BANDHAN: A Tied Knot!

9. Mehendi

5 Months later:

"Seher, is Meher ready? Bring her down!" Tarannum shouted.

"Yes Ammi." Seher replied and ran upstairs.

"Appi ammi is calling you downstairs..." Seher stopped between her words seeing her sister dressed in the yellow Haldi dress.

"I'm coming." Meher replied looking at herself in the mirror.

She went down along with her sisters and sat on the podium. One by one the ladies of the family came and applied turmeric paste (haldi) to her as it was a ritual.

The Haldi ceremony ended soon. The girls took Meher back to her room. Rabiya was not allowed to walk up and down much as it was her 7th month of pregnancy going on.

"Appi, call Mahira Appi." Meher Asked Sana.

"She might be busy." Sana replied and walked out.

Soon Shahbaz and Tarannum came to visit their soon to be bride daughter.

She was offering magrib Salah, this was her last magrib Salah in her parent's house... tomorrow at this time she will be with her in-laws.

Meher offered Salam on both her shoulders and then raised her hands to ask for dua. Some 2-3 minutes later she started crying... tears rolling down her yellow cheeks.

"ALLAH miya, I ask you for your guidance and assurance to stay peacefully happy in my new house. To keep both my families happy. To be with both the families whenever they need me. Allah, heading towards this new chapter of my life help me to adjust with my in-laws and specially with my Shauhar, I'm really afraid to face him. I know it's completely out of question bit what so ever it is... I want everything to be perfect. Give both my families best moments, good health and a good life. Help me fulfill the demands and expectations of everyone... Aameen!"

She kept her palm on her face and wiped her tears. She turned around and saw her mother crying as well. Seeing her in that condition her heart ached. She somehow controlled her tears but all helpless when her father burst into tears. She hugged them both and cried. She was afraid to leave her old family.

"Meher, I trust you completely.  I know you are the best and you will fulfill all your duties. Weather it's towards your family or husband." Tarannum spoke in her ears.

The three separated and changed the topic.

Sana was watching this scene from the window. Her eyes were filled with tears. She missed her parents.

"You know what? It's bad manners to over hear somebody's conversation." Ayaan whispered in her ears and she jumped into his arms. She cried on his chest for a few minutes. He placed his hand on her back and kept on soothing her.

"Bhaiyu Choti MA.... I'm so sorry! I didn't see anything." Seher teased both of them facing their back.

Sana ran down the stairs leaving Ayaan and Sana together.

"What a perfect entry!" Ayaan said smiling under gritted teeth.

"Bhaiyu... anyways Choti ma is calling you." Seher spoke and ran after Sana.

Ayaan scratched his neck and went to Zubiya.

"Yes mom?" He asked entering her room.

"What? Aren't we really late for function?" She scolded.

"I'm so sorry! I almost forgot! I'll just bring the Hena from Hamid's house." Ayaan grimaced his face and was about to leave when suddenly a voice stopped him.