A/n :- I couldn't find the perfect image to describe but you will atleast get an idea about the ceremony.

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*Max P.O.V*

"Max, where are you hiding?"

As if, I'll tell you. I scoffed.

"Max, sweetheart."

No emotional drama, Mom.

"Dude. C'mon." It was Kyle's voice.

So, now he ditched me and joined them.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead after hearing voices coming from downstairs. I was sweating badly, and now it was getting difficult to stay in this tiny wooden cupboard, but I didn't have any choice.

I tried again, to stretch my legs, but failed due to the minimum amount of space.

I sighed heavily and pulled out my phone. I quickly pressed 1 on my speed dial and waited to get a response.

"Hello?" she answered, and I smiled. Despite my circumstances, her soft voice was enough to make me feel better.

I let out a deep breath. Now, I could survive for one more hour.

"Hey," I whispered, leaning against the side of cupboard. "What are you doing?"

"Going to shower, why? And why are you whispering? And how come you're calling me this time?" she asked in a rushed tone like she was in hurry but wanted to know everything.

"Can't I call you now?" I pouted. "I was missing my baby."

"Yeah, of course." I could imagine her rolling her eyes at this. "Max, it's only about two days. We are getting married tomorrow. Then we will be together. Can't you control yourself for just two days?" she asked getting annoyed.

She must be annoyed with all the rituals. I reminded myself.

"I'm controlling myself for the past the hours," I mumbled.

"Max, if my mom finds out that I'm talking to you instead of getting ready, she's gonna kill me."

"I just wanted to hear your voice," I whined.

"Now you have listened to it, right? I'm going," she teased.

"Yeah, now you are also making fun of me," I grunted loudly and immediately regretted it when I heard footsteps approaching the place where I was hiding.

"Max, I know you're inside. So, it's better you come out." Kyle knocked at the cupboard.

"Dude, get lost. I'm not coming," I yelled.

"Max, what's going on? Why are you shouting?" Jessica asked making me realise that she was unaware of this hide and seek game.

I wish it was a game.

"Actually," I began, but before I could say anything more, the door swung open. I lifted my face and glared at Kyle who was watching me with a smug grin on his face. "Jazz, they caught me." I mumbled.

"What? Who? Max, what the hell is going on?" she asked worriedly.

I stepped outside the cupboard and ran my left hand through my hair to fix it. Kyle took this opportunity and snatched the phone from my hand. "Fuck off, Kyle," I hissed as he bursted out laughing. "Give me my phone." My tone was laced with irritation.

"I want to talk to Jessica," he whined sticking his tongue out at me and climbed on the bed. "Hey, Jessica."

"Kyle, stop it and give me the damn phone," I said getting angry, but he ignored me.

"Yeah, give him some sense, darling. We were looking for him for the past hour, and now, just caught him in this cupboard, talking to you." Kyle chuckled and winked at me.

I let out a frustrated groan and plopped down on the couch nearby the window.

"I know, but you know how stubborn he is," Kyle continued, and cautiously sat on the bed.

I shook my head and ignored Kyle's complaints, peeking outside from the window. I looked at the resort's garden which we rented to do all the ceremonies. Jessica's father helped us and we got a huge and beautiful resort near their house.

It was fully decorated with flowers and different accessories. There were also different kinds of food stalls at the corner of the garden. I snapped my head at the entrance of the garden after hearing a loud sound. My eyebrows furrowed when I saw a few people holding large drum type of musical instruments. They were beating it with wooden sticks, making loud music. Everyone started cheering and clapping.

"Dude." Kyle's voice startled me, and I turned around glaring at him. "She wants to talk to you." He smirked, holding my phone.

I snatched my phone back, and muttered, "Yeah?"

"Max, if you know these rituals are very important for my family, then why are you behaving like this?" she asked, annoyed.

"I know, and that's why I agreed to do a traditional Indian wedding as well, but you didn't inform me about applying turmeric or mehndi. I can't allow anyone to touch my sexy face," I protested, earning a chuckle from Kyle.

