Chapter 08.2


"It's so warm," she sighed.

She was rocking her pelvis back and forth slowly. Her fingers squeezed the hard muscles of his chest. He pulled her down and hugged her, running his hands over her back and wiping away the perspiration. She brushed a lock of hair from his face and gazed lovingly into his eyes.

"That was the best," she whispered, and kissed him.

All the family members reached the marriage venue. The whole atmosphere there in hamlets made it a beautiful environment what with traditional folk music and dances being a part of the celebrations. The dancing and singing were going well with the music which was being played as rituals kept unfolding during the event. The entire area was lighted by several torches of castor oils. There was a wedding mandap (a temporary platform set up for weddings and religious ceremonies) on the verandah in front of the bride's hut around which all the villagers were gathered. On reaching, the family members could see several bamboo chairs were lying near the mandap which were meant specifically for them.

There they could see both Debika and Deboshree. Debika was wearing a pink saree with a matching-colored blouse and was flanked by her Assistants Pakul and Jojam. Similarly, Deboshree was flanked by her Assistants Gelango and Samango. Deboshree was wearing a knee-length skirt and shirt. Her scanty clothes meant nothing to tribes as all the tribal women had one piece of cloth covering just their upper portions and up to their knees. Both the daughters were very happy to see their family members, their elder brothers, and nieces after a long time and they greeted all the family members. The nieces hugged their aunties. All of them were seated together in the bamboo chairs in front of the mandap. Both Debasish and Dipankar were very happy to see their younger sisters.

It was a part of the Anthropological research of Debika. The family members could see Debika was busy taking photographs of everything and was taking notes everything in her notebook. They could see Pakul with her explaining everything about the culture and tradition of the marriage ceremony.

Pakul went on explaining, "This is the house of the bride. The marriage is polygamy as well as Polyandry and settled by parents of two brothers and the girl from this village. The two brothers have already a wife. The opinion of the boys and the girl has already been taken. The parents of the bride have convinced their daughter saying they are well off. All the villagers of the two villages have gathered on the verandah of the hut of the bride. No one would go to the forest for wood or to the river for the next two days as it is the day of the ceremony in two villages. Do you know, tonight the huts of two villages are deserted! Everyone is congregated here to attend the grand feast with free drinks. After midnight, you will find most of the village folks both male and female in drunken stage lying here and there in and around village streets, on the open space and ground of the village, near the area and space of Bride's hut, under the trees and hedges. People would be drunk till the grooms depart with the bride tomorrow afternoon. Any work on the land is forbidden before the departure of the grooms and party.

The marriage ceremony would take place between midnight to early morning by putting sindoor(vermilion) on the forehead of the bride. Here, the village chief Okato, the priest Madgu and two senior old men of our two villages, Gelgela and Hikim would play a pivotal role to occasion the ceremony. All of them would solemnize the rituals of marriage. The dance and song would continue from tonight till tomorrow afternoon. The grooms would take their new bride by tomorrow afternoon to their village."

Then there entered two old men, with yellow-colored loin clothes wrapped around their loins. Their entire hairs were grey like snow white. Both of them were taller around 6 feet height. Their age must be between 72 years to 75 years. Despite their wrinkled skin, both of them were muscular and full of energy and vigours. Both of their black bodies were coated with turmeric powder and their bodies appeared to be peculiar, a mix of black and yellow colors differentiate them from other ordinary villagers. Most probably, their loincloths were also coated to yellow with turmeric powder. When they reached there, the family members of the bride escorted them with honor and made them sit near the mandap on two leafy mates which were meant for them. It seemed they were important persons of the tribes.

Out of curiosity, Debika asked, "Pakul, who are these two old gentlemen?"

"Madam, just now I was referring them. They are the two senior experienced old men of the two villages, Gelgela and Hikim. They would assist village chief Okato and priest Madgu to solemnize the marriage. In fact, these four persons, I mean these two old gentlemen, village chief Okato and priest Madgu are the custodian of our tribal society of two villages. On every occasion, their presence would be required, be it be marriage, the birth of a newborn, death of anybody, the ritual ceremony of Deity Masambango during our annual festival, or any decision making and judgment related to any villagers and welfare of the villages," explained Pakul.

