My Whispers : A Journey of Self-Discovery"

Pooja & the revelation

Vikram’s mother gathered us all for the morning pooja. The fragrance of jasmine flowers and sandalwood filled the air, casting a serene calm throughout the house. She glanced warmly at each of us before her eyes settled on me, a kind smile spreading across her face.

“Suhasini, since you’re the youngest here, it’s only fitting that you light the diya,” she said, gesturing toward the small oil lamp waiting at the altar.

A wave of shyness and warmth washed over me. In my heart, I felt a gentle flutter, as memories of last night’s dream flickered through my mind. The images were so vivid—the feeling of wearing a saree as a dutiful wife, the warmth of sindoor on my forehead, the weight of bangles jingling softly against my wrists, and the sense of belonging as I moved through the household as its daughter-in-law. For a moment, it had felt so real.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, feeling the softness of the saree against my skin, the delicate pleats that I had carefully arranged that morning. The saree was a gentle shade of pink with golden borders, its colors enhancing the warmth of the moment. My hair, adorned with fresh jasmine strands, brushed my shoulders, and the scent wrapped around me like a delicate embrace.

As I knelt to light the diya, my fingers trembled slightly, but I steadied myself, letting the feelings within me guide my actions. Bowing my head, I murmured a silent prayer, asking for blessings and happiness for everyone around me. I felt a deep sense of peace and purpose, an almost spiritual connection to the rituals I was performing. It was as if, in that moment, I was embracing not only my role here but a part of myself I had longed to nurture and accept.

When I rose, I realized the family was watching me, admiration in their eyes. Vikram’s mother looked particularly moved, her gaze warm and approving. She stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on my head. “You are truly a blessing, Suhasini. The way you carry yourself... it’s beautiful.”

Her words stirred something deeply emotional within me, and I felt my cheeks warm with shyness. Around me, the other women shared affectionate glances, nodding in agreement as they admired my attire and my demeanor.

“You look so graceful today,” one of the elder women remarked. “It’s as though this role was made for you.” I glanced down, a little overwhelmed, but her words made my heart swell with gratitude and happiness.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Vikram’s gaze. He was standing quietly, a few steps back, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity I hadn’t noticed before. There was something tender in his expression, as if he were seeing me in a new light, appreciating the way I was embracing this moment. His gaze was steady, warm, and filled with an unspoken respect. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel a warmth spread across my cheeks.

As I completed the pooja and began passing around the kumkum and turmeric, each family member took it with a smile. Some women even reached out, patting my shoulder and whispering kind words, each one making me feel as if I were truly part of this world. When I finally reached Vikram, he accepted the kumkum, his fingers brushing mine briefly, sending a soft shiver through me. He held my gaze for a moment longer, a soft smile tugging at his lips, his eyes filled with pride.

After the pooja, we gathered around, and the women began complimenting me openly. They spoke of how traditionally I had dressed, and a few of them even laughed softly, nudging each other as they remarked on how natural I looked, almost as if I belonged to this household. One of the women looked at me thoughtfully before saying, “You know, Suhasini, if you were from our village, I’d say you would make the perfect daughter-in-law.”

Another woman chimed in, “Yes, truly! With your grace and modesty, you would bring so much joy to any family here.” Aditi and Shruthi exchanged playful glances and couldn’t resist teasing me.