Dedicated to @kahleereynolds who will be doing a critique review for my book. Dear thanks a lot for agreeing to do this review. It means a lot to me. I am not sure you know Indian wedding rituals. Hence putting a brief. Kumkum or bright red powder is put on the parting of bride's hair by the groom after completing seven rounds sacred fire. And it deems them husband and wife and wife fills her parting everyday with kumkum post the marriage ceremony. It is erased from a widow's hair parting signalling she does not have a husband

Sreedhar moved in the crowd going to temple. He remembered that day.

Suman was standing in front of the library. She was waiting for him. As Sreedhar approached her he couldn't take his eyes from her. She was dressed in a bright red salwar. Was wearing red and white bangles mixed. For the first time she had fixed a bright red bindi on her forehead. He took her hand

" Didn't anybody see you in hostel and from where did you get chuda" he asked looking at red and white bangles which only brides wore for their wedding day.

As usual she giggled. He always loved her giggle. " Sreedhar you don't know the difference between chuda and glass bangles. This is not chuda. This is plain glass bangles only red and white in color. If I go and buy chuda do you think it will remain a secret in hostel. You told we are only taking 7 rounds of the Goddess. So I want it only to be between us, but at the same time I wanted to feel a dulhan too. Hence I wore them. And by the way you are teasing me. Who asked you to wear this offwhite Sherwani "

" Well with such a beautiful bride by my side, wouldn't it look odd if I wear T-shirt or something else. Look has to be complete from both sides. Shall we go " she nodded

They came to the temple and prayed. He took her hand and she put her dupatta as her pallu over her head. They took 4 rounds telling each other the marriage vows. For 5th row Suman told. " Sreedhar now you have to follow me " he smiled and asked her to move forward. The next 3 rounds they took with her in front. Finally they once again prayed to Goddess and the priest gave them Prasad.

" Beta Prasad" Sreedhar was jolted to present by the priest giving him Prasad. He wiped his tears and took the Prasad.

" Beta you look disturbed. Whatever your problem is tell Mata Rani. Unburden yourself in front of her. She will show the way" Sreedhar smiled.

He looked at the Durga Maa idol, folded his hands " Hey Mata if what happened in front of you is the truth, guide me to bring that truth in front of the society. Give me the strength to move forward. Protect Suman's honor, protect my family's respect"

Suman was cleaning the puja room before the evening pooja. She was asked to do it every morning and evening and she had been doing it. She bent and was taking the lamp to clean it, while Maheswari rushed in to take pooja thali for something. Her hand accidently tripped the kumkum box and the kumkum fell coloring Suman's maang and forehead. Maheswari looked shocked at the girl and the Goddess. She felt as if the Goddess was giving her a message. But she couldn't understand what was it as Suman got up to wash her face. She said. " Suman go and wash after completing the cleaning. Don't leave mid way now " Suman nodded as her MIL walked out. Maheswari was disturbed. She needed to speak to her husband.