Bipasha nudged slowly to Arpita and whispered in her ear, "Arpita, do you remember these two old men? Try to remember where have you seen them?"

Arpita smiled and whispered back, "Yes, I remember clearly. They were present on that ritual night along with Okato and Madgu. I remember their big black cocks sucked by those two virgin tribal girls."

"Pakul, explain to me how this marriage is polygamy as well as Polyandry?" asked Debika.

Pakul went on explaining, "Madam, both Polygamy and polyandry are also practiced in our tribes. Some wealthy tribes would take a second or even third wife. In some cases, both polygamy and polyandry were combined and brothers sometimes would share two or more wives as in the case of today's marriage. Needless to say, some of the families are quite complex. it depends upon the need of a male person or male persons of the family. If they have a single son, he may marry a single wife or he may marry several wives to run the family depending on his financial status. If there are more sons in a family then each brother may adopt an individual wife or all of the brothers jointly and severally can adopt one wife or more than one wife. "

"But, what's about the children?" further asked Debika.

"Yes, this is the complicated situation in our tribes. As per tradition, after marriage, her husband and husbands(if more than one) would neither touch her nor spend with her in bed unless the new bride would spend one month with the existent senior male person of the family. It might be her father-in-law or grandfather-in-law whoever is existent. The new bride would have a physical relationship with him for getting a chance of pregnancy by him. Only after spending with him for one month, she will be again reunited with her husband and with multiple husbands if she has more than one to continue her conjugal life. After that, her Father-in-law or Grand father-in-law with whom she spent a month would never touch her ever in her lifetime. If ever during this one month the new bride gets pregnant then the first child born is going to be the eldest son and real heir of the family. The next child born would be considered to be the oldest brother, the third child to the second oldest, and so on," explained Pakul.

"My God! What's a strange customs and tradition!" exclaimed Arpita.

Pakul further explained, "We have the custom of bride price. The parents of the two brothers would hand over the bride price to Okato, the village chief and who in turn would hand it over to the father of the girl in presence of Priest, Madgu, and two senior elderly men of our two villages, Gelgela and Hikim. It depended on the financial conditions of the groom's family. Generally, 120 kg. of paddy approximately (weighted by a special method of tribal measurement scale), 2 sacks of rice, three goats (two adult bucks, one female doe), one cow, new clothes, vegetables, and common salt would be presented being the bride price. Apart from these, as a part of the tradition, a portion of the bride's wedding attire as well as jewelry would be given by the family of the groom."

The reception at the bride's hut was very warm. There was a good bit of singing and dancing. From Pakul, the family members came to know that the grooms' party, their family members, and villagers were being given a grand feast.

"Pakul, what's this big pole erected in the middle of the marriage mandap which is carved out of several different pictures on it?" asked Debika.

"Madam, this is a sacred pole of 40 feet height erected towards the sky in the middle of the mandap which consisted of a symbolic stage for the bride and grooms to sit while the marriage ceremony would be performed. As you can see, this platform is drawn with white rice flour mixed with turmeric powder and has five lamps resting on five small pots which represent the five powers of their goddess Masambango. The lamps are lit by oil extracted manually from the castor seeds (indigenous variety). The central wooden pole has motifs carved on it and painted in different colors. The pole has to have the religious symbols of the crescent moon and the vertical daggers. The other motifs are either trees, flowers, birds or wild and domestic animals or some other design," explained Pakul.

"The selection of the motifs was what constituted your aesthetic sense," commented Debika.

"The fact that our people mainly depict trees, birds, and animals not only on this sacred wooden pole but even on wall decorations means that we are one with our environment. Selection of animals like elephants which are not found here also shows our inclination," observed Pakul.

The family members could see that the women of the village dressed in their traditional outfits, wearing tied, half-length sarees. The sarees used by the women were of red and white checkered cotton knee-length sarees, tied at the waist and draped over shoulders of course without blouses but covering their breasts. The women adorned themselves with accessories, a necklace of black and green beads, red stone, iron earrings. The men were adorned in a knee-length white cloth with red stripes tied along the waist.

