“No rings?” Karen scrunched her face in confusion. “What do they usually exchange?”
“A mangalsutra. It’s a sacred necklace. And there are seven vows taken during the ceremony. They usually don’t kiss, but we will be.”
“Mother is going to be trying to convince him not to kiss you. But, Kamal is all about the public displays of affection these days.” Zora rolled her eyes. “I’ve never seen my brother all over someone so much. It’s a bit extreme. Sometimes I want to hose him off you.”
“Leave my baby alone.” My arms began to get tired holding Arya, I leaned back on the couch for a more comfortable position. “Okay. Let’s get into these five ceremonies.”
“Five ceremonies? Girl, I am going to be a drunken mess for these three days.” Karen took another sip. “I mean how many outfits will I need?”
Zora grinned. “At least five.”
“Jesus Christ.” Karen poured more wine. “It’s like Beyoncé is getting married. How the hell are you going to do this?”
“I don’t know. We’re trying to see how to schedule it all without losing her minds.”
“Okay.” Zora put one book down and picked up another. “We have the first function you’d attend which is Mehndi.”
I added, “That’s the Henna ceremony.”
“Yes.” Zora nodded. “Wear something colorful and sleeveless, if you want to get Henna tattoos.”
Karen snapped. “Hells yes. I’m definitely getting henna. I want it all over me.”
I laughed.
“Don’t worry if you can’t find Jade during the event,” Zora said, “She’s going to be surrounded by tons of Henna designers. They’ll be painting up her hands, feet, arms, and legs with intricate patterns. She’ll be busy.”
I let out a long breath.
“Don’t worry.” Zora gave me a weak smile. “It sounds like a lot, but you’ll feel like a princess.”
“How long is the henna ceremony?” Karen asked.
“Hours. But they’ll be drinks.”
Karen clapped. “Turn up. Turn up.”
I spoke, “Then you have the next ceremony which is the Ladies’ sangeet.”
Zora looked at Karen. “Wear what you would put on for a club night. Sangeet is basically like a bachelorette party that everyone comes too. There will be lots of drinking and dancing.”
Karen quirked her brows. “And strippers?”
“My brother would go crazy.”
I laughed. “He’ll be there along with our families. So. . .no strippers.”
Karen frowned. “But you said ladies’ sangeet.”
“First, it’ll just be us ladies. Later, others will come in. I think. This may change when Kamal and I sit down and discuss this. It will matter on what venues can be rented and at what times.”
“When everyone shows up, there will be some choreographed dances done by friends and family. Maybe even the couple.” Zora turned around and displayed an image in the book. The photo showed six men and women dressed in fuchsia and twirling around.
“What is up with all the choreography dancing?” Karen leaned forward to see the image closer. “And I thought black people loved to dance. You all have us beat.”
“My cousins will go full Bollywood, so be prepared for a lot of choreographed dances.” Zora shook her head. “But, it’ll be a blast. After the dances, then a DJ will come on.”
I asked, “Then, the next morning we have haldi right?”
“Exactly.” Zora grinned. “I’m so glad you really took the time to read this. It would have been a bitch explaining all of this.”
“Oh no. It’s a lot.”
“What’s haldi?” Karen finished her second glass. By the time we did our official betrothal ceremony, she would be shitfaced or fast asleep.
“Haldi is when they put the yellow paste on Kamal and me. Our loved ones will put it on our faces, necks, hands, and feet.”
Karen poured her third glass of wine. “Well, turmeric is anti-inflammatory, so that could be good.”
Zora pointed at her. “Wear yellow.”
“Got it.” Karen nodded and turned to me. “So, what’s next or can you two finally get married? I mean at this point I’m going to feel like I’m married.”
I giggled. “Yes. Then we have the main wedding and reception.”
“With elephant?”
A deep voice sounded behind me. “Lots of elephants.”
I gazed over my shoulder. “Hey, baby. How was your mother’s flight?”
“She complained about it the whole time. I just dropped her off at the hotel.” Kamal walked over to me and kissed my cheek. “How’s the planning going?”
“Good.”
He landed another kiss on my other cheek.
“Oh, enough.” Zora rolled her eyes.
“You’re such a little hater, sis.” Kamal gently picked up his niece from my arms. “Oh my. She is so tiny.”
“She is.” I loved watching him hold Arya.
Kamal placed a small kiss on her forehead. “She looks like her uncle.”
“She does not.” Zora frowned. “She looks like me.”
Kamal shrugged. “You look like me. The female version.”
“Whatever, Kamal.”
Laughing, I leaned over and grabbed my glass of wine. “Arya is beautiful and healthy, that’s all that matters.”
Kamal checked the table. “Zora brought more books?”
Zora shrugged. “I don’t want her to be overwhelmed.”