Aliyah's pov:

I bring Noor onto the small stage where everyone else was waiting to apply Haldi (turmeric) on her.

There was a sea of people, everyone from the bride's side.

As soon as she sits down on the stage, everyone slowly gathers around and starts applying haldi on her in chaos. Me, Karya and Nafisa also go through the crowd and apply haldi on her, just because it would annoy her even more.

Songs start playing in the background and kids start dancing to it. 

We serve the guests with food and desserts and come back to see Noor was even more drenched in turmeric.

"From today let's change her name to Haldi desi girl. This turmeric would definitely stay on forever." Nafisa gets a glare back from Noor.

"I completely agree. So tell us, Haldi desi girl, how do you like your Haldi ceremony?"

"I'm so tired and I feel like a stick!"

All of us burst out laughing at the same time.

"Wait for your Haldi! I'll make sure you guys all shower in turmeric." She continues to glare at us.

"All jokes aside, our desi girl is looking so pretty today!" Karya pinches her cheek.

"Nope, not pretty, gorgeous." I also do the same.

"You guys are looking even prettier. I look like a yellow goblin."

"So what? Goblins can be pretty." Nafu says. 

"Yes! Goblins made by our Harami girl!" I add. In Karya's recent book, the main female character was a goblin. So that example can be used now.

"Haldi is not fair! Everyone is enjoying so much while I am sitting here like a talking statue." Noor pouts.

"Don't be sad. You can enjoy after." Nafu pats her shoulder.

"Can one of you girls go and check the front? I think someone from the groom's side is there." Noor's mother requests.

"I'll go," I say and leave the group to check who it is.

Of course! Out of everyone, it had to be him! 

He looked so different today. This is the first time I've seen him in traditional clothes. He looked so handsome.

Aliyah are you crazy?? What are you thinking?

"What is the nightmare doing here?" he looks annoyed. I'm sure I look even more annoyed now.

"Well, if the birdie didn't have such a bad memory, he'd remember that I'm Noor's bestfriend. What are you doing here?"

He shoves a handful of bags in my hand.

"Mum said to give this to Noor's mother."

"Okay. Do you want to come inside for a meal?" I didn't want to give him a meal, but he was going to be Noor's brother-in-law. I obviously have to offer.

"No thanks. Not even a tiny bit interested. I need to get back to our side." he turns around and leaves. Badtameez ladka! (Rude guy).

I give the bags to Noor's mother and go back to the group.

The ceremony was almost ending so everyone started taking pictures with Noor. She looked like she didn't want to be there anymore. I mean, who would anyway?

The day starts coming to an end and guests start leaving the hall and go back to the hotel.

After all the formal guests left, we helped Noor up and took her back to the changing room which had a shower connected to it.

While she was showering. The 3 of us and Noor's sisters helped her mum in finishing the other work that needed to be done.

Noor's pov:

As soon as I entered the hotel room, I crashed into my bed.

"You must be very tired." Aliyah, who is my roommate until I get married, says when she enters the room.

"Yes! Today was so exhausting! And look at me! My skin is literally yellow now!"

She starts laughing. 

"Don't worry. It'll fade soon when you take two or three more showers." she sits on her bed. "How are you feeling now? That your Haldi is done now?"

"Exhausted. Tired. And more exhausted. I can't wait for all this to finish so I can relax."

"Well, will you be to?" 

She was right. I probably would not be able to relax after marrying Aariz. I don't know how anything will go. But it surely won't be relaxing.

"Don't think so much. He'll fall for you in no time." she hugs me.

"You giving delusional tips? I think the sun rose from the wrong side today."

"Hey! Just because I'm mostly on the reality's side doesn't mean I can't give delusional tips!" she says while trying to look offended.

"We can rest the whole day tomorrow as the Mehendi is the day after."

"Yeah. We have already learnt our dances anyway. Nafu was too excited so she met me and Karya together before the engagement and we practised for like two whole days straight."

Our family planned the Sangeet and Mehendi together as apparently, it was more effective. There would be 5 performances in total.

One for the boys in his side which I was surprised as I didn't think Ahaan or Azaan would be the type to dance in a wedding. Later, I found out it was Aryan and their male cousins which made more sense.

One for the girls on their side.

One for my sisters.

One for my best friends

And one overall with all combined together.

"Yeah, she told me. What about our Aloo? Aren't you excited?" I start teasing her.

"Seriously? Aloo again?"

"Yeah! We have two foods in our group!"

