As the sun rose above the horizon, Shirley noticed that it seemed more yellow than on any other day, causing her to smile brightly. It was their haldi day.

People were bustling around, welcoming relatives and guests, and checking on various arrangements. Riley and Larra were busy helping Shirley get ready, assisted by a stylist, while Winnie lazily munched on chocolate, reclining on Shirley's bed.

Winnie was already dressed in her outfit, waiting for Larra to help her with her hair.

"God, this blouse feels tighter than before," Shirley gasped, struggling in her yellow blouse.

"Turn, Bassey," Larra instructed, trying to pin Shirley's heavy dupatta on her shoulder.

"I can't. It's so heavy," Shirley replied, glancing at her lehenga skirt. Larra nodded and moved behind her, gathering the heavy piece of fabric in her hands.

"Why can't we just wear jeans and a top for our functions? Or any simple dresses?" Riley asked, examining her own outfit.

Larra and the stylist in the room chuckled together, minding their own business. Riley had always loved Western-style dresses!

"That we can wear on your marriage. Now go and change" Shirley gave her a pointed look. Riley shrugged and headed to the washroom to get changed.

When they finished with Shirley, Larra helped Winnie with her hair. The goddess looked more stunning in that yellow dress she was wearing.

"You look amazing!" Larra said, eyefucking the woman.

"Close your mouth, Larra. You're drooling," Shirley teased her cousin.

"Really, thank you," Winnie replied shyly. "I love Indian outfits. They're so bright and ornamental," she said as she checked her reflection in the mirror.

"And you look stunning in this one," Larra complimented again.

"Not again, Larra," Shirley warned playfully. Larra rolled her eyes in response.

"All done!" the stylist announced after ten minutes, finalizing Shirley's look for the Haldi ceremony. Larra and Winnie gasped upon seeing her.

The lady looked breathtakingly beautiful!

"Wow, Bassey!" Larra exclaimed, hugging her immediately and catching her off guard.

"Easy, girl. I know I look great," Shirley said, patting her back, aware that Larra was becoming emotional.

"Yes, you really do," Larra said with a genuine smile.

Everyone flinched and turned around upon hearing a scream- Riley's reaction when she saw Shirley all dolled up for her haldi!

"Damn! You scared me!" Larra exclaimed as she slapped the arm of the one who had just come out of the washroom in her outfit. She then hugged Shirley and squealed with excitement.

"Look at her! She is absolutely gorgeous!" Riley exclaimed. Shirley giggled at her friend's dramatic reaction.

"You look beautiful, Riley," Winnie said, checking out Riley's outfit.

"I know," Riley replied, flipping her hair sassily, which made Larra chuckle.

"Okay, everyone, go to the lawn. I'll join you soon," Larra said as she headed to her room, being the only one still left undone.

"You need help?" Riley called after her.

"I'll manage. You take Shirley out; everyone must be waiting," Larra said, and then she stormed out.

When the bride and bridesmaids made their blissful entrance, everyone gathered on the lawn where the ceremony was taking place gasped in surprise.

The ladies wore expressions of awe, while the elder men looked on proudly.

Shirley's eyes scanned the crowd in search of her fiancé and finally settled on the man dressed in a pearl-white sherwani, who took her breath away once again.

Although Larra and Rayan had been neighbours since childhood, Shirley never had the opportunity to meet him when they were kids. Whenever Shirley visited Larra during her vacations, Rayan would go to visit his grandparents. They had heard so much about each other from Larra and had grown curious.

Finally, when they met at university, they felt an undeniable connection from the very first encounter. That connection blossomed over time, leading them to this special day, their Haldi celebration!

Rayan grinned with teary eyes as he saw his lover gazing at him with those lovely eyes that always managed to quicken his heartbeat.

As Shirley stepped down onto the lawn, Riley and Winnie helped with her dress, Rayan approached her and asked for her hand.

Shirley smiled beautifully before placing her hand in his, and together, they slowly walked toward their seats, their fingers intertwined.

Riley glanced over at Tyler, the man with chocolaty eyes and brown hair, who looked very different in his off-white kurta. But, he nailed it! Tyler smiled shyly as he noticed his girlfriend openly checking out him, especially in that stunning yellow dress.

He waved at her and gestured for her to come closer. Riley nodded and stood beside him with Winnie, while the elders helped the bride and groom take their seats.

"Hey, gorgeous," Tyler whispered.

"Hey, hottie," Riley whispered back, a sly smile on her face.

"Don't make me kiss you here, baby," Tyler murmured near her ear, causing her to giggle.

"Where is Ron?" Winnie asked, looking around, confused.

"He's coming," Tyler replied.

"Riley, where is Larra?" Larra's mom asked, her worry evident.

