The warm rays of the morning sun streamed into Aditi’s small yet cozy room, gently nudging her awake. She stretched lazily, her heart fluttering with excitement. Today was a special day—her entire family was heading to the village for her cousin harshita ’s wedding.

Aditi quickly freshened up, her mind running through the list of preparations. As she stepped out of her room, the familiar aroma of parathas wafted through the air. Her mother was bustling in the kitchen, packing food for the journey.

“Aditi, eat quickly,” her father called out, adjusting his watch. “We need to leave soon.”

Aditi sat down for breakfast with her elder sister, Meera, who silently eating . Aditi, smiled and focused on her food.

Once they were ready, their father started the bike and gestured for Meera and Aditi to hop on. The bumpy yet scenic ride through lush green fields and winding roads brought a sense of adventure to Aditi’s otherwise quiet life. She held on tightly, her heart filled with anticipation.

Meanwhile, her mother and elder brother, Varun, were traveling by train and would join them later in the village. Aditi imagined the entire family reuniting, the lively wedding ceremonies, and the joy that awaited them.

As they neared the village, the sound of dj and the sight of colorful decorations greeted them. Aditi’s excitement was now mixed with nervousness.

Aditi stepped into the house with her father and sister, dusting off her dupatta after the bike ride. The courtyard was bustling with activity—relatives chatting, children running around, and the faint sound of wedding preparations echoing from the backyard.

Inside, her mother and elder brother, Varun, were already seated in a corner, sipping tea after their train journey. Her badi mummy (aunt) was animatedly discussing the wedding arrangements with her mother, her voice brimming with excitement.

Aditi smiled softly and walked over to her aunt, touching her feet to take blessings. "Khush raho, beta," her badi mummy said warmly, patting her head.

"Drink some water first," her mother called out, noticing Aditi’s flushed face from the journey. Aditi nodded, making her way to the bed.

The cool water soothed her as she glanced around the house, taking in the familiar sights of her childhood visits. The joy and chaos of a family wedding had brought everyone together again, and Aditi felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about meeting so many relatives.

As she set down the glass.

After settling in, Aditi’s elder brother, Varun, excused himself to meet their other cousins who had arrived earlier. Aditi and her sister, Meera, stayed back, sitting beside their mother, who was deep in conversation with their badi mummy and another aunt.

The women chatted animatedly about the wedding arrangements, from the guest list to the food preparations. Aditi listened quietly, occasionally glancing at Meera

Meera had pulled out her phone, scrolling through messages and occasionally on the screen. Aditi, sitting beside her, was half-listening to the chatter around her while her thoughts wandered.

The lively atmosphere felt comforting, but Aditi preferred her own little moments of peace amidst the noise. Picking up fragments of her mother’s and badi mummy’s conversation, she smiled quietly but stayed her usual shy self, not adding much to the discussion.

After a while, Aditi decided to excuse herself. “Mumma, I’ll go meet Harshita didi,” she said softly. Her mother nodded, still immersed in her conversation.

Aditi walked toward the room where her cousin Harshita was staying. Harshita was a few years older and had always been like an elder sister to Aditi .

Knocking lightly on the half-open door, Aditi peeked in. Harshita was sitting on the bed, folding clothes, her face lighting up as she saw Aditi. “Come in, Aditi! I was wondering when you’d show up,” she said warmly.

Aditi smiled and stepped in, sitting beside her. The two began chatting about the wedding preparations, the guests who had arrived, and the excitement of the upcoming ceremonies. Harshita’s cheerful demeanor always made Aditi feel at ease.

After a warm chat with Harshita didi, Aditi made her way back to the courtyard, where her mother and a few relatives were finishing lunch. The aroma of dal, rice, and freshly made litti chokha filled the air, making Aditi realize how hungry she was after the long journey.

She quietly joined her mother and Meera, sitting down to eat. The simple yet delicious food felt comforting, and Aditi listened as her mother chatted with the other women about the upcoming wedding rituals.

Once lunch was done, her mother turned to Aditi and Meera. “Come on, girls. It’s time to get ready. The haldi ceremony is about to start, and we need to look presentable,” she said with a smile.

Back in their room, Aditi and Meera rummaged through their bags, picking out their outfits for the evening

Episode 6: Getting Ready for the Ceremony

As Aditi and Meera prepared for the haldi ceremony, the two sisters were as different as night and day. Meera, with her tomboyish style, opted for a comfortable yet stylish outfit—a pair of jeans paired with a long coat. She wasn’t one for frills or attention, and her reserved nature meant she didn’t engage much in the hustle and bustle of the wedding preparations.

Aditi, in contrast, was all about tradition. She picked out a bright yellow suit for the haldi ceremony, a color symbolizing joy and celebration. As she adjusted the pleats of her suit, she glanced at Meera and smiled.

"Meera didi, you should do some makeup too," Aditi suggested playfully, noticing that Meera had hardly bothered to touch her face, as usual.

Meera raised an eyebrow, her expression indifferent. “I don’t need makeup. I’m good the way I am,” she replied, shrugging.

Aditi, always the more outgoing one with her family, rolled her eyes but couldn’t help teasing her. “Come on, a little makeup won’t hurt. Just a bit of kajal, maybe?”

