KISAH Futures Anthology
Aunty Roja gave Kalyani a peacock-eyeshadowed glance. “Darling, the saree is draped very nicely and all but just ask the make-up artist to do a touch-up so your eyes don’t look so tired, OK? The lighting in these places is not very good sometimes. Tell her Ram,” insisted her aunt before sweeping into the hall. Her uncle did not respond but instead beamed at Kalyani as he walked past her. “I think you look like Goddess Amman herself,” he whispered as he followed Aunty Roja in. Kalyani felt a rush of affection for him. “Aiyo, how am I supposed to squeeze past all of you to get to the middle”, rang out her aunt’s voice. “Go on, move. All you young people can get up easily and scoot to the middle, I need space at the aisle. Move all the way, you all think what, you have tickets is it? Huh, at least now there is a spare seat next to me to put my handbag.” Kalyani smiled, trying to imagine what the theatre seating would look like with patrons dressed to the nines. She and Sanjay had their first date at this very hall two years ago, back when it was still a cinema. Back when there were cinemas, she thought wistfully. The first few shrill notes of the nadeswaram penetrated the air; the rustling and voices from within the hall died down. Kalyani took a deep breath and exhaled. It was showtime.
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