Libre Magazine

“Bangles…multicolored bangles ….new stone setting bangles…at very low prices…take a dozen and get half a dozen free.”

Her rhythmic voice echoed in every nook and corner of the small village. She was Rangoli. Her tone penetrated every village household on a regular basis as morning descended. She carried a basket full of glass bangles, in a variety of shades and designs, tucking it in a tilted position by her slender waist. Her face remained partially obscured by a part of her red and yellow sari that she placed above her head according to the village customs. A married woman was always to shield her face in public in this village and any form of defiance of this norm could mean expulsion from the village society. But despite her best efforts, it was simply impossible to evade the leaf-shaped dark eyes smeared with tones of kajal on the eyelids that peeked from behind the veil. A narrow streak of vermillion rested on the partings of her long plaited hair, profusely covered with oil. Her dark brown skin tone added an exotic aura to her entire appearance and hence it wasn’t quite surprising to note all the young lads in the village making a beeline after her as she progressed through the dusty village roads every day to sell her wares.

“Ohh Rangoli…how is Ramesh doing? Has he recovered a bit?” Savitri called out to her while pasting the cow dung cakes on the walls of her hut.

“No mausi. Still running high temperature. Doctor has advised to take him to the city.” She shouted back at Savitri. “I will make a move now…uh!”

A piece of pebble hit her feet. Rangoli shook it off and wiped off the sweat that had accumulated on her forehead. She walked for hours. Her bare feet burnt as they brushed against the fiery hot dusty pebbly village path but she didn’t cease moving for a moment. Her voice echoed all around as she chanted tirelessly “bangles…multicolored bangles in reds and greens…stone setting bangles…”

It was midday. She had walked miles and couldn’t walk more.

“Uhh water…can anybody give me some water please?” she yelled immensely exhausted. But her utterance echoed back to her own ears as not a single living soul could be observed in close proximity. She descended under a huge banyan tree. Her basket settled beside her comfortably. On one corner a small idol was placed against the trunk and the smell of incense sticks filled her breath. She turned to the idol and closed her eyes resting her head back against the tree trunk. The basket was filled, not a single set of bangles had been sold.

Rangoli felt weak. The day was half gone and she hadn’t been able to earn a single penny. There was no food left at home except for a single half baked roti and some boiled potatoes. And no funds at all for the visit to the city for Ramesh’s treatment. A few tears silently trickled down her cheeks. Rangoli blew her nose and swabbed the tears with the end of her veil. A few paces ahead she noticed a small pond peering behind a group of tall shrubs. She walked down its steps and poured some cold water within her palms. Then she gulped it down her throat and a sense of newly regained strength filled her.

“I have to arrange for the money. But how…how do I…”

She shook her wet hand and brushed it against her sari. A cloud of helplessness shrouded her.

“Oho Ran…goli. I can’t imagine that it is you! Is it you…aha?”

The familiar voice of Hira drowned in intoxication reached her ears. She turned around immediately and found her almost face to face with him. The smell of liquor alerted her senses and she stepped back a few paces as she noticed a half-empty bottle held firmly by Hira. He turned his bright red eyes towards Rangoli’s basket.

“Aha…seems like you haven’t been able to sell a piece today huh?” Kneeling down he removed the scrap of cloth that covered the basket and held a few bangles within his bold stout fingers. Not a good day for bargain is it?”

He smiled and revealed his yellow stained teeth.

“You need money. Why don’t you let me do the favor huh Ran…goli?” Hira stumbled.

Rangoli removed her veil. “Will you Hira?”

“Of course I can. Anything for you. How much do you need? Fifty bucks or a hundred or more? Tell me Ran…goli.”

“No not more. Fifty will do. I have to take Ramesh to the city. Please…”

“Don’t worry at all. Why don’t you come with me?”

Rangoli froze for a second. Then she silently followed him to his hut.

It was almost dusk when she stepped out. Rangoli reached the banyan tree and covered her basket. She tucked a hundred rupee note within her blouse and placed the basket on her head.

“Rangoli…you are really late today huh? Ramesh has been looking for you.” Shiven, the village priest murmured to her.

Rangoli nodded her head and walked off as if in a daze.

She entered her hut and placed the basket on one side of the door. Then she slowly walked inside and lighted the lantern. The flame flickered as a strong wind blew through the window and the basket filled with bangles fell on the floor. The entire courtyard became littered with multicolored pieces of glass which shone against the unblemished light emitted by the moonbeams.

The next morning the sun’s bright rays cascaded down on the village. Rangoli’s familiar voice breezed through the morning air.

“Bangles…multicolored bangles ….new stone setting bangles…at very low prices…take a dozen and get half a dozen free.”