Author POV

As they stood at the entrance, Rudransh’s mother, Devika, approached with a silver aarti thali in hand. Her face, glowing with joy, reflected the warmth of the ceremonial fire. She gently applied a tilak on both Rudransh’s and Shivika’s foreheads. Shivika, nervous yet poised, lightly kicked over a small pot of rice as part of the griha pravesh ritual and stepped into her new home. Devika smiled proudly and called out, “Rudrika, take Shivika to Rudransh’s room.”