The Welcome Ceremony

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:38:18 +0000

The car door shut with a muted thud, and the world outside blurred into ribbons of light and shadow. Piya sat still, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her red dupatta, the scent of fresh mehndi still clinging to her skin. Her reflection in the window trembled as the vehicle began to move—her own wide, uncertain eyes gazing back at her, framed by the delicate veil that shimmered under the streetlights.