Today, the sounds of drums and celebrations filled the air outside. But within me, there was silence. This festival was no longer a celebration; it had become a day of self-reflection.I thought to myself, there comes an age when admirers increase,...

Today, the sounds of drums and celebrations filled the air outside. But within me, there was silence. This festival was no longer a celebration; it had become a day of self-reflection.I thought to myself, there comes an age when admirers increase, and then an age when they gradually disappear. If a woman manages to choose the right person for herself during this transition, her life is fulfilled. Otherwise, the game ends from the other side.I wiped my tears and looked at my daughters with a smile. Perhaps they sensed my pain, but they never asked me about it. I resolved then and there that I would no longer let the shadows of my past dominate my life.Gradually, I began to feel the joy of Gudi Padwa around me. I joined my daughters in performing the puja and silently prayed, “Dear God, wherever Siddharth is, please keep him happy. And give me the strength to fully embrace my present.”This festival has now become a symbol of inner cleansing for me. I promised myself that I would ensure my daughters’ lives remained happy, even if it meant letting go of my past completely.