Natasha stepped out of the washroom after changing into her comfortable nightwear, to find Naina in bed. She smiled as she caught her staring at her ring.

'Ring mein bhi uska chehra nazar aa raha hai ya uske sapno mein khoyi hui hai.' She teased, plopping next to her and peering at the ring.

'Come on Nutty.' Naina yawned, 'sapna dekhne ko wohi bacha hai kya. I was just thinking something.'

Natasha turned on her belly, resting her chin on her fists, 'Uska nahi toh kiska sapna dekhegi madam. Ab toh one and only Sameer hi hai.'

Taking off the ring to put it on the side table, Naina muttered, 'Sapne nahi uske toh nightmares aayenge.'

Natasha rolled on the bed, laughing, 'Nightmare hon ya hot sexy dreams, he's all yours. Tujhe sab allowed hai. Chal let's sleep now. Kal teri haldi hai.'

By now Naina had come to the realisation that there was no point asking Natasha to tone down her mischievous remarks, because she wouldn't. So she had started to pretend that she did not hear what Natasha said about Sameer and their relationship. Even now, she did the same.

Pulling up the quilt, she buried her face in the pillow, 'Haldi waldi nahi lagane wali main. Aunty ko kya pata chalega lagayi hai ya nahi. Don't bother. Aaram se uthenge.'

Natasha was too sleepy to get into a convincing game. She decided to tackle the issue tomorrow, closing her eyes for now. Naina hit the light button next to her bed, and drifted off to sleep. It had been an exhausting day, both physically and mentally.

The atmosphere in Sameer's house was filled with excitement since early morning. Ambika wanted everything to be perfect for the haldi function of her son. Although it was to be a small function with just family and a few friends of Sameer and Anaya, she still took care of every small detail.

Few hours later, as Sameer sat on a chair in the living room of his house, Anaya teasingly remarked, 'Aaj itni haldi lagayenge aapko ki agar bhabhi dekhengi toh shocked ho jayengi. Unhone toh aapko hero jaise dekha hai hamesha, par haldi ke baad bilkul bandar lagoge.'

Munna chipped in the same tone, 'Arey nahi Anu, Naina isey ache se pehchanti hai. Bandar dikhe ya gurrata hua gorilla, usey samajhne mein ek second nahi lagega ki yehi Sameer hai.'

Sameer glared at his friend.

Inspite of the look, it was an opportunity Pandit could not let go, 'Yeh toh kuch bhi nahi hai Anu, Sameer ne ek baar Naina ki tareef karni shuru ki toh woh band darwaze ke peeche se bhi Sameer ko pehchaan leti hai. Ek baar pata hai kya hua...'

Munna quickly slapped his mouth shut, sheepishly smiling at Ambika, 'Is Pandit ki baton pe dhyan mat do aunty. Yeh kuch bhi bolta hai.'

Then muttered next to Pandit's ear, 'Control rakh bhai. Gharwalon ko pata chal gaya toh Sameer ke saath saath humein bhi ganja kar denge.'

Narrowing his eyes at Munna's head, he mumbled, 'Bina baalon ke tu aisa lagega jaise Mr India ka Mogambo.'

Munna flicked his brows at Pandit's hair, 'Sirf main Mogambo nahi banunga, Sameer ke aur tere bhi jayenge.'

Pandit gasped, quickly touching his hair, 'Ashiqui ke itihaas mein pehli baar koi dil ke saath saath apne baal kho baithega.'

'Chup kar.' Munna smacked his arm, 'Mogambo ko nahi Karan Johar ko yaad kar aur kisi ache se gaane pe dance kar. Aakhir apna yaar shaadi kar raha hai.'

Pandit was back to his jovial mood instantly, and he started to sing with gusto, 'Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai... aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai.'

Dadaji and Girish started to laugh, but Anaya was not happy, 'Shaadi nahi aaj haldi hai, Pandit. Aur woh bhi dono ki. Lekin bhabhi ko dekh hi nahi payenge hum log. I wish unki haldi bhi bhai ke saath hoti.'

