(All characters are fictional)
Today is the festival of Holi.
I can hear the shrieks and squeals coming from the neighbourhood rooftops and adjoining alleys behind our house. The splattering of water, the squelch of the 'pichkari' (water pistols) and water balloons, and the whoops and shouts of surprise and mock-anger that follow. The familiar sound of scampering feet up and down the alleys and the main street outside.
I wake up late in the morning. On my phone, I notice the 'Happy Holi' message sent by my husband Arun on the notification panel.
I cannot help but feel a tinge of annoyance at his stark absence on this special day of all days. My upset mind tells me that there is hardly any other newly-wed wife out there, who has been left all alone by her husband on another one of his frequent office tours, and especially on this day. I twirl a lock of my hair, heave a deep sigh and tie up my hair in a messy bun.
I leave an angry emoji under my husband's message. Let him know why his 'bahu' is cross!
I look at my myself in the mirror while adjusting my top and sleepwear pyjamas. I have become so chubby after gorging on so much of food and sweets in my very recent wedding. (Although my hubby is never tired of what he lovingly and 'lustfully' calls my beauty curves!) I start imagining my husband coming up from behind and smearing my face with all that gulal (abir/coloured powders). Me burying my reddening face in his chest, rubbing my smeared cheek against his and smudging him as well. He is looking deep in my eyes and kissing me on the lips. His hands exploring everywhere. (along a few fave spots which he has already whispered to me.) Me taking this opportunity to grab a fistful of colour and spoil his handsome face and white kurta. And then break out into a giggle of laughter and running away from him.
We playing hide and seek in our own intimate routine...
I miss my man...
Oh boy, I must get ready as the relatives will be here soon. I must come out of this fantasy and daydreaming. I need to take a bath and change into a saree quickly.
My parents-in-law will expect their new bahu to come down and touch their feet with holy colours, and take customary blessings.
All of a sudden, I hear the thudding of heavy feet on the terrace overhead. The usual noises of a playful child. Must be the son of my Badi Bhabhi (elder sister-in-law).
I go up the stairs to the roof to locate him. Thankfully the sun is not that harsh at this time.
There is nobody around. Just a couple of kids playing Holi in the rooftop opposite to us.
Splash! I am not at all prepared for the large bucket of coloured water drowning me out of nowhere, while I spit it out in big gasps of air, and get a sudden shuddering chill. My drenched-to-the-bone clothes cling tightly to my body while I search frantically for the culprit.
"Chachi!" my nephew pummels his fist triumphantly, as he springs out from behind the corner. Along with him is another of the neighbourhood boys. I am clearly their intended victim.
"Badmash!" I hear a motherly voice scolding them, as my Bhabhi appears on the terrace, looking stern.
She looks at me, helplessly wet, and slightly shivering, standing in a pool of water. Probably my dark coloured bra is also prominent in patches under my soaked white top.
I sneeze out loud, and the kids roar in amusement.
Kajal Bhabhi comes to my help, taking me by the hand and telling the boys to go and play elsewhere. She has already played a first round of Holi it seems to me, with her pretty face partially painted in dry gulal, and her old worn t-shirt also stained in red and green in a few places. "Come on, let's get you ready."
She brings me to their bedroom. The bed is filled with a few sarees, and pieces of jewellery. These must be for the Holi function in the evening today.
"Do we have to wear sarees right now Bhabhi? Or after the whole play is over?" I ask her.
"I don't know whoever is coming, to be honest..."
"Why Bhabhi?"
"Well, I know that Paari (my sister-in-law/ my husband's sister) may not come at all or may come late in the evening as her father-in-law is currently hospitalized."
"Oh sorry I didn't know that..."
"And Ajay (Arun's younger brother, my youngest devar/brother-in-law as you know could not manage leave from his office at the last moment, so..."
I sneeze again, causing Bhabhi to clap a hand over her mouth: "Look at me, gossiping away with you, while you catch the cold standing here! Wait let me bring a towel."
My attention catches a photo of Amit Bhaiya, Kajal Bhabhi and their cute little son, kept on the side table. Bhabhi was all the more gorgeous-looking at a younger age. Bhaiya is having an off-day today, but he has gone out to purchase a few items. I now remember Bhabhi telling me yesterday evening, that we can all play together as a family in the Holi party down at the open compound area of the building complex. Maybe we will do that once I dry a bit and Bhaiya comes home.
"Here take this towel."
I take it from her hand, and start rinsing my hair. I need to get out of my wet clothes soon. I have a tendency to catch a cold fast.
"You can take off your top." I find Bhabhi grinning encouragingly at me.
I hesitate a little, feeling a bit embarrassed. After marriage, only my husband has viewed my body (on the 'suhag-raat') and although it is just my Badi Bhabhi, I look down and smile coyly.
"Awww you shy bride.. see I am drawing the curtains here and bolting the door. Now nothing to shy away from me!"
Bhabhi begins to tell a family story of celebrating Holi which happened in the past, busying herself in unpacking a few things scattered around, to keep me at ease. I exhale a deep breath, and take my soaked top off.
I feel my nipples taut and firm because of the moistness of the bra, with plenty of wet droplets settled around my cleavage area. The bra is struggling to keep my erect nipples enclosed.
