Preparations for Prihan and Romaisa's Turmeric ceremony were going on and the entire place was abuzz with excitement while the helps busied themselves with last-minute details. Bright marigold garlands adorned every corner, their bright yellows and oranges mirrored the festive atmosphere. Prihan was sitting on a plush cushion with his mood light and playful, though there was a certain nervous energy in the air. His friends and siblings surrounded him and teased him relentlessly, while his mother Vanya, supervised the preparations with her usual graceful authority. Prihan had always been composed, but today he couldn't suppress the excitement that overflowed.

Romaisa was experiencing similar emotions. She sat surrounded by her own family, her cousins and friends bustling around her, giggling and applying finishing touches to the flower jewellery she was wearing. Her wrists were adorned with delicate floral bangles and a crown of white jasmine rested on her head, the soft fragrance mingling with the scent of marigolds that filled the room. Romaisa took a deep breath while her heart fluttering with a mix of joy and nervousness. It was hard for her to believe that their marriage, under the guise of a business deal was really a celebration of their love.

Romaisa's thoughts were interrupted by her cousin Zara, who sat down next to her with a playful smirk on her face, "Nervous?". Romaisa laughed while shaking her head, "A little more like It's strange, isn't it? How everything fell into place? I still can't believe it's happening". Zara nudged her playfully, "Well, you better believe it because by the end of the day you're going to be covered in drenched and all sorts of other things" said Zara with a big smile. Romaisa chuckled while her nerves eased slightly, "True and I should mentally prepare for the chaos". "You're Happy right?" asked Zara and Romaisa nodded positively.

At Prihan's room, the teasing had reached new heights because His best friend, Arjun was holding a bowl of turmeric paste and threatening to start the ritual right then and there. "You know Prihan, once this turmeric touches your face there's no turning back" Arjun teased and grinned mischievously. Prihan raised an eyebrow, "I'm pretty sure that moment passed when I said yes to Dad".  Vanya stepped in just in time and gave Arjun a smile, "Arjun, We'll start when it's the right time and Let him enjoy these last few moments of peace"

The courtyard was transformed into a magical setting for the Turmeric ceremony. Bright cushions were laid out in front of intricately designed while the marigold garlands hung in thick layers from above, the sound of dhol drums and laughter echoed, setting the perfect mood for the day ahead. The ceremony began, Prihan was escorted to the courtyard by his friends, He took his place on the cushion. Vanya was the first to apply the turmeric, her hands gentle as she dabbed the paste on her son's face, "This is the beginning of a beautiful new chapter, my son" she said softly.

As his friends continued to apply the turmeric, the teasing resumed, "Prihan make sure you smile, because after this Romaisa will be running the show", someone shouted from the back and the group erupted into laughter. Romaisa's Turmeric ceremony was equally joyous. She sat on a swing adorned with flowers, her smile radiant as her family members took turns applying the turmeric paste to her skin. Her mother dabbed the paste lovingly on her face with tears brimming in her eyes. "This is such a special day for you my dear" her mother said with her voice filled with emotion. 

Romaisa smiled, "Me too Mom, It feels like a dream". As the Turmeric ceremony continued, Romaisa's friends took over, smearing the turmeric with a little less delicacy than her mother. They giggled as they slathered it on her cheeks, arms and legs, turning the serene ceremony into a full-on turmeric war. "Wait till Prihan sees you covered in all this Turmeric" teased Zara while laughing as she applied more turmeric to Romaisa's face. Romaisa rolled her eyes playfully and smiled, "If he doesn't recognize me, I'll know who to blame" Her surroundings erupted into laughter, Romaisa gave a genuine smile in gratitude.

Prihan decided to sneak away from his ceremony to see Romaisa. Covered in turmeric paste, he managed to slip past the crowd of guests and made his way to where Romaisa's ceremony was still winding down. Romaisa was sitting on the swing, laughing with her friends when Zara dragged her to a room. She turned to see Prihan with his face smeared with turmeric and a mischievous smile on his lips. "What are you doing here?" she asked with her eyes widening in surprise.

