AUTHOR'S POV

The Rathore family's grand haveli in Rajasthan was bustling with excitement and endless preparations. The air was thick with the scent of marigolds, the courtyards adorned with fairy lights, and servants running around to ensure that the engagement of Driti and Ekansh, set to take place in the evening, was nothing short of perfect. Driti's family was busy making last-minute arrangements, her cousins and friends fussing around her as she prepared for her big day.

On the other side of the haveli, the Rathore family had their hands full as well. Ekansh's father, Abhay, was handling relatives, making sure everyone was comfortable, while his cousins took charge of decorations and catering. His mother, Gayatri, ensured that every guest had eaten, constantly moving between the kitchen and the guest rooms, making sure everyone was well-fed and on time.

Meanwhile, amidst all this frenzy, Ekansh was in his room, away from the chaos, immersed in work.

The engagement ceremony was set to begin at 5, but he still had work to wrap up. As he clicked through his presentation slides, his mind wandered to the thought of the wedding. It wasn't something he had chosen. His grandparents had arranged the alliance, and out of respect and love for them, he hadn't been able to refuse.

Ekansh sat at his desk, the soft glow of the laptop screen illuminating the room. It was late afternoon, and he was halfway through his second virtual meeting of the day a necessary evil, though his engagement ceremony loomed just hours away. Despite the excitement of the day, the urgency of business remained relentless. His makeup brand had recently secured a pivotal collaboration with a prominent Italian cosmetics company, and today's meeting was to finalize the details of their upcoming product launch.

He shifted in his seat, rubbing his tired eyes. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of jet-setting between continents London for business, Rajasthan for his wedding preparations. Between time zones, meetings, and personal commitments, exhaustion had set in like a constant companion. Yet, there was no time to slow down. Not yet.

The Italian representative, Marco, continued speaking, his tone professional but friendly.

"We're proposing a soft launch in Milan next month, followed by a more prominent press event in London. Would that timeline work for you?"

Ekansh leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping gently on the edge of the desk. Milan next month sounded right, aligning perfectly with the brand's strategy. But with his wedding now days away, his availability was limited.

"Milan next month works well for us," Ekansh replied, his voice steady. "However, I'll be unavailable for at least a week because of my personal commitment . I'd like my team to take the lead on the operational aspects during that time."

Marco smiled, offering a warm response . "I understand ekansh . Don't worry about the launch; we'll ensure everything runs smoothly in your absence."

Ekansh nodded, grateful for the reassurance. The collaboration was crucial, and he needed to ensure it moved forward without interruption. "Thank you, Marco. I'll provide the contact information for my team so they can coordinate with yours directly. I trust them to handle the logistics while I'm away."

"Excellent," Marco said. "We'll work closely with them to make sure all the details are in place. This collaboration is a priority for us, and we want to make sure it's seamless on both sides."

There was a brief pause as Ekansh glanced at the clock 3:05PM. Time was slipping away, and there was still so much to finalize before he could shift his focus entirely to the engagement. "Let's aim to finalize the partnership documents today," he said, his tone firm but polite. "That way, everything is settled before I transition to my personal commitments. I want to ensure this project maintains its momentum, even while I'm away."

Marco nodded in agreement. "We'll expedite the paperwork. Our team is committed to making this launch a success."

A few more formalities were exchanged, and then the call came to an end. Ekansh leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. The weight of the week was heavy on his shoulders, but at least this piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. The collaboration, an integral part of his brand's expansion, was now progressing smoothly.

He closed his laptop and glanced out the window. The afternoon sun cast a warm, golden light over the horizon, a stark contrast to the cold focus of the meetings that had filled his day. In just a few hours, he would transition from business executive to groom-to-be, surrounded by family, friends, and the joyous chaos of his engagement celebration.

But for now, there was still work to do.

Before he could contemplate it further, the door to his room burst open. His sisters, Mayara and Sneha, entered, their faces glowing with excitement.

"Bhai, abhi tak ready nahi ho?" Sneha said, crossing her arms, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "It's already 3, and your engagement is in two hours. And you're still sitting here, buried in work?"

Ekansh sighed. "Just one more meeting, Sneha. I need to wrap this up."

Mayra, her eyes twinkling with mischief, chimed in. "Ek aur meeting? Bhai, it's your engagement day! Do you want to be the first groom in history to miss his own function because of work?"

Ekansh chuckled softly but remained seated. "I'll be done in twenty minutes. Just let me finish this."

