episode 4

Harshita didi, to receive the final touches of haldi. Aditi, despite her usual shyness, decided to participate fully in this special tradition. She took some haldi in her hand and, with a soft smile, gently applied it to Harshita’s face, saying, “You look so beautiful, didi.”

Harshita, already glowing in her yellow attire, laughed and thanked Aditi, her face lighting up with the joy of the occasion. The others gathered around cheered, encouraging Aditi as she smeared the turmeric on Harshita’s cheeks, her touch soft and careful.

Afterward, Aditi excused herself from the circle. The sticky feeling of the haldi on her face made her eager to clean up. She walked back inside, her mind wandering a little as she tried to shake off the discomfort.

Once in her room, Aditi quickly headed to the bathroom to shower and wash the haldi off. The warm water and soap helped wash away the turmeric, and she felt much better as she emerged, feeling refreshed.

Aditi returned to her room, where Meera was sitting on the bed, scrolling through her phone. Aditi sat down beside her .

As the haldi ceremony wound down, the atmosphere in the house gradually shifted. Aditi and Meera sat quietly on the bed, scrolling through their phones and watching the photos they had taken earlier. They could still hear the sounds of laughter, dancing, and the lively chatter of the women downstairs, but the two sisters were content in their own quiet space.

Downstairs, the ladies, including Aditi's mother, continued their spirited celebrations. Mummy was singing geet with the other aunts, her voice ringing out joyfully as they clapped along to the rhythm. The geets—traditional songs sung during wedding celebrations—filled the house with warmth and love, as the older women enjoyed the moment.

But the fun didn’t last forever. As the night grew later, the energy in the house started to fade, and the dancing became slower. The excitement of the ceremony was slowly replaced with exhaustion. At that moment, Bade Papa, Aditi’s paternal uncle, entered the room, his face dark with displeasure.

“Enough! You ladies have had your fun,” he said sternly, looking around at the women, who were still cleaning and tidying up. “It's late, and you all need to get some rest. The celebrations will continue tomorrow. Now, go to bed.”

The lively group of women immediately quieted, exchanging looks of mild annoyance but ultimately obeying. Mummy, who had been singing with such enthusiasm just moments before, stopped and smiled at Aditi and Meera as she went to join the others. “It’s time for rest, beta,” she said gently.

The women began to retire to their respective rooms, and the house grew quieter. Aditi and Meera stayed in their room, still catching up on photos and quietly chatting with each other. The lively day had finally come to a close, and the sisters were ready for some much-needed rest.

As the house settled into silence, Aditi looked at Meera and said with a smile, "That was fun, but I think I’m ready to sleep."

Meera gave her a small nod, not one for long chats but appreciative of the calm. "Same here," she replied, stretching out on the bed.

Aditi turned off the light and snuggled into the blankets, her thoughts drifting toward the events of the day—the laughter, the haldi, the family moments

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