Limbs entwined, enraptured
Heavy is the scent enamored
Short yet heavy breaths
Gasps and moans pollute the silence
Outside the ladies wait
Chewing betel leaves lips all red
They gaze into the crackling fire
Eager for dusk end and rising dawn
The first cracks of dawn
Stain bright the starless sky
The rooster crows with puffed out chest in pride
Slow stirrings as the world awakens
The ladies wait in hushed silence
Their eyes still averted from the hut behind
Dull ambers crackle and spit last flames
And smoke makes misty sleepy eyes
A dim shadow cast, ever so light
The man walks away in triumphant silence
They wait still now on their haunches
Like hungry jackals, tensed some their long sleepless night
Falling over each other they pick themselves up
And hurry into the object of their night’s fascination
Stillness and silence mixed with that heady scent
Permeates heavy the air, as their vision accustoms
There she lies in a crumpled mess hair all disarray
Crushed glass bangles and smudged sindoor
Yet coyly smiling at the faces
Who stare in suppressed elation
She holds in her hand her prized possession
Stained sheets from a nights exertion
The ladies cry out and beat their chests
Anxiety gives way to joy,
The girl has passed the test
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