Hidden Hues Of Henna

Binmausam barsaat

"Didi! They are all set to leave! I don't think there is any point in stalling them anymore!" Pallavi heard the hushed voice of Krishna,her assistant,over the phone.

She hurriedly exited the house as she sat back into the autorickshaw that stood waiting at the entrance.Holding the phone between her bent head and shoulder,Pallavi hurriedly pushed the packed saree in her bag. Straightening herself she caught hold of the phone as she signalled the driver to start.

"No Krishna! Don't let them go! Do anything but don't let them leave. I am on the way. Till them show them those kalamkari sarees that came in this week." She spoke in between her deep breaths.

Hearing,a weak okay from the other end she cut the call. She had to reach on time before those ladies leave. Already the footfall business was so low and if she lets customers go empty handed and possibly disappointed like this,there will be no scope left for her to redeem her debts. Don't be negative Pallavi!

As they neared the bazaar lane, Pallavi saw how jam-packed it was. People were off to their homes. She quickly asked the driver to stop and paid him before making her way through the traffic and crowd to reach her shop at the other end. A thunder sounded just as she stepped at the shop's threshold, panting due to haste.

"Sorry,sorry!" She chanted as she entered further and her eyes fell on the back of two women and a troubled Krishna standing behind them. The three women turned upon her voice. "Sorry madam! I got a bit late. I know you are just leaving but would you mind looking at this saree" She quickly took out the brown paper package from her bag and unwrapped it giving view to the violet saree. "I think this is the purple you were looking for, isn't it?" Pallavi grinned as she saw the woman's eye widen in appreciation.

"Yes,yes. This is the shade. The perfect match!" She took the saree in her hand feeling the material." See Sarika. What do you think?" She held it out to her friend who simply smiled relieved that all the struggle for the perfect saree didn't go wasted. "If you had this shade why did you not show us before? We wasted so much time looking over every shade of purple in your shop!"

"Sorry madam but this saree is from my fresh stock which is at my house. So I had to go and fetch it from there. But when I understood your demand I instantly was off to get it. It's just that I got caught up in traffic." Pallavi explained truthfully as she took the saree back from her hands. " So should I bill it?"

The woman answered in yes and Pallavi quickly got to work. Finally after several reminders of visiting again and arrival of fresh stock in the next month,the customers were seen off.

"Two whole hours and one saree!" Krishna exclaimed tiredly as she sat on the display couch which was loaded with a heap of unfolded sarees the customers rejected."I felt like putting my head through the wall when she kept on chanting purple-purple." She huffed reaching for one saree and gently folding it properly.

Pallavi chuckled at her plight before looking outside as it thundered again. It had slowly begun to drizzle now. It was February and was not at all the season for rains but the occurrence was very much welcome by her. People might go ranting about untimely rains but she didn't care. Blame her for loving rains.

Even before she could stop herself she was already outside the shop standing under the open sky feeling the tiny drops hit her body. She saw people rushing,some to find shade whilst some to reach home,the neighbouring shop owners were also drawing down the shutters and switching off the lights. She felt free as she stood in the almost dark marketlane being not a part but a spectator of the fading hustle bustle. She let her mind shut off for sometime as she relished the natural relief.The rain gained tempo as the winds died down.She twirled around with arms spread out,smiling big as the rain got heavier.