The Promised Tomorrow

si v

middle of the village with a high roof supported by thick round pillars and on the right end was a stage , a metre above the hall floor, and adjacent to it on the left was another raised platform with chairs. The

ck-like pattern where the center of the front row was occupied by the vocalists and behind them were the back- up vocalists , the sitar and tabla players were at either side of the vocalists in the front and behind them were the

” Manorama asked turni

n the blouse before tying the knots

w steps of the folk dance then took a few deep

t,” Karuna said and smacked her friend’s bre

de-eye . “Karuna, if you are ready, then go join the others on stage

ime if I was the only one pla

veryone , nothing is ONLY yours or mine . We help and support one

es tomorrow.” Karuna smirked, sharing glances with Manorama and the other few girls in the room . “ She barely do

ced a protective hand on the th

hecked the strings beforehand nothi

he had kept her unskilled hands to

meone who gave you shelter

of a debt - swamp ?” Karuna stood tall in front of the olde

he pulled away her friend to a corner, farthest fro

e you deaf?” Karuna said as

fight her every time . She and her wench of a g

t push them in the river someday.” Karuna grumbl

lives .” Manorama jokingly said loud enough to be hear

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burning tar , a strong smell of burning wood kept making its presence from time to time like a reminder of festive dinner being prepared at a distance. The hall was packed with villagers that sat on

she walked on the stage , taking her position behind t

can undress and dress up twice in

in handy in romantic rendezvo

.” She resp

Why don’t I k

ng to any futu

O

of gold ornaments - the village chief without doubt but the other six men that were dressed similarly with little to no ornaments were covering their faces with the extra fabric coming out of their turbans. There was a tension of some kind around them, the way they carried themselves , their stiff shoulders , sitting posture – alert , eyes scanning the room like planning something and their one

e early . These pretentiou

stand at the entrance and welcome you with

e show was supposed to be over by night but now

gard for our time. Don’t be sour n

eapons were lost in the background and the crowd became alive once the dancers graced the stage, mesmerizing the men and women alike

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ha

but all the villages in the kingdom were aware of the tragic loss and were affected to some extent . The streets were empty and businesses were closed as everyon

lmet and spear sitting comfortably on the soft seat and was pulled by four horses. They were preparing for the rally across the kingdom with the general’s chariot that was ordered by the king so that the villagers could pay their respects in a

uj , as they observed the commotion at the

he answered as he stood slightly bowing his head , one hand

arun said referring

for n

w? Which

cian suspects he might have be

son .

ery minimal wounds , a few scratches only but he

ssible th

eral was attacked with poison-laced weapons,” he answered even

else was

o

ed him dead .” Barun said clenching his defined ja

t to find any lead in

ef will recover soon . I will pray for him .” he pulled away and gave a gentle pat on his shoul

nd said “ I will do my best to bring t

w , you

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illage o

a yelled once again

Karuna mumbl

wants to se

orced herself to get up

rd she was sitting there telling some sob story where y

stole from under her pillow and draped it across her tor

chuckled . “You missed the breakfast. Now go repo

er eye and headed outside the

will be the one being scolded .” Manorama said s

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