Before we continue, I would like to draw attention to one thing that was a mistake from my side.

In my ignorance, I unintentionally kept the same name for Sameer's mother and Danish's mother. Though I made a list already of everyone's names, this was missed.

Anyway, the names can be common and in even real life we have many people with the same names so I don't want to correct it, but just to point out the difference, the spellings of the names will be written differently.

Khatija - Name of Danish and Arish's mother
Khadeeja - Name of Sameer's mother

Now let's get back to the chapter

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Author's POV:

Finally, it was Haldi day—a pre-wedding ceremony in almost every Indian wedding, where family and friends apply turmeric paste to the bride and groom as a symbol of love and blessings.

The air around Raza mansion blossomed with the vibrant freshness of marigolds and jasmine, their fragrance weaving through the space like a festive melody against the lush backdrop of trees and plants, the entire setting radiated warmth and joy, creating the ambiance of a wedding house.

The lawn was adorned with vibrant yellow marigold flowers, forming a breathtaking floral canopy against the clear blue sky.

As we walked through the patio behind the mansion, the space was elegantly decorated with cascading marigold and jasmine garlands, complemented by flowing yellow curtain drapes that added a touch of grandeur.

In one corner, a beautifully designed stage stood with a stunning floral backdrop, and at its centre, a large lotus-shaped golden vessel was setup for the groom, where he would sit for the Haldi (turmeric) application. The entire mansion radiated a vibrant, festive charm, creating a setting that was both memorable and magical.

Hassan, the event in charge, was busy giving last-minute instructions to his crew.

Meanwhile, Saniya, dressed in a mustard-coloured anarkali suit adorned with gold-plated chandelier earrings and a delicate maang tikka with pearl detailing, walked gracefully toward the lawn. Her signature peachy nude lipstick and soft eye makeup enhanced her elegance as she welcomed the guests, guiding them towards the sitting area.

(Saniya's outfit)

"You look beautiful," Hassan said, unable to hold back his admiration, stepping closer to compliment her.

Caught off guard, Saniya smiled and replied, "Thank you."

Unknown to both of them, Sameer, who had just arrived with his parents, witnessed the exchange. A strange pang of unease settled in his chest. Unable to resist, he casually made his way towards them.

"Assalamualaikum. Are all the arrangements in place, or is there anything still pending?" Sameer asked, his voice neutral but authoritative.

Hassan, coming out of his admiration for Saniya, quickly straightened up.

"Oh, yes—everything is almost done. Just a few final touches," he mumbled before dashing away to check on the arrangements, leaving Saniya and Sameer alone.

Sameer turned to her, his expression unreadable. Leaning in slightly, he murmured, "Be careful around him, especially in front of Khalid Uncle."

Before Saniya could react, he gave a glance at her and smiled at her before going inside the mansion to meet Adil.

Saniya stood motionless for a moment, taking in for what just happened at the moment. After coming to the realisation, Saniya mentally noted that she should avoid both Hassan and Sameer for her better sake, went back to take care of the other things she needed to do.

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The entire setup was finished with the colourful theme for Haldi at 10:00 a.m., and everything felt so calm and refreshing with the open skies and lush green plants.

Guests started to arrive gradually for the Adil's Haldi ceremony, and twenty minutes later our groom, Adil, who was wearing a yellow shawl and white kurta pyjamas, finally showed up. His face was glowing with an inexplicable sense of satisfaction as the day he had dreamed is about to become true.

As Adil sat on a stool placed inside a large vessel, Sumaiyya and Arshiya stepped forward, gently applying haldi to his face, arms, and legs. Soon, Raza, Khalid, and the rest of them joined in, adding to the cheerful atmosphere.

Just as the ritual seemed complete, Sameer stepped forward, rubbing his palms together as if preparing for a mission.

"Oh no!" Adil exclaimed, sensing what was about to unfold.

"Sameer, no! You are not going to do it!"

But his protests all went in vain.

With a mischievous grin, Sameer grabbed a bucket filled with turmeric-infused water and before Adil could react, he splashed it all over him, drenching him completely in Haldi.

"Wait, you donkey! I won't leave you!" Adil yelled, grabbing a handful of turmeric powder from nearby and flinging it at Sameer.

Laughter erupted as the playful revenge quickly turned into an all-out Haldi war filling the air with joy and golden hues.

