Krishnai and the Family Myth

Narcissim: The Indian Way

Krishnai grew up in a gilded cage. Her mom, Maya, was stunning, but behind the smile hid a narcissist, a master manipulator who turned Krishnai's world upside down.

Narcissistic abuse is sneaky. It's not always violence, but a slow chipping away at your self-worth. Maya praised Krishnai, but only when it made Maya look good. Good grades were "proof" of Maya's genes, bad days were ignored or met with harsh criticism.

Krishnai craved her mom's love, but it was always just out of reach. Maya made Krishnai feel constantly inadequate, pushing her to chase impossible approval. Friendships weren't encouraged, keeping Krishnai isolated.

Their home was all about Maya's grandiosity. Her "problems" were huge dramas, while Krishnai's issues were dismissed as whining. No one ever really cared about how Krishnai felt.

Krishnai's sense of self got warped. Maya gaslighted her, making Krishnai doubt her own experiences. The truth of Maya's manipulation was like a fragile flame Krishnai desperately tried to protect.

One day, a stranger showed Krishnai a different reality. Krishnai, hesitant, opened up about her life. The stranger's kindness and belief were a breath of fresh air.

But validation can be tricky. When Krishnai, feeling braver, tried to talk to her family, they didn't believe her. "Maya? Doting? You must be imagining things." This dismissal felt like another betrayal.

Years went by, and nothing changed. Family gatherings were all about Maya's performance. No one ever genuinely asked Krishnai how she was doing. Even when her marriage fell apart, there were no calls to see if she was okay, no offers of help. The silence from her supposed family was deafening.

Krishnai felt even more alone. The lack of love from her childhood carried over into her marriage, leaving her unprepared for its end. Now, facing a new chapter by herself, the absence of a real support system hurt.

But in the pain, a powerful feeling grew. Krishnai realized the truth: blood ties didn't guarantee love or support. She had the right, the important right, to choose her own family.

This wasn't about rejecting her heritage, but building a foundation of real connection. Krishnai started reconnecting with neglected friends. She reached out to people who saw her, valued her, and believed her. Slowly, a chosen family formed, a group built on empathy, respect, and shared experiences.

Krishnai's journey is ongoing. The scars of narcissistic abuse run deep. But with every bit of self-belief, with each chosen family member by her side, Krishnai breaks free from the grip of her past. She's learning to trust herself and build a world where empathy and self-worth exist.

The message? We aren't defined by the family we're born into. We have the right, the amazing right, to choose the people who will love, support, and celebrate us for who we truly are.