Pooja & the revelation

Vikram’s mother gathered us all for the morning pooja. The fragrance of jasmine flowers and sandalwood filled the air, casting a serene calm throughout the house. She glanced warmly at each of us before her eyes settled on me, a kind smile spreading across her face.

“Suhasini, since you’re the youngest here, it’s only fitting that you light the diya,” she said, gesturing toward the small oil lamp waiting at the altar.

A wave of shyness and warmth washed over me. In my heart, I felt a gentle flutter, as memories of last night’s dream flickered through my mind. The images were so vivid—the feeling of wearing a saree as a dutiful wife, the warmth of sindoor on my forehead, the weight of bangles jingling softly against my wrists, and the sense of belonging as I moved through the household as its daughter-in-law. For a moment, it had felt so real.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, feeling the softness of the saree against my skin, the delicate pleats that I had carefully arranged that morning. The saree was a gentle shade of pink with golden borders, its colors enhancing the warmth of the moment. My hair, adorned with fresh jasmine strands, brushed my shoulders, and the scent wrapped around me like a delicate embrace.

As I knelt to light the diya, my fingers trembled slightly, but I steadied myself, letting the feelings within me guide my actions. Bowing my head, I murmured a silent prayer, asking for blessings and happiness for everyone around me. I felt a deep sense of peace and purpose, an almost spiritual connection to the rituals I was performing. It was as if, in that moment, I was embracing not only my role here but a part of myself I had longed to nurture and accept.

When I rose, I realized the family was watching me, admiration in their eyes. Vikram’s mother looked particularly moved, her gaze warm and approving. She stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on my head. “You are truly a blessing, Suhasini. The way you carry yourself... it’s beautiful.”

Her words stirred something deeply emotional within me, and I felt my cheeks warm with shyness. Around me, the other women shared affectionate glances, nodding in agreement as they admired my attire and my demeanor.

“You look so graceful today,” one of the elder women remarked. “It’s as though this role was made for you.” I glanced down, a little overwhelmed, but her words made my heart swell with gratitude and happiness.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Vikram’s gaze. He was standing quietly, a few steps back, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity I hadn’t noticed before. There was something tender in his expression, as if he were seeing me in a new light, appreciating the way I was embracing this moment. His gaze was steady, warm, and filled with an unspoken respect. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel a warmth spread across my cheeks.

As I completed the pooja and began passing around the kumkum and turmeric, each family member took it with a smile. Some women even reached out, patting my shoulder and whispering kind words, each one making me feel as if I were truly part of this world. When I finally reached Vikram, he accepted the kumkum, his fingers brushing mine briefly, sending a soft shiver through me. He held my gaze for a moment longer, a soft smile tugging at his lips, his eyes filled with pride.

After the pooja, we gathered around, and the women began complimenting me openly. They spoke of how traditionally I had dressed, and a few of them even laughed softly, nudging each other as they remarked on how natural I looked, almost as if I belonged to this household. One of the women looked at me thoughtfully before saying, “You know, Suhasini, if you were from our village, I’d say you would make the perfect daughter-in-law.”

Another woman chimed in, “Yes, truly! With your grace and modesty, you would bring so much joy to any family here.” Aditi and Shruthi exchanged playful glances and couldn’t resist teasing me.

“Oh, but she’s still so young!” Aditi said with a mischievous grin, leaning over to squeeze my shoulder. “Suhasini here isn’t quite ready to think about all that yet.”

The women laughed, but I could feel a soft blush creeping up my cheeks. Aditi nudged me playfully and whispered, “You might just get used to all this attention, Suhasini. Look at how Vikram’s watching you.”

My heart fluttered at her words. Though I was shy, the sense of belonging, of acceptance, made me feel more complete than ever. Here I was, with family and friends, and with Vikram’s steady gaze upon me, I felt a warmth that lingered, a feeling I couldn’t quite describe.

Radha decided to take us to meet the spiritual guru of the village, a revered elder known for his insights. She was excited for this experience, believing his wisdom would bring clarity and guidance for each of us. We made our way to his simple, serene ashram, the scent of incense filling the air as we entered. The guru, seated on a mat in traditional attire, radiated an aura of calm. He invited us to sit before him, his gaze resting on each of us with a depth that felt both warm and all-knowing.

He began speaking, addressing each of us by name, starting with Aditi. He offered her guidance about her goals, hinting at her strength and resilience. To Shruthi, he offered encouragement to follow her instincts, affirming her compassionate nature. Then, he looked toward me, his eyes seeming to look past my outer self and straight into my soul. As he addressed me as “Suhasini,” I felt a strange comfort, as if he already understood every part of my journey.

