Meri Meerab *Discontinued*

36 - Arq-e-gulab

That evening, Maa Begum had arranged for the haldi rassam for their bride-to-be. She had set-up for it to be in their their upstairs living room, as it was airy and the patio doors open onto their balcony, directly overlooking the pool in the centre of their courtyard.

It made full use of the twinkling fairylights hung on the external walls of the house. The inside was draped in those fluffy yellow flowers, complementing the yellow, perfectly. White chiffon fabrics were draped to be used as a backdrop and ornamental vases were ordered in for decoration and seating was set up- plush white rolls around the circumference of the room.

She even had a white sparkly suit sewn for her daughter-in-law to-be, edged in wide shimmering gota lace. She had bought it up to her room, in a large velvet box, with fresh flower jewellery.

Meerab had the help of Mariyum and Haya to get ready. Not that she needed much help as she kept her face look pretty natural and dewy before the big day tomorrow.

Nor had they been particularly helpful. They had constantly teased about catching her red handed in Murtasims office and about her silly request of a bakri as her haq mehr.

They hadent heard any of the conversation about his mannat or family planning negotiation- she would have died out of embaressment.

She was a different Meerab infront of Murtasim - somehow she was confident where she knew her voice was considered seriously.

'Murtasim bhai bhe haldi lagway ga?' Mariyum asked and she braided her hair down her shoulder- she opted for a fish tail plait and intended to weave baby wreath flowers through it, closer to the time of the event.

Haya was carefully apply her kohl, followed by her red lipstick and then blotting. 'Woh tou phone par busy tha koy important meeting mein- shayad late free hoga.'

'Nahi aayega fir?' Meerab turned from her seat at the dressijg table to ask.

'Lagta tou nahi hai. Woh tou auratein main behtna pasand bhe nahi karta.' Mariyum said and eyed Haya. Her sister in law seemed sad .... so between one look- Haya and Mariyum had began had to plot a rendezvous for the pair under the crescent moon.

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Soon they were ready, and began to make their way down the swirling bannister, enroped in yet more flowers.

The smell of thr tumeric paste had perfumed the halls of the haveli. Maa Begum had expertly prepared it herself, mixing it with rose water, fresh yogurt and chickpea flour, and then she tested on her own hand to ensure it wasent too staining.

Then Meerab was called to the function room, and she saw the set up for the first time- her heart was full. The scene had been painstaking cuarated and the effect was magical. 'Ya khudaya, kitna haseen kamra.'

She noted the new carved rosewood benches that had been set up and the pillars, wrapped in garlands. The pool outside had even been perfumed with some essential oil, every ripple releasing that floral fragrance- it almost reminded her of the gardens of the mahal, which she had ran through in her childhood.

'Humari dulhan say zyada tou nahi hai.' Her Maa Begum had retorted as she walked towards her. She placed he hands on her either cheek and kissed her temple, careful not bruise her fresh flower jewellery. 'Allah tummay buri nazar say bachai.'

She then got Meerab to place her hands over gift baskets, full of mithai and unstitched suits- ready to be distributed by their house staff.

A couple of Mariyums friends from university had been called, as well as their cousins and family friends. It would be a ladies only event and they had intended to paint her in haldi paste and exfoliate her- to give her that bridal glow.