The ceremonial bath with turmeric mixed hot water was given to both the boys(grooms) by sisters-in-law of the bride, village friends of the bride, and other relations. Then both the grooms were dressed in new clothes. The wedding attire was in their traditional tribal wedding was very unique and was a unique representation of the culture intrinsic to their tribes. Both the bride and the grooms teamed up their wedding outfits with apt accessories for their special day. As a part of the tradition, a portion of the bride's wedding attire as well as jewelry was given by the grooms. The bride was dressed in a traditional outfit for her wedding day. She wore tribal woven cloth. Both of these dresses were quite detailed and comprise of not one but several pieces of clothing, and hence it appeared a cylindrical shape to the bride's body.

It was two pieces of contrasting fabrics, one of which covered her loin area from the waist to her knees, another one covered her breasts and rest on each shoulder. Both the bride and the grooms teamed up their wedding outfits with apt accessories for their special day. The bride accessorized her outfit with various ornaments such as necklaces, earrings, and bangles made from iron, conch shells, and teeth of animals, beads, and stones. The bride also wore a crown on her wedding day which was made of feathers of a peacock. The two brothers wore their loins with new clothes with other clothes wrapped around their shoulders.

It was about to be midnight and before the solemnization of marriage, the dance performance had already started, the men were playing the musical instruments, and women were singing and dancing. A male tribe began the performance playing a crescendo rhythm with sticks on a drum (an oval-shaped clay drum covered on one end with lizard skin), and was joined soon after by other local percussion instruments, such as the big several drums in the sizes of barrels. This was followed by the rhythmic stomping of the dancers' feet, intensified with the jangling of their bracelets, and finally the voice of a singer. For over an hour the family members listened and applauded.

"Most of the musical instruments were made with local bamboo and animal skins and they were specially made for this occasion, and you could find the perfect hilly flute music mixed with drum," explained Pakul.

During this dance, the sound of flute and dancing to the beat of the drum went to such a powerful level, that some of them came to the family members and requested them to dance with the group, virtually they dragged them from their seats. The family members couldn't resist themselves to join these groups. All the family members started dancing with the group to the beat of drums. Among the dancers, two beautiful teen tribes smiled at Bipasha and Arpita who were of their age groups. Both the tribal teens came forward with a welcome gesture and took hold hands of both Bipasha and Arpita and started dancing in a circular motion. Both Bipasha and Arpita tried to tap their feet with the steps of those tribal teens rhythmically with the tune of flute and drums. Both the young girls of the family were very much thrilled to dance with the tribes and they could see the other family members, their fathers and aunties were also dancing with the tribes. Really! It was a unique experience.

This dance was performed by young girls and men and they performed on the beat of musical instruments and vocals. After dancing for around 20 minutes, all the family members withdrew themselves from the dance and came back to their seats.

Arpita asked, "Pakul, who are those teens who danced with us? What's are their names?"

"They are Shukri and Danko," replied Pakul.

Little did the young girls of the family knew that these beautiful teen tribes Shukri and Danko had already been seduced by their grandmothers some weeks before. The spectators, that is all the family members remarked they were surprised because it transported them to an exotic setting, alien to their usual references. Since the performance included specific parts of their rituals, the family members included Debika and Deboshree were amazed through their uniform performances.

The family members could see around 50 nos of big earthen pots which were lined up near the platform, and these earthen pots would contain three types of wine. The first kind of wine was made from rice and called Rice wine (Which is a rice beer, a combination of about 20-25 herbs and acts as a fermenter which is then mixed with boiled rice and left to ferment. The drink is generally ready within a week), the second kind of wine was palm wine (An alcoholic beverage collected from the sap of various species of palm trees like date palms, coconut palms) and the third kind of wine was Mahua wine (An alcoholic drink which is made with the flowers of the mahua which is Madhuca longifolia, it is very strong in comparison to other two drinks).

