karthik at the door was somewhat reassuring. I am unnecessarily worried. Nothing of that sort has happened, Mohanaswamy thought firmly. As was their routine, he took the helmet from Karthik’s hands and kept it in a corner. ‘Why are you so late, Karthi?’ he
asked him affectionately.

  ‘So much work in the office, Mohana…’ Karthik mumbled, sitting on a chair and removing his shoes.

  ‘Don’t lie,’ Mohanaswamy said as he went near Karthik and pulled his head close to his chest, running fingers through his thick hair.

  Karthik did not know what to say and rubbed his nose against Mohanaswamy’s chest, pulling him even closer.

  Caressing his cheeks, ears and back, Mohanaswamy said, ‘Shobha aunty had called. Tell me, is it true?’ Karthik continued rubbing his nose. ‘Tell me, Karthi, please. I won’t feel bad,’ he insisted.

  ‘Yes…’ uttered Karthik, the sound coming from deep within his throat.

  Mohanaswamy listened aghast as his worst fears came true. Pushing Karthik away, he sank against the wall, sobbing.

  Karthik went near him and began wiping his tears. ‘Don’t cry, Mohana, please don’t cry. I can’t bear to see you cry.’

  Mohanaswamy cried uncontrollably. ‘Tell me what can I do? How long can I live like this? Should I not get married? Tell me,’ Karthik asked him in a soft voice, taking him in his arms.

  A deep silence reigned for a few minutes, interrupted only by Mohanaswamy’s sobs.

  After some time, Mohanaswamy broke the silence. ‘Karthi, let’s go to the mess and have dinner. I didn’t cook today. I had got ladies’ fingers to make curry for you but was in no mood to cook,’ he said. That settled the matter somewhat.

  ‘It’s okay, you can make the curry tomorrow. Now come on, chin up! Let’s go to the mess and eat. But make it fast, I’m famished,’ Karthik said with alacrity as he walked to the bathroom.

  Mohanaswamy opened the wardrobe, took out a clean towel and spread it across the steel rod in the bathroom. ‘I have kept a towel for you,’ he screamed.

  ‘Okay, okay,’ shouted Karthik, rubbing his face with soap.

  ‘Say thanks,’ cried Mohanaswamy.

  ‘Thank you, sweetheart,’ Karthik said.

  The mess was bursting at the seams. They had to wait for a long time to get a table. By the time they got back home, it was past ten. Usually when they went out on the bike, Mohanaswamy, riding pillion, hugged Karthik tightly from behind, holding him by the waist with his left hand and placing his right hand on his thigh. Karthik was a rash rider, but that did not perturb Mohanaswamy who sat comfortably, leaning his head against his back, with his eyes closed. When they stopped at signals, Karthik slowly caressed his hand. The touch made the hair on Mohanaswamy’s skin rise.

  But today, nothing of that sort happened. Mohanaswamy had decided not to touch Karthik. Why hold on to the relationship with a man who, in a few months, will leave him for another person? He shrank away from his touch and sat holding the rear handle of the bike, even as Karthik tried to move backwards in a bid to touch his thighs on the pretext of adjusting his posture. When they stopped at a signal, Karthik took Mohanaswamy’s hand, but Mohanaswamy pulled back instantly.

  ‘What a mess,’ Karthik had attempted a pun upon seeing people milling in and out of the mess. Mohanaswamy kept a straight face. However, amid this tense air, there was a moment of relief. Karthik had choked on an especially spicy sambar and was coughing heavily. There was no water on the table and a panicked Mohanaswamy got up quickly from his seat, went across to another table and got a glass of water. He kept looking at Karthik’s face anxiously and felt relieved only after Karthik drank the water and stopped coughing. ‘Are you okay now? Do you feel better?’ Mohanaswamy asked. Karthik did not speak but looked at Mohanaswamy with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.

  Even after returning home, he did not allow Karthik to touch him. Karthik went off to sleep as soon as they got into the bed and began snoring softly. But sleep evaded Mohanaswamy. I took out all my frustrations on Karthi for no reason. Poor thing! What can he do if his parents force him to get married? Isn’t it cruel on my part to stop him for my own selfish reasons? My Karthi deserves hundred such beautiful women. How can I bridle his youthfulness? Such thoughts baffled Mohanaswamy as he lay next to Karthik, tossing and turning.

  Karthik may spread his arms towards me any moment. If he does, I will not refuse, Mohanaswamy said to himself, wistfully. He kept staring at Karthik through the darkness. If my love for him is true, he will wake up within a minute and look at me, he thought. He waited impatiently, counting from one to hundred. He prayed to Krishna as well. But Karthik didn’t wake up even after ten minutes. In fact, his snoring reached a new high.

  Finally a hapless Mohanaswamy decided to break his resolve. Defeat wasn’t new to him after all. He knew by experience that he could not afford to insist on winning. He slowly inched towards Karthik. Grabbing him gently, Mohanaswamy began rubbing his nose behind Karthik’s ear. Karthik woke up at his touch.

