It was a warm afternoon in a small Tamil Nadu village. The air was filled with the scent of jasmine flowers and sandalwood. The entire house was alive with women bustling around, preparing for the puberty ritual of Malini. It was a tradition deeply rooted in culture, where the girl who just became a woman was celebrated, blessed, and adorned like a goddess.
Meena, Malini's decade old cousin, had been tasked with helping her through the day. Meena was tall, with smooth, dusky skin that gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the open window. Her jet-black hair was braided neatly, her saree a vibrant green with a golden border.
Malini, on the other hand, was shy and petite, with soft brown skin that still bore the innocence of childhood. She sat on a small wooden stool in the open courtyard, dressed in a simple blouse and skirt. A gold anklet jingled softly as she fidgeted, nervously tugging at the end of her dupatta.
“Don’t be so shy, kanna,” Meena said softly, her voice teasing. “It’s just us women here.”
Malini looked up, her wide eyes meeting Meena’s. She managed a small nod.
The first step of the ritual was the turmeric bath. Meena brought out a bowl of freshly ground turmeric paste mixed with water. Its bright yellow color was striking against the earthenware bowl.
“Come,” Meena said, crouching down beside her. “You’ll feel so soft and beautiful after this.”
Malini hesitated but stood up. Her hands trembled as she began to untie the knot of her skirt. Meena noticed and gently touched her hand.
“Let me help you,” she whispered.
With careful hands, Meena untied the skirt and helped Malini step out of it, revealing her soft, slender legs. Malini’s blouse followed, leaving her in just her petticoat and a thin slip of a chemise. The fabric clung to her growing form, and Meena couldn’t help but notice how lovely Malini looked, on the verge of womanhood.
“You’re beautiful,” Meena said, her voice barely above a whisper. Malini blushed, her cheeks turning as golden as the turmeric in the bowl.
Meena began applying the turmeric paste, starting with Malini’s arms. Her touch was firm yet gentle, rubbing the paste in circular motions. Malini shivered slightly at the coolness of the paste.
“Cold?” Meena asked with a smile.
“A little,” Malini admitted, looking down.
Meena’s hands moved to her shoulders, spreading the paste over the delicate collarbones and down to her chest. The chemise began to stain yellow as the turmeric seeped through.
“Let’s take this off too,” Meena said, tugging gently at the strap of the chemise. Malini froze but nodded hesitantly. Meena slipped it over her head, leaving Malini bare except for her petticoat.
The sunlight highlighted Malini’s young, glowing skin as Meena worked her way down her back, massaging the turmeric into her spine and shoulders.
“You have such smooth skin,” Meena murmured. Her own hands were now stained yellow, her touch lingering a moment longer than necessary on Malini’s waist.
Malini shivered again, but not from the cold. There was a strange warmth spreading through her, a fluttering feeling she couldn’t name.