A Typical Indian Bride? [✓]

Prologue

"Kindly place the mangal-sootra around her neck."

With this, holy hymns were chanted.

|| Mangalyam tantunanena mama jeevana hetuna: kanthe badhnami subhage twam jeeva sarada satam || 

I could feel the flower petals being showered on me as my husband tied the knots of my mangal-sootra.

Officially I am Mrs. Pavithra Rajeev.

I felt him place the vermilion over my forehead.

I couldn't concentrate on the congratulations that were in order or pay heed to the emotional waves surrounding us like a castle in high islands. 

All I could see was my dream of becoming a doctor is being taken away.

It should have been a stethoscope that should be around my neck. But instead, I have been bound to fulfill my duties as an elder sister. 

Why? 

Born as the eldest in a typical middle class family with three other sisters, unqualifies me to even have a dream of independence and virtue. 

This is my story and is not a colourful happily ever after fairytale. 

I am, that typical Indian bride. 

***