"Wait, who is the second one?" she asks confused.

"Karya! Curry!" I say what Karya told me Aryan called her.

"Oh yes. She got so annoyed about all that. I can't believe we couldn't think of that nickname. Honestly, your favourite devar is a genius!"

"I mean yeah, that's why he is my favourite after all. Also because he is the only one that is not ice."

"Ice? Ahaan Raihan is like a fire, waiting to burn me at any chance he gets." Aliyah glares.

"Maybe you're special." I wink at her.

She scoffs. "Special and me? Yeah right!"

Azaan's pov:

What is happening to me?

I can't concentrate on anything right now. I have to check the advertisement plans and what am I doing? Thinking about one specific employee of mine. 

It doesn't help that I am checking her advertisement plan right now. 

Why was I so worried when her friend said she disappeared? And how did I know where she would be?

You're overthinking. She has been one of your best employees from the start, of course you would be worried about losing her. You knew about the jacket, that's why you guessed where she might be. 

Why did I run when I heard the news? I could've walked to the laundry room.

What is really happening? 

"Azaan!" I hear Ahaan's voice from outside the door. 

I open the door and let him in. 

"Why are you here at this time?" 

"Do you know where I can find a girl?"

"Are you okay? What are you asking?"

"I'm serious. You know the promise I made. Aariz is getting married. Only one week left. I asked him and there is no way he will go back. I need to find someone before the end of the year."

"And why do you think I can find someone for you? This is not up to me. It's up to you."

"I'm not looking for someone to love. You know that's impossible for me. I need someone to sign a contract with for a year or maybe even a few months and then get divorced."

"I can't help you. I'm not the one who goes after girls. Ask Aryan. He can find many for you."

"He can't know. I told Aariz about it but now I'm regretting it as well. What if he tells mum? You know them. The precious Mother and sons' trio they can't break." he sighs and pauses for a moment. "Mum reminds me every day about the promise and how Raihans don't break their promises."

He was right. About everything. Aariz and Aryan were her favourites. The dream children she always imagined after having Ahaan bhai and me. They always got whatever they wanted. Sometimes without asking, sometimes with a bit of begging. Ahaan and I however, had to work for everything. Not that we get jealous or anything like that. We've gotten so used to it, it doesn't even bother us a bit.

"We're in Paris. People here are free and normal about anything. Maybe try and find someone here? Try and download dating apps? And when you meet, ask if they want to marry you for a year." I know what I was suggesting was definitely not a good idea. But I don't know how else to help.

"Dating apps? You've got to be kidding me. They would agree to marry but then probably later on not agree to divorce." He was not lying.

"Maybe marry someone who hates you?"

"How would that work?"

"Give them something in return? Money? We have loads."

He goes still. Like he was thinking about it.

"And now get out of my room bhai. Today was already tiring as it is."

"Oh wow. At least you didn't have to go to the bride's side to deliver the bags!" he was really pissed about that.

Flashback to a few hours ago

Mum comes to us with a handful of bags. She looked like she was having a hard time carrying them. 

"Can one of you take this to the bride's side and give it to Noor's Mother?" she requests.

"I can go!" Aryan tries and takes the bag when Aariz stops him.

"No. I need my favourite bhai! Stay here. One of you go please." he tells me and Ahaan.

"I can't go. I have to meet Tayab Rashid when the Rashids come." I say. I hated the fact they were invited. Everyone else in the family hated it as well. But we didn't have a choice because of the public.

"You have nothing important, do you Ahaan? Take these bags and come back soon as well. I need you to run some other errands as well." Mum orders in a voice that secretly says, 'I won't take a NO as an answer.' 

Flashback ends*

"Yes, you're right. But you didn't have to deal with the Rashids."

"True."

"Yes so out now." I order again. He was a year older than me. But I was never formal with him. He wasn't bothered with it as well.

"Maybe a 'please'?" he starts teasing. I didn't think he had it in him. Maybe he is in a very good mood. Or even the whole opposite.

"Bhai! You know I'd never say that."

"Yeah,"

"You're the one to talk. When was the last time you said it? Maybe before coming to life? Or did you not even say it then?"

"I don't know."

"Are! I'm tired. I have so much work to do but I can't get any done."

"Hmm okay. I'll leave you alone to think about what you were thinking. Bye."

He leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

I feel bad for him. I don't get why Mum is in such a hurry to get him married. The promise he made is not easy to fulfil.

But after all, Raihans never break their promises.

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Thank you for reading <3