The next day was filled with preparations for Diwali. The entire household buzzed with activity as we made sweets and arranged the dinner for the guests who were expected to arrive in the evening. Time seemed to fly by, and I didn’t even notice how dark it was getting in the kitchen until Badi Ma called out, “Dolly, go and get ready. The guests will be arriving soon.”
I wiped my hands on my apron and replied, “Yes, Badi Ma, I’m going now.” I hurried up to my room, where I found my clothes already laid out on the bed. Ashwin had chosen a beautiful red saree with intricate thread work for me. Thanks to all the practice I’d had recently, I was finally able to drape a saree efficiently. I styled the saree with a pleated pallu in the front and accessorised with traditional gold jewellery.
Standing in front of the mirror, I combed my hair into a neat bun, securing it with jasmine and rose gajra. I applied light makeup—just a hint of nude lipstick, subtle eyeshadow, and a touch of highlighter. Finally, I placed a small bindi on my forehead and filled my hairline with vermillion. Taking a deep breath, I felt ready.
When I descended the stairs, Ashwin was waiting near the entrance. He looked at me and smiled, “You look beautiful. By the way, you know how to do the aarti, right?” I returned his smile and nodded confidently. I had done my homework before coming here, learning all the rituals and traditions to avoid any mistakes.
The priest had arrived to perform the Laxmi puja, and the air filled with the calming hum of mantras and the fragrance of incense. After the prayers, the Pandit called the family forward to perform the aarti, starting with the married couples.
When it was our turn, I stepped forward with Ashwin, but just as I was about to begin, one of the neighbourhood aunties interrupted. “Dolly, do you know how to do the aarti?” she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of curiosity. The room fell silent, and I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. Dadi looked confused and asked sharply, “Why are you asking that?”
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The nosy auntie pressed on, “Well, your daughter-in-law is Christian, so I was just curious.” A heavy, uncomfortable silence descended over the room. Dadi’s face darkened with anger. “What nonsense are you talking about?” she demanded.
The auntie quickly covered her mouth, pretending to be apologetic. “Oops, sorry. I didn’t know Dadi was unaware that Dolly is Christian,” she said with fake concern, making the situation even worse. Seeing Dadi visibly upset, Anupam Bhaiya and Radha Di stepped in and gently guided her to another room, trying to calm her down. Badi Ma, visibly angry, glared at the auntie. “Dolly, continue with the ritual,” she instructed me firmly. “If you need any help, let me know.”
My hands trembled, but I gathered my courage and performed the aarti with Ashwin by my side. Meanwhile, I could hear the auntie’s husband scolding her in a hushed but intense whisper in the corner of the room. Ashwin squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Dolly, don’t worry,” he whispered. “Everyone except Dadi already knows about your background. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you—it’s sort of an open secret. Ritu Auntie is probably just jealous of your admission and wanted to stir trouble.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. “Ashu, you should have told Dadi,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “You know how important it is…” My emotions got the better of me, and I couldn’t continue. Ashwin gently took my hand and led me upstairs to our room, closing the door behind us. I sat on the bed, feeling humiliated and hurt.
A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. Ashwin opened it to find Ankit and Radha Di standing there with a tray of dinner and a jug of water. They didn’t say anything but quietly set the food down. Radha Di patted my head lovingly before leaving, closing the door gently behind her.
Ashwin and I ate our dinner in heavy silence. The sting of the insult lingered, and though Ashwin tried his best to comfort me, the pain of the moment was hard to shake off. The feeling of being exposed and judged in front of the entire family and guests gnawed at me, making the whole night feel heavy and sorrowful.