The Inevitable Fate

CHAPTER 8 Mayoun-The Haldi Day

Just like the golden sun that shone bright outside, Alia and her family were all ready in the shades of yellow for the next ritual of Sehr's marriage, The Mayoun, haldi ceremony.

Mayoun is considered as one of the most important rituals in a marriage. The families of the bride and groom come together and pour oil and rub haldi, turmeric paste, over the new couple, Just for purification purpose(it is said so). Alia was super excited for this day.

The ladies were in yellow saari, girls in yellow pakistaani dress, lehenga and chudidars, while men were in sherwaani -kurta and some in t-shirts of the same shade.

Guests were more today. Sehr's paternal side was also invited for the lunch daawat. Tables were set the dholki was ready. Guests had already started to arrive and ladies were busy in setting up the things required for ritual, while some looked after the food section. The girls helped Sehr to get herself done and also simultaneously got themselves ready.

The bride was dressed in beautifully embroidered lehenga, in the shades of yellow and hot pink, her hair was neatly half braided by Alia, adding on to the bride's look was the alluring jewelry, handmade by the ladies of the house. A bracelet, a necklace, a long chain, a tiara, and anklets, all her cousins were busy in dressing her up.

"Alia, Sharaya, I had kept the haldi powder up in Sharaya's room, please go and get it, we need to make the paste" said Ashima, interrupting the girl's course.

Alia and Sharaya went up and came down with a plate of turmeric powder each. They both entered the living room. There was a big side fan near the entrance, due to which the powder flew on the one who was coming towards them from inside.

"Oh no! I am sorry" said Alia she kept the plate down, near her phuppi and went to help that person. Her long yellow gown was sweeping the ground and her pink duppatta flew in the air pinned on her shoulder. Her hair neatly cross braided along with a big, white stoned earing.

"I am so sorry, Ahaan bhai" she said, dusting off the turmeric from over Ahaan's kurta. "... and you are so smart to wear white to today" said Alia, looking at Ahaan's attire, which was completed with a brownish yellow dhoti below. Little did she notice that there was yet another person, who had been affected by this haldi.

Kuwair was struggling to stand. Some turmeric powder had gone into his eyes. Alia saw Sharaya and Sumaira helping him out. "Oh no! Bhai!" said Ahaan pointing towards him. Alia turned to look at Ahaan, she stood on her toes and whispered in his ears, "As if care!" and walked away.

Soon Sehr was taken upstairs. Guests had arrived. Ashima and Nisha were ready with dholki, turmeric paste, sugar, sweets and 3 types of oil. Everything was decorated in a big plate with Sehr's in laws waiting for the bride. It was time for her to come down and start with the ceremony.

"There she comes. Mashallah! My son is very lucky" said Shaam's (the bridegroom's) mother. Sehr slowly walked down the stairs, step by step with her sisters on the either sides. The bride's brothers had held a bluish-green designed cloth over Sehr's head. There were four brothers, one on each edge, completing the rituals. They took pauses as they came down so that Shadid can take pictures for the wedding album.

Guests could see Kuwair and Zayn holding the front corners while at the back stood Ahaan and Samar. Sehr walked in between them accompanied by her sisters. Zeeshaan and Alia were busy showering flowers on the path of the bride, along with their bhaijaans, Fahad and Shahweer.

They slowly entered the house. Zoya and Zara were waiting near the chair, placed in front of the television for Sehr to sit. Once She settled, Sharaya and Alia went and stood behind the bride to look after her needs for the next few hours.