Incidentally, both the tribal teens, Danko and Shukri were very close friends. They enjoyed their dance with city girls, Bipasha and Arpita. Now, both the tribal teens were tired after a continuous round of their dance and they wanted a break. Both the friends withdrew themselves from the dancing group and approached the place near the platform where free drinks were being supplied to all tribes. Both the teens were having their drinks when they saw the yellow men, the senior men of their tribes, Gelgela and Hikim approaching toward them. The two seniors exchanged meaningful glances with these two teens and signaled them to come to a secluded dark place, a slightly distant place from this crowd.

"I think, all of your family members are here," said Gelgela.

Both the teens nodded their heads.

"Then you both do one thing. After the grand feast is over, you two go near the community hall without being noticed by anybody. We both will be waiting for you there. Do you understand clearly?" asked Hikim.

Both the teens nodded their heads with consent. It is said that Rule makers are real Rulebreakers, and not only that even corruption is an integral part of every society. From the ages, these two factors have been prevalent not only in modern society but in tribal society also. Rules could be broken and modified as per the sweet will, necessity, and need of an authority. The custodian of this tribal society, Okato, Madgu, and the two seniors, Gelgela and Hikim would control the two villages of tribes with the existing rules, customs, and traditions. Their decision would be final and binding to all tribal folks in individual matters as well as the wellbeing of the society as a whole. They would keep a vigilant eye as well as engage spy in any unusual activities of the tribes. All of them had families with their grandchildren. Since the tribal society was a sex-free society, sometimes these four old gentlemen would get a greater scope to catch tribal pairs involving sex either directly or through their spies. First, they would threaten the pairs for marriage. If the pairs would not be willing for marriage, then they would start blackmailing the females involved to fulfill their sexual lust.

Most often, the victim females would visit the community hall at night to fulfill their sexual lust. After being seduced by Kaberi and Archana, the two tribal teens, Shukri and Danko would often discuss their new experience of lesbianism as both of them were close friends. Gradually they would meet in secluded places like near the bank of the river, in the jungle, or in community huts above the bank of the river to engage themselves in lesbian sex. Once in their such type of activities inside the community hut above the bank of the river, unfortunately, the two seniors, Gelgela and Hikim were catching fish in the river and noticed the suspicious movements of these teens.

Being suspicious and having doubts in their mind, the two seniors conducted a raid on the teens and found them completely naked and engaged in sex with each other inside the hut. The two seniors were determined to bring forward this matter before the families of teens as well as before Okato and Madgu, threatening to impose a heavy penalty for this weird behavior. Both the teens apologized and cried with teary eyes before the two seniors to spare them. However, it was settled that both the teens would let them fuck in community hall on the marriage night in the village when all of the villagers would be busy in drinks, dance, and a grand feast.

The family members were sitting and enjoying themselves. In the meantime, drinks were served to family members. All the family members were served with the drinks in earthen cups by the tribes but the young daughters Bipasha and Arpita politely refused as they could not accept them in front of their fathers and aunts. Bipin and Mihir looked hesitantly towards their uncles, Debasish and Dipankar.

Dipankar understood their hesitation. He smiled at them and said, "Well, boys! You both are grown up. You can take drinks as you both have come here for merriment and enjoy the marriage ceremony of tribes."

But the boys would not take their drinks in front of the uncles and Aunties due to courtesy. They exchanged a meaningful glance with each other and shifted to a nearby dark place where nobody could see them so that they could consume as a maximum quantity of wine as possible. Both the aunties, Deboshree, and Debika were already habituated to tribal drinks but they winked at their assistants not to serve them any drinks at that moment because of the presence of their elder brothers. Both Debasish and Dipankar nodded their heads to accept the drinks but after some time as their daughters were present there.

The dance and song were continuing which would continue till the early morning of the day as it was a night of celebration. It was past midnight, then it was announced that the marriage would be solemnized. Bipasha whispered something in the ear of Arpita.

Arpita said to Debasish, "Papa, we are going to that side near the tribal women so that we could see the bride and grooms closely."