For the next hour, the event transformed into a lively, unforgettable event.

Gradually, everyone began to wind down, and Adil was escorted away to freshen up and change for the next part of the event.

Meanwhile, the guests sat down to enjoy a lavish lunch spread—puri, aloo curry, chole, dahi vada, kebabs, samosas, fruit chaat, and many more delicacies were served.

As Adil arrived dressed in a white threadwork embroidered yellow kurta and an open front jacket with white churidar pants at the bottom, giving it a regal look of the groom; the previous haldi setup was already replaced with a vibrant yellow fabric-covered seating area, and he was made to sit there for the continuation of further customs.

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Later in the evening, the groom squad got ready for #NammaNizamiWedding's baraat to get set ready to go to Hyderabad in a bus full of relatives and friends, a journey brimming with joy, laughter, and uncontainable energy.

Sameer and Adil sat in the car and agreed to take turns for driving. Adil's face radiated pure joy, his eyes sparkling with excitement; after all, in just 24 hours, he would be stepping into a new chapter of his life.

As the cool night breeze brushed against his face, he couldn't help but smile for the new beginning.

On the other hand, Ali's home was decorated for Neha's Haldi ceremony, with marigold garlands, fairy lights, and floral backdrops, creating a warmth and festive ambience.

The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of fresh marigolds, their vibrant petals draped across walls, doorways, and staircases. Twinkling fairy lights cascaded down like a curtain of stars, adding a magical charm to the celebration. The house buzzed with excitement as family members and friends gathered to shower the love.

A makeshift seating area for the bride is set up in one corner with two stools—one for Neha and another for a young bridesmaid—a cherished wedding tradition followed in Hyderabadi/Deccani weddings.

The bridesmaid, often a close relative or a young girl from the family, is referred to as "Choti Dulhan" in Urdu or "Thodu Pellikuthuru" in Telugu. She sits beside the bride throughout the Haldi ceremony, sharing in the blessings and rituals, symbolising companionship and purity.

Neha, wearing a simple yellow Anarkali dress with floral jewellery and an intricate floral veil, cascading gently over her head, framed her serene expression as she quietly took in the atmosphere, her heart filled with emotions as if trying to process for the big day tomorrow.

Beside her ten-year-old Fariha Abdul, Neha's second cousin's daughter, sat with a bright, playful energy, dressed in a yellow floral dress embroidered with fine threadwork and draped with a pink baby hijab, relishing this new experience of being playfully smeared with turmeric.

Unlike Adil's Haldi ceremony, Neha's ceremony was cosy and warm with family and close friends, elegantly applying turmeric to Neha's face, arms, and legs, murmuring blessings, and whispering words of love and encouragement.

As the ritual was about to wind up, a special surprise unfolded—a floral shower orchestrated by Ayesha.

All the young bridesmaids gathered around, tossing handfuls of fresh petals into the air. As the petals rained down, everyone cheered and gathered, creating an ethereal moment of beauty and love that made Neha feel even more emotional than she could express.

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After the Haldi application, just like Adil, Neha was sent to bathe and freshen up before changing into her outfit for the main event. The echoes of laughter and the lingering fragrance of turmeric still filled the air as she stepped away, leaving behind a trail of golden hues.

As she returned, draped in a mesmerising orange lehenga embroidered with delicate gold threadwork, she looked so radiant. A light touch of makeup added to her already glowing complexion, making her appear ethereal.

She gracefully sat on the setup arranged to sit, and her bridesmaids, beaming with excitement, gathered around her, each taking turns to adorn her with floral jewellery—a delicate mangtika was placed on her forehead, her wrists were embraced with fresh fragrant flower bangles, and floral earrings completed her whole attire.

Neha finally lifted her gaze; her eyes reflected a mix of excitement and emotion, ready for the rituals that lay ahead. The weight of leaving her family and the fear of stepping into a new one rested gently on Neha's heart.

After all, it was a feeling that every bride experiences—the restlessness and anxiety of embracing the new life. The unknown fear of change seems very overwhelming to gather. 

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Here is the glimpse of #NammaNizamiWedding's Haldi.

The next chapter would be of another pre wedding function named as Sanchak in Hyderabad and Shukrana in Bangalore which is kind of similar to Mehendi function.
Are you guys ready for it?

Don't forget to vote and comment