CHAPTER 40 - HALDI

DEAR LOVELY READERS,  I WILL ATTACH PHOTOS IN BETWEEN TODAY'S CHAPTER  FOR REFERENCE.

HAPPY READING

DHRUV'S POV

“Mumma chaar dan toh roj koyi peetee karao ho aap?” I asked in frustration as from the last  five days , they have been applying Haldi on my hands, legs and face twice a day.

(Why are you making me apply Haldi from the last four days mumma?)

(Peetee - This  actually starts from 5 days (but varies from place to place)before the date of marriage. The turmeric paste or Haldi is applied to the bride and the groom twice a day. I guess it is mostly for bringing a glow. This is what Avina found out from the sources - my Mumma)

“Are dikra futro laagno cheje ni bindani tih! ” One of the ladies said while Garv was laughing looking at my condition.

(You should look better than you wife!)

“Why are you so smiling Garv Bhabha? ”I asked, intentionally giving him the respect of an elder brother.

“I find peace in my heart seeing you everyday, frustrated and screaming .” He replied , taking Haldi from the bowl and applying it on my face.

“Sanchore me toh 10 din pehle shuru karte hai na peeti karna”I smirked.

(In Sanchore they start this before 10 days)

“Don't worry about me, I have time. ” He replied, applying more on my face. My hands, my legs and my face were yellowish due to this Haldi.

“Dhruv, path bitane ka time ho raha hai , 1.5 hrs tak niche aa jana”Bhabosa informed me and I nodded.

(The time  is approaching . Come downstairs within 1.5hours )

Today is my Haldi and Vinayak pujan at 9am. Her Haldi will start at 3pm in the afternoon and her mehndi will begin from 9am the next morning.

The overall theme for my Haldi is decided by my sister. Usually it is said, we must wear yellow but my sister came up with a plan after referring to some pictures on social media.

I will wear a yellow kurta, white pyjama and a safa  as usual.  All the gents will go with white kurta or shirt. And ladies will wear the theme of yellow.

I have to take a bath, get ready and the wedding photographers are waiting downstairs.

So hectic. I haven't talked to her since yesterday. She is busy with her family and I really don't want to disturb  her  from spending time with her loved ones.

Vihaan will leave for Udaipur once my Haldi gets over and will return tomorrow evening before Bandoli begins.

After 1.30 hours

The whole Deora house was decorated and no corner was left blank. I came downstairs along with Garv and everyone was looking at me and Mumma fisted her hands to remove the evil eyes.

“Yeha birajo Kunwarsa ”Panditji asked me ,to sit on the path or bajot (small height square shaped table)

(Have your seat here Kunwarsa)

I sat and Garv helped in adjusting my safa . He wore a white kurta.

Panditji asked for five rotis . Basically two mauli (sacred thread)  are tied together. The middle one (intersection point) will have one roti tied to it and the remaining four sides will have each of them.

(Note -I tried looking for a photo but I couldn't find it .)

Then this is tied on the ceiling of  the house tieing each end of the four corners.

Garv and Vihaan helped in doing this while I sat silently. I was nervous. The photographers and videographers were busy capturing the photos and videos.

“Dhruv, theek hai na? ”Shivu jija asked who sat on the left side of me.

I nodded.

Mumma requested the ladies to come forward for the dora.

(Dora bandhna - a ritual in which 2 ladies( married) and 2 unmarried girls are asked to wear mauli or sacred thread in their hand . All the rituals of vinayak pujan will be done by them.)

Today is Vinayak pujan and Haldi. I don't know what she will be doing right now. Shivu jija can't be one of the four ladies because she is pregnant.

The rituals began and I was sitting on the bajot looking at them who were passing the grains in a decorated small wheat sup.

“Aur twins ke papa” I heard Vihaan saying this in my ear . I looked at him by widening my eyes to keep his mouth closed.

“Tu hi junoon tu hi karaar ki haal chaal? ” He asked, waving at Garv , occupying the space near him.

“Can't you keep your mouth closed? Garv asked ,with a smile so no one could doubt us.

“No Tu hi Junoon ” He replied and squeezed his cheeks.

The dhol thali in the background couldn't make it possible for others to hear it properly.

In the meantime, kakisa came with aarti thali and applied tilak on my forehead, pasting some rice over it.

She fed me gudd (jaggery) followed by applying Haldi over my cheeks. She took a comb and knife tied with the mauli, dipping the edges of both in Haldi and started the rasam of tel chadana.

Basically, the comb and knife in Haldi is applied minutely over the feet, knees, shoulders and the head . Each of them will repeat this four times.