"OK," consented Debasish.

Both the girls chose such a place from where they could see their fathers and Aunts but nobody could see them.

Both the young girls, Arpita and Bipasha were sitting in a corner far away from their fathers and Aunts. Both the girls were watching and enjoying the songs and dance performed by tribal girls with the rhythm of various tribal music instruments accompanied by the continuous beating of drums. Then they saw Pakul and Gelango, Assistants of their aunts with whom they could communicate. The girls called them.

"Pakul, what's the next program?" asked Bipasha.

"Miss, after some time, marriage would be solemnized followed by a grand dinner. But the program has no end tonight, the songs and dance would continue till tomorrow afternoon when the bride would leave from here with her grooms," clarified Pakul.

"Pakul, it is OK, we are enjoying like anything here. By the time, we attend the grand dinner, it would be much late at night and after that we both need sleep. Can you arrange somewhere so that we both could sleep?" Bipasha requested.

"Miss, obviously it would be arranged as you are our guest. But that could be only arranged by Okato, the village chief. Please wait here, we are searching for Okato so that he could do something for you both," replied Gelango.

Then both of them disappeared among the crowd. After meeting with Okato, both the boys briefed Okato on the problems of the young girls of the family and Okato nodded his head to solve the problems. Okato glanced toward Madgu, the priest, and signaled him to accompany him. All of them proceeded towards the place where the two girls were sitting. Okato saw Bipasha and Arpita sitting in a corner. After some time, both the girls saw Pakul and Gelango approaching toward them accompanied by Okato and Madgu. On seeing them, Bipasha waved her hand toward them, signaling to come near where they were sitting. Both Okato and Madgu proceeded towards the girls. Four of them greeted one another.

Both Okato and Madgu smiled at the girls and the girls also smiled back in return. The four of them were now quite comfortable with one another because of their close encounter during the tribal ritual on that eventful night of the festival. Arpita and Bipasha remembered the long and thick black cocks of these two old men, which both of them stroked and sucked. Similarly, both Okato and Madgu also remembered how they had sucked the cunts of these two young girls of the family in that night. They still remembered how their cunts of young white bodies were glazing even in darkness. Okato said something to both Pakul and Gelango which the girls couldn't understand and in response both the boys nodded their heads.

"Miss, both our Village chief and the priest are very busy till the marriage solemnization is over. The village chief has agreed to arrange a hut for both of you in the village where you could sleep comfortably. After the grand dinner, you both should wait here so that Okato could accompany you to the place where you could sleep," said Gelango.

"Our village chief Okato has also advised us to communicate this to your fathers so that they shouldn't be worried about both of you," said Pakul.

"So, nice all of you," exclaimed Arpita.

"Pakul and Gelango, can you tell us, is there any stream nearby your village? Actually, before returning to the bungalow, we both want to take a bath in a stream tomorrow morning," asked Bipasha.

Suddenly, Pakul remembered the stream above the river, near the dune where he fucked their aunt Debika. He said, "Ohh, yes. You both do one thing, after waking up in the morning, you go to the end of the village and below you will find the river. You cross the river and you will find the stretched dune and just near the dune, you will find a small stream with clear water originating from the embankment behind your bungalow and flowing into the river. You will find several date trees and coconut trees near around the stream."

"Thank you, Pakul," said both the girls in one voice.

Then both the boys said something to Okato and Madgu and left the place. Okato and Madgu also left the place.

Both Deboshree and Debika were very matured young women and after sometimes they discovered that something was not going well between their brothers. Although they were best friends, they were sitting apart from each other and not talking with each other. Debika was busy with her photographs and taking notes of the details of the marriage ceremony and her Assistants Pakul and Jojam were explaining to her further a lot of things about the rituals of the ceremony. At this moment, Debika noticed that Debasish came near to her.

"Debika, do you mind if I sit near you?" asked Debasish.

"Please, Debasish Bhaiya (Brother) I would be very happy if you would be with me," replied Debika with a smile.

