Disclaimer: I do not encourage or condone many of the behaviors depicted in this story. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author's imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.
The courtyard of the house was getting ready for Malini's puberty ceremony, which is the traditional ritual of marking a girl's transition into womanhood and once they turned eighteen years old, becoming adults.
Malini had just turned eighteen years old, was dressed in a petticoat tied above her chest, so was I, her cousin who was a decade older than her. It was the practice to dress as such just in petticoats tied above our chests, for the girl as well as the one who is going to take care of her.
"Are you ready, kanna?" I asked her as I made her sit on a wooden stool.
She smiled shyly as her fingers played with the edge of her petticoat.
I dipped my fingers into the small earthen pot which was full of turmeric paste, and applied the golden mixture to her shoulders. I wondered how soft her skin was as the paste spread across her collarbones.
"You have such smooth skin," I murmured.
She blushed as.her cheeks reddened beneath the paste. I worked the paste down her arms and I asked her to lift them. She obeyed and I carefully applied the turmeric to her underarms. The petticoat shifted down with the movement and I noticed the material clung to the curve of her chest.
As I moved lower, the knot of her petticoat loosened and the fabric slipped lower, revealing more skin as the sunlight kissed her bareness.
"Is this okay?" I asked softly.
She nodded. I moved to apply paste to her back as my fingers brushed over the curve of her spine. She was so young and untouched.
"Stand up now, kanna," I instructed.
She rose to her feet, and the petticoat slipped further, revealing her thighs as the turmeric paste on her body gleamed. I knelt before her and dipped my fingers into the turmeric paste, and started applying to her calves. The turmeric paste has now fully covered her from her shoulders to her calves. I reached the waistband of her loin panties and paused.
"May I?" I asked softly.
She hesitated for a second, before nodding. Slowly, I untied the knot, allowing it to fall away. Her body was now completely bare. The soft hip curve, the gentle slope of the belly and the faintest of pubic hair got revealed.
"You're beautiful, kanna," I whispered.
Malini's cheeks deepened with shyness. Next I poured water over her and made sure that the paste is thoroughly washed from every inch of her skin, before wrapping her up in another fresh petticoat tying up to her chest.
Next it was my time to undergo the same ritual as it was the custom. I stood at the center of the courtyard surrounded by the older women. Today, I wasn't just Malini's guide but I was also a woman who had come of age.
The women made me undo the knot of my petticoat and it slipped to the waist as I stood before them bare and vulnerable but proud.
The women began to apply the turmeric paste to my skin. My shoulders were the first to be marked and when the paste reached my chest, I felt a little bit of discomfort.
The turmeric paste went on with its journey down my body, through every inch, every curve and every line.
Next, it was time to lower my petticoat fully. I hesitated for a moment, but the woman reassured me. Slowly, I untied the knot at my waist, allowing it to fall away.
I stood completely bare, except for my pubic hair, a mark of my maturity. The older women continued with their hands moving over my hips and thighs, so as in between.
When the ritual was complete, I dressed in a fresh petticoat, stepping back into the circle of women as I gazed at Malini across the courtyard.
As girls reach womanhood it is the tradition that they are being taught about the female body, intimacy, physical touch and other relevant aspects by one of the women in the family. I was again entrusted with this task as well, to teach Malini. Both I and Malini had to spend the night together in the hut in order to do so. We were sent in once again clad only in petticoats tied up to the chests.
Once we were inside the hut, I locked the door though Malini was a little apprehensive. She was still unsure about what was going to happen. I moved closer to her and cupped her face as I could see the nervousness.
