Two days later.
Adnan stood outside his family mansion.
The gates loomed tall in front of him, familiar yet distant, like a memory he wasn't sure he deserved to step back into.
His hands were shaking.
Zahuril stood beside him, calm but watchful.
Lilith (Baneva) was there too, along with the boys, standing slightly behind, her presence small but bright.
"Ready, Nanno?" Zahuril asked.
Adnan nodded slowly.
They walked forward.
But before anyone could say anything—
Lily (Neva) ran in.
She wore a hoodie and long pants, her tiny frame moving fast, full of excitement.
"Daduuuuuuuu!!!!"
Her voice echoed through the house.
Inside, Fazlul was eating with his family.
They all turned at once.
"What is she doing here?" his daughter asked, confused.
"Hi, Dadu!" Lilith (Baneva) said brightly.
Fazlul's expression softened immediately. "Hello, Neva… I'm sorry I didn't come for your engagement."
"It okay, Dadu! Lily have a big surprise for you—come come come!" she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the living room.
"Careful, Neva," Fazlul said gently, letting himself be led.
They reached the living room.
Adnan stood there.
Still.
Close to his mother's picture.
His hands were behind his back, but his eyes were fixed on the frame.
He smiled at it softly.
"Come on, Dadu look… N…Nanno back!" Lily said excitedly.
Fazlul froze.
The room went silent.
The entire family stood there, watching him.
"Adnan… my child?" Fazlul whispered.
Adnan stepped forward.
And hugged him tightly.
"My child…" Fazlul said again, holding him even closer.
"Nanu… I am so, so sorry," Adnan said, his voice breaking as he wiped his eyes.
"Yayyyyy!!!" Lilith (Baneva) shouted, jumping carefully in place.
"Neva," Adnan said, trying to calm her, but she only giggled.
Later—
Adnan rested his head on Fazlul's lap.
Fazlul gently patted his head, feeding him like he used to when he was younger.
The rest of the family slowly left the room, giving them space.
Adnan explained everything.
Every detail.
Every mistake.
Every truth.
"That's so sad," his aunt Sathi said quietly.
Adnan sat up slightly.
"I need to beg for someone's forgiveness… she hates me."
"Who?" Fazlul asked.
"My girlfriend… she's Sohan's niece. I broke her… but I didn't steal her designs. I need to make it up to her," he muttered.
The tension broke slightly.
They laughed softly.
Adnan smiled faintly and hugged his grandpa again.
Meanwhile—
Back at Nikolai's mansion.
The house was alive with laughter.
Women were choosing dresses, passing fabrics, arranging trays of food, voices overlapping in excitement.
But Nikolai—
Sat apart.
Typing rapidly on his laptop.
"Nick, are you okay?" Meera asked, watching him closely.
"Yes, I am. I'm just booking for the honeymoon," he replied without looking up.
"Are you okay, aunt? You look scared," Nikolai said suddenly, glancing at her.
Meera sighed. "It's your great-grandmother… she's after me now. She says she will come and stop the wedding—or take the family back to Russia… those blood-sucking animals."
Her voice lowered.
"I'm scared for Lily. They might do something—"
"Nothing will happen," Nikolai cut in, his tone cold and controlled. "I've got it handled. Give them my warning—if any of them touches my Tiny Queen…" his fingers paused over the keyboard, "…I will kill them. I don't care if they are related."
Meera exhaled slowly. "And what about Lily's surgery?"
"I'm working on it. They said we have to…" he stopped briefly.
"To what?" she pressed.
"…shave her hair. All of it. She's going bald. After that, we take her to the UK."
Meera nodded softly. "That's good. We're all here for you… and for her."
Nikolai smirked slightly. "Looks like you're my favorite aunt."
"Good. Keep it that way," she said, hugging him.
He hugged her back briefly.
Then returned to typing.
Today — 16th of August
Gaye Holud (Turmeric Ceremony)
By noon, the entire courtyard was glowing in golden hues.
Lilith (Baneva) sat at the center.
She wore a gold embroidered lehenga in soft mustard and ivory tones, layered with silk chiffon that flowed like sunlight. The choli hugged her small frame, decorated with intricate zardozi embroidery. A delicate dupatta rested over her shoulders, while floral jewelry and fresh marigolds crowned her braided bun.
She looked radiant.
Fragile.
Royal.
Every woman in the family surrounded her.
But unseen—
Nikolai was watching.
Through the CCTV cameras.
He had hacked into the system.
He always did.
From the first day he saw her, he had watched her every night.
Obsessed.
Possessive.
In love beyond reason.
His eyes stayed fixed on the screen.
The women began to sing.
