I must not have slept for more than an hour when even more noise outside my room woke me up. Not only was Mark shaking me up but there were half-a-dozen other people virtually dragging me out of the bed. As everyone greeted me (and chided me for sleeping on such an important day), I managed to smile at what I thought were some new faces - but isn't that part of the fun on Holi? 

It was clear that Mark was excited to be greeting everyone – even folks he had never met. I think this particular year more neighbors must have shown up to greet our family because I knew that there were neighbors who were intrigued by Mark's presence in the house but did not have the courage to just show up and satisfy their curiosity. And Holi was a great occasion to strike up conversations with even perfect strangers. It was obvious that Mark enjoyed the attention as the ladies from the neighborhood spoke to him in whatever little English they could speak. The house was full of so many visitors that we all had been overwhelmed over last week or so. The wedding, the parties, and the visits had worn me out but I was impressed by Mark's vigor. He was never  intimidated by people and even less by people he did not know. He would always find ways to engage people no matter how different they were from him and how little he knew them. As the neighborhood women giggled at his hard-to-understand English, I heard him speak slowly than he usually does. As I walked around greeting my family members with the usual hugs, I was afraid that Mark might be kidnapped by some of these teenagers as he excitedly committed to join them 
in the festivities later in the morning. 

~ 

When I was having breakfast with my cousins, Megha and Bindi, I came to know of their secret plans to give Mark demonstrations of what Holi was like for young people in India. These girls were as old as me, but sounded excited like children at the prospect of having fun at the expense of a clueless American who had accepted all their challenges. Apparently Mark had boasted that he is not afraid of colors or women and will not be intimidated by either. The girls were not discouraged by his bold attitude. (Related: Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia)

A little past 9 AM, when neighbors and family members were still mingling and greeting each other, Bindi and Megha, with three of their friends from college, Ranjani, Shelly, and Anjali, were ready to go ahead with their plan to trap Mark. "We are having a little get-together for young people in Anjali's courtyard around the corner and we would like you to join us too," Bindi politely told Mark. Clutching my hand, Mark and I walked past the bedrooms and the graveled pathway to the courtyard in the house across the street. On neatly lined chairs around the fountain in the backyard, sat all the girls as if they were about to have their afternoon teas with spicy samosas. I thought they were even a bit elegantly dressed for a Holi morning. To add to the elegance of the situation, several kettles full of tea were on the table and even before we could sit down, Ranjani asked Mark, "How do you like your tea?" 

Ranjani had prepared Mark's tea and elegantly walked towards him. "Dearest Mark, here is your tea. Oh, looks like some nasty girls tied your hands. Don't you worry. I will help you drink it because I know how badly you need caffeine," she said as she stepped into the reservoir and sat down next to him inside the water that came all the way to her waist and had also covered Mark's tall frame to his upper thighs. Taking a big sip of tea, she brought her mouth to Mark's. Initially Mark made a face but then I saw him drinking it into his mouth from hers. A round of applause from the girls. The second sip, the third, and a few more....and the cup of tea was empty. I was now convinced that Mark was in the mood to have fun and it was best that I left him alone   "We have heard from Kavita that you have been complaining of the heat and dust of India. Now we don't want you to feel that way because we Indians have our own techniques to stay cool and clean our bodies. So we thought we would give you a nice bath and take out all the dirt you have accumulated during the trip. Hey listen, you girls! You have been my maid for years but you have still not learnt how to give proper bath to a prince. I am very upset and if you don't do a good job today, I will ask the Maharaja to punish you tonight," shouted Megha, who had suddenly assumed the role of the Queen. Anjali and Shelly both bowed and politely spoke, "Yes, Queen Mother. Please watch us carefully as we do our best. And please show us the way if we make a mistake. We want to clean the Prince thoroughly today."

I leaned against a pillar in the verandah as I watched what was about to unfold. Mark looked helpless but the smile had not gone away from his face. Megha, Bindi, and Ranjani stood around the fountain slightly amused, though behaving as if they belonged to some royal family. With their dopattas long gone, Shelly and Anjali did not take too long to get out of their kameez (a tunic) and salwar (loose slacks). Both of them were now in their underwear and stepped into the reservoir as if they were entering a bathtub often found in palaces in India. "Your Honor, will you like to see the dirt on the prince's body?" 

Anjali asked as she undressed Mark leaving him with only his wet, sheer nylon briefs (Arabella sheer bra) that were hugging his privates even more tightly. I think Mark was embarrassed and so was I, because that is Mark's favorite style of underwear. But what could I do? Holi is an occasion to take liberties that you would not otherwise. 

Megha returned with a bowl of body paint and handed it to Shelly. "Here is the exfoliant that you had asked for. Please apply it generously since it is made only from the finest herbs of Kerala". As the dark black color covered Mark's face I could not stop laughing. It was a scene to remember - a small reservoir with two voluptuous girls; each dressed only in their underwear exposing their physical assets. I think Mark was amused as well as I could see his eyes admiring Anjali's body in a purple brassiere and matching thong as she aggressively moved to color Mark's face.   "You are doing a horrible job. I have told you many times but you girls just do not want to learn it. I will ask the Maharaja to punish you," Megha shouted, looking rather angry. "Let me do it", saying so, she unbuttoned her nightie and jumped into the reservoir, splashing all others who were standing around. The color was already mixing in the water and had acquired a dark gray hue. I think she did not realize that she had taken off her underwear before changing into her nightie last night. Using her right hand, she took the color, and before anyone could realize, she had put a lot of the oily color on his body.

Did I see Mark's response to the aggressive motion? I could not miss it, nor could anyone else.   "We need to clean up the exfoliant now. We need a brush to take it off. Maybe we should use Kavita's hair - she has the thickest hair", Bindi suggested. I could not react fast enough to get out of there as Bindi and Ranjani jumped to grab me. Bindi grabbed my hands at the back and like an expert; Ranjani unhooked my long, cotton skirt. Then she reached to unbutton my top and there I was standing in my underwear too. "Yes, that is the best head with hair I have seen in my lifetime," Megha spoke in a commanding voice. Bindi and Ranjani held my hands tightly and dragged me to the pool. As I threw my hands and legs around, it did not help much. I guess two women were more than powerful to control me. 

Once in the pool, they made me sit on top of Mark's face so my hair was right on his body. By this time, both Mark and I were starting to laugh - it was just so funny and I knew that there was no way we could get out of it - so we might as well enjoy it. My whole body was now covered with color and in no time, the whole reservoir was overflowing with color. At least three women were putting color on my body, as they did not leave a single part of my body uncovered with color. When things were just getting too crazy, Mark signaled to me to let him free.  In a moment of confusion, I released his left hand and he freed his right hand himself. 

With his two hands now free, Mark had a chance to take some revenge, especially on Ranjani and Bindi who were still not covered with color. Once we were all covered with plenty of color, Megha ordered that we should hug and wish a Happy Holi to everyone. With smiles all around, we greeted each other again and promised to be friends forever. With color all over our bodies, it was hard to recognize the faces and bodies but the girls took the opportunity to admire what only I had the privilege to see so far. And Mark got a good chance to admire other Indian women's bodies besides mine. 

~ 

Mark and I have since agreed to visit India on Holi at least every other year. 

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