![\"Khazuraho](\"https:\/\/aussiesummer.sharonrundle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Khazuraho4web.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
When the hired car pulled up outside Jhansi station, Priya\u2019s brother Anil bagged the front seat beside the driver. Andy opened the rear door, Ivy slipped in first and slid over to the far window seat. Priya looked at Andy who signalled for her to get in. From then on Priya was stuck between the two, in a car that bounced over an unsealed road with gaping potholes and crumbling edges. Priya had studied in Sydney with Ivy, and they had kept in touch. She was excited at seeing her again as she hadn\u2019t seen her since last summer. They had all had a great time in Sydney. Priya had met Ivy\u2019s boyfriend Andy. Priya insisted they visit her during their trip to India and had organised a short side trip from Delhi to Khajuraho..<\/p>\n
Conversation was minimal, mostly when Priya or Anil pointed out something of interest. Clusters of oncoming vehicles passed by, Tata or Ashok Leyland lorries brightly painted and decorated, buses packed with passengers, small cars, bicycles, motorbikes and Vestas, auto-rickshaws, and goat carts. Their car occasionally picked up speed on a relatively good stretch of road, but mostly they moved sedately past fields of mustard, wheat, and forage crops, which lined the road between straggling villages. The car slowed to a crawl when they approached a village, as the road became increasingly clogged with vehicles and pedestrians clustered around the produce, stalls, street-food vendors, and chai wallahs. As they left the village behind, the driver once again accelerated. Ivy gazed silently and determinedly at the passing scenery. After a while, she turned and whispered to Priya, \u2018The man who joined our train carriage wearing the long white robes\u2014did you see what he was carrying?\u2019<\/p>\n
Priya nodded.<\/p>\n
\u2018Do you know who he was?\u2019<\/p>\n
She shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u2018He was carrying an automatic rifle! Then he dozed off with the rifle leaning against his knee!\u2019<\/p>\n
Priya nodded again. \u2018I know\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018I kept hoping the safety catch was secure. Everyone averted their eyes. With all the security we go through, how can he just casually walk onto a train carrying an assault weapon?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Obviously has government clearance.\u2019 Priya\u2019s tone dismissed further questions.<\/p>\n
Ivy realised that this was not the time to press for more answers.<\/p>\n
As dusk fell, they reached their destination. With relief they uncurled their bodies and stretched their legs, after sitting for nine hours since joining the train at dawn in Delhi. A smiling doorman greeted them, as a waiter approached carrying a tray of refreshments. The spacious and impressive foyer displayed expensive antique furniture and rugs; in the centre sat a large sculpture with bright orange marigolds scattered at its feet.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ivy and Andy\u2019s room had two comfy queen beds and was nicely appointed. Ivy decided to lie down for half an hour, while Andy went off to check out the grounds, swimming pool and upstairs bar. She had showered and dressed for dinner by the time he returned.<\/p>\n
\u2018Priya called, she suggested we eat here at the hotel restaurant tonight to save going out again,\u2019 Ivy told him. \u2018I\u2019m about to meet them there. I\u2019ll tell them you\u2019ll join us when you\u2019re ready.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Fine,\u2019 Andy said and disappeared into the bathroom.<\/p>\n
They were greeted by a smiling ma\u00eetre d\u2019 and shown to a table. By the time Andy joined them, they were ready to order from the range of Indian and international dishes on offer. Ivy chose a paneer, Priya decided on a Chinese dish\u2014 \u2018anything but Indian food\u2019, she said\u2014Anil opted for risotto and Andy plumped for biryani.<\/p>\n
\u2018So, what are we in for, tomorrow?\u2019 Andy asked.<\/p>\n
\u2018Temples of Khajuraho,\u2019 Anil said between mouthfuls.<\/p>\n
\u2018What\u2019s so special about these temples?\u2019 Ivy asked.<\/p>\n
Priya shot a glance at Anil.<\/p>\n