Debika looked at the other side and she could see her own elder brother Dipankar was sitting with Deboshree in the farthest corner and they were chatting something with each other. Now, Debika was confirmed that something serious matter must have taken place between these two best friends. Debasish would always treat Debika as his younger sister like his sister Deboshree because of the closeness of the two families. Debika had never felt Debasish ever differentiated between Deboshree and herself. Even she would regard Debasish more than an elder brother like her own blood brother Dipankar. Debika felt a little disturbance and determined to unearth the truth and causes of such distance between Debasish and Dipankar.

All of a sudden Pakul arrived with a jug full of wine with two cups. Debika became a little bolder and said to Debasish," Debasish Bhaiya, should I confess you something as you are my elder brother? With no offense to you, I wish to mention that now I have been staying with tribes for quite a long time and have adopted their way of life due to my research work. Due to this, I have also become acquainted with tribal drinks which are a part of their daily life. During my research work on the lives of these tribes, I was bound to taste their homemade wine which was also a part of my research work. Would you mind me taking wine in front of you?"

"Not at all Debika. You are at liberty. Ohh, come on, you are not a kid anymore. You are a big sister of 34 years of mine. Let us drink together," said Debasish and smiled.

"Debika, cannot we have our private drinks somewhere else? This is public, don't you see Dipankar, Deboshree, Bipasha, Arpita, Bipin, and Mihir all around here? I don't think it would look decent to take drinks openly like these tribes," further suggested Debasish.

"You are right, Debasish Bhaiya," said Debika and signed Pakul to come nearer her.

When Pakul came to her Debika said," Pakul, can't you find a secluded place where we can take drinks privately? "

"Wait, Madam, let me see what can I do?" said Pakul and left.

He returned after few moments and said," Madam, I have arranged a place and kept everything arranged. Now, marriage will be solemnized, let us witness the event then we will go to that place where I will serve both of you your drinks and dinner."

"You are right, Pakul. I have to take some photos of the events for my research purpose. Debasish Bhaiya, let us go and witness the event then we will come back here," she said and held his hand.

Similarly, Deboshree also confirmed this fact when Dipankar came and sat beside her leaving his best friend Debasish. Deboshree could well study his face and body language and concluded that some rift had arisen between her brother Debasish and Dipankar Bhaiya. Since theirs were a close-knit family, Deboshree thought it was her duty to sort out the problems between two best friends after consultation with Debika.

"Dipankar Bhaiya, you seem to be tense! Are you not well?" she asked to study his mind further.

"No, no, I am well. Just, I am not acquainted with so much crowd, "Dipankar replied with a fake smile.

Gelango, Assistant of Deboshree overheard their conversation and went nearby. After few moments, he returned with two cups and a jug full of wine. He poured the wine into two cups and offered two cups to both Deboshree and Dipankar.

Gelango addressed Dipankar, "Sir, it is the strongest wine made from Mahua. Just take few cups and you will feel it will take away all of your tension."

Dipankar smiled and accepted the cup full of wine but then Gelango saw Deboshree hesitating.

Gelango asked," Madam, what's about you? Are you not in a mood tonight? "

On hearing Galango's offer, Deboshree's face became pale as her secret had been revealed. Dipankar now came to know the fact that Deboshree was not new to tribal wine. She must be taking the wine from time to during her staying with tribes.

To make the situation normal, he said, "Deboshree, you are no longer my kid sister. You are a young woman of 34 years and quite mature. So, you need not hesitate to take drinks in front of me."

Deboshree stammered, "Dipankar Bhaiya, the fact is that I am staying with these tribes for my research work and..."

"No need for further clarification my dear sister, let us drink together," smiled Dipankar.

"Gelango, could you please arrange our drinks a little distance from here as it is too much public here," said Deboshree.

"Sure, Madam, I was also thinking the same because, after some time, marriage will take place followed by grand dinner. This place would be crowded after a while so I have chosen a quiet place for both of you where I would not only serve you drinks but your dinner also," replied Gelango.