Sneha rolled her eyes. "Twenty minutes? No way. engagement aapki hai, bhai." She walked over and grabbed his arm, trying to pull him out of the chair. "Work can wait. Besides, you've been working non-stop for days. Thoda break lo na."

At that moment, his cousins Avyaansh and Javin walked in, clearly in on the fun.

"Sahi keh rahi hai Sneha!" Avyaansh teased, leaning against the doorway. "You're the groom, and you're still working? What will people say?"

Javin added, smirking, "They'll say the groom cares more about his business than his own engagement!  Bhai, ab bas karo. Chalo, suit pehno aur tayar ho jao."

Ekansh finally surrendered, raising his hands in defeat. "Alright, alright! I'll get ready. Just stop pulling me around."

Sneha grinned triumphantly. "That's more like it! Your suit is in the closet, bhai. Freshen up and come out looking like the groom, not like someone who hasn't slept in a week."

"Haan, bhai. Aaj ke din toh aapka koi excuse nahi chalega," Avyaansh chuckled as they all filed out of the room, leaving Ekansh with no choice but to finally get ready.

After a quick shower, Ekansh stood in front of the mirror, buttoning up his black suit. The outfit had been chosen by his mother - elegant, traditional, and fitting for the occasion. He paused for a moment, looking at his reflection. He couldn't shake the strange feeling in his chest.

Part of him had wanted to call off the wedding. But how could he? His grandparents, the people he respected most in the world, had arranged this alliance, and he couldn't bring himself to break their hearts. "Shaadi ke baad sab theek ho jaayega,"he thought, reassuring himself as he adjusted his collar.

Evr

He stepped out into the hallway, greeted by his cousins.

"Lo aa gaye hamare dulhe raja!" Javin exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air dramatically. "Finally!"

"Bhai, suit accha lag raha hai!" Mayra added, giving him a thumbs up.

"Chalo ab jaldi neeche chalo, sab aapka intezaar kar rahe hain," Sneha said, ushering him towards the stairs.

Downstairs, the engagement ceremony was in full swing. The courtyard was transformed into a dreamy setting, with soft lights twinkling amidst the flowers. Family members from both sides were chatting, laughing, and greeting each other. The pandit was setting up the puja materials for the ritual, and the guests began gathering around.

Driti entered the courtyard soon after, escorted by her close friends and cousins. She looked stunning, her outfit a delicate blend of royal blue and silver . Her face, however, betrayed a quiet tension. Though she smiled at her friends' teasing remarks, her heart wasn't in it.

"Kya baat hai, dulhan toh bilkul pari lag rahi hai!" one of her cousins, Neha, commented, winking at her.

Driti managed a soft smile. "Thank you, Neha."

"Waise kaise lag raha hai apni engagement ke din? Nervous ho ya excited?" asked another cousin, teasingly.

Driti laughed, her voice gentle but restrained. "A bit of both, I guess.

As the festivities continued, Dhruv made his way to the airport, excitement swirling within him. He was going to pick up his maternal family , who would be arriving late after the engagement ceremony. He couldn't wait for them to meet everyone, but he felt the weight of responsibility for the evening's events.

After a quick drive, he arrived at the airport, scanning the crowd until he spotted his mama's face. Her family gathered around her, their expressions filled with joy and warmth. Dhruv stepped forward, waving enthusiastically.

"Hey! You made it!" he exclaimed, pulling jay into a hug.

"Of course! Wouldn't miss this for the world!"Jay replied, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

As they made their way to the car, Kiansha's family exchanged pleasantries with Dhruv, the warmth of their camaraderie easing the tension in the air.

"Did we miss anything?" Kiansha asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Just the engagement ceremony," Dhruv said, glancing back at her. "But there's still plenty to celebrate!"

As they drove back to the Rathore household, the anticipation of what awaited them filled the car. Kiansha chatted excitedly with her family, recounting snippets of the wedding events she had experienced, the laughter infectious.

Upon arriving, the atmosphere was lively. The younger crowd was in full swing, laughter and music spilling out into the garden. Kiansha and her family were welcomed with open arms, and soon they found themselves in the middle of the festivities.

Members of the Rathore family, alongside their Rajput family, were settling in, each side of the family taking their designated spaces in the sprawling estate. While the elders gathered in the lavish living room to discuss wedding preparations, the younger generation opted for the backyard, where laughter and playful chatter filled the air.

