Padyami, Maagha Maasam, 5341 years from the start of Kaliyuga
Golden anklets jingled on soft stone as a group of young girls climbed up the steps of well. The bath house was quieter at this time of the morning. It was already 7. So, most people were done with their baths. The girls chose this time to have a relaxed bath and catch up.
Their chamber was filled with the aroma of roses and lilies. The flowers were arranged in dried out coconut shells. They mixed in pretty well with the small copper bowls and mud pots. The scents mixed in with the always present smell of Sapindus, Besan and Turmeric.
Their regular chamber was facing east, cause of which the water in their rectangular well looked like it came directly from milky way. Delicate silk fabrics hung loosely around their shoulders and waists as their washed hair swirled around them as it dried.
"I am going to the east, School of Bharadwaja" Mitravinda declared as she drew a chandravanka on her forehead with freshly crushed saffron.
"Bharadwaja? Are you also opting Arthashastra like your brothers?" asked Anagha taking the bowl of saffron from Vinda.
"No..." Vinda laughed, "I am going to learn Dhanurvedam" she answered.
"Oh" Anagha said surprised, "That actually suits you more."
"Right" Chandrabagha joined with an artistic big bottu, "what are you choosing Anagha?"
"I am going to the north, School of Panini" Anagha chimed as the trio left the halls of Bath house, their feet trailing in soft mud surrounded by flower beds, "I am opting for Sthapathi-Shastra."
"Ohhh" Mitra exclaimed plucking a bunch of jasmines, "quite different from Vyakaranam, Gandharvavedam and Kavyam like your two sisters and brother."
"Hey" Anagha chortled taking a couple jasmines from Mitra, "don't forget my eldest brother took Khagola shastram. Also, what are you taking Chandra?"
"Ayurvedam" Chandra offered braiding jasmines into her plait, "I am going to the west, School of Charaka."
Mitra and Anagha laughed while Chandra huffed, "Yeah yeah I took the subject I told everyone I hated, go on, laugh."
"I thought your sister scared you off it" Mitra said still chuckling.
"I don't back away from challenges" Chandra smirked.
Mitra smiled while Anagha frowned, "This means that each of us is literally going their different ways."
Mitra and Chandra looked at her surprised. "Yeah" Mitra said, "we won't be able to meet much."
"We still have a month" Chandra said with a small smile, which the other girls shared.
~
"It's only a month" Meenakshi exclaimed as her fingers carded through pearly white silk fabric with golden embroidery.
YOU ARE READING
The book of snippets
General FictionThe book contains various short stories and one shots written by me. Majorly dominated by Thalapathy Vijay. Because initially this book was only for him.
