In the year 1981, a girl named Anuradha was born into a small, middle-class family in Andhra Pradesh.
Their house was modest, but it was filled with love — laughter, warmth, and the occasional quarrel between siblings. Her father, a hardworking man, and her gentle mother adored their two children.
Anuradha, the youngest, was pampered by everyone. Her elder brother often teased her but just as quickly stood up to protect her.
Festivals were celebrated with joy. Evenings were spent studying under the dim glow of a lantern. Nights were filled with dreams of what life could become.
From a very young age, Anuradha dreamed big. She wanted to study hard, get a good job, and one day lift her family into a brighter future.
School was her favorite place. She loved going every morning, her slate or books clutched in her tiny hands. Teachers adored her for both her marks and her gentle nature. She enjoyed playing with her friends in the dusty schoolyard. In those days, not every girl was encouraged to study, but Anuradha's determination shone brightly.
But fate does not always honor the dreams of children.
When Anuradha was still very young, tragedy struck like a storm in the night.A sudden accident took away her entire family — her parents and her brother.
In one moment, the laughter and love of her home were gone. The house that once echoed with joy turned silent, heavy with grief. Their bodies lay before her, surrounded by crying relatives and mourners.
Anuradha was too small to understand the depth of her loss, too young to fully remember the faces of those she loved. She did not realize that this was the last time she would ever see them.
The only thing she knew was that her life had been torn apart.
Soon after, Anuradha was sent to live with her uncle, her father's elder brother. He gave her shelter, but the warmth of family was no longer the same.
Her dreams of school and higher studies slowly dimmed. Day by day, she began to accept that her childhood was no longer her own.
At thirteen, while other children were busy learning lessons or playing in the streets, Anuradha's life took a turn she could not understand.
One afternoon, her uncle called her aside. His voice was firm, leaving no room for questions.
"Anuradha, you are going to be married."