Pandit stopped singing, and said confidently, 'Itni si baat, chal abhi le aate hain. Dono ko ek saath bitha ke haldi se nehla denge aur zor se kahenge 'Happy Holi'.'

The moment words were out, he realised his mistake and corrected, 'Nahi nahi, kahenge 'Happy Haldi.'

Ambika rolled her eyes, 'Tum teeno ab 30 years ke ho rahe ho. Kuch toh akal ki baatein kiya karo. Har waqt teenagers jaisi be sar pair ki baatein karte ho. Anyway, Naina yahan nahi aa sakti. Natasha ne uske liye haldi aur mehendi ka arrangement apne ghar pe hi kiya hai. Us bechari ne bade dil se kuch plans banaye hain isliye maine bhi insist nahi kiya. Bas do din ki baat hai fir toh Naina ne yahan aana hi hai. Isliye unko apne tareeke se karne do aur hum log yahan shuru karte hain.'

Noticing the disappointment on Anaya's face, Munna silently slipped away to make a call.

Few minutes later, entering the room, he loudly exclaimed, 'Arey aunty Sameer ke haath pe pehle plastic ke gloves pehna dete hain nahi toh iski bandage bhi haldi se naha legi.'

Sameer looked at his finger. The bandage was waterfroof. He was about to open his mouth to say so when Munna hissed, 'Kuch bolna nahi. Haldi shuru karne mein thoda delay karna hai. Aakhir Anu ke bhai ki shaadi hai, uske dil ka koi bhi armaan adhura nahi rehna chahiye.'

Though Sameer did not understand, he stayed quiet. For him, all these rituals were reminders of one movie scene or the other. And he was looking forward to everything. He just had one grouse... if only it had been a love marriage, he would have enjoyed even more, he would have been as desperate as Anaya to see the face of his would be bride, covered in haldi that would make her glow on the wedding day. Letting out a sigh, he reminded himself that not all dreams come true.

Though Ambika was aware that Sameer's bandage was waterproof, she decided to comply with what Munna said, because she did not want to take a chance. Also, haldi stains on the bandage would look bad.

Unlike the bustling environment in Sameer's house, Naina and Natasha were relaxing in pyjamas, sipping hot ginger tea when Natasha's phone started to ring.

She frowned, searching for it amidst the tangled quilt, 'Main leave pe hun, kisi aur ki duty nahi karungi. Agar bola bhi toh...'

Rest of the words were lost as she glanced at the id of the caller. A quick glance at Naina confirmed that she was busy checking her own phone. Natasha slipped out to the balcony.

'Natasha, ek chota sa kaam hai. Please manaa mat karna.' Munna said in an urgent voice.

His request made Natasha smile. The whole family was damn cute. And so were Sameer's friends. How could she say no to such sweet people. After the call, she reached out to her contacts, and got the ball rolling.

Along with Naina, she had just finished breakfast when her phone beeped for permission from the main gate.

Naina asked, 'Kuch order kiya hai kya?'

'Hmm.' Natasha kept her eyes on the phone, 'Thoda saaman yaad aa gaya tha. Tu ja, kapde washing machine mein daal de. Shaam ko mehendi lagane se pehle saara kaam khatm hona chahiye na.'

Nodding, Naina went away. Mehendi was something that could not be ignored. She could not get away from it as she had managed to avoid haldi. No one would know about haldi but mehendi... it was another story.

She had just finished cleaning the bedroom after starting the washing machine when Natasha sauntered in. She fished out a white outfit from Naina's shelf and placed it in front of her.

When Naina gave her a questioning look, she explained, 'Ambika aunty teri haldi dekhna chahti hain. Anaya bhi. We'll have to do it.'

To her surprise, Naina simply nodded and held the clothes, 'Par tune unse kaha tha... I mean, humne toh kuch special arrangement kiya hi nahi. Aunty kya sochengi.'

