Aruna: A New Dawn

In a still pool formed by the side of the river, Aruna glanced at herself perfunctorily. With long, thick hair blown about by the breeze, and beads of sweat shining on her brow and upper lip, she made a striking picture. She was tall—taller than average women. A lissom figure notwithstanding, her arms bordered on the muscular. (That was probably because she would insist on hefting not only the water-matkas from the river but also bundles of cotton at harvest time.) Small gold earrings dangled closely from her ears. A strand of sweaty hair had got caught in one earring...