In the morning, Nikolai hardly slept all night. It had been one day since he left the Muard Mansion. Today was the Haldi Ceremony (the turmeric ceremony). Damian explained how the ceremony was to be conducted.
Nikolai chuckled. "Too much turmeric on my face today, huh?"
"Of course, brother," Taran (Massiom) said, holding the decorations as the men decorated the mansion. Workers from the Muard mansion were sent to help.
"Ohhhh, capo, you're gonna be glowing like a little girl today. And tomorrow, you're gonna apply henna," Rohan teased.
Nikolai gave him a cold, deadly stare. "You're dumb," he mumbled.
Sohan walked in. "Good morning," he said as the men dropped the turmeric paste in the living room.
"Nice work. It's beautiful," Sohan said, looking around the mansion.
"Thank you," Nikolai replied.
"Okay, listen. After the Mehendi Ceremony, we will head for Mumbai for the grand wedding. The Mehendi Ceremony is next tomorrow. Your groom attire is ready too," Sohan added.
"Thank you, father-in-law," Nikolai said, shaking his hands.
"Brother!" Yulian screamed. Nikolai rushed out to see him bleeding on his forehead.
"Lian!" Nikolai shouted as Taran (Massiom) held his little brother.
"HEY YOU BLOODY FUCKER!" Yulian yelled, grabbing the same heavy rock and throwing it at the man who hit him first. There were six men. Yulian had the same anger issues as Nikolai, Zhanna, and Meghna—they inherited their extremely strong anger from their mother.
As Yulian twisted the third man's neck, dropping him dead, and kicked another, Mr. William chuckled.
"Like mother, like son," he muttered.
"WHO SENT YOU!?" Yulian demanded, grabbing the last man by his hair.
"He wanted us to give Nikolai a message," the man said.
"Who?" Taran asked.
"Moksh," he replied. "He said you should drop out of the wedding and leave the Gem for him."
Yulian snapped his neck, dropping the man dead. "Stupid bitch!" he yelled.
Sohan's phone rang.
"Hello?"
"B…B…Baba," his tiny daughter called with tears.
"Mihu, what's wrong? Why are you crying, baby?" Sohan asked as Nikolai stepped forward with Yulian moving closer.
"Baba, s…s…someone used a rock on A…a…a…Ariz bhai (brother)'s face," she cried.
"I'm going to kill Moksh now," Bhairavi said.
"No, Maa, don't kill him," Sohan replied.
"Maa, please kill him. I want to see his bloody body. That fool threw a rock on my face too," Yulian said angrily.
"Oh no, Lian hurt too?" his tiny sister-in-law asked.
"Don't worry, baby. I'm fine. I will take care of him, I promise," Yulian reassured her.
The call ended. Yulian took a loaded gun.
"That stupid bastard's gonna pay," he muttered, walking out.
"Get back here," Nikolai said. Yulian stopped and faced his elder brother.
"My little lion, don't worry. I got you," Nikolai said, patting his back.
"Come on, let's start the ceremony," Sohan said. The men were outside, loud drums playing. Nikolai sat on the platform.
"We are here!!!" Arina exclaimed.
Mrs. Francesca, Daria, Zhanna, and Meghan, all wearing yellow, watched as Nikolai was led into the decorated space. He was dressed in a yellow kurta and seated on a low platform. Elders stepped forward first, dipping their fingers into the Haldi paste and applying it to his forehead, shoulders, and hands while giving quiet blessings. He remained still and composed as close family followed, placing Haldi along his arms and neck.
After this, his friends, the Bratva, and the Dominion Apex men gathered around, laughing and energetically smearing the paste across his face and body, creating a mix of chaos and celebration. Music and clapping rose around him before the ritual ended with water being brought for him to wash off the Haldi, marking his readiness for the wedding.
Yulian poured a whole bowl of turmeric on his elder brother's head. The men laughed.
"Hey!" Nikolai shouted, chasing his little brother around.
Meanwhile, at the Muard mansion, all the women wore yellow. Cousins took pictures. Anika set Lilith (Mahira) down on the stool, guiding her in first. She was dressed in a flowing yellow lehenga with delicate floral jewelry resting against her skin, her hair loosely styled with fresh jasmine. She was seated gently on the decorated stool, her hands resting on her lap, her eyes glowing with anticipation and quiet emotion.
