There was nothing left to do. Tea was made. Dishes were washed. She had taken a bath. Since she had fast today, she did not have to cook food before late afternoon. She came out in every two minutes to see if women have arrived at the temple to worship Dasha maa and lord Shiva. But there were hardly four - five elderly women around five in the morning.
"Aah! they all wake up late these days. Earlier, there used to be a long queue at this hour," she muttered to herself.
Today was a big day for women of this particular region of Rajasthan. Dasha mata was celebrated for the betterment of the condition of households. Women observe fast, worship Dasha Maa and pray for the better days to come. By seven in the morning, women begun to arrive at the temple. Dammu bai had begun to snore while sitting at the ajar gate of her little one room and kitchen house.
With an intuitive jerk, she opened her eyes to see a huge crowd of women struggling hard to worship first. She got happy like a child who found chocolate after so much of anticipation. Although, there were many who knew Dammu bai, no one had time on this busy day to talk to her. She understood and did not let her heart sink.
Whenever anyone passes by, Dammu bai begins to babble about old days, her good time, but for the most part she talks about her kins..." oh my sister who lives in baroda is in such poor condition, if someone could help her..." Women are in hurry today. Nobody stops by her. She murmurs till the last woman goes by. She says, "I do not go anywhere, it takes money to step out of home. Nobody comes here as well. But I am okay."
Dammu bai observes fast but does not go to worship. She is not waiting for better days. She always says, I am fine.
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