Kiansha and her family had arrived half an hour earlier and after some time all the members of Kiansha's family joined in the living room.

Kiansha and her other siblings seek blessings of their family and relatives including the Rathores

How are you both bhiya and bhabhi? There was no problem while coming here, right? His sister Bhavna said.

There was no problem. Tell me, how are the preparation of the wedding going till now? Asked jaydeep.

Preparations are going well and are almost done reply Ashok glancing around with satisfaction.

So let me introduce you all to each-other ashok said and everyone introduced each-other.when they all were talking Driti came inside to meet her maternal Uncle's, aunts and cousins.

you all go with Driti, what will you do by sitting here with us, Ekansh Maa Gayatri said.

Nodding enthusiastically, the younger crowd followed Driti into the backyard.

Once outside, Driti eagerly introduced her cousins to Ekansh's siblings.

"Sorry, Driti! We couldn't make it to your ring ceremony today because of some reason," Yugant said apologetically.

"It's okay, Bhai! I understand. You all told me in advance, so no worries," Driti replied, her smile reassuring.

"But where's Ekansh? We haven't met him yet," Sahil asked, scanning the area.

"Uh, Ekansh bhai is in his room, sleeping. He was tired you can meet him in the morning ," Javin explained, shrugging slightly.

"Let's just enjoy the wedding functions! I'm so excited for tomorrow," Swati chimed in, her enthusiasm infectious.

Everyone chuckled at her excitement.

"Of course! Mehandi is a big deal! Plus, I've prepared a dance performance for tomorrow's function," Kiansha declared, her eyes sparkling.

"How about you join us for the dance, Kiansha? What do you say?" Sneha suggested, her expression hopeful.

"Yes! That's a fantastic idea, Sneha! We should all perform together," Kiansha agreed, her excitement matching Sneha's.

"But we need to rehearse, and we're running out of time," Javin replied, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"True, but we can rehearse in the morning since the mehandi is in the afternoon," Jay countered, offering a practical solution.

Everyone nodded in agreement, eager for the festivities ahead.

As the group continued to chat and laugh, Driti and her cousins eventually excused themselves to rest, leaving Kiansha, Sneha, Mayra, Javin, and Jay still in the backyard, their camaraderie evident.

"So, it's just us three—Sneha, you, and me—all the same age!" Mayra exclaimed, her tone teasing.

"Uh, yes," Kiansha replied, her cheeks flushing slightly.

After chatting for over an hour, the group decided to head back to their rooms, the clock nearing 1:43 AM. The excitement for the upcoming wedding filled the air.

5:00 AM - Kiansha's Room

The soft light of dawn began to creep into Kiansha's room, but she remained blissfully unaware, tucked under her blankets. The air was still, except for the distant sounds of the palace stirring to life.

"Kiansha! Uth jao, it's time for rehearsal!"Sneha called out, knocking on Kiansha's door.

When there was no response, she exchanged a glance with Mayra, who was standing beside her, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Should we knock a little louder?" Mayra suggested, raising her hand to the door.

Sneha grinned. "Let's do it!" With that, they both began knocking enthusiastically, the sound echoing in the stillness of the morning.

"Kiansha! Come on! We can't start the dance without you!" Sneha added, her voice a mix of urgency and excitement.

Inside, Kiansha groaned, rolling over in her bed. "Five more minutes, please!" she mumbled, half-asleep.

"No way! You promised to dance with us!" Mayra replied, her tone playful but insistent.

After a few more moments of knocking and playful banter, Kiansha finally sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Okay, okay! I'm up!" she called out, stifling a yawn.

The door swung open, and Sneha and Mayra burst into the room. "Finally!"Sneha exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We thought we'd have to drag you out of bed!"

Kiansha chuckled, stretching her arms above her head. "You guys are way too enthusiastic for this early in the morning."

"That's because we're ready to rock the stage!"Mayra replied, already clapping her hands in anticipation.

As Kiansha got ready, Sneha and Mayra helped her pick out an outfit. "This one looks perfect!"Mayra said, holding up a vibrant, flowy dress.

"You'll look great in that!"Sneha agreed, beaming at Kiansha.

Once dressed, Kiansha joined her friends in front of the mirror. They quickly styled her hair into a playful braid and applied a bit of makeup to give her that extra sparkle.

"You look amazing, Kiansha!"Sneha said, admiring their handiwork.

"Thanks, you guys! Now let's go before we lose our rehearsal time!"Kiansha urged, her excitement growing as well.