Natasha smiled, pinching her cheek, 'Why fear when Nutty is here meri jaan. Sab ho gaya hai. Tu bas ready hoke aaja.'

When Naina reached the living room, she was amazed to see what Natasha had done. The room was transformed completely. Over their original curtains and walls, white satin sheets were placed as drapes, and flimsy yellow dupattas in leheriya pattern, tied in the center were put over them all around the room. A floral canopy of bright marigold flowers was put around a low jute chair in the center, after pushing the sofa and table against the wall. Besides the chair was a small brass container with floating candles, along with another two with similar yellow flowers.

Naina clasped her hands over her mouth, 'Nutty, what is all this? Yeh kaise kiya tune? Mujhe pata hi nahi chala.'

Natasha grinned, 'Maine nahi, decorators ne kiya. Saloni ki company se bulaye the. Usne kal hi kisi ki haldi ke liye sab kuch khareeda tha isliye call karte hi foran apne do logon ko bhej diya. Hamara room chota sa toh hai. Unhone fifteen minutes mein sab kar diya. They are experts. You like it?'

Naina pressed her lips into a thin line, 'I love it. Par iski kya zarurat thi. You know everything, Fir kyon paise waste kar rahi hai?'

Natasha held her shoulders, directing her to the jute chair, and made her wear the floral jewellery she had ordered. A choker necklace, earrings, armlet and maang tika were all beautifully created pieces of fresh jasmine and marigold. Naina's flowing long white kurta matched perfectly with the pretty flowers.

With a smile, Natasha clicked a picture, 'Memories create karne ke liye kharch hue paise waste nahi hote. Sach kahun, main khud teri haldi ache se karna chahti thi par tune saaf manaa kar diya. Yehi toh fun hota hai shaadi ka. Ab meri jaan ne kaunsa do chaar shaadiyan aur karni hai. Isliye saare experience abhi hi le lene chahiye na.'

Naina rolled her eyes, 'Do chaar? Maine toh ek bhi nahi karni thi. Pata nahi kahan phans gayi. Lekin ek baat main bhi sach kahun Nutty, woh family bohot pyaari hai. Sab log itne ache hain ki unke liye unke akdu bete ke saath ek saal nikalna deal ko balance kar dega.'

Natasha arranged her phone in front of the chair, on a stand, 'Ab tu yeh sab baatein chor aur apni haldi enjoy kar. Iska live telecast start kar rahi hun. Be ready.'

Munna attached the phone to the large screen TV in the room.

Anaya was pleasantly surprised, 'Oh wow Natasha, tumne toh kamaal ki setting ki hai. Bhabhi, you look so pretty.'

Ambika was mesmerised, 'Kitni sundar lag rahi hai Naina. Good work Natasha.'

While others also talked to Natasha and Naina through video call, Munna mumbled in Sameer's ear, 'Naina kaafi khush lag rahi hai, haina?'

Sameer shrugged, 'Khush toh hogi hi. Uske toh mazey hi mazey hain. Itni pampering, itni importance, aur saath mein itne paise.'

Munna sniffed, 'Kuch jal raha hai kya?'

Sameer glared at him intensely, 'Naina se jalunga main? Kis baat ke liye? Balki usey mujhse jealous hona chahiye.'

Undeterrent, Munna carried on as they watched Natasha delicately touch Naina's face with the paste of haldi, 'Kuch bhi keh lekin Naina pe har look suit kar rahi hai. Haldi laga ke bhi kitni khoobsurat lag rahi hai. Aur tu... aunty ne sahi kaha tha... bandar lag raha hai.'

Sameer looked down at himself. His family and friends had emptied the bowl of wet paste on him, not leaving any part of his exposed skin untouched. In fact, his kurta was also completely smeared.

He frowned, 'Woh isliye ki tum sabne aise haldi lagayi hai jaise mujhse koi badla le rahe ho. Woh dekh, Naina ko uski Nutty kitne pyar se laga rahi hai.'

Pandit leaned closer, 'Tu chahta hai hum bhi itne hi pyar se lagayen... Naina ko?'

