07-05-2019, 09:57 PM
CHAPTER 10
We were back in the costumier’s tamboo and I was looking doubtfully at the mask. I’d seen madaris before, in books. The red outfit wasn’t a surprise, though the colors were darker and less garish than I’d expected. But the mask was something else...its face was twisted into a cackling grin, the mouth and chin elongated. It was part madari, part devil. And though there were tiny holes for my eyes and nostrils, the mouth was completely closed off.
“You’ll get used to it,” said the raja. “It’s a tradition that the madari isn’t allowed to speak, only caper and prance.”
I tried the mask on. It was a little hot and uncomfortable at first but, once I got used to breathing through my nose, it wasn’t so bad. And, I had to admit as I looked in the mirror, I looked sort of badass. When the raja had said I’d play the madari, I’d thought it was another way to humiliate me, but this madari was cool—funny and evil at the same time. I spoke to my wife, but it was useless. My lips were smooshed up against thick rubber and the rubber was thick enough that it muffled my garbled words.
“What?” asked Nandini.
I took the mask off. “I’ll be right beside you,” I said seriously. “If anything happens...I’ll tap your arm if I want you to stop, okay? And I’ll stroke your arm if it’s okay to keep going.”
She nodded. “Nothing’s going to happen,” she said, blushing slightly. “It’s just a parade.”
“We keep the costumes on for the party,” said the raja. “It’s a tradition.”
How am I going to have a drink with this thing on? I wondered. But Nandini seemed to love the idea. I could see her eyes light up at the idea of partying dressed as a vaishya…and with all the men around her dressed up, too. I’m going to have to keep a really careful eye on her, I thought, already beginning to regret my decision.
“Ready?” asked the raja. “It’s time.”
We were back in the costumier’s tamboo and I was looking doubtfully at the mask. I’d seen madaris before, in books. The red outfit wasn’t a surprise, though the colors were darker and less garish than I’d expected. But the mask was something else...its face was twisted into a cackling grin, the mouth and chin elongated. It was part madari, part devil. And though there were tiny holes for my eyes and nostrils, the mouth was completely closed off.
“You’ll get used to it,” said the raja. “It’s a tradition that the madari isn’t allowed to speak, only caper and prance.”
I tried the mask on. It was a little hot and uncomfortable at first but, once I got used to breathing through my nose, it wasn’t so bad. And, I had to admit as I looked in the mirror, I looked sort of badass. When the raja had said I’d play the madari, I’d thought it was another way to humiliate me, but this madari was cool—funny and evil at the same time. I spoke to my wife, but it was useless. My lips were smooshed up against thick rubber and the rubber was thick enough that it muffled my garbled words.
“What?” asked Nandini.
I took the mask off. “I’ll be right beside you,” I said seriously. “If anything happens...I’ll tap your arm if I want you to stop, okay? And I’ll stroke your arm if it’s okay to keep going.”
She nodded. “Nothing’s going to happen,” she said, blushing slightly. “It’s just a parade.”
“We keep the costumes on for the party,” said the raja. “It’s a tradition.”
How am I going to have a drink with this thing on? I wondered. But Nandini seemed to love the idea. I could see her eyes light up at the idea of partying dressed as a vaishya…and with all the men around her dressed up, too. I’m going to have to keep a really careful eye on her, I thought, already beginning to regret my decision.
“Ready?” asked the raja. “It’s time.”
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Thanks & Regards,
Givemeextra
One man's wife is another man's slut
I don't have a Religion, I am free. Do not impose your Morality on me
Thanks & Regards,
Givemeextra
One man's wife is another man's slut
I don't have a Religion, I am free. Do not impose your Morality on me