A Journey Towards love # 4

 

Arnav dressed in cream t-shirt & grey trouser sitting on the small stool in the large living room of Seesh Mahal looked at the haldi sticky paste in a bowl, placed in the decorative red tray with red rose petals, with distaste while every family member present there for his haldi suppressing their smiles seeing him making faces.

Anjali " Come on Chote, stop making faces. It's just haldi paste. You are acting as if it's something infectious " with teasing smile " You know Chote, haldi is actually very good for skin "

Arnav " Yeah right! " huff in irritation " Let's get over with this "

Dadi put a small tilak on Arnav's head first and then rubbed her fingers coated with haldi on his both cheeks. All giggled as Arnav squeezed his eyes shut in irritation but again became silent seeing ASR's deathly glare. Akshat applied the haldi over his both cheeks and arms. Anjali applied haldi on his face, arms and then pulled his trousers up to apply haldi to his legs.

Arnav instantly pull his legs back " Di what are you doing? " with gritted teeth while lowering the trouser

Anjali " Uffo ho, I am not taking your trouser off. Chote. Just a little up to apply haldi on your leg " with teasing smile making other share a laugh

Arnav " Di Noo " literally whined like a child making all giggle

Anjali " Please Chote, just this once " pinching his cheek a little making him more grumpy but agreed on seeing a big smile on Anjali's face

Anjali pulled his trousers up, just below the knees; and then applied haldi to his legs and feet. Next his all paternal & maternal both sides uncles and aunties applied haldi on him. Then his all cousins applied on him; they literally made Arnav bath in the Haldi. It was a miracle in itself that Arnav was sitting there and letting others apply this sticky haldi paste to him. As this was the one time opportunity in their life, they decided to get all their revenge for all those pranks Arnav had on them.

Within in half an hour with so much craziness Arnav's haldi ceremony completed much to Arnav's relief. Dadi wiped off some haldi from his face, neck and then arm and rubed her finger over the edge of haldi containing silver bowl Anjali holding. AS the wiped off haldi went into the contents of the bowl, Dadi then took Sandal stick to stir the bowl mixing both haldis.

Arnav " What is that for? " confused

Anjali " This haldi is for Khushi and it is considered good omen when some of haldi off from groom is applied to the bride" with a smile

Arnav " Crazy " got up and left for his room to freshen up

Dadi and Anjali along with her cousin sisters left for AR Resort to Khushi's haldi.

At AR Resort, Sashi and Garima welcome them. They went to ballroom, the whole room decorated with yellow and pink silk curtain for Haldi. Sashi called Payal to bring Khushi.

Khushi came out wearing a pretty yellow tulle lehenga with all-over multicolour floral motif zardozi & sequin work paired with embellished blouse & checkered border dupatta. She was looking stunning with her long black hair tied in simple fishtail braid with jasmine flowers along with white pink rose floral jewelry.

Payal made Khushi sit on the small settee. Her uncles, aunties along with her cousins were sitting on the sofas placed on opposite side.

Anjali came near her and placed the tray, having the haldi bowl, on the small table. She then sat beside Khushi and lifts her chin.

Anjali " Anyone bad eyes not fall on you Khushi you're looking very much pretty today " took her balaiyan

Buaji " I think we should start haldi " not liking the attention Khushi getting instead of Payal

Dadi " Yes yes, we should start " with a smile

Garima did a tilak on Khushi's forehead. She taking little haldi from the bowl placed in the decorative red tray applied it on Khushi's both cheeks and arms with no expression. Khushi was well use-to to this behavior from Buaji and Garima by now but still it hurt her.

Garima stood up and went away to sit on the sofa with Buaji. Then Sashi came forward and applied haldi on Khushi. He patted her head as Khushi give him her beautiful smile.

Then came Buaji and applied haldi on Khushi's both cheeks with fake smile just to show off her fake happiness for Khushi. Payal lifted Khushi's lehenga skirt up to her knees. She applied haldi on Khushi's face, arms and legs. Then Dadi and Anjali applied haldi on Khushi. Her uncles and aunties came next and applied haldi to Khushi. Then her cousins and applied haldi on her.

Within half an hour Khushi's haldi ceremony completed. Khushi's two cousin sisters Ishani and Nisha held her lehenga by both so that it doesn't get spoiled by the haldi on her legs while they were going to Khushi's room. They both made Khushi sit on bed. Ishani started wiping off haldi from Khushi's face, arms and legs with tisse papers while Nisha started arrangement bubble bath for Khushi. After fifteen minutes Nisha called Khushi for bath. Khushi went to washroom with Ishani holding her lehenga skirt.

Around evening, whole Seesh Mahal was decorated like a bride with flowers and fairy lights. Arnav in his room was getting ready for marriage when Anjali came to his room. She was very much happy seeing her dream for years about Arnav's marriage finally going to fulfill.

Anjali mesmerized seeing Arnav in sherwani for first time " Chote you looking so handsome " cupping Arnav's cheek " Chote, I know you agreed to marry Khushi for me but from today she will be your responsibility. Chote, promise me you'll always take care of her and cherish her "

Arnav " I promise Di "