The marriage was sanctified when the couples walked seven times around the pole erected in the wedding booth. Both the brothers put vermilion on the forehead of the bride in presence of Village chief Okato, the priest Madgu and two seniors of the villages. Madgu, the priest murmured some hymns and the marriage was completed by half-past midnight. After the marriage the congregated females started singing the songs relating to couple, marriage and then others followed it. The songs were followed by sounds of flutes and the beating of drums.

After the marriage was over, all the crowd cheered and welcomed the newlywed bride and grooms. Some of the people in the crowd made themselves into various groups and started dancing more with pleasure and happiness. Both Bipin and Mihir were enjoying the tribal dance. The tribal groups consisting of young males and females were making a circle and were dancing with minimal steps or movements.

These folk dances of tribes were full of vibrancy, enthusiasm, and energy. Most of these folk dances were performed with a set dress code. These dresses were very colorful. Both the friends, Bipin and Mihir could see the young girls and women wearing red clothes covering from their knees to the waist and red clothes wrapped around their breasts with traditional ornaments made from stones and animal teeth. Feathers of various birds including the feathers of the peacock were stuck in their hair.

Women in villages created a group in a circle position during this dance performance, and they performed in a row on this dance. Their dance first started in slow motion and it ended with some fastest movements. In the male tribes, the musical accompaniments were also there to compliment the dance steps. Bipin and Mihir were taking wine from the earthen pots nearby to their contents as there was free access to wine for everyone. Drummers and a bell player constantly provided background music during this dance performance and this was just like the acrobatic movements of female performers in rhythm. They also used to make some hissing sounds during their performance. The drum players used to stay in the center of these circles, and they used to control the dancers with their rhythm. After few minutes, as the female dancers were continuing their dancing on the beats of drums, the two friends observed that one young woman about 22 years among the dancers was watching them constantly while dancing.

That young tribal woman was Dumi. Dumi had married two years ago. While dancing, all of a sudden, she watched these two young boys, Bipin and Mihir. Both the boys could be easily differentiated from the other folks of her tribes because of their physical features and Dumi knew that these boys were from Sahib household staying at the bungalow and were there to attend the marriage ceremony. Dumi was so attracted towards these boys that she was constantly watching them through her dancing.

"Bipin, did you see that tribal woman dancer who is constantly watching us? Really! She is very young and beautiful. See her swaying breasts under the cloth, she must have big breasts," said Mihir.

"Not only she is watching us but she is smiling at us. Let me give her a signal," said Bipin.

While dancing in a circular motion, Dumi noticed the elder one of the boys waved his hand towards her and Dumi smiled at him. Dumi could feel a strange sensation throughout her body. After a while, another group entered the arena and the group that belonged to Dumi withdrew as all of them were tired and it was also time for grand dinner.

When marriage was over, all three, Debika, Debasish, and Pakul returned to their previous place. Pakul led Debika and Debasish away from the crowd by the sideway. They reached a place not far away from the marriage venue and which was a new hut under construction. It was having four muddy walls from all sides except the roof which was open to the sky. Through moonlit from above, they could see Pakul had arranged two bamboo chairs and a bamboo table for them, they could see an earthen jug and three cups on the table. But still, the place was dark.

"Pakul, it is still dark inside," complained Debika.

"Don't worry, Madam. That also I have arranged," said Pakul and lighted an earthen lamp in the corner of the open hut.

Similarly, Gelango also placed two bamboo chairs and a bamboo small table for both Deboshree and Dipankar in a dark place where nobody could see them. After some time, it was time for grand dinner, people started jostle with one another to reach the venue of food. The food in the grand feast involved fertility symbols of rice along with chicken, fish, meats of wild boar, deer, lamb, and goat stew also were being served

Dumi broke herself from the group and passed near Bipin and Mihir. Dumi looked towards Bipin and Mihir and gave a seductive smile again before proceeding ahead. They followed her to some distance and she stopped suddenly and turned her face behind. Knowing that the two were following her, again she smiled at them which was an open invitation to the boys. People were thronged into grand dinner and Dumi also made her way for food. Both Bipin and Mihir were also closed on her heels. Although both the boys had their dinner at bungalow for the sake of this young tribal woman, they sat together near her for eating and she was only smiling at them.

