Chapter 12: Rituals and Silent Cries

The next day, the rituals began.

From early morning, the house was filled with chants, the fragrance of flowers, and the sound of preparations. Poornima was brought to the pooja area, dressed simply, her face calm but her eyes quiet.

“Sit here,” Riya said, guiding her gently.

It was the first day—Gauri Mata puja.

The idol was decorated beautifully, surrounded by flowers, kumkum, and diyas glowing softly.

Riya sat beside her and said, “Pray to Gauri Mata sincerely, Poornima. You will get a husband with the qualities of Mahadev.”

Poornima’s fingers froze for a second.

Qualities of Mahadev.

Her heart felt heavy.

Her mind went to Pavan… his words, his control, his conditions.

Nothing felt close.

Not even a little.

Her eyes lowered.

A quiet sadness passed through her.

Lakshmi, standing a little away, noticed it immediately. She saw the way Poornima’s face changed, the way her eyes lost that small light.

Her heart tightened.

But she couldn’t say anything.

She just stood there… helpless.

Poornima closed her eyes and folded her hands.

Her prayer was silent.

Not for a husband like Mahadev.

But for something to change.

Something to stop what was coming.

After the puja, the lagan patrika ritual began.

The priest read out the details, the date, the time, everything written clearly.

The cards were placed before the deity, blessed, and then given to the elders.

Soon, they started distributing them.

Relatives took them with smiles, blessings were given, happiness filled the house.

Poornima sat there, watching it all.

Every card that left the house felt like another step closer to something she didn’t want.

The next day, more rituals.

She was brought to the courtyard.

A low wooden seat was placed, decorated with flowers.

“Sit,” Lakshmi said softly.

Poornima sat.

A bowl of turmeric mixed in water was brought.

The haldi ceremony began.

One by one, the elders applied haldi to her hands, her face, her feet.

“Stay glowing,” someone said.

“Be happy,” another blessed.

Smiles, laughter, teasing filled the air.

Riya applied haldi lovingly on her cheeks. “My daughter is getting married.”

Poornima smiled faintly.

Lakshmi came next.

Her touch was gentle.

She didn’t say much.

But her eyes spoke everything.

Poornima looked at her for a moment.

That silent understanding passed again.

Then the moment moved on.

The ceremony continued.

But inside Poornima…

Nothing felt celebratory.

That night, the house slowly went quiet again.

Poornima sat in her room, tired, her body aching slightly from the rituals.

Her phone buzzed.

Veeresh.

“Tea.”

She knew.

His headaches.

She got up immediately, went to the kitchen, prepared the tea quietly, making it strong.

She carried it upstairs and went to his room.

He was sitting, his eyes slightly closed, his face showing the strain.

She handed him the cup.

He drank it without a word.

After finishing, he leaned back and slowly placed his head on her lap.

Like always.

Like it belonged there.

Poornima adjusted slightly and began massaging his head gently.

Her fingers moved slowly, easing the tension.

His breathing was heavy at first.

Then gradually, it softened.

Minutes passed in silence.

No words.

Just that quiet connection they never spoke about.

After some time, his face relaxed.

The pain eased.

He closed his eyes.

Poornima continued for a while.

Then slowly, she stopped.

Carefully, she shifted his head onto the pillow.

He didn’t wake.

She stood up quietly.

Looked at him for a second.

Then turned and walked out.

Back to her room.

She lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

So many things around her were moving forward.

But inside her…

She felt stuck.

And slowly, with that heaviness still in her chest, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.