One by one all the four ladies repeated this ritual. Then Mumma and Bhabosa applied tilak and fed me gudd with ghee , followed by my aarti.

One by one all the guests repeated the same procedure which lasted for nearly 1.30 hours due to the presence of a large number of people.

I don't prefer sweets  but today I have broken all the records of eating sweets in one go.

Meanwhile, panditji successfully completed vinayak sthapna in the temple of our home.

Finally, the ganesh puja came to an end when kakosa asked me to get up from the bajot offering me a shagun.

I decided to go back to my room to take a nap and all the ladies were gathered for the ghoomar.

In the Room

“Garv, this one function has drained out my energy. I don't know how I will be able to handle the next 4-5 days? ” I expressed , wearing my shirt and buttoning up.

“It's shaadi ka ladoo.  Diabetes dega hi na '' He replied, sleeping on my room sofa.

“By the way, nice interior. Share the number when I get married to Avantika. ”He said, looking around the room.

“Garv, please ”

“Guys, I will see you tomorrow. I am leaving for Udaipur for her Haldi”  Vihaan entered the room and informed us.

“Are you sure? Will you reach on time ?” Garv asked checking time on his wrist watch.

“Yeah, I have found out that Haldi will start after 4 hours. I will reach there within 2 to 2.5 hours. Okay. Bye. Congratulations Dhruv . Tu hi junoon, see you tomorrow ” He hugged us.

“Vihaan, can you please do me a favour to me?”

I asked.

“Yeah tell na”

I opened my drawer which is near my bed and took an envelope.

“What's this? ” Garv asked, taking it from my hand.

“To Rainbow ” He read and gave a devilish smile.

“Garv it's my privacy ” I took it back from his hand and gave it to Vihaan.

“Please give it to her ” I instructed him and he left with his bag.

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Geet's outfit

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

This outfit can be used as a reference for

Anaya, Avantika and Kavya outfit.

***Time skip***

GEET'S POV

“This lipstick is not matching ” I said, opening the cap of it.

“Jija don't panic. I will find it from the options ”Avantika informed, while she was busy searching in the cupboard.

“Anaya, I am getting late ”I yelled , while Anaya was busy applying nail paint on my nails.

“Geet, stop. You should have woken up on time instead of panicking at the last moment. Don't worry we are with you ”She assured, while I was worried as Haldi will start after 30 mins.

I wore a simple yellow poshak. I didn't choose a heavy one because that will be hard to manage.

“Hey Geet” Vihaan entered the room.

“Hey Vihaan ”

“Vihaan Bhai Thank god, you are here. ”Avantika said while he found a place to sit near me.

“Nervous? ” He asked.

I nodded.

“Dhruv bhi tha. But you should be happy that you are marrying your dream man. ”He said and handed me an envelope.

“What's this?” I asked, looking at it.

“Twins ke papa ne twins ki mumma ke liye bheja ” He smiled while Avantika and Anaya were surprised “Twins?”

“Kidding. Dhruv has sent something. What is it? I have no idea about it but please do check whenever you want ” He replied and stood from the chair .

I smiled, then looked at him and then Anaya, who was busy with my makeup.

“Vihaan, Take this tissue paper” Anaya said, offering him a tissue paper box.

"Bhai ho na, kaam aayega ” She continued.

(It will be useful as you are brother)

“Mai bhai hu tum kya ho fir ” He said but I guess he stopped before he could say more.

(If I am her brother then who are you?)

“Best friend. I think you should go ,Geet ko ready hona hai ” She smiled and I was perplexed looking at them.

He left and I was almost done. Avantika and Anaya informed me that they will call me once everything is set up.

Sitting alone in my room, I looked outside of the window . I noticed the envelope which he sent through Vihaan. I opened the envelope and sat on my bed .

A letter was waiting inside of it  , my eyes slowly started reading it

“To my Geetanjali, I know I could have texted you but I don't think that won't show my feelings So I am sending you this through your brother.

I know you have thousands of mixed emotions in your heart, fears in your mind and most importantly the pain of leaving your house.

I told you many times that I will tell you again that my house is ready to welcome you . I don't know what the future holds for us but I  promise I won't let you cry .  I have imagined my future with you and I want to live my dreams in which I have imagined you by my side.

I won't make you emotional because my rainbow is sensitive .

55 hours to go for our Milan as per your Haldi ”

How can he be so perfect?  I don't know but I can't stop myself from crying, the tears had no control as I felt it continuously falling from my eyes.