Arpita and Bipasha joined the grand feast out of curiosity to taste the various dishes although they had an early dinner at bungalow but neither they could see their fathers nor their aunties. Among the crowd, the girls could see Bipin and Mihir close with a very young tribal woman.

Noticing them, Arpita smiled towards Bipasha and said, "Bipasha, look at Bipin Bhaiya and Mihir Bhaiya, how they are flirting with that tribal woman?"

"But where are our fathers and Aunties?" exclaimed Bipasha.

After finishing their dinner, both Arpita and Bipasha were waiting for Okato so that they could sleep as early as possible as night was growing, it was past midnight. By this time the major roles performed by Okato, the village chief, and Madgu, the priest was over. Both of them were yet to decide whether to stay the whole night to celebrate further or to return to their huts. Then Okato remembered he had taken the responsibility of sleeping arrangements of the young girls, their guest of honor.

Immediately, he called Madgu and said, "Madgu, most probably, the two young girls of the family are waiting for me. Let us take them to our community hall. There are sufficient beds and I think the girls could sleep there comfortably."

Madgu nodded his head and followed the village chief who was moving towards the place where both the girls were waiting for him. On seeing Okato and Madgu approaching towards them, both the girls were assured as it was past midnight and they needed sleep. All the four greeted one another once again with a smile.

Then Arpita murmured in the ear of Bipasha, "Bipasha, don't you see, everyone is celebrating with drinks! Why shouldn't we? Ask Okato to provide us some drinks so that we could enjoy a little before going to bed."

"You are right, Arpita, "consented Bipasha.

With her gestures, Bipasha requested Okato to bring some drinks for them. Okato understood and nodded his head. Okato whispered something to Madgu and disappeared from there whereas Madgu sat beside them. After some time, Okato came with an earthen jug and four small cups and signaled them to follow him. They went to the backside of the hut under a tree which was a secluded place and nobody could see them. It was deserted because all of the villagers were busy drinking wine, taking food, and dancing at the venue of the marriage place as it was a night of celebration.

After dinner was over, Dumi was searching for her husband. While following her, the boys could see that the young tribal woman went to the darkest place and stopped near a tribal male who was lying on the ground. The young woman bent down and tried to wake the man up from the ground. But it seemed the man lying on the ground was too drunk and was not moving at all. Both the boys reached near to the young tribal woman. The place was a little far away from the marriage venue and deserted. Both the boys couldn't see the movements of any other tribes in that area.

"I think, the tribe male lying on the ground is her husband," said Bipin.

"He is too drunk to wake up," said Mihir.

Pakul had placed dishes of wild boar meats, lamb meats, and also goat stew. He started serving wine in their cups and both Debasish and Debika started their round of drinks. After two rounds of wine, Debika said," Pakul, why don't you join us? "

"Thank you, Madam," said Pakul and joined with them.

"Madam, the village chief Okato has arranged for sleeping of two young girls from your family tonight somewhere so you need not worry for your girls," informed Pakul.

"So nice of Okato, I must thank him for taking care of girls of our family," said Debasish.

They could still hear the clamor of the crowd, songs, and music coming from the marriage venue.

"Debika, how could you arrange my sleeping tonight here as I cannot return to the bungalow at this odd hour of the night?"

"Debasish Bhaiya, don't worry. I have my hut and I will take you there where you can sleep comfortably tonight," assured Debika.

After the third round of drinks, Debika thought it was the right moment to extract the truth from Debasish. She said," Debasish Bhaiya, I never find any difference between my own elder brother Dipankar Bhaiya and you as you are also more like my elder brother. Then, please tell me what goes wrong between two best friends. It seems now, you both are separated not even in talking with each other what I have observed few hours before at marriage venue."

"Listen, Debika. My love and affection towards you are not less than my own sister Deboshree. You are still my little sister Debika whom I have seen from childhood and growing up to a big woman today. The problem is your elder brother Dipankar who once was my best friend and now I hate him most," said Debasish.​
Next page: Chapter 08.3
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