"She's getting ready, Auntie. She was helping Shirley prepare and told us to take Shirley out. Don't worry, she'll be here soon," Riley said to ease her concerns.

"This girl! What if she needs any help?" Larra's mom exclaimed.

"She said she'll manage, but I will check on her if she doesn't come soon," Riley assured her, making her nod in relief.

Larra almost ran toward the lawn after pinning her dupatta to her sleeve. As she turned a corner, she bumped into someone.

"Ouch!"

"Careful, bitch!" Riley said, rubbing her shoulder.

"What are you doing here, Jenner?" Larra asked.

"I came to check on you," Riley replied.

"I'm done. Let's go," Larra hurriedly stated.

"Wow. Look at you, slaying with that long, sexy body. Wait! Where are your earrings?" Riley asked, pointing at Larra's ears.

"Shit! I forgot," Larra said while face-palming.

"Just go ahead. I'll grab them and come," Larra assured.

"Come back quickly. Your mom was asking for you."

"For what?"

"How would I know?" Riley said, sounding offended. Larra rolled her eyes and turned to head back to her room while Riley returned to the lawn.

Larra was running through the corridor when she heard a groan. She stopped and looked around, but no one was there. Just as she was about to walk away, she heard the sound again-this time clearly resembling someone groaning in frustration. She glanced around and realized that the noise was coming from inside a nearby room, right at the door where she stood.

The door wasn't locked. After hesitating for a moment, she knocked on it.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, concerned.

"Who is it?" a voice replied from inside. Larra narrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"Ron?"

"L-Larra?" he asked, confirming her identity.

"It's me. Are you okay?"

"I am... um... kind of stuck," he said, struggling.

"Stuck?" Larra slowly opened the door and saw that Ron was indeed stuck in his kurta. It seemed he had forgotten to unbutton it before putting it on, with his head caught in the neck hole, struggling to get free.

"Damn, Ron," Larra laughed, finding the sight amusing as he flailed around like a jellyfish.

"Could you please stop laughing and help me?" Ron asked in an irritated tone. He had been stuck in that outfit for five minutes and didn't know what to do.

"Sure," Larra said, controlling her laughter as she stepped closer. She carefully undid the buttons and pulled the kurta down, revealing a man with dishevelled hair.

The exhausted face of the man reminded her of something, which she quickly pushed to the back of her mind.

While Ron drifted into a daze. When Larra slowly pulled down his kurta, it was like she was slowly revealing a goddess for him.

Her neatly tied hair was decorated with a delicate hair chain, a black spot in between her eyebrows making her an Indian beauty, her long neck with a pearl choker, her emerald ear studs sparkling in the light, a sleeveless blouse only had the mercy to cover her swells, displaying her flawless waist and navel.

She looks like a yellow daisy!

Ron gulped nervously, seeing her concerned eyes silently asking if he was okay.

Why is this lady always getting on his nerves, even after breaking his heart?

"You okay?" he blinked, surprised to hear someone asking him from another universe.

"Huh?"

"Aren't you coming?" Larra asked, pointing outside.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." Larra nodded and turned to walk ahead. He hurriedly fixed his hair and followed her. Her long hair was tied in a low ponytail, which graciously covered her almost bare back. Ron released a breath and cleared his throat.

You are going to be the death of me someday!

Riley's eyes widened when she saw Ron and Larra coming out together, and she couldn’t help but notice Shirley’s confused expression.

Ron waved at Tyler and stood beside him while Larra went towards Rayan, hugging him and wishing him well for the ceremony.

Larra's mom and Lilly praised how pretty their girls were looking, which made a smug smile on the girls.

Soon the ceremony started and one by one applied turmeric paste on the bride and groom, wishing them wellness and a glorious life.

Riley and Tyler came together and applied on Rayan's and Shirley's faces at the same time and posed for the photo. Later Ron and Winnie did.

When Larra came, her mischievous smile alarmed the groom.

"Larra, no!" Rayan narrowed his eyes.

"Rayan, yes", said Larra, picked a handful of paste and spread it on his entire face, making him groan in annoyance. Everyone around burst into laughter while Shirley sat with wide eyes, fearing next was her turn.

"Don't worry, Bassey, I won't ruin your makeup", Larra said sweetly, making her smile also.

But her happiness was short-living, her two cousins came together and bathed her entire arms with paste.

"Uhh. My bangles!" Shirley yelled at them, accelerating the laughter around.

By the end of everyone's turn, the music was brought to a high volume, giving a festive vibe. The entire family started dancing to the beats; their happiness flooded the atmosphere. The assigned camera crew captured the moments in their camera, making unforgettable memories for the family.

Riley and Larra put their sunglasses on and made some crazy poses for the man. The bride and groom took stills with everyone present there.

The Haldi ceremony passed more joyfully than they had planned!