Finally, he shifted his gaze to Radha, who sat beside us, listening attentively. The guru’s tone softened as he began speaking to her.

"Radha," he began, "you have a protective spirit, one that seeks to support and care for those around you. Your journey ahead will require this strength as you learn to embrace something unexpected but deeply meaningful.”

Radha’s expression shifted from curiosity to surprise as he continued.

“Suhasini is not exactly what she seems,” the guru said gently. “She was born a boy, but her spirit has embraced the path of womanhood.”

Radha’s eyes widened in surprise, glancing at me in confusion. I felt my heart race, a mixture of vulnerability and hope that she would understand. There was a silence in the room as Radha processed his words, her expression unreadable.

Seeing her hesitation, the guru continued, addressing her directly. “Radha, this path is Suhasini’s truth. It is a journey of acceptance, and it is not for us to question but to support. Suhasini’s spirit has chosen womanhood, and it is as natural as any other.”

Radha looked at me, her initial shock softening into a look of realization and understanding. But a hint of doubt remained, so Aditi and Shruthi shared their own experiences with me, hoping to make her understand.

“Radha, we’ve seen Suhasini’s true self over time,” Aditi said gently. “From the start, she’s shown a grace and femininity that feels natural. She’s not just pretending; she’s embracing who she truly is, and it’s beautiful.”

Shruthi nodded, adding, “We’ve watched her blossom into herself. Her warmth, her kindness—they’re all genuine. She’s a woman at heart.”

Radha looked at them thoughtfully, then turned her gaze back to me. The guru, seeing her understanding deepen, continued.

“Radha, Suhasini has a place in your family, and you have a role in guiding her on this path. She is destined to be a cherished daughter-in-law in your household, and in supporting her, you’re honoring the journey her soul has chosen.”

A look of clarity passed over Radha's face as she listened to the guru’s words. She took a deep breath, looking at me with newfound warmth and understanding.

“Suhasini,” she said, her tone gentle but steady, “I understand now. This path is truly yours, and I’m ready to be here for you, to help you be who you’re meant to be.”

Tears of gratitude filled my eyes as I took in her words. For the first time, I felt fully seen and accepted. Aditi and Shruthi smiled with pride, and the guru nodded in quiet satisfaction. Radha reached out, holding my hand as a gesture of her promise to support me.

From that moment, I knew Radha was my ally and guide, someone who would stand by me on this journey. In her acceptance, I felt a powerful connection to my new family and to the role I was beginning to embrace.

Aditi and Shruthi took a deep breath and, with Suhasini’s permission, began sharing everything with Radha, recounting the journey Suhasini had taken to embrace this feminine side of herself. They explained her gradual transformation, the joy she found in dressing, and the genuine happiness she radiated when living as Suhasini. Radha listened intently, absorbing every word, her initial surprise slowly shifting to an understanding smile.

Once Aditi and Shruthi finished, Radha turned to Suhasini, her eyes filled with a blend of warmth and seriousness.

“Suhasini,” Radha said softly, “you’re stepping into a big role—not just as a woman, but as the daughter-in-law of a traditional family and as a wife to my brother Vikram. These are responsibilities that require both strength and gentleness, and, well... patience, too.”

Suhasini nodded, feeling the weight of Radha’s words. Radha continued, her tone gentle but firm, “Are you truly ready to take this step? To embrace the life of a wife in every way, to be the one Vikram can depend on? Because our family expects a lot, and being a wife here means embodying all things feminine, nurturing, and traditional. It means putting Vikram first and carrying yourself with the grace they look for in a daughter-in-law.”

Suhasini felt a surge of emotions—excitement, gratitude, and a hint of nervousness. She looked at Radha and said, “Yes, I am ready. I care for Vikram deeply, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make him happy and be a good wife. I’ve come this far because it feels right. And with you by my side, I know I can take on this role fully.”

Radha’s expression softened, and she reached out to hold Suhasini’s hand. “You’re not alone in this, Suhasini. I accept you as my sister-in-law, and I’ll stand by you. I’ll guide you, support you, and together, we’ll make sure you flourish in this new role.”

Radha then took a deep breath, voicing a final worry. “But... this has to remain our secret for now. Our family is traditional, and I’m concerned about what our parents might think if they found out the truth too soon. This is a delicate path, and I want to give you the best chance to be accepted wholeheartedly.”

Suhasini nodded, understanding the need for secrecy and the challenges that lay ahead. She gave Radha a reassuring smile. “I promise I’ll be patient and careful. And thank you, Radha. Having you by my side means everything to me.”

Radha smiled, a sense of pride and determination in her eyes. “Then, my dear sister-in-law,” she said playfully, “let’s start this journey together. And don’t worry—no matter what comes our way, you have my full support.”