  To two bodies that have entwined innumerable times, every move is familiar. They know each other’s likes and preferences too well … If Mohanaswamy lightly kissed and blew on Karthik’s belly button, a delicious shiver rushed through his body. If Karthik ran his tongue over the black mole on Mohanaswamy’s thigh, he moaned in pleasure. While Karthik preferred to savour the silence after lovemaking, Mohanaswamy whispered loving words into his partner’s ears. There was no room for guilt.

  They were just a few seconds away from the golden moment when one body enters the other, the highest point of excitement when every pain turns into pleasure, and brings about a sense of fulfilment. Mohanaswamy beckoned to Karthik with his eyes. Karthik’s eyes shone in the shaft of light filtering in from the streets. They were in each other’s arms, just about to experience the most intense pleasure, the perfect ecstasy.

  But just at that moment, Karthik’s mobile phone rang shrilly. Mohanaswamy quickly picked up the phone to see who it was. ‘Rashmi My Love’ had called.

  Karthik snatched the mobile and walked out, speaking into it, ‘I was just about to sleep. Why haven’t you slept yet?’

  For the next few minutes, the house resonated with gentle whispers and soft giggles. Mohanaswamy sat up on the bed, exasperated. Karthik did not return even after an hour. Tired of waiting, Mohanaswamy put on his clothes and lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling.

  Karthik came back after some time and put his clothes back on. He lay down on the bed, a little away from Mohanaswamy, without saying a word. He reached for the overhead switchboard, turned up the fan and went to sleep. Mohanaswamy once again decided to accept defeat. He slowly stretched his arms towards Karthik.

  ‘Please, Mohana, not today,’ Karthik pleaded.

  Moving still closer, Mohanaswamy ran his fingers through the hair on Karthik’s chest and then gently massaged his belly. He drew a circle round Karthik’s navel with his index finger and pushed the little finger down the shallow valley.

  ‘Please, stop it!’ This time Karthik was firm, his voice rising.

  But Mohanaswamy was in no mood to listen. His fingers slid down further. He traced the flesh from Karthik’s navel to the spot between his thighs, and was taken aback when he sensed that Karthik’s cock, which had been fully aroused just an hour ago, was now limp. How did that happen?

  ‘Bastard!’ shouted Karthik. ‘Did I not tell you not touch me? Why won’t you listen?’ Quivering with rage, he flounced out of the room, picking his blanket and pillow. He went to the other room and slammed the door shut.

  Mohanaswamy trembled at this sudden rage. He felt jilted. Is he the same Karthik who used to feel aroused just by reading my text messages? And now, even my naked body is not enough. My Karthi – who used to pester me for sex all night – has now gone off to sleep in another room. ‘Mohana…’ he used to call me sweetly, and today, he didn’t think twice before calling me a bastard. How quickly things have changed!

  Mohanaswamy slowly rose from the bed, walked towards Karthik’s room and started knocking on the door. There was no reply. ‘I am sorry, Karthi,’ he pleaded. Karthik wasn’t moved. ‘Please, my dear, I will never touch you again. I am sorry. It was my fault. Please don’t be angry with me,�
�� he implored. Still there was no reply from the other side. ‘Henceforth, I will listen to whatever you say. Forgive me. Please allow me to sleep next to you. I promise I will not touch you,’ Mohanaswamy begged. But Karthik did not open the door. Mohanaswamy even tried calling him on his mobile, but Karthik disconnected the call. When he redialled, the phone was switched off.

  Clueless, Mohanaswamy went to the puja room. He sat in silence, staring at Krishna’s idol. Then he took the idol in his hand and kissed it passionately on the lips. On the flute, on the chest and navel, waist and thighs … He showered kisses all over Krishna. ‘Please change Karthi’s mind, Krishna, I beg you. His rage will burn me to cinders. Without him, what’s left for me in this world? Parting from him will be the death of me. Krishna, please understand the agony of your gopabala, this poor cowherd boy. Such silence and anger is unworthy of you. Forgive my sins and help me Krishna…’ Mohanaswamy requested earnestly. Krishna stood playing his flute, with the same beguiling smile on his face. ‘You are a cheat, Krishna … you are silent again. Well … I forgive you for this today, but not always … I’m warning you…’ he threatened Krishna, delirious in his pain.

  He returned to his room, closed the door and bolted it from inside. ‘Karthi, I’ll teach you a lesson. I’ll make you starve today. I have feelings too,’ he muttered. He made up his mind and sank into his bed. But the very next moment, his resolve weakened. Karthi may come anytime and knock on the door. What if I’m fast asleep then? What if my beloved Karthi is forced to go back to his room in frustration? Mohanaswamy panicked at the possibility. He jumped up, unbolted the door and kept it wide open. ‘Karthi, to you, my heart’s door will never close. None of your flaws will make me angry. In fact, I have no right, or the guts, to be angry with you. Come Karthi, come back to the room. You are always welcome. I will be waiting for you,’ he said under his breath and staggered into the bed. But sleep eluded him again. He kept running to the loo and drinking water the whole night. However, given his fetish for cleanliness, every time he drank water, he washed the glass clean with soap, wiped it and kept it back on the shelf.