"Try this, beta," he said, using the affectionate term for "child." "It's made with love, just like my grandmother used to make."
A few months later, Leela's cousin, Rohan, got married in a traditional Indian wedding. The entire family was abuzz with excitement, as they prepared for the big day.
The air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers, and the sound of traditional Indian music, as the guests danced and sang along. Leela joined in, twirling and spinning with her cousins, as they celebrated the union of Rohan and his bride.
As the big day approached, Leela's family began to prepare their home for the festivities. They cleaned and decorated every corner, hanging colorful lanterns and fairy lights from the roof. The air was filled with the sweet scent of traditional Indian sweets, made with ghee, sugar, and a variety of nuts.
On the eve of Diwali, Leela's family gathered around the puja room, where they lit diyas (earthen lamps) and offered prayers to the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of prosperity. They exchanged gifts, and Leela received a beautiful silver necklace from her grandmother, adorned with a tiny Lakshmi figurine.
