章 22: CHAPTER 21:"The Morning Rituals:Embracing Tradition".

When everyone finished their prayers,Annika turned, holding a veneration platter,and everyone enhanced the flame, filling the living room with smoke to ward off the evil eye.After returning the platter to the temple, everyone gathered in the living room . Annika went around , touching everyone's feet, and received praise from Alex's grandmother for her cultural virtues. Alex's grandmother expressed her admiration, wishing she had a daughter-in-law like Annika instead of the lazy one her son married. She then asked Annika's name , to which Annika instead of the lazy one her son married. She then asked Annika's name , to which Annika responded . Alex's aunt introduced herself as Mya and expressed her approval of Annika's name. Annika was about to kneel again, but Alex's grandmother stopped her , expressing her blessing and placing her hand on Annika's hair . She then noticed Annika wasn't wearing vermillion and instructed Alex's mother, Nidhi, to get some from the temple.Meanwhile, Alex muttered to himself, calling Annika a pretender and sarcastically praising her acting skills. Rohit and Patrick encouraged Alex to apply the vermillion , and reluctantly , he did so, sharing a moment of eye contact with Annika. The family then adjourned to the dining room for breakfast.