The Moment of Unknowing Surrender
Days passed, and Arun’s internal battle continued. Each morning, he would feel the emptiness when there were no flowers in his hair, but he fought it, determined to resist. He told himself that he was still in control.
But the family wasn’t letting up. They continued with their teasing, their gentle manipulation, and their constant reminders of how natural it felt for him to wear the flowers. Every comment, every little nudge, wore down his resistance just a little more.
That morning, the house was bustling with preparations for a small celebration. Lakshmi and Meena were in the kitchen, chatting as they prepared dishes. Arun had been helping out with the chores, but his mind kept drifting. The sun was warm, the air fragrant with spices, but something was missing.
He absentmindedly reached up to his hair, his fingers brushing against the soft braid.
Where were the flowers?
The thought came out of nowhere, and before he could stop it, the words slipped from his lips. “Amma, can I have some jasmine?”
The moment the words left his mouth, his breath caught. He froze, realizing what he had just said.
Lakshmi, who had been watching him closely, smiled softly. “Of course, kanna.” She moved toward the table where fresh jasmine garlands lay.
Arun’s heart pounded in his chest. He wanted to take the words back, to erase them from his memory. But he couldn’t. The moment had passed, and his body was already betraying him.
As Lakshmi placed the garland gently into his hair, he couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh of relief. The familiar scent filled his senses, soothing him in a way he couldn’t explain.
Meena, who had been watching with a knowing look, grinned. “See, Maami? You asked for it yourself!”
Arun’s face turned crimson, and he looked away. He didn’t want to admit it, but he could feel the truth sinking in. They were right. He had wanted this.
Lakshmi, ever so gentle, brushed a stray strand of hair behind his ear and whispered, “You’ll learn to love it, kanna. Just like you’ve learned to love everything else.”
The Family's Victory
The room filled with an unspoken understanding. They had won. Arun had unknowingly asked for the jasmine, confirming their gentle push.
And though he couldn’t admit it out loud, the small smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. He had fallen deeper into their world, where flowers, femininity, and subtle manipulation held sway.
His resista
nce was fading, and they all knew it.
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