\u2018They\u2019re temples of Kama Sutra,\u2019 Anil said, wiping his mouth with his napkin. \u2018Priya mentioned that this week you are celebrating the anniversary of meeting each other —\u00a0 it\u2019s a must, isn\u2019t it? Achcha!<\/em> Okay, we should kick off early. Breakfast here at eight and ready to leave by nine o\u2019clock.\u2019 Anil signed the chit for dinner and went to the reception desk to confirm the driver for the morning\u2019s trip to the temples.<\/p>\n Priya went off to her room to finish unpacking.<\/p>\n Ivy was ready for sleep yet could hardly wait to see Khajuraho by daylight. She and Andy undressed in silence and sank into their respective beds.<\/p>\n Priya popped into her brother\u2019s room for one last nightcap. \u2018What are your thoughts?\u2019<\/p>\n Anil knew quite well the question was in relation to Ivy and Andy. He wasn\u2019t sure exactly why he was here on this trip, only that Priya had said he must accompany her. He had acquiesced because he had missed her graduation ceremony\u2014he owed her. \u2018My Master\u2019s\u2014and you, Bhai, missed my big day when I passed out of university, haan<\/em>?\u2019 Priya had said.<\/p>\n \u2018I noticed they hardly spoke to one another or looked at each other for that matter. Each wrapped in their own thoughts,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n \u2018That\u2019s what I mean. When I was with them in Sydney last summer, you could hardly prise them apart. Now they seem to be drifting in opposite directions. Ivy looks so sad. One reason for bringing them on this side trip is that the temples of the Kama Sutra might have a desirable effect.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a push in the right direction, but one hand alone cannot clap. Let\u2019s see what tomorrow brings.\u2019<\/p>\n Priya raised her glass. \u2018To tomorrow\u2019.<\/p>\n After breakfast, the four gathered in the hotel lobby where they met Raj, their guide, before being whisked away in the hire car to the temple gates.<\/p>\n Wrapped in the cool embrace of the morning, they wandered through the grounds of the Western temples. Raj showed them the feats of fine craftsmanship, from the oldest ninth-century constructions to the more recent eleventh-century temples. The relief carving and sculptures took Ivy\u2019s breath away. She couldn\u2019t resist taking snaps.<\/p>\n Anil preferred his own pace, while Andy lingered to examine the temples more thoroughly. Ivy and Priya continued on with Raj.<\/p>\n \u2018Ma\u2019am, where are you from?\u2019 he asked.<\/p>\n \u2018Australia,\u2019 Ivy answered.<\/p>\n \u2018Ah, Kim Hughes, very good captain,\u2019 Raj said with a broad smile.<\/p>\n \u2018Kim Hughes and Kapil Dev.\u2019 Ivy nodded and returned his smile.<\/p>\n Raj had a practised patter, a comedic routine. No doubt he had various approaches depending on his clients. As a guide for two females in their late twenties, he thought himself quite the star.<\/p>\n Priya fell in love with the Nandi temple, dragging in Raj to take snaps. Ivy noticed a sign advertising a sound-and-light show that night. \u2018We must come back, Priya,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n At midday they all met at the gate to go on to the Eastern Group and Jain temples. In the golden light of the afternoon, they visited temple after temple, each one intriguing and skilfully crafted. The black marble statue of Parsvanath was exquisite.<\/p>\n Ivy was speaking animatedly as she walked beside Anil. Andy had wandered ahead with Raj. Priya caught up as Ivy put Anil in the sights of her camera lens. Anil posed and smiled but seemed a tad embarrassed. Later, at dinner, Ivy focused almost all her attention on Anil. Even Priya found it difficult to engage with her.<\/p>\n \u2018Sound-and-light show,\u2019 Priya reminded, as they left the restaurant.<\/p>\n In the dark of the moon, the town centre itself was a light-and-sound show. Neon signs, streetlights, multicoloured fairy lights festooning trees and balconies; and, high above in the heavens, a scattering of stars. Music filtered down from restaurants and merged with a medley of voices, accompanied by sounds of traffic. The fragrance of jasmine and aroma of spices blended with earthy, animal scents.<\/p>\n In the quiet grounds of the Western Temples, they settled into chairs that had appeared since they left earlier. Priya squeezed in between Ivy and Anil.<\/p>\n An illuminated temple and music signalled that the light-and-sound show had begun. From a speaker in a stand of trees, a voice boomed out telling how the magnificent temples had been built, then lost to the jungle for centuries, and their rediscovery. Each temple, in turn, became luminescent with coloured lights as it became the focus of the narrative. Voices \u2018off-stage\u2019 representing British army engineer Captain TS Burt, who rediscovered the temples in 1838, and his English staff were comically pukka. The show was exciting if a bit melodramatic at times.