Meera let out a soft sigh but finally gave in. “Fine, Aditi. I’ll do a little. But don’t expect me to get all glammed up like the others,” she said, reaching for some basic makeup products.

While Aditi helped Meera with her makeup, the two shared a quiet moment of sisterly bonding. Aditi, always the shy one around strangers, felt completely at ease with Meera. For her, family was where she truly thrived—she could be herself without worrying about how others saw her.

Once they were both ready, they joined their mother .

As the haldi ceremony was drawing near, the house was filled with a sense of urgency. Guests were arriving, and everyone was preparing to participate in the celebrations. Meera, always the practical one, was helping their mother with her saree. She expertly draped the fabric, adjusting the pleats and pallu with precision, making sure everything was perfect.

Aditi, on the other hand, took a seat by the mirror and started to do her makeup. She applied a light touch of kajal to her eyes, added a bit of blush, and finished with a soft pink lip gloss—just enough to give her a fresh glow for the ceremony. She kept her makeup minimal, true to her style, but she couldn’t resist glancing over at Meera as she worked.

“Meera didi, you should wear something more traditional sometime,” Aditi teased, as Meera expertly tied the final knot on their mother's saree.

Meera looked up from her task and gave her a slight grin. “Maybe, when you get me a matching lehenga or salwar kameez,” she replied with a playful roll of her eyes.

Their mother, now ready in her beautiful saree, smiled at her daughters. “Both of you look lovely, as always,” she said, giving Aditi a quick kiss on the forehead.

Aditi felt a surge of warmth as she adjusted the dupatta of her yellow suit, ready to join the rest of the family for the haldi ceremony. The excitement in the air was infectious, but she remained a little nervous, especially with all the relatives around.

The courtyard was bustling with excitement as the ladies gathered for the haldi ceremony. The air was filled with the scent of turmeric and marigold flowers, while the vibrant decorations in shades of yellow added to the festive mood. The loud beats of the dhol echoed, and the guests began to take their places, eagerly awaiting the start of the celebration.

Aditi and Meera’s mother, dressed in her beautiful saree, joined the other ladies sitting in a circle, ready to take part in the traditional singing of geet. The older women, with their vibrant voices, sang playful and celebratory songs, as others joined in, clapping and dancing along. The cheerful sounds of their singing filled the air, making the whole scene come alive with energy.

Aditi, though shy, was drawn into the warmth of the ceremony, watching with a soft smile on her face. Meera, as usual, was less interested in joining the singing and instead pulled out her phone. The lively atmosphere of the haldi ceremony continued around them, with everyone laughing, dancing, and enjoying the moment. Aditi and Meera, now standing on the side, had their phones out, eager to capture the special memories.

“Let’s get some good pictures of Mumma and Didi,” Meera suggested, pointing her phone toward their mother and Harshita didi, who were joyfully clapping along to the songs.

Aditi smiled and raised her camera. The sunlight from the afternoon made the scene look even more beautiful, and the bright yellow of the haldi powder on everyone’s faces added a playful touch to the photos. Their mother and Harshita were surrounded by a group of women, laughing and singing, while Aditi and Meera clicked candid shots of them from different angles.

Meera clicking a picture of the group, while Aditi focused on capturing her mother’s radiant smile.

The haldi ceremony was in full swing, with everyone laughing, dancing, and happily smearing turmeric paste on each other's faces. The women, including the aunts and cousins, were thoroughly enjoying the tradition. It was a joyful chaos, with everyone joining in the fun.

As Aditi watched, some of her aunts, in the spirit of the celebration, applied haldi on one another's faces and then on the relatives, including her father. He laughed along with them, embracing the playful moment, but Aditi felt a bit awkward seeing the mess.

One of the aunts, with a teasing glint in her eyes, turned toward Aditi’s father and smeared haldi on his cheeks, saying, “It’s the tradition, uncle! You’re part of this celebration too!” Her playful laughter echoed through the courtyard as she moved on to another aunt.

Aditi frowned a little, feeling uncomfortable with the whole process. She watched as the haldi slowly turned into a more chaotic event. Sighing, she walked over to her father, who was still laughing but had a generous amount of turmeric paste on his face.

“Papa, let me help you clean this up,” Aditi said softly, reaching for a wet cloth. Her father smiled warmly at her, grateful for the attention. "It's fine, beta. Let’s just enjoy it."

But Aditi, not liking the mess, wiped the haldi off his face with gentle strokes, trying her best to clean him up while still respecting the tradition. She smiled at him as she worked, always grateful for his calm and understanding nature.

Just then, another aunt came over, mischievously holding a bowl of haldi. “Aditi, you’re looking so lovely today, but you can’t escape without the full treatment!” she said, applying the haldi directly onto Aditi’s forehead.

Aditi blinked in surprise, looking up at her aunt. “I... I don’t want it, auntie!” she protested softly, her shyness evident.

But the aunt only laughed and gently smeared the turmeric across her cheek. "This is the fun of a wedding, beta. Don’t worry, it’s all in good spirits!"

Aditi, though uncomfortable, gave in, trying to go along with the tradition. She wiped a few stray drops of haldi off her cheek and sighed. Despite her discomfort, she couldn't help but smile at the joy surrounding her.