Greeting the Earth with it's warmth arouse Sun from behind the horizon making it's way through the lush green trees on this Saturday morning.

A lot of movements could be spotted in the farmhouses as everyone preparing for the haldi ceremony. Giggles, laughter, and conversations filled in the breeze.

In haldi ceremony as the name suggests a paste of haldi, that is, Indian name of turmeric is applied on the bride and groom's body before their wedding. This ceremony is held at both sides, on the morning of wedding, separately or combined.

Traditionally, elder women of the house make a paste using Haldi and different ingredients such as sandalwood, milk and rosewater as individual family customs. This paste so created is then applied on bride and groom's face, neck, hands and feet by their family and friends. Then bride and groom apply a portion of this paste on their unmarried friends as tradition suggests that whoever gets touched by this paste is next one in que to get married.

In the garden by the pool Karan and Monami sat side by side. The Haldi ceremony was yet another intimate affair which was adorned with vivid yellow marigolds and splashes of pink, orange and red. For the haldi, Monami wore a pretty bright yellow saree. For her floral jewellery, the bride went with contrasting hues of pink and white. While Karan went with a white kurta-pyjama. All in all, the duo looked exceptionally stunning together.

Karan I am scared, confessed Monami in a low tone.

Scared? asked Karan.

Oh, I get is it the wedding vows that are making you kinda nervous than chill Monami it's normal, continued Karan.

No Karan it's the fear that's eating me up, said Monami.

Fear? asked Karan.

Yes, Karan fear, what if things don't work out between us? What if years hence you too decide to part ways from me, from this marriage? I know we have known each other for years now and are more of damn good friends before anything else but so were Sanjana and Siddharth but look at them now they don't even look eye to eye at each other. I know we have an amazing chemistry between us, that spark that we don't feel around anyone else, that special connection. But so did Koel and Faizi had it between them- the most ideal couple of our college. The one who got us both together, they looked made for one another but look at them now they have been living separately for years now and don't even know what's the other up to even after being married and having a son together. Karan I am afraid that even after being invested so much in one another one fine morning we just don't feel the need to be by another. Karan I am afraid that things that once made us fall for another what if they turn into things to drift apart from one another, said Monami.

How easily you focused on what could wrong instead of how great it could be? Monami if 11 years of relationship and 13 years of knowing one another cannot give you the assurance then I guess nothing in the world can. Monami how easily you saw how our friends parted way after years of relationships but what you failed to see that their circumstances were different, they are not us Monami. And how easily just few hours before our marriage you are thinking of parting ways. Monami I am finding this funny more than anything, said Karan in a breath.

Karan you are getting me wrong, said Monami.

I am not getting you wrong Monami, you have got wrong meaning out of the scenario. I know how much stress this marriage tag brings along. I am under the same rock but that dosen't mean that we need to run away or call it off. What our friend had between them is up to them, Monami. But I know what we both share, that bond of love. And I know how badly we both want to keep it alive. Monami I don't know what will happen tomorrow. And trust me no one does but that doesn't mean that we run away just imagining the worst that we could think of. Monami all I know is that I love you, said Karan.

Monami smiled through those tears that she had held back in her tears. Before Monami could say anything, Karan's mother came and applied Haldi paste first of Karan and then on Monami. And then followed by rest of their relatives and friend.

After an hour Karan and Monami were busy posing for the photographer when running came Faizi, Siddharth and Param, Karan's brother, smeared remaining haldi paste on Karan. Karan's face and much of upper body was now covered with Haldi paste. Before Karan could realize he was picked up on shoulders and carried all the way near to the pool. And then Karan was thrown into the pool. Following them came Koel and Sanjana dragging Monami along them. Then Monami too was pushed into the pool.

Koel was busy laughing when Siddharth pushed Koel into the pool. Faizi pushed Siddharth, who was laughing at Koel, into the pool. Taking full advantage of the moment Sanjana pushed Faizi into the pool. Faizi for support held Sanjana and end up dragging her into the pool too as he fell.

******

After the haldi function was done, Monami changed into a beautiful plain magenta chiffon saree for her Kaleeras ceremony; showing us how simplicity is the ultimate sophistication!

Monami's mother tied the Kaleeras on both the hands of Monami. After that all the unmarried girls were made to sit down. It was a ritual in which the bride has to shake her kaleeras until it falls on someone. And it is believed that the on which it falls is next one line to get married. Monami did the same and it fell on Sanjana.

With a blank face Sanjana turned her gazes towards Siddharth who was smiling as he talked with Koel.

*****

Since you all are here let's decide who will be in bride's side and who will be in groom's side for rest of ceremonies, said Karan.

I think Koel and Faizi should on my side and Siddharth and Sanjana on Karan's side, said Monami.

Yeah, that sounds good, said Karan.

You know what I have a better arrangement- I and Sid accompany Karan and Faizi and Sanjana accompany Monami, said Koel.

Yeah, this sounds perfect, said Siddharth moving near Koel.

And whose side should I be Koel, asked Nikhil.

Whichever side you like Nik, said Koel kneeling to match his height.

Nikhil folded his hands and kept ticking a figure on his head as if indicating that he is thinking about some very big issue. He once looked at Monami, Faizi and Sanjana standing side by side and at the other moment at Karan, Siddharth and Koel. Then he again kept moving his gaze from Monami to Karan, and Karan to Monami. This continued for quite a times until finally he came to Karan.

I knew it, said Karan as he picked Nikhil in his arms and gave a peck on his cheek.

Koel says one should never be too desperate to celebrate their victory, said Nikhil as he patted Karan's cheeks.

I just came to say that I love you Karan Chachu but I love Monami Massi a bit more, said Nikhil indicating a pinch size to Karan.

Besides she sends me a lot of chocolates and toys, said Nikhil indicating Karan to put him down.

Karan gave a betrayal look to Nikhil and then turned his gaze towards Koel.

Pura Koel pe gaya ha, thought Karan in his head as he glared Siddharth and Faizi who were giggling on his state.

See I told you Nikhil loves his Monami Massi more, said Monami as she poked her tongue at Karan.

Now Monami lifted Nikhil into her arms and pecked his cheek.

Koel says one should never jump into conclusions too soon, said Nikhil.

I just came into this team because dad was in this team and I told Karan chachu that I love you more because I didn't want to break his heart on his wedding day you see, said Nikhil as he opened his arms in Faizi's direction.

Karan and Siddharth giggled.

*****

Aroma of deep-fried samosas, kachories and poories travelled from the kitchen to the group of hungry humans who till now had made themselves comfortable with hot tea and conversations.

Please bring the food fast the rats are doing kathak in my stomach, said Faizi as he saw a sight of helper bringing in plate full of freshly fried kachoris and chutney.

Have you ever wondered how rats reached in there at first place, asked Siddharth.

Hunger has gone up your brain I guess Sid, said Koel at sight of Siddharth.

Sanjana who seemed lost in deep thoughts finally smiled. In her head she had finally arrived on a conclusion.

that's all for this update. Hope you liked this update. Do comment down your views would love to hear them out and do vote if you liked the chapter.

What was Sanjana thinking of? Let's see what the further part of day holds for the 6 of them.

Next update soon.