<\/p>\n The four strolled back to the car, enjoying the night air and a display of stars that spangled the heavens.<\/p>\n \u2018Tired, yaar<\/em>?\u2019 Priya asked.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s early yet, we could have supper,\u2019 Anil suggested.<\/p>\n They scanned neon signs for a suitable place. When they were ensconced at their table, Priya noticed that Ivy was again flirting and taking photos with Anil. She invented an excuse to take Anil away from the table.<\/p>\n \u2018What are you doing?\u2019 Priya demanded to know.<\/p>\n \u2018Whaat?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018What\u2019s all this flirting-shirting? I\u2019m trying to reignite Ivy\u2019s romance with Andy and you\u2019re posing-shosing for her holiday snaps.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018You\u2019re a hopeless romantic,\u2019 Anil said with an indulgent smile. \u2018But you should know something. As we left through the gates after the light-and-sound show, someone bumped into Ivy and was then quite rude to her. Andy stepped in at once and guided her through the gate.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018So, you\u2019re saying, it isn\u2019t a hopeless cause?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Perhaps what they need is<\/em> a cause\u2014a common cause,\u2019 Anil said with a pronounced wink.<\/p>\n Priya frowned. \u2018What kind of common cause could we possibly find for them?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Everything okay?\u2019 Andy asked when they returned to their table.<\/p>\n \u2018All izz vell,\u2019 Priya joked.<\/p>\n \u2018Let\u2019s order then.\u2019 Andy was an action man, especially when action filled a void.<\/p>\n They made a few selections, veg and nonveg, to share. A waiter took their order, which left them to sit and wait. The air seemed thick with awkward silence.<\/p>\n \u2018So, what did you think of the light-and-sound show?\u2019 Priya asked in desperation.<\/p>\n \u2018Great,\u2019 Ivy answered. \u2018Spectacular colour illumination, lots of drama and history to boot.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I wonder what the Brits think of the representation of their accents,\u2019 Andy mused.<\/p>\n \u2018Lucky it wasn\u2019t the Australian army,\u2019 Anil said. \u2018Imagine the locals trying to get their tongues around Aussie accents, leave alone their colourful idioms. There are times when Aussie sounds like a foreign language rather than a version of the English language\u2014g\u2019danya mate\u2014I can\u2019t tell you how many times I heard that before I realised what it meant. I query that Aussies have English subtitles for Indigenous Australians but not for regular Australians\u2014as if people understand everyone there except the Aborigines.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018That\u2019s to ensure Indigenous people aren\u2019t disadvantaged,\u2019 Ivy assured Anil.<\/p>\n \u2018Surely it\u2019s discrimination?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well, positive discrimination, then,\u2019 Ivy answered, a trifle sharply.<\/p>\n \u2018So, Australians discriminate positively by adding subtitles to their dialogue, yet your Indigenous people are overrepresented in prisons, have a much shorter life expectancy, higher infant mortality, are dispossessed, have lost languages and suffer from chronic illnesses\u2014where is the positive discrimination there?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s happening\u2014it\u2019s difficult, complicated\u2014there are policies and programs to address the problems. Attitudes are changing\u2014the mortality rate is better than it was.\u2019 Ivy\u2019s frown deepened.<\/p>\n \u2018My query, are attitudes changing fast enough for a prosperous place like Australia?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Anil is just being the argumentative Indian,\u2019 Priya said with an apologetic smile. \u2018We love Australia, you know that.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a valid query, Priya. We all know about racism in Australia.\u2019 Anil was not about to be shut down.<\/p>\n \u2018Hang on a minute, mate,\u2019 Andy interrupted. \u2018We\u2019re not all racialists in Australia.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Of course, not,\u2019 Priya agreed.