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A Few Days Ago, Before Ruhanika's Confrontation with Her Mother
The dawn sky was painted in a soft palette of pastel blues and blush pinks as the sun slowly began its ascent, bathing the world in the delicate glow of morning light. At exactly 5 AM, the first notes of the day came from birds chirping sweetly, their songs carrying a sense of tranquility through the neighborhood. The world was quiet, still cocooned in the gentle embrace of sleep, but Ruhanika's heart was already wide awake.
As the warmth of the early sun kissed her skin, she stirred from her slumber, her eyes fluttering open to greet the new day. It was a morning like any other, but within her, there was a quiet excitement—a sense that something was different, though she couldn't quite place it. Perhaps it was the serenity of the hour or the promise of the day ahead that stirred her from the comfort of her bed with a feeling of anticipation.
Ruhanika moved with practiced grace, a creature of habit as she followed the same cherished routine she had grown so fond of. First, she slipped into her morning rituals: the cool splash of water against her face, the faint fragrance of her favorite lotion, the gentle hum of a mantra whispered under her breath. Each moment was a deliberate act of grounding, a small meditation that gave her clarity and strength for the day ahead.
Her thoughts drifted as she busied herself with the household tasks that had become second nature to her—tidying up the living room, setting out her mother's favorite tea leaves, and watering the delicate potted plants that lined the windowsill. As the minutes passed, the sun's rays became brighter, stretching across the horizon in hues of gold and lavender. It was nearly time for her to make her way to the temple—her sanctuary, her haven of peace and spirituality.
At 5:30 AM, she stepped out of her home, the morning breeze cool and crisp against her skin, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and blooming jasmine. Her steps were purposeful as she walked along the familiar path leading to the Gauri Shankar Mandir. Nestled among the lush greenery near her home, the temple stood tall and serene, a place where she found both solace and guidance.
The short walk to the temple allowed her thoughts to wander, her mind filled with quiet prayers, hopes, and wishes for her family's happiness. The world around her seemed to pause in reverence as she approached the temple gates, its towering spires stretching upwards towards the heavens. The temple had always been a place of refuge for Ruhanika, a sacred space where she could lose herself in the divinity of her prayers and the soothing rhythm of her breath.
As she stepped through the threshold, the cool marble beneath her feet sent a shiver of reverence up her spine. The temple was bathed in the warm, amber light of sunrise, casting a holy glow upon the ancient idols of the gods. In the quietude of the temple, with only the gentle hum of the priests preparing for the morning aarti, Ruhanika felt a deep sense of peace settle over her.