Sameer nodded before he heard what Pandit had to say in the end, and snapped, 'Tu kyon lagayega Naina ko?'

It was Pandit's turn to nod, in understanding, 'Achha toh tu chahta hai ki tu Naina ko pyar se lagaye?'

Anaya giggled, overhearing Pandit's remark, 'Bas thoda sa aur wait kar lo bhai. Fir aapko koi nahi rokega. Chahe haldi lagana, holi ka rang ya...' She whispered, 'Tarun ki shaadi ke jaise unse lipstick ke marks lagwana.'

Munna and Pandit's brows shot up as they gave Sameer a probing look. He gritted his teeth but stayed quiet.

'Lo aunty, ho gayi aapki daughter in law ki haldi. Anaya, you happy?' Natasha beamed at the camera after she finished.

Anaya pointed at her brother, 'Main toh khush hun hi, bhai mujhse zyada khush hain.' She glanced back, then quipped, 'Arey bhabhi aapne shayad pehchana na ho. Woh kone mein jo yellow bori jaisa dikh raha hai woh bhai hain. Excited hoke kuch zyada hi haldi lagwa li.'

Natasha burst out laughing, 'Achha hua bata diya. Humne sachmuch usey bori hi samjha tha. Wow Sameer, is look mein toh tum aur bhi handsome lag rahe ho.'

Embarrassed, Sameer tried to wipe away some of the paste from his face. He was even more flustered when his gaze fell on Naina, who was openly laughing, looking at him.

'Munna Pandit, tumhe chorunga nahi. Jab tumhari shaadi hogi na tab dekhna, gin gin ke badle lunga.' He growled through clenched teeth, directing his wrath at his friends who were grinning unabashedly.

He was glad when the video call ended and Ambika asked him to go for a bath.

Thankfully, mehendi in the evening wasn't as eventful, except that he had to get Naina's name drawn amidst a pattern of heart made with tiny floral design. For Naina, Ambika had sent a special mehendi artist who wanted to apply elaborate patterns but Naina and Natasha convinced him to not go overboard, However, Naina could also not avoid the customary name writing on her palm.

The girl teased her, 'Aapko bhi nahi bataungi didi. Aise chuppa ke likha hai naam ki poori raat nikal jayegi lekin aapke dulhe ko milega nahi. Pakka mujhe gaaliyan doge aap dono.'

Natasha winked, 'Lekin mujhe bata diya hai. Isliye agar jaldi ho toh mujhe bula lena... main bata dungi kahan likha hai tere haath mein, tere Sameer ka naam.'

Naina just shook her head wearily and looked away. Natasha was not the one to stop.

Next morning, when they got up, Natasha was amazed to see the colour of Naina's mehendi, 'Humne toh nimbu wagerah bhi nahi lagaya fir bhi itni dark aayi hai. Wow Naina, lagta hai Sameer...'

'Nutty.' Naina interjected, throwing a pillow at Natasha, 'Bohot ho gaya. Don't act as if yeh sab normal hai. Okay. Sabki mehendi aisi hi aati hai. Teri bhi toh kitni dark hai.'

Shoving aside the pillow, Natasha admired her own palms, 'Main teri tarah hypocrite nahi hun. I agree ki mera wala mujhse bohot bohot pyar karta hai. Abhi mila nahi toh kya, jab milega na tab is colour ko justify karke dikhayega.'

She looked up at Naina, frowning at her amused expression, 'Okay okay, don't rub it in. Mil jayega jaldi.'

Shaking her head at the desperation of her friend, Naina picked up the towel and went for her bath.

Natasha's face turned somber as she looked at the closed door of the bathroom, 'Sorry Naina. Tujhse chupana toh nahi chahti par yeh baat is waqt batane ki nahi hai. I hope you'll understand.'

Next update on Sunday

I know you guys are missing interactions between Sameer and Naina but you'll have to wait till the wedding which isn't far now. The fireworks are about to begin.