<p class="bodytext">The house was transformed into a vibrant spectacle, adorned with decorative cloth twisted into beautiful designs and a freshly painted exterior that glistened with a row of string lights. The green <span class="italic"><em>chappara</em></span>, a stunning roof made of banana and mango leaves, signified an auspicious event, while flowers bloomed everywhere. Rows of lamps stood ready to be lit, accompanied by the melodious composition <span class="italic"><em>Bhagyada Lakshmi baramma </em></span>playing in the background. The floor was adorned with delightful <span class="italic"><em>rangoli</em></span>, accentuated by flower petals and coloured powder.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A <span class="italic"><em>seru</em></span>, a kitchen measure, was filled with rice and a round of jaggery, waiting for the bride to gently toss it in as she entered the threshold with her right foot first. Ghee-laden diyas in the <span class="italic"><em>puja</em></span> room awaited her touch to light the lamp. The scene, as you guessed it, was set to welcome the new bride.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But I, the new mother-in-law, was having a panic moment. "Hey, control yourself! You're the older and wiser one, the boss. Drop the nervousness and act your age!" I admonished myself, gazing at my reflection in the mirror, despairing at the beads of sweat on my forehead, melting the thin layer of makeup and mascara.</p>.Kindness in the blackout.<p class="bodytext">The bride, my son's friend turned wife, was no stranger to our home. She had visited us many times during her college days, and I had always made her feel comfortable. We had many lunches together. Back then, I had wondered if my son had a soft spot for her. "Is she the one for him? Will they be compatible? Hope they are mature enough to think and take it easy! Are they rushing into a relationship?” Their relationship became clearer when she followed him abroad.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Their decision to get married wasn't a surprise. She was pursuing her master’s degree at the time, and their relationship had grown into something deeply rooted and profoundly meaningful.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The next logical step was marriage, and the ceremony was conducted in a temple town with the blessings of the almighty, friends, and relatives. There was little time to process my emotions during the ceremony as I was busy attending to the guests. Now, as the bride was about to enter our home and life at the auspicious hour, I was overwhelmed with emotions. “I will be a good mother-in-law!” I had silently promised during the wedding ceremonies. “Welcome her with love, and treat her like a daughter.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">As I stood with the <span class="italic"><em>arti</em></span> plate and the newlyweds approached the front door, I knew I had gained a daughter. “Welcome, my Lakshmi,” my heart sang out!</p>
<p class="bodytext">The house was transformed into a vibrant spectacle, adorned with decorative cloth twisted into beautiful designs and a freshly painted exterior that glistened with a row of string lights. The green <span class="italic"><em>chappara</em></span>, a stunning roof made of banana and mango leaves, signified an auspicious event, while flowers bloomed everywhere. Rows of lamps stood ready to be lit, accompanied by the melodious composition <span class="italic"><em>Bhagyada Lakshmi baramma </em></span>playing in the background. The floor was adorned with delightful <span class="italic"><em>rangoli</em></span>, accentuated by flower petals and coloured powder.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A <span class="italic"><em>seru</em></span>, a kitchen measure, was filled with rice and a round of jaggery, waiting for the bride to gently toss it in as she entered the threshold with her right foot first. Ghee-laden diyas in the <span class="italic"><em>puja</em></span> room awaited her touch to light the lamp. The scene, as you guessed it, was set to welcome the new bride.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But I, the new mother-in-law, was having a panic moment. "Hey, control yourself! You're the older and wiser one, the boss. Drop the nervousness and act your age!" I admonished myself, gazing at my reflection in the mirror, despairing at the beads of sweat on my forehead, melting the thin layer of makeup and mascara.</p>.Kindness in the blackout.<p class="bodytext">The bride, my son's friend turned wife, was no stranger to our home. She had visited us many times during her college days, and I had always made her feel comfortable. We had many lunches together. Back then, I had wondered if my son had a soft spot for her. "Is she the one for him? Will they be compatible? Hope they are mature enough to think and take it easy! Are they rushing into a relationship?” Their relationship became clearer when she followed him abroad.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Their decision to get married wasn't a surprise. She was pursuing her master’s degree at the time, and their relationship had grown into something deeply rooted and profoundly meaningful.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The next logical step was marriage, and the ceremony was conducted in a temple town with the blessings of the almighty, friends, and relatives. There was little time to process my emotions during the ceremony as I was busy attending to the guests. Now, as the bride was about to enter our home and life at the auspicious hour, I was overwhelmed with emotions. “I will be a good mother-in-law!” I had silently promised during the wedding ceremonies. “Welcome her with love, and treat her like a daughter.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">As I stood with the <span class="italic"><em>arti</em></span> plate and the newlyweds approached the front door, I knew I had gained a daughter. “Welcome, my Lakshmi,” my heart sang out!</p>