Chapter Twenty-Nine
You alone I desire O lord
my breasts rise and fall for you
—I am caught between despair and joy
Nacciyar Tirumoli 5:7
At the bottom of the stairs to Krishnaveni’s cave, we took a narrow track forking off the path, leading further into the gorge. We had been travelling since early morning; I was dusty and sweaty, in need of a bath and a soft place to rest—unlikely, given Vasur’s quickening steps. Further and further we walked, away from the tiffin houses of Papanasam, probably stoking their cooking fires for a night’s trading of dosas and sambars.
My legs dragged. Vasur had probably read my mind but remained his usual unfazed self. He did slow down a little though, throwing me one of his smiles.
‘It is not far. I am taking you to another cave and nearby there is a