The three friends hurried out of the room, meeting Javin, Avyaansh, and Jay in the hallway.

"You all look so bright and cheerful for 5 AM,"Javin teased, smirking at them.

"Just wait until we start dancing!"Kiansha shot back, a playful glint in her eyes.

Avyaansh nodded. "We better get going. Sneha, your room is the perfect place for our rehearsal."

As they made their way to Sneha's room, the group buzzed with excitement, discussing their plans for the performance.

"Okay, let's make this the best dance ever!"Jay encouraged, his enthusiasm infectious.

Sneha led the way, her heart racing with anticipation. "We will! Now, everyone remember the moves we practiced?"

"Yes!"they all chimed in, laughter spilling into the air as they reached Sneha's room.

"But guys we have to be quick haldi is at 10 AM after rehearsal we all have to go and get ready for haldi than mehndi", said this avyaansh remaining this and moves towards bed.

"I still don't understand why the haldi function was scheduled before the mehndi," Avyaansh complained, frowning.

"Exactly! It could've been tomorrow. There's nothing planned for then," Mayra added, agreeing wholeheartedly.

Javin, trying to make sense of it, chimed in, "Maybe they moved the haldi to today so everyone can rest tomorrow."

"Yeah, you've got a point, Javin," Jay nodded. "Makes sense."

Kainsha, however, had a different explanation. "Actually, it's because Driti Di insisted. I talked to her before we got here."

"So that's why," she added, shrugging.

"Whatever the reason, let's not waste time discussing this," Sneha interrupted, eager to get back to their preparations. "We need to practice our dance and get ready. We don't have much time!"

"Exactly! Let's move quickly," Jay agreed, looking at everyone with a sense of urgency. "Alright, ready? One...two...three...go!"

With that, the group got into position, the conversation forgotten as they threw themselves into their dance rehearsal. The rhythm of the music filled the room, their excitement building as they perfected each step, preparing for the big moment ahead.

[HALDI FUNCTION]

The garden area of the palace was a vibrant sea of yellow, marigold garlands hanging overhead, and flower petals carpeting the ground. It was the perfect setting for the haldi ceremony. Sneha, Kiansha, Avyaansh, Javin, Mayra, and Jay sat around a table, sipping cold drinks as they chatted. The energy was light and filled with anticipation.

"Kya lag raha hai? Haldi ka time aa gaya, sab kuch ready hai," Sneha said, looking around at the bustling crowd.

["How you guys are feeling? It's haldi time, everything's ready."]

"Kuch zyada hi perfect hai," Jay replied, raising an eyebrow. "Mujhe toh lagta hai kuch na kuch dhamaka hoga aaj."

["Everything is too perfect. I feel like something's going to happen today."]

"Woh toh hai," Mayra added with a grin, clearly hinting at the mischief brewing in their minds. "Ab haldi ceremony mein itni shanti thodi na rehne denge."

["That's true. There's no way we'll let the haldi ceremony be this peaceful."]

Kiansha, always the planner of mischief, chuckled. "Bas sab log jaldi se lagva lo haldi. Uske baad, humara kaam shuru hoga."

["Just let everyone apply haldi quickly. After that, our work will begin."]

Meanwhile, Ekansh and Driti sat quietly on their designated spots. The two looked like perfect statues, draped in their traditional attire, but their expressions couldn't be more different. Ekansh's face was tense, his usual serious demeanor locked in place. Driti, on the other hand, looked calm, though there was a distant sadness in her eyes. Neither had asked for this marriage, and it was evident in their lack of conversation.

"Sab theek hai?" Driti asked, noticing Ekansh's stern expression.

["Is everything okay?"]

"Haan... bas kuch galat nahi hona chahiye," Ekansh replied in a low voice, not meeting her gaze.

["Yeah... just don't want anything to go wrong."]

Driti smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. "Itni tension lena zaroori nahi hai. Everything is already planned."

["No need to be so tense. Everything is already planned."]

Before Ekansh could respond, Bhakti Dadi's authoritative voice rang out, breaking through the quiet exchange. "We should start the function now!"

With that, the haldi ceremony began. Family members from both the Rajput and Rathore clans came forward to apply the golden turmeric paste on the bride and groom. Flower petals were sprinkled gently over them, showering the couple with blessings. Ekansh sat stiffly, his face an expressionless mask, while Driti remained poised, her silence reflecting the weight of the moment.

