Unbearable silence

      The loud, noisy Navratri holiday began. Aliya and Ambika sat bored on the doorstep of the house.       —And why won’t Razia let us go? - The second one sighed.       — Because “it’s very dangerous there, there’s a terrible crush” and so on and so forth.       The rhythms of the songs persistently attracted attention. It was coming from the neighboring village.       — I bet my grandmother specifically chose a house in the middle of nowhere so that we wouldn’t go anywhere.       —That's it. - Ambika frowned.       - But if we look with one eye, nothing will happen, right? - Alya raised an eyebrow, looking at her sister.       - It won’t... - Her eyes sparkled conspiratorially.       Iz was immediately noticed. Who could doubt it? With great suspicion, the stranger looked at Aliya, who stared at her in the same way.        “Wah,” a resident spoke up, “What kind of foreigner has brought us here?”       Aliya indicated her position with a curved eyebrow:       —Who else is a stranger here? I'm even more Indian than you.       The girls hooted approvingly.       —Perhaps the goddess Durga herself decided to descend upon us? “She bowed playfully.        “Maybe,” Aliya raised her chin, “Who knows?”       —Why are you being nice to her, Simla? — A slightly larger lady put her hand on her shoulder. “Let him then show how she dances, since she’s such an Indian.” Show love to the Great Mother.       Aliya was in no hurry to agree, measuring everyone with her eyes.       - Oh, - Simla went to the center of the circle, getting ready, wrapped her sari. The melody promised to be dynamic.       —Would you like to go? — Ambika touched her sister’s elbow.        “That’s for me,” Aliya snorted. - There is nothing more to do.       — It’s true! - Gauri admiringly adopted the idea, - Come out with us, Aliya, why should you be shy? We'll show you everything, right, dramara?       The drummer nodded cheerfully. Aliya, rolling her eyes, nevertheless went out to the others. Her blazing white sari and proud posture made her stand out from the rest. With a brief glance at her, the drummer began tapping a rhythm.       — Eh, just what you need! “Gauri shouted out in satisfaction, everyone joined in, spreading their fingers in praise. Women's jewelry began to ring. Everyone moved their shoulders lazily, recognizing the rhythm, and looked at Aliya encouragingly.       —Come on! “Simla chanted, and the others joined in. Aliya waved at them arrogantly, casually straightened her hair, and lifted up her bracelets. Having guessed, she rhythmically clapped her hands, making a decisive turn, characteristic of the garba,then another, leading everyone is delighted. Simla whistled and Gauri raised a howl of approval. As soon as the chorus began, Aliya called on everyone to look at themselves, starting the victorious step of the Gujjars. The girls began to repeat after her, intuitively recognizing the following simple , but full of force of movement. The chorus ended, the circle moved, bouncing, repeating after the previous one. Aliya seemed like a soaring swan in turns, but at the same time her gestures were full of power and grandeur, characteristic of the goddess Durga. Out of breath, the girls stopped, looking with interest to his leader. Aliya smiled, taking a breath, tucked a sari into her skirt, looking at the sky with anticipation. No one expected any action from her, but here, from the beginning of the verse, she again clapped her hands with feeling, jumping up and down to the emerging beat. Laughing, the girls began to dance again. As the repetition played out, the circle soared upward again, rushing forward, towards the wind. The chorus began with renewed vigor, with the same impressive stride performed by Alia at the beginning. The singer threw out the lines for the last time before letting the vociferous pandit sing.With a sense of accomplishment, the exhausted girls exhaled, aiming for rest, but then Aliya’s hands involuntarily turned to the sky, someone tried to keep up with her, but Aliya overtook the girl in front, impulsively starting her own circle. Clapping to the rhythm, she smiled faintly, apologizing, and continued her dance, which had already begun against her will. The girls stopped in ignorance. To the ringing of temple bells, the pandit began to chant the names of the goddess, Aliya zealously spun in bold turns, only possible with intensive preparation. Having abandoned this exhausting whirlwind, Aliya sank to her feet, gasping for breath. It seemed like she already needed help. Ambika looked out from the astonished crowd, looking at her sister in tension. She raised her hands in prayer, asking the goddess for blessings. The pandit's curly voice forced her to dance, then she began to bend over in this position, exhaustedly trying to repeat movements close to dance. Stopping, she backed away blindly, crashing into some girl. soap red paprika dust. Without distinguishing faces, she approached the drummer and laid a heavy hand on his shoulder. He, completely engrossed in his performance, only noticed that the dance circle had stopped and the exhausted dancer was standing next to him. He recoiled in surprise, looking at her face in horror. Holding on with all her strength, Aliya hobbled towards Ambika, but could not stay on her feet, falling on her sister. Everyone began to disperse while the younger one laid the older one down on the ground.       —Aliya? Can you hear me?       But there was no clear answer. Local residents who barely knew each other also tried to help.       —What's wrong with you, Aliya? - Simla grabbed her face, slapping her cheeks, - Aliya, can you hear me?       — Bhang saw? — Gauri looked at Ambika incredulously.       —No. “She whispered in fear. We didn't drink anything.       — Disperse everyone! - Simla shouted loudly, driving her away, - They crowded together, she can’t breathe! And here you are, staring!       - Do you want me to run after your relatives? They will call a doctor. — Gauri suggested, sitting down next to Ambika.       —No one is home. - Shaking, Ambika shook her head, - Aunt went to the city, sister is at work... And it’s a long walk to Miss Chauhan.       —Who is Miss Chauhan? - Gauri interrogated.       — Also an aunt. She can call a doctor.       — How far?       —We won’t report.       —I can help. — The drummer, who had been watching behind all this time, volunteered. The girls were surprised at how humbly he offered his help.       —Come on. Help. “Simla stepped back, looking with interest at the savior who had suddenly appeared.       - Great, you won’t have to drag yourself to the rickshaw. - Gauri dusted off her hands.       — Do you live far away? “The drummer steadfastly straightened his back, as if he was not paying attention to the heavy weight.       — This is very hard! - Simla was amazed, looking at the impressive tall Aliya in disbelief.       “It’s okay,” he said bravely, straightening the domaru. Ambika obediently followed, looking at her sister not without concern.       —We are with you. — Gauri concluded, heading on the road.       - Wait, let me at least take your rattle, - Simla carefully pulled the drum from his neck, bent under the weight, - Heavy! How do you wear it?       The player smiled in confusion, looking tremblingly at his burden. Simla was the last one in line to save Aliya, so she heard a whisper:       - Hero... - Huddled together, the girls looked after the guy with Aliya in his arms, bravely carrying his trusted mistress.       — That's the same! “Simla answered proudly, glad that they had such a brave travel companion, finally victoriously beating the rhythm on the trusted drum. Gauri looked at her disapprovingly. - And what? Let them not envy.       Tired from the difficult journey, the girls trudged after the flushed drummer.       “This way,” Ambika pointed to the closed gate. With tangled fingers, she found the call button. Simla and Gauri looked at each other as they stood in front of the luxurious house. Surprisingly, it was not the maid who came running, but Manisha.       —What happened? “She asked cheerfully until she saw Aliya in someone else’s hands. Manisha broke into a run: “What happened?”       “Please let us in,” Ambika begged, “there is no one at home, we have nowhere else to go.”       — Of course, of course! — Manisha opened the gate, letting everyone inside. The drummer waited patiently for his companions to enter. Simla was amazed by this gesture: “Thank you,” she bowed obligingly, winking at Gauri.       —Oh, I found the time. “She waved it off irritably.       - But everyone in the village will talk about us! - Simla whispered conspiratorially, - “Lord Krishna himself descended to earth to...”       - Now I’ll break your head with this same drum! - Gauri shushed.       Manisha ran into the house, demandingly calling the maid. The drummer deftly turned around in the narrow passage, carrying his burden without difficulty. This did not escape Simla's eyes.       —Will you calm down or not, magpie? “Gauri muttered menacingly, swinging her arms. Simla jumped back, laughing, pretending to play the drum:       — Hare Krishna, Hare Ram, dam, maro, dam... — She spun in the aisle, but Gauri called out to her again. Simla woke up and galloped off with a slight laugh: “I’m coming!”       Manisha guided the guest, putting Aliya to bed with his help.       —That's it. I already called the doctor. He'll be there soon.       —Oh my God! — Priyanka squealed, clutching her cheeks, “What happened?!”       It’s not clear whether she was screaming because of Aliya’s condition or because of the beggar in the house. The guests did not feel entirely comfortable in such an environment.       —I guess I'll go. — The drummer bowed his head.       —And we won’t linger. - Gauri nodded.       —Could you stay? At least until the doctor comes? “Ambika looked pleadingly. The guy clearly didn’t have the courage to refuse her; he plucked his lips in indecision.       — Darling, why! — Priyanka convinced. “We’re all here, Aryan will be back from work soon!”       —Mom. — The formidable Manisha appeared at the door. - Don't disturb the guests. let them feel at home.       Priyanka clearly did not like the abundance of poor people on her master's doorstep. But, without interfering with her daughter, she still left, grunting displeasedly.       The doctor wrote out a prescription after his visit. The drummer immediately left, folding his hands respectfully in front of Ambika, without waiting for Alia to come to her senses. As soon as she woke up, she grabbed Ambika’s hand, calling:       — Amala is not a word. Razie too!       - But... But how!       — That's it! Shouldn't know anything.       —Why shouldn’t it! - Simla exclaimed. -You just fainted!       — And like this. Razia will give everything to her grandmother. She will get worried again, and Amala will be at her wit’s end.       - Well, that’s it, friend, you now owe gratitude to that wonderful young man who brought you here. — Simla crucified.       —Who was that anyway? - Aliya muttered, clutching her head.       — Drummer! “Simla threw up her hands in bewilderment, not understanding why no one had guessed this before.       —What's his name? “Ambika was already making plans to thank him grandly.       - How do I know, there’s a whole village of them, new ones for every holiday!       —You don’t know him? — Gauri narrowed her eyes in confusion.       — No, of course! - Simla stared at everyone, - Why are you staring at me like that, I saw him as much as you!       —Wonderful. - Alya grumbled, rubbing her forehead. “I feel like it’s time for me.”       — If necessary, stay! - Manisha immediately suggested.       - No, no, aunt will come now, there will be questions... I’ll go.       —Let me call you a taxi! - Manisha shouted out in hope.       —Okay, go ahead.       “We could use a taxi too,” Simla chuckled, looking at Gauri.       —I can call you a rickshaw too!       — No, don’t, I’m joking.       —I don’t feel sorry for you at all, especially since you helped Aliya so much.       —Then we agree. - Simla winked busily. Gauri threw her elbow into her side. - Oh!..       On the way home, they left formalities and talked face to face:       —I don’t like this fall. - Simla stated categorically. - So that on the day of the goddess, after the dance in her honor.       —But she clearly didn’t anger her. - Gauri shook her head.       — Of course! Send such a savior!       — Simla! Who's talking about what, and you're talking about yours!       —No, so what! A lot of good things happened: I never really talked to you, but here it is! God's providence!       - Yes... - Gauri looked dreamily at the night sky, - Miracles.