 He grinned and stepped closer, "I couldn't stay away, I had to see you in the turmeric in my name". Romaisa laughed, "You're covered in turmeric Prihan, You look ridiculous". He shrugged, "And so do you but that doesn't stop me from wanting to kiss you right now" said Prihan shamelessly. Romaisa blushed glancing around to make sure no one was watching. "You're unbelievable" she said though her heart raced with excitement at the sight of him. Prihan reached out, his fingers brushing her turmeric-covered hand. "I still can't believe this is happening, Our families your father, my father aligning like this, It's a miracle" said Prihan. "I know, They think this some great business deal but they don't realize they're giving us the greatest gift" said Romaisa.

Prihan squeezed her hand gently, "We're lucky Macy". Her eyes filled with affection and she said, "It's poetic in a way, Two families who were enemies now joining forces without even knowing the love we share". Prihan smiled, "I'm grateful for it and I'm grateful for you" Romaisa smiled, "Me too". They stood there for a moment with their fingers intertwined, the weight of their secret love now transformed into a shared joy that their families unknowingly supported. Now it was just the two of them, standing together in the glow of their love.

As they heard footsteps approaching, Prihan leaned in as his lips brushing her ear, "I better go before they realize I'm gone But I'll see you soon". Romaisa nodded with her eyes twinkling, "Yes but next time, try not to cover me in more turmeric". With one last shared smile, Prihan turned and disappeared  leaving Romaisa standing there with a smile wide. Despite the chaos and the expectations surrounding them and they had managed to find their own piece of joy, a love that had survived in secret and was now blossoming for the world to see.

In the centre of the courtyard, a low stage had been prepared, Plush cushions awaited guests and beautifully intricate brass lamps lit the area. The air was enlaced with the smell of sandalwood and fresh flowers, mingling with the sweet scent of mehendi paste being made by the artists who would then use it on Romaisa and other women in the family. Romaisa sat in her room with anxiety and excitement swirling in her chest. She wore a soft green lehenga that sparkled in the light surrounding her. Her hair flowed loosely down her back while her face glowed with happiness. 

"Are you ready Romi?" Zara asked grinning as she adjusted the dupatta on Romaisa's shoulder. Romaisa nodded with a soft smile playing on her lips, "More than ready, It feels surreal though". "It's happening girl! You're finally getting married to the man you love and everyone still believes this is just a business arrangement while it's just your manifestations and prayers coming true in the form of miracles" Zara teased giving her a playful nudge. Romaisa laughed and her eyes glistened with emotion, "I know right, It feels like a dream and I still can't believe how perfectly everything has happened"

As the sound of the dhol drums outside became louder, she knew the celebrations had truly begun. There was so much energy pumping through Romaisa's heart. The fulfilment of all the secret, stolen and dream moments she had experienced with Prihan. The evening began filling up with guests, cousins bringing Romaisa into the centre of the stage. Romaisa plopped down on the cushion and the mehendi artists gathered around her, they started painting the canvas being Romaisa's hands and feet with intricate designs with henna. Friends and family encircled her watching curiously as the intricate designs began to take life. 

Zara leaned in with her eyes twinkling with mischief, "I wonder where they'll hide Prihan's name, He's going to have a tough time finding it" and Romaisa giggled to it, "I hope they make it difficult and Let's see how well he knows me". Romaisa retreated to her room and she got startled when she heard the door shut. "Having fun, Romaisa?" he asked, his voice warm and teasing which send peace to her soul. Romaisa turned and looked up at him, "Yes and I'll have more when I see you struggle because the henna artist is did a great job hiding your name"

Prihan raised an eyebrow, "Oh, is that so? Challenge accepted. I'll find it, don't you worry" said Prihan confidently .She carefully held out her hands to show him the finished design, "Ready to find your name?" she asked. Prihan smiled, taking her hands gently in his. He examined the patterns closely, It took him a moment but eventually he spotted the hidden letters of his name written amidst the intricate flowers. "There it is" he said triumphantly with his eyes meeting hers, "I told you I'd find it". Romaisa laughed as her eyes twinkled, "I never doubted you for a second".

Is it just the calm before the storm because blood is thicker than water, something's never change

Author's note
Yeah every update is when I'm home, so I'm hoping next update isn't next month but let's get things crazier. I still don't know how to write mature things here, I'm contemplating actually.
Khair , please do duaa for me and I'll update this week. Count this as bribe