<\/p>\n \u2018You\u2019re not suggesting that we\u2026\u2019 Ivy couldn\u2019t finish her sentence.<\/p>\n \u2018No one is suggesting anything of the kind,\u2019 Priya soothed.<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m not pointing the finger at any one person,\u2019 Anil went on, \u2018but<\/em>\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018But what?\u2019 Andy asked testily.<\/p>\n \u2018That\u2019s the word Australians use, isn\u2019t it? I\u2019m not racist\u2014but<\/em>\u2014it was said to me regularly when I was in Australia\u2014to Priya, too.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Not by me,\u2019 Andy argued, \u2018or Ivy.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m not accusing you two.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Just Australians in general,\u2019 Andy said sourly.<\/p>\n \u2018Some <\/em>Australians,\u2019 Priya said, trying again to calm troubled waters.<\/p>\n \u2018Many <\/em>Australians,\u2019 Anil corrected her.<\/p>\n If looks could kill, Anil would have died right there and then.<\/p>\n \u2018Leave it, Ivy. He\u2019s just being a smartarse,\u2019 Andy said.<\/p>\n \u2018At least we don\u2019t have passengers carrying automatic rifles on our trains!\u2019 Ivy snapped. \u2018I\u2019ve never seen anything like it!\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018It was disconcerting, to say the least,\u2019 Andy agreed.<\/p>\n \u2018We don\u2019t have our trains blown up, either,\u2019 Ivy added.<\/p>\n \u2018My God that has been worrying you?\u2019 Priya asked. \u2018Why didn\u2019t you tell me? It\u2019s a sad way to make a point, don\u2019t you think? We live with these things all the time\u2014violence is part of our history\u2014but we don\u2019t get hysterical, we take it in our stride. Australia could take a leaf out of our book.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Action rather than what passes for debate.\u2019 Anil nodded. \u2018It\u2019s wonderful in a way that Australians are so relaxed about security\u2014there\u2019s a certain charm in their naivety\u2014but it\u2019s not a realistic attitude in these troubled times.\u2019<\/p>\n Their meals arrived at last and the four lapsed into silence. Anil ate with gusto while the others pushed food around plates, nibbling a morsel here and there. \u2018Tomorrow morning, we leave for Orchha,\u2019 he announced, \u2018to visit mausoleums. We should call in at nearby Shilpgram before we set off. It shows examples of ancient Indian culture, various styles of dwellings, folk arts and so forth, including dance. It\u2019s well within walking distance from our hotel.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Definitely worth making time to see it,\u2019 Priya agreed, relieved at the change of topic.<\/p>\n Anil noticed Ivy and Andy exchange meaningful glances and chuckled inwardly.<\/p>\n They paid for the meal, woke their driver, and made a tense journey back to their hotel.<\/p>\n \u2018What got into you?\u2019 Priya asked Anil when Ivy and Andy had disappeared into their room.<\/p>\n \u2018Me?\u2019 Anil asked with an air of faux innocence.<\/p>\n \u2018You were so mean!\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I was thinking the two of them seriously need someone to gang up on. Meet the devil\u2019s advocate\u2019, Anil laughed.<\/p>\n Priya scrutinised his face. \u2018What am I supposed to say to them tomorrow, Bhai?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Let\u2019s see if the trap is sprung first.\u2019<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Priya checked her wristwatch for the umpteenth time while waiting for the others at the breakfast buffet. Anil appeared and checked the time. \u2018They\u2019re late,\u2019 he said. \u2018We should start breakfast.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Maybe they\u2019re swimming in the pool before breakfast,\u2019 Priya said. She and Anil chose freshly made dosas and Darjeeling tea. They checked with the ma\u00eetre d\u2019 for messages while they ate breakfast. Though they took their time, there was still no sign of Ivy and Andy when they had finished.<\/p>\n Anil said. \u2018I\u2019m checking if they\u2019re out in the pool.\u2019<\/p>\n Priya knocked on the door to their room several times without a response.<\/p>\n Anil shook his head when they met in the lobby. \u2018No sign,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n \u2018I hope they\u2019re okay.\u2019 Priya\u2019s concern showed in her worried frown. She went to the front desk to ask the staff to check on them.