The elder women of her family stepped forward one by one, expressions filled with warmth as they dipped their fingers into the golden paste and placed it softly on her forehead, cheeks, hands, and feet, whispering blessings for love, strength, and protection. Their touch was slow and meaningful as the ritual began to unfold.
Soon after, her friends and younger relatives gathered around her, laughter rising into the air as they playfully applied more Haldi along her arms and shoulders. Her skin slowly glowed under the rich yellow paste. Petals were tossed over her, and traditional songs filled the space. Her smile broke through as the moment shifted from sacred to joyful, creating a balance of emotion, celebration, and connection while she was surrounded completely in love and light.
The women began singing:
Navrai Majhi (Haldi Song Performance)
Navrai majhi ladachi ladachi ga (Vanya, Anika, Riyana, Urlima, Rima all singing for Lilith Mahira with laughter and claps)
Avad hila chandrachi chandrachi ga (They circle her gently, teasing her beauty glowing like the moon)
Navrai majhi navsachi navsachi ga (Voices rise together, full of warmth and pride)
Apsara jashi indrachi indrachi ga (Calling her a heavenly apsara, she blushes softly)
Navrai chali sharmati ghabrati wo (Vanya lifts her chin playfully while Anika fixes her veil)
Piya ke ghar ithlati balkhati wo (Riyana and Urlima sway beside her, guiding her steps)
Surmai naina chalkati chalkati wo (Rima laughs, pointing at her sparkling eyes)
Piya ke ghar bharmati sakuchati wo (All women cheer as she hides her face shyly)
Chunar me iske sitare sare chamkile chamkile chamkile (They spread her chunar wide, shimmering around her)
Kangan me iske bahare aj hariyale hariyale hariyale (They shake her hands gently, making the bangles sing)
Navrai majhi ladachi ladachi ga (All together louder, surrounding Lilith Mahira in joy)
Avad hila chandrachi chandrachi ga (Leaning closer, admiring her glowing face)
Navrai majhi navsachi navsachi ga (Voices echo through the mansion halls)
Apsara jashi indrachi indrachi ga (They call her divine again, playful smiles)
Sumyoji isko rakhiyo jatan se (Anika whispers as if sending her away with care)
Badi nazuk hai nazuk hai nazuk kali (Vanya cups her cheeks gently)
Anmol kali anmol (Riyana and Urlima nod, smiling proudly)
Aao ji aao humkha lagao zara (Rima pulls her into a warm embrace)
Behako ji behako ji behko (They all sway together in rhythm)
Khushiyo ke baje dhol khushiyo ke baje dhol (Their laughter becomes music, filling the air)
Ankho me iske ishare bade nakhrile nakhrile nakhrile (They tease her as she looks away shyly)
Sapno ke lakho nazare sare rangile rangile rangile (They spin her slowly like a dream unfolding)
Navrai chali sharmati ghabrati wo (All women sing softer, watching closely)
Piya ke ghar ithlati balkhati wo (Guiding her forward, step by step)
Surmai naina chalkati chalkati wo (Her eyes shine as they cheer her on)
Piya ke ghar bharmati sakuchati wo (Lilith hides her smile as they surround her protectively)
Navrai majhi ladachi ladachi ga (Vanya, Anika, Riyana, Urlima, Rima all singing together for her)
Avad hila chandrachi chandrachi ga (Voices full of love and celebration)
Navrai majhi navsachi navsachi ga (Hands lifted, dancing around her)
Apsara jashi indrachi indrachi ga (Song ends with laughter and joy wrapping around Lilith Mahira)
She shyly covered her face.
By 4:50 PM:
"Brother, come on, let's go!" Taran (Massiom) said.
"You all go. I am right behind you," Nikolai said coldly.
They left for the music ceremony. Nikolai walked down to the basement, where Moksh was tied up, bleeding from his nose, forehead, and mouth.
"She is mine. And only mine. I have killed so many for her and I will do it again. Stay away from my tiny wife. Got it?" Nikolai said coldly.
"Take him away," he repeated as the men dragged Moksh out. Nikolai left.