Gaye Holud Song – (Turmeric Ceremony)
(Sung by Rima, Riyana, Nabila, Oishi, Fatema, Nishi)
Rima:
Shubho din esheche ajke amader bashore (A blessed day has come today to our home)
Holud mekhe shundor holo shobai aalo kore (Everyone shines beautifully after applying turmeric light)
Nobo bondhon shuru holo premer e bandhone (A new bond has started in the bond of love)
Aajke nachbe mon shobai ei anonder gane (Today every heart will dance in this joyful song)
Riyana:
Holud holo shonar moto shundor ei sharire (Turmeric makes the body glow like gold)
Biyer alo jole uthe shundor ei shohore (Wedding lights shine bright in this beautiful city)
Hasi mukhe shobai mile korchi shob kichu shajano (With smiling faces everyone is arranging everything together)
Premer ei utsobe mon gulo shob bandha porano (In this festival of love, all hearts are tied together)
Nabila:
Alo jholmol kore uthlo ei gaye holud bela (The turmeric ceremony shines brightly in this moment)
Bondhura mile korchi amra anonder khela (Friends together we are playing in joy)
Shonar rong e rongin holo ei premer kahini (This story of love has become golden in color)
Shobai mile gaan geye bhori ei jibon rani (Everyone sings together filling this life queen)
Oishi:
Holud mekhe lajuk hasi mukhe dhaka (With turmeric applied, shy smiles cover the face)
Nobo bodhu shaje aajke shobai mile taka (The bride is dressed today with everyone gathered around)
Premer alo choriye porlo moner kone kone (Love's light spreads in every corner of the heart)
Ei din ta thakbe mone chirokal jibone (This day will remain in memory forever in life)
Fatema:
Shundor ei shaj e mon gulo shob bhore (Hearts are filled in this beautiful decoration)
Holud er gondho bhese jay batas e shore shore (The scent of turmeric flows gently in the air)
Bondhu bandhob mile gaan kori ek shure (Friends together sing in one tune)
Anonder e bhubone amra shobai ghure (In this world of joy we all wander)
Nishi:
Premer ei dolay amra shobai bhashi (In the swing of love we all float)
Hasi kanna mile jeno shob kichu hashi (Laughter and tears together become joy)
Biyer ei utsob e mon holo rongin (In this wedding festival hearts become colorful)
Shobai mile boli ajke shubho din (Everyone together says today is a blessed day)
Chorus (All Together):
Holud holud shubho holud ajker ei bela (Turmeric, turmeric, blessed turmeric in this moment today)
Premer anonde bhore geche shob khela (All the games are filled with the joy of love)
Nobo jibon shuru holo haat e haat dhore (A new life begins holding hands)
Shubho gaye holud aaj amader ghore (Blessed turmeric ceremony today in our home)
Rima:
Shondha name ashe shesh hoye jay din (Evening comes and the day ends)
Tobu mon e thake ei shonar din (But this golden day remains in the heart)
Riyana:
Premer golpo lekha hoye gelo aaj (The story of love is written today)
Shobai mile gailam ei anonder saaj (We all joined in this joyful celebration)
Nabila:
Haat dhore shobai boli ei kotha (Holding hands everyone says this)
Premer ei bondhon e nei kono betha (In this bond of love there is no pain)
Oishi:
Shubho hok jibon, shubho hok shur (May life be blessed, may the beginning be blessed)
Holud er moto shada mon pur (A pure heart like turmeric's glow)
Fatema:
Shobai mile nachi amra ek shure (We all dance together in one rhythm)
Anonder ei kotha thakbe mon pure (This joy will stay pure in the heart)
Nishi (Final line):
Ei gaye holud thakbe chirodin mone (This turmeric ceremony will remain forever in memory)
Premer ei gaan shesh hoy na kono dine (This song of love never truly ends)
All Together (Final Chorus Repeat):
Holud holud shubho holud ajker ei bela (Turmeric, turmeric, blessed turmeric in this moment today)
Premer anonde bhore geche shob khela (All the games are filled with the joy of love)
Nobo jibon shuru holo haat e haat dhore (A new life begins holding hands)
Shubho gaye holud aaj amader ghore (Blessed turmeric ceremony today in our home)
They danced.
They laughed.
They applied turmeric on her face, her arms, her legs.
She giggled loudly, glowing golden, blushing with excitement.
On the screen—
Nikolai watched everything.
"Boss, come out now—we are waiting!" Nathan called.
Nikolai blinked.
He leaned toward the screen.
Blew her a kiss.
Then closed the laptop.
Outside—
He appeared.
Dressed in a cream silk sherwani with subtle golden threadwork, paired with churidar pants and a soft pastel stole draped over his shoulder. A jeweled brooch and mojari shoes completed his regal look.
They surrounded him instantly.
Turmeric bowls in hand.
"Zee looks like brother is missing a few spots on his face—let's help him," Daria said.
"Of course! Let's all help," Zhanna added.
"Oh hell no—" Nikolai started.
Too late.
They dipped their hands.
And poured turmeric over his hair.
Arina. Meghan. Daria. Zhanna. Taran (Massimo). Yulian.
All laughing.
All attacking him with turmeric.
Nikolai laughed despite himself.
By nightfall—
The house was full.
Relatives everywhere.
Voices overlapping.
Warmth.
Exhaustion.
Lily (Neva) had fallen asleep.
In Rima's room—
Asif entered quietly.
"Hi," he said.
"Hey… are you okay?" Rima asked, rocking Yasmine to sleep.
Yasmin lay on the bed already asleep.
"I… uhmm… I got you something from the market. I hope you like it… it's not expensive… I'm sorry… my money wasn't enough… it was ৳200 Taka," he said shyly.
Rima looked at the maroon choker saree.
She blushed.
Smiled.
"This is for the Mehendi ceremony," he added nervously.
"I hope you—"
She cut him off.
With a kiss.
Pulling him closer.
He smiled into it.
They pulled apart slowly.
"I love it. Thank you," she said softly. "I've worn expensive things… but this… you gave it from your heart. I'll wear it."
She took the saree.
He smiled.
She gently placed Yasmin on the bed, kissed her forehead, and covered her.
Then lay down.
Falling asleep beside her.
Asif stood there quietly.
Smiling.
Because the truth—
The saree cost ৳10,000.
It was a test.
And she passed.
He covered them both gently.
"Sleep tight… my babies," he whispered.
Then left the room quietly.
Elsewhere—
In Lilith (Baneva)'s room—
She tossed softly in her sleep.
Unaware.
Completely unaware—
That through the camera—
Her extremely tall, dangerously obsessive husband—
Was watching her.
All night.