I decided to call him  but I  stopped when I noticed Kavya coming inside, adjusting her poshak and odhna.

“let's go Geet jija, everyone is waiting for you ”

She informed me.

“Can you wait for 2 minutes outside? ”

Hearing my request, she went out and closed the door. I folded the letter and placed it in my handbag , hiding it in my cupboard.

I came out of my room, where Bhabisa and Kavya were talking besides waiting for me.

“Geet baisa, all set. Do you need water” Bhabisa asked , adjusting the odhna over my head.

I moved my head side to side in order to say no. I came downstairs, noticed the decoration of Haldi as I slept all day today.

Mumma was informing Panditji,  maybe about the vinayak pujan. Avantika was busy attending the guests along with my bhuasa.

“Bhabisa,Geet aa gai.” Seema Bhuasa announced and everyone looked at me while I walk lowering my gaze.

“Geetanjali, sit here. ”Anaya said, helping me to sit on the bajot and she made me wear gajra over both my wrists .

Panditji asked mumma to put the mala around my neck. She came with a garland, applied kaala teeka first and then put it around my neck.

Kavya and Anaya will be the two of them to tie the dora to conduct the following rituals along with Monika Bhuasa and Bhabisa.

The singing of traditional songs were clearly heard along with the dhol thali playing in the background but I sat, with thousands of thoughts roaming around my head freely.

“Geet ka weight kam ho gaya kya? ” I heard one of them asking.

(Has geet lose her weight? )

"Khana hi nahi kha rahi hai 10 din se” Bhuasa replied.  That's true I am not having my food properly  because I don't have an urge to eat anything.

(She is not eating properly for last 10 days)

I noticed Kavya coming with a thali  aarti with a smile over her face.

Her right hand painted in the kumkum came forward to apply a tilak, but I noticed her saying something

“Mumma, Jijosa ko mana Krdo muje nahi karani shaadi. Kon muje kahega ki Kavya chal help kara meri. ”

(Please ask jijosa to cancel the wedding, I don't want her to get married. Who will tell me - Come on Kavya help me)

She kept her thaali away and hugged me tightly. Avantika joined us and the whole guests of the house started shedding tears looking at the three of us.

“Hey Kavya, stop crying. You can meet her anytime, just catch the flight from Hyderabad and you will reach Delhi” I heard Vihaan's words which tried to stop Kavya from crying.

"Avantika come here. You are in Delhi, what's there to cry? Your hostel is just 15 mins away by walk from their house.” He said, hugging Avantika wiping tears.

"Theek hai .koi nahi royega  warna sabka photo kharab aayega aur muje kahoge ki Kavya ne rula diya sabko” She said, removing herself.

(Okay . No one will cry now otherwise everyone's photo will get spoiled and everyone will scold me saying that Kavya made us cry)

Anaya wiped my tears with the help of a kerchief and Mumma offered me a glass of water to drink.

The rituals started with Kavya applying a tilak with a rice pasting on my forehead. All the four of them repeated the same along with tel chadana.

Mumma and Aapsa, applied the Haldi over my cheeks and took a bundle of notes out to do nyochavar.

The next was Anaya, who repeated the same and I applied Haldi on her cheeks too

“You should get marry soon Anaya ”

“Let me find my soulmate first” She replied and smiled while taking a Haldi, applying on both my cheeks and nose.

Vihaan sat next to me “Someone wants to talk to you? ”

"Who”

"Mom or kon”

He placed his phone on my hand which had an ongoing call with his mom

“Hello Geet congratulations . You are looking so beautiful. ”

“Thank-you Mom. Why haven't you come here? ”I asked her.

“I will come along with the baarat as I have promised my son to be with him on his bandoli night ”

“Okay but please you have to come and attend my pheras without fail” I requested .

"Sure.  enjoy your Haldi and I will meet you soon. ”

I returned his phone back and vinayak pujan was taking place in the temple of the home.

Kavya and Bhabisa were placing the statue made up of clay in the temple while I sat with Avantika who was busy clicking my photos.

The Haldi ceremony was incomplete without ghoomar.  The langas entered with their instruments and mumma asked me to get up from the bajot.

The ladies began the round of ghoomar. Each of them were twirling while I sat on the sofa as I can't stand there for so long.

“Avu jija , I think we all three sisters should do one ghoomar together. Afterall, no one can beat us in this. ” Kavya informed us, holding my hand and I followed her to the place where the ghoomar was going on.

“Vihaan Bhai,” Kavya called, asking him to take a video of us.

We all three stood in triangle formation whereas Avantika had already informed us of the song name.

