Ananya tiptoed past a mountain of marigold strings. A petal drifted down and landed on her head.
She grabbed a loose jasmine strand to pull it straight. It coiled around her wrists — whoops! — and she tumbled onto the cool marble floor.
Ananya stood on her toes at the edge of the rangoli circle. The air smelled of jasmine and dust.
Uncle bowed and lifted a heavy garland. "I promise to care for you," he said, his voice warm as the brass lamp nearby.
Uncle swung the garland upward. Auntie reached — and sneezed! A cloud of petals burst into the air, showering everyone in gold.
Ananya's mouth hung open. A single petal landed on her nose. She blinked, lashes fluttering, then giggled.
Later, family gathered around a low table heaped with sweets. Ananya hummed, full and content.
Auntie placed a sugared almond on Ananya's tongue. Ananya offered a stray petal to a crying toddler nearby. The toddler stopped and smiled.
The toddler wiped their eyes and clutched the petal like a treasure. Ananya grinned, resting her chin on her hands.
Auntie laughed and pulled the girl close. The young man with the garland lifted them both up in a spin.
The toddler clapped tiny hands and giggled too. Marigold strings swayed overhead in the night breeze.
Ananya tucked the last petal behind her ear. Tomorrow there would be more dancing, more sweets, more laughter. Tonight, she was exactly where she wanted to be.