Ashwaki: waiting for Ashok

Dances and trances

DHRUV'S POV:

"Swastika - ensure that there is an arrangement of pink and white flowers together. No no no! That doesn't go there! Put that down this instant!"

The evening finally drew upon the palace and the hung up lanterns allowed the beautiful hall to be nourished with glowing light from the flames within them. Hundreds of them were hung around in the hall, the corridors and above the pillars. Lamps surrounded the rangoli patterns that were drawn in the middle of the symmetrical hall, and there was a beautiful seat for the bride to sit in for the first mehendi ceremony.

"What are you doing here, Dhruv?" My mother came up to me with a smile.

"Oh - I was just....."

She laughed. "You're not meant to be here. Only the women of the house are supposed to overlook the preparations of this particular ceremony." She giggled while stroking my cheek.

I inhaled sharply. "Oh - in that case I shall - get going then." I nodded quickly and felt a heat of embarrassment flush through my cheeks as I heard the maids giggling from behind.

"Unless you want to dance of course...." she said as I turned to go.

"No I'm fine. I mean - I'll see you around. Mother." I gulped and left quickly.

"Poor boy." Rani Dharma shook her head while everyone laughed.

---------------

Just as I walked past the entrance pillar, I bumped into Krishna.

"What are you doing here, Krishna?!" I asked him quickly.

"Going to see mother of course."

"Wait stop! You're not allowed in there." I panted. "Unless you want to dance of course." I said cheekily.

"What? Why not?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Preparations for the dances.... that's what mother told me."

"So you went inside!?" Krishna started laughing with his head tossed back.

"How am I supposed to know all this women stuff?" I said, straightening up in defense.

At that moment, the same girl who I had bumped into this afternoon walked past me. She gave me a familiar smile and I felt my heart throb against my chest again.

Krishna and I watched her; I noticed he was blinking at her, trying to take notice.

"Stop watching her, Krishna!" I said quickly. "People will think you're inappropriate."

"I'm not watching her, silly. I'm watching those servants put up that huge statue. Wait! I'll help!" He quickly ran off.

Oh. He wasn't watching the girl.

Just as I was in my thoughts, mother came up to me.

"Dhruv dear, you can come in now to watch the dances. Your most awaited moment has come." She laughed again.

"Mother...." I groaned in annoyance, but smiled at her little mischievous grin.

💓

Everyone had settled in their cushions on their seats surrounding a dancer who had a veil over her head while she sat on the floor in her starting position.