Excerpt from the story - The Celestial Souls of Khambetka
“Supriya, you sing so well! Come on, treat us to one,” commanded Sumati, the overbearing one in our group. She was always ordering all of us around. We of course, took it good-naturedly. She was busy passing around her home-made cookies and orange squash, waiting for our compliments!
“Lovely! So smooth! Tasty! Refreshing! The best cook ever!” all of us obliged. She visibly preened, rolling up her imaginary collar, saying, “Collar-up” triumphantly. The rest of us smiled and exchanged sly glances. I sighed. I’d have to sing now! It was almost a ritual at our gatherings.
“Which one should I sing?” I asked wearily. I was feeling so sleepy.
“My heart is beating, keeps on repeating…” Sumati smiled her toothy smile. A grin actually.
I started singing, noting how my other friends were yawning and dozing, equally exhausted. Each one of us sang in turns while the others applauded. Finally, Aradhana picked up the courage to get up and turn off the lights. We settled down for the night.
Again Sumati spoke out loudly. “Girls, we have to get up at 5 tomorrow. We’ll be going for an early morning walk. Then I’ll teach you some yogasanas. O.K.?”
“Hm. Yes.” We muttered and went off to sleep, wondering where she got all that boundless energy from! Yogasanas, perhaps!
The next morning, by 8, we were all dressed and raring to visit the temple complex. Our morning ritual of a walk, yogasanas, bath and breakfast was over in record time, thanks to Sumati, of course. The mother hen fussing over her brood and bossing us all around! We were thankful for that, as Deepika and Aradhana were always running late! The perennial late-lateefs!
When we neared the counter to purchase tickets for entry, we saw a long queue of tourists already standing there. The counter was due to open at 9 a.m. only. A tout approached us.
“Guide, please?” he inquired. “The complex is very vast; hundred acres in all, and you could lose your way. Please engage my service. Only 100 rupees per head.”
All of us shook our heads in the negative.
“Seventy-five?” he entreated.
“No” Sumati dismissed him firmly. “We can find our way around.” Then she pushed her way through the thronging crowd and succeeded in purchasing the entry tickets for our group.
“Bravo” cheered Sarala.
“Hats off to you,” said Aradhana.
“With Sumati here, who needs a guide,” remarked Deepika, ever-faithful to Sumati. They shared a special bond as Sumati had been with Deepika through her messy divorce, like a rock. Sumati grinned goofily, pleased.
End of Excerpt
The copyright of this book is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.
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Thanks in anticipation,
Priyaa
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