The beats of khartal and dholak started playing

With that I started tapping my feet to catch the rhythm of the overall song which is Hichki.

(The  song - Hichki, by name one can understand what it is about. The  lyrics states the feelings of the lady who gets hiccups which she indicates as a sign her partner is missing her as he resides in the city in order to earn and provide financial support to his family and his wife who stays in village)

My hands gestured to form the signs of whatever lyrics I know. I didn't move my eyes away from my hands while my ghaghra added an element based on the pace of my twirl.

Everyone present in my house came forward to do nyochavar first on me then on my sisters but my mind can only think of him as I know how it feels to stay away from him.

His questions crossed my mind while I was busy dancing, Geetanjali, don't you miss me?  Geetanjali, now I know why the hiccups are disturbing me while I was busy with typing.

Slowly the song started picking the pitch which ultimately asks one to fast paced their steps in order to match the beat.

I realized my odhna falling from my head which I managed to put it back while turning around.

THE song came to an end and my sisters hugged me making me feel like a teddy bear.

Time skip

Time - 10.30pm

The ladies gathered on the ground floor to sing songs as the wedding was approaching. I just entered my room where I noticed Anaya already sitting and scrolling the phone.

“Coffee or Tea? ” She asked as soon as she noticed me entering.

“I don't have any mood to drink or eat. I don't know why this is happening?” I said, opening the cupboard to find my night dress. I had a pain in my body due to roaming here and there even though I didn't do a single work.

“Geet, wait let me bring you a Haldi wala dudh "She informed and walked outside of my room, while I took my night dress out .

I changed and tied my hair in a bun.I noticed his missed calls on my phone and I realized I haven't talked to him for so long.

I removed my Kataar from one hand, while another was busy calling him.

“Hello” He answered in a second.

“Hi. Don't say you were waiting for me to call you again” I asked, sitting on my bed and covering myself in  a blanket .

“What if I say yes? ”

“I know that but who asked you to send that letter?  You have no idea i have a filled a bucket with my tears "

“Really. Forget that .A quick question!  Are you eating your food on time? ” He asked and I didn't want him to know that I didn't.

“Y.. I mean.. Yeah ” I lied

"Rainbow, you know how much I hate lie.Vihaan told me everything. You skipped your dinner tonight. Why?  This is so bad. You will fall ill. I have asked Anaya she is bringing your dinner ”

"What?  No I had. " I resisted.

“Geetanjali, No lying. Come on, you are having your dinner with me right now on VIDEO call. ”He spoke on the other side.

“With you means don't you say you didn't eat ” I asked as this is what I have analyzed from his words.

“Yes. I didn't. I have my plate now. Anaya is on her way. Make sure you call me within 10 minutes ”

"I am not comfortable eating on video call”I gave him an excuse.

“Promise me that you will inform me after half an hour that you had it properly. Don't call one bite of roti a proper food. Anaya will be reporting me ”

I heard a knock, the door opened and it was Anaya with a plate.

“Have your dinner Madam! We have received an order From Sirohi ” She announced keeping the plate in front of me.

She took my phone from my hand and informed him that She will keep an eye on me.

She disconnected the call and asked me to start eating.

“Anaya, I don't want to eat” I gave her the plate back.

“Have it otherwise Dhruv will be in his professor mode and he will scold me that what kind of best friend you are?  Her family is busy with preparation. It's your duty to see if she is having her food on time ” She kept it again in front of me and said feeding me with her hands.

“I have two hands, ” I told her , taking the spoon from her hand.

"Ha ha, well after three days you won't be sleeping alone in your room. You will be sleeping together ” She smiled.

I choked on my food hearing how she can think of me in this way.

“Ohoo, excitement. ”She continued.

“Stop Anaya, stop reading your novels”

"But my jijosa writes novels” she said, stressing on the word novels.

"Will. You stop talking about this or should I stop eating my food?  I will inform Dhruv that you didn't let me eat, "I said firmly.

“If he asked, What did I do?  What did I say?”

“Anaya, I will kill you stop now” I said.

“Okay okay, but you are blushing like a tomato ”

I know she won't stop teasing, so I took my plate and turned around to face the wall.

I continued eating ,ignoring her while she resumed scrolling her phone.

I had my dinner and texted him about it. I noticed his message on the notification tab

“Good night. See you soon on 27 at this time”

I texted him back

“Good night Book Magnet ”

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Some moments from their Haldi

All the above pictures used belongs to the respective owners.

(Source - Rangbari Cinema and pinterest)

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