Neera was very busy in that evening. Her house was filled with relatives and guests. There was festivity in the air. It was her daughter’s wedding day.

Neera’s daughter looked just like her when she was young. She had the same beautiful eyes and silky hair.

Neera had a huge responsibility. She was performing a lot of duties. She had to rush here and there, looking after the guests and arranging the ceremony.

Suddenly she heard a jubilant cry in chorus, ‘here comes the groom’. The ambience turned more exhilarating with the sound of the conches and ululation. She felt the presence of tears glittering in her eyes. She was sad that her child was moving out of her parents’ house. But Neera was also very happy at her daughter’s new life which was about to begin.

Neera’s daughter was looking gorgeous in her wedding dress. The resplendent Benarasi saree, sandal kumkum painted on her round face, exquisite jewellery – all added to her gracious beauty. She resembled an angel without the wings. Neera herself was captivated to see her daughter in such a pretty avatar.

Neera’s son-in-law was also very handsome. He was settled in a foreign country. He worked in a large, multinational company. Her daughter would definitely be very happy with him.

The main wedding ceremony would begin a few moments later. She was busy attending to the guests. The priest was ready to begin the ceremony with Vedic hymns. Suddenly Neera saw her childhood friend Sukhlata coming to her hurriedly. ‘Your daughter cannot be found,’ she whispered into her ears.

Neera was shocked. But she did not reveal her inner tension in front of the guests. She started to search frantically for her daughter. Gradually the news about the missing bride spread all over the house.

There was a lot of hue and cry in the air. Neera was calling her daughter loudly by her nickname. But all her attempts were in vain. Her whole body was quivering in a sudden fear of something unknown. She searched the balcony, rooftop, verandah and everywhere else. But there was no trace of her. She felt a horrible loneliness in presence of the crowd. Her dream was shattered.

Neera woke up startled on her hospital bed. She touched her belly with utmost care. There was something missing. Her unborn daughter had been murdered successfully in the name of female foeticide.