Topic: To Celebrate the Coming of Spring

Abhihala Vanayak

Date: 2009-04-27 21:39 EST
The harsh winter had kept the humble dancer within the confines of the temple. She only met with the cold for seconds at a time: between the temple and the carriage and the carriage and the dance studio"and vice versa. Before the cold could descend upon the land, she made it a priority to cover those delicate herbs within the makeshift greenhouse she erected around her garden. It was a rare occasion to see her battling the snow to tend to her garden. But alas, just as one was beginning to think they would never again feel the warm caress of the blazing sun, it peeked out from behind parting clouds and rained happiness upon the city of Rhy'din and its surrounding area.

Wound in red and orange hued silks, Abhihala resembled a raging fire more than human. Gold and ruby accessory ensemble glinted fiercely in the harsh sunlight as she roamed melodically through the marketplace. Her woven basket hung from the crook of a bent arm, already laden with several silken garbs. Ending destination was unclear, her path a mystery as she waded through the sea of vendors.

Currently, her attention was caught by the glittering of a particular vendor's bedazzling jewelry. "Ooh," she breathed out, mesmerized by the available selection. With the Beltane festival quickly approaching, she did need some new jewelry to accompany her sari she just procured. Fingertips stretched out to run along the contour of several hair ornaments, the silk of her sari stretched back to expose the henna designs tracing along the back of her hand, where they then curled up and around her forearm.

The vendor gave her a strange look that she did not catch. She sucked in a deep breath and carefully traced the orchid and ivory jewels inlaid in the golden kundan tika. It would be a perfect match for her sari. An affirmative nod was given to the vendor's inquiring look, a silent gesture that indicated she would be buying it. Before making her purchase, however, she looked for other matching accessories.

It did not take long for her to fall in love with a pair of dangling earrings that would brush along her shoulders when worn. She gave a questioning look to the vendor, gesturing to the earrings if she could take a look. The vendor's shrug was taken as a yes, and she daintily lifted them for a look in the sunlight. They sparkled fabulously. Satisfied, she returned them to their spot before resuming her search for the remaining accessories. Moving to the left, she took a closer look at simple kundan necklace with a large ornament that was trimmed with pink-hued jewels. Her eyes widened to the size of 50-cent pieces in delight when just beside it she noted a thick cuff bangle that was outlined in magenta with ruby zoisite. It would be different from her usual bangles, but it would make her sound less like wind chimes in the breeze as she moved. Just before she was about to indicate to the vendor which items she wanted, a kundan armlet with magenta glass beads twinkled in the corner of her eye. Another soft gasp and fingertips tentatively reached out to outline the jewels. Utterly satisfied, she turned back to the vendor amidst a series of tinkling.

Still not speaking, pointed out all of the pieces she wished for, and the vendor delicately took each and individually wrapped them before placing them in a small wooden box. "30 gold, missus," the vendor demanded. Abhihala was all but enthusiastic to pay the price, although to be beautiful was a vain effort, it was worth the cost to have the heavens smile upon her. Digits disappeared past the drawstring of her satchel, and she withdrew the required gold. The vendor tied the box up with ribbon, and exchanged it for the requested monies.

"Many thank yous!!? she breathed out. Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was musical as it floated up to the ears of the vendor. The box enclosed betwixt her fingertips, she gently laid it to rest atop her other purchases. A diminutive smile began to blossom for the vendor before she swiveled on her heel in a chorus of chiming. Like water she moved in another direction, emerald-umber looking left and right at everything and everyone she passed as if they were the most fascinating thing.

It was a good trip, she was happy. Her last stop was to retrieve some new seeds for her herbal garden; her aimless course was not so aimless anymore.