I narrowed my eyes at him and mouthed, 'fuck off.'

"Max, in our country, marriage symbolizes not just the union of two individuals, but the coming together of two different families. I know our cultures are different, but we need to keep in mind our parents' feelings as well. These pre-wedding ceremonies are very important. Haldi is just a ritual holy bath in which they will apply turmeric and oil to your hands and face." She took a breath and continued, "It won't reduce your charm, Max, but it can brighten the glow of your face."

I could sense the teasing in her voice. "It's just a myth," I retorted back, and glanced back at the garden. "Anyways, the dhol wale are here."

"Really?" she asked excitedly. "Ask Kyle to capture every moment, and don't forget to do bhangra (a dance form). Mahi will teach you."

"Mahi?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Yeah, she wanted to see a foreign munda (boy) doing these rituals." She chuckled. "And, listen. Don't forget to put some haldi on Kyle's hand. I want him to get settled now." (Glossary-2)

"Yeah, but I'm not going to do any bhangra, and all. I will let them apply a bit of turmeric paste, but don't expect anything else," I muttered and my stomach churned at the thought of a yellow face.

Ugh!

"You will love it Max, trust me. No one can resist the dance on Dhol," she exclaimed.

"Seems like someone is enjoying so much." I smiled, knowing how excited she was.

"Of course. We have booked them for today's whole night. I've invited every one. Even Nina, Noah, and Travis is also coming by evening flight. Jelline won't be able to come as she has a very important meeting in New York. I wanted to invite you, also, but mom clearly refused. In our tradition, the groom is not allowed to meet the bride and leave the house after the beginning of these ceremonies." (Glossary-3)

"Well, if you want, then I can find a way-"

"No way, Max. Don't do anything stupid. I don't want to take any risks. My mom is very strict with these rules. Plus, I want to do everything according only to the rituals. So no more breaking the rules, please?" she pleaded.

"Okay, so do whatever you want, but let me tell you one thing, it's only for two more days. After that, you have to pay back for every torture." I closed my eyes and imagined her blushing.

"Max," she scolded me.

"Yeah, love you too." I grinned, glancing back at Kyle who was standing there with amused expressions on his face.

I totally forgot about his presence.

I heard some noise in the background, and was about to ask her, but she stopped me. "Max, mom is coming. Gotta go now. Bye. Have fun. and please be my baby and do as they say."

"Not fair." I pouted.

She chuckled, "Don't worry. I'll make it fair."

My face lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah, but don't ask me how. Now, bye."

"But listen-"

"Max, bye." She hung up.

I smiled and turned to face Kyle. "Go and inform everyone. I'm coming."

He smiled and shook his head, "Never, even in my dreams, I thought that a girl from a different country could tame you like this, but I'm so happy for you."

I grinned and hugged him. "Me too."

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Glossary:

1. The haldi ceremony is the one in which a paste of haldi is applied on the bride and the groom's body before their wedding. This ceremony is held at both the bride and the groom's place, on the morning of the wedding day. In a few cultures, this ceremony is also held a day before the wedding. This ceremony is also accompanied by traditional songs and dances at times.

2. In many customs, the bride and the groom also apply a small portion of this sacred paste on their unmarried friends and siblings. It is said that whoever gets touched by this paste will soon find a good-looking partner.

3. Most people believe that the reason for applying haldi is to ward off evil spirits from affecting the bride and the groom. This is why the bride and groom are usually not allowed to leave their home after the haldi ceremony, till their wedding.

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So, do you like it?

On a special demand of a reader I've decided to post few bonus chapters in their Big Indian fat wedding.

I didn't want to go into details about those ceremonies, also didn't want to leave them so just posted a short chapter on it.

Tell me, what you want to read.

Probably in next chapter, I'll show a traditional Indian wedding.

So stay tuned,

Love,

Newbubble.