As their relatives took turns applying haldi, the atmosphere was calm, serene even. But that tranquility was short-lived. Out of the corner of her eye, Driti saw Kiansha, Mayara, Avyaansh, and the others huddled together, whispering. She knew something was about to go down.

Soon enough, the cousins ,siblings and their friends appeared, hands filled with haldi water balloons and buckets of water. Mischief was clear in their eyes.

"No, guys, please!" Driti pleaded, raising her hands in protest as she saw the group approaching with their weapons of mass mischief.

Ekansh, still trying to maintain his composure, turned to the group with a warning. "Dekho, agar galti se bhi ek balloon laga, toh dekh lena!"

["Listen, if even one balloon hits us, you'll regret it!"]

His stern tone didn't deter them in the slightest. Mayra, smirking, stepped forward. "Bhai, dekh lena. Humne kab mana kiya hai?"

["Brother, go ahead and see. When did we ever say no?"]

Jay couldn't hold back his laughter. "Yeh jo humare Jija ji hain na, inko thoda loosen up karna padega," he said, his voice full of playful challenge.

["This brother-in-law of ours needs to loosen up a bit."]

Before Ekansh could react, Kiansha chimed in, "Arey dekh hi rahe hain, Jija Ji. Ab aap dekhiye!"

["Oh, we're already watching, brother-in-law. Now it's your turn to see!"]

Without waiting another second, she hurled the first water balloon, sending it soaring through the air. It hit Ekansh squarely on the chest, bursting on impact and drenching him in yellow haldi-infused water. Ekansh blinked in shock, bits of flower petals sticking to his now-soaked kurta, his serious expression faltering.

And with that, the first balloon flew through the air and burst on Ekansh and Driti, drenching them both in haldi water. A collective gasp rang through the crowd, followed immediately by a roar of laughter.

Ekansh blinked, haldi dripping down his face. "Javviinnn!" he shouted, though the smile breaking through his stern expression betrayed him.

Before he could even recover, the Haldi war began in full force. Buckets of water and flower petals flew through the air as the cousins relentlessly pelted the couple with haldi balloons. Driti, caught up in the fun despite herself, laughed as she dodged another balloon, only to be drenched by a second.

Ekansh, still trying to maintain some dignity, wiped haldi off his face and finally gave in, chuckling as another balloon hit him square in the chest. His serious facade melted away, and for a moment, he let himself enjoy the moment, surrounded by laughter, color, and the warmth of family.

The guests watching burst into applause and cheers, delighted by the spontaneous burst of energy. Flower petals from the decorations were scattered in the air, adding to the vibrant, playful scene. The once-perfectly arranged haldi setup was now a battlefield of color and water, but no one seemed to mind. In fact, it added a layer of joy to the ceremony, turning it into something unforgettable.

As the Haldi war began to wind down, the cousins and friends , panting and laughing, collapsed onto the grass. Kiansha threw the last plate full of flower petals into the air, watching them fall like confetti. "Mission accomplished!" They all declared, grinning at the haldi-covered Ekansh and Driti, whose faces were now bright yellow from all the turmeric.

"Tum logon ko toh main dekh loonga," Ekansh muttered playfully, wiping his face with a towel that someone handed him.

["I'll deal with you all later."]

"Bhai, hum toh bas aapko shaadi ke din enjoy karwa rahe hain," Avyaansh replied, grinning widely. "Shaadi ka maza lena bhi seekhna padega!"

["Brother, we're just making sure you enjoy your wedding day. You'll have to learn how to have fun too!"]

Everyone burst into laughter again, including Ekansh, who despite his serious nature, couldn't resist smiling at the absurdity of it all. For a brief moment, the tension between him and Driti seemed to dissolve, if only for the duration of the fun-filled chaos.

Finally, after everyone was thoroughly soaked and painted yellow, the families began to regroup, signaling the end of the haldi ceremony. As the guests slowly made their way to their rooms to clean up and prepare for the mehndi function, Ekansh and Driti exchanged a look. There was a silent understanding between them, a mutual acknowledgment of the awkwardness of their situation but also a small glimpse of something lighter perhaps even hope.

As they stood to leave, Driti gave him a soft smile. "See? Everything didn't have to go perfectly."

["See? Everything didn't have to go perfectly."]

Ekansh, still wiping haldi off his face, sighed. "Maybe you're right."

["Maybe you're right."]

With that, the two walked back inside the palace, leaving behind the remnants of the Haldi war, flower petals and laughter still lingering in the air.

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