<\/p>\n \u2018Room is vacant, madam,\u2019 the young man said, \u2018since last night.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018They left?\u2019 Priya asked him.<\/p>\n \u2018Yes, madam, checked out late last night. All accounts settled, then called taxi.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018A taxi?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Yes, madam.\u2019<\/p>\n Anil settled their own bill and the porter took their luggage out to the waiting car.<\/p>\n \u2018I can\u2019t understand,\u2019 Priya said. \u2018I know they were angry with you\u2014but to leave without so much as a word to me. I\u2019m definitely hurt by this\u2014yet I still feel responsible. Where can they be?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018How am I to know?\u2019 Anil said. \u2018They at least have their train tickets back to Delhi, Andy asked for them when we arrived back at the hotel last night. Said something like \u201cin case we\u2019re separated\u201d.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018So, Ivy and Andy planned this?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018It may have been spur-of-the moment, pure coincidence. They\u2019re adults, Priya, they\u2019ll be fine.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Oh, you know that for a fact, do you? \u2018<\/p>\n \u2018No need to worry, madam,\u2019 their driver interrupted. \u2018Your friends are at hotel along the road only.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m definitely not getting my head around this at all. They left this hotel to put up in another hotel in Khajuraho?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Yes, ma\u2019am, Lalit. I took sir and madam. They are booking car and guide for Western temples visit today. Anniversary, yes?\u2019 His smile resembled a leer.<\/p>\n Priya\u2019s expression was pure astonishment, but she did not doubt that the driver knew all the latest gossip. \u2018Ivy could at least have let me know. Does she not think I\u2019ll worry? It\u2019s just not done.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Relax. Your wish has been granted, haan<\/em>? You wanted the two back together. Now you should leave them alone, let them holiday in peace. SMS her, say See you in Sydney next summer.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n Anil leaned back in the comfortable car seat with a smug expression on his face. \u2018Anta bhala to sab bhala.<\/em>\u2019<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Acchaa<\/strong> \u2013 great!<\/p>\n Anta bhala to sab bhala<\/strong> \u2013 all is well if end is well (or all\u2019s well that ends well).<\/p>\n Bhai<\/strong>\u2013 brother<\/p>\n Biryani<\/strong> \u2013 Indian dish of meat, fish, or vegetables cooked with rice flavoured with saffron or turmeric<\/p>\n Haan<\/strong> \u2013 yes<\/p>\n Yaar<\/strong> \u2013 friend, mate (colloquial)<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Sharon Rundle<\/strong>\u00a0is a book editor, writer and mentor. She co-edits anthologies published in print and e-books in Australia, UK and the Indian Subcontinent, the latest:\u00a0\u201cGlass Walls: stories of tolerance and intolerance from the Indian subcontinent and Australia\u201d;<\/em>\u00a0(Softcover and e-book: Orient BlackSwan, 2019). Her stories, essays, articles, conference papers, and book reviews have been published in a range of international publications. She is enchanted by books and writing; and now also the possibilities of storytelling online. Sharon\u2019s doctorate of creative arts examined the production of novels by South Asian-Australian authors published in Australia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Sharon Rundle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sharon-rundle"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t![\"Khazuraho](\"https:\/\/aussiesummer.sharonrundle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/KhazurahoTemple3web.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Khazuraho](\"https:\/\/aussiesummer.sharonrundle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/KhazurahoTempleNandiweb.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Khazuraho](\"https:\/\/aussiesummer.sharonrundle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/KhazurahoVarunaVishnuplaqueweb.png\")
<\/p>\nGlossary of words and phrases<\/h3>\n
![\"Sharon](\"https:\/\/aussiesummer.sharonrundle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/SR-HeadShot-OBS-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n