#I've been joking with our partner that for our wedding if we invite him (big big if) we'll need a 'screaming hole' or smth

[angel---eater]

When we were a kid, we used to do these 'rituals' to try to tempt the fairies or whatever to come take our brother away simply because he was just an annoying little twat back then. It's like part of us knew that he'd grow up to be the most insufferable, self-important 'not for We but for Me' weasily little radfem we know

[dearduende]

this week in late-twenty-something-hood

[inspired by @liam.oce and @blakeoftoday]

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I drop my phone for the nth time. Cut my finger on a shard of glass chipping off the fractured back. Living dangerously with no case, and a little bit recklessly.

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I went to my 2nd class at a bootcamp HIIT workout gym that left me breathless and with a twinge of back pain. My phone is not the only one with a fragile back, I guess.

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I rearranged my furniture and finally put screws into the wall for the first time. It's quite the milestone for a noncommittal renter. I wielded the drill—borrowed from an ex and yet to return—and installed my guitar wall mount all on my own. I now have a music corner, but I also have those boxes in the closet I've yet to go through.

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I gently broke someone's heart over tacos, after realizing this was not the one. This was not enough. Breaking my heart as well in the process.

This week in late-twenty-something-hood it feels like this beautiful life of mine is held together by paper mâché, duct tape, and lots of command strips. And part of me is waiting for someone to realize I'm one rainstorm from all of it falling apart.

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I ask my therapist (again): Why is this so hard? Why am I so scared? What if I'm over-protecting my heart and never let someone good in again? What if my hyper-independence is now avoidance? How will I know if they're the right one? How can I trust myself more?

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I let myself fall apart at my friends' house. They fed me brownies and mochi cake, and I brewed rosebud tea to heal all our hearts. Feeling held in deep friendship and cozy comforter-on-the-couch vibes. They reminded me: It's okay to be picky! And reassured me I'll be able to love again. (The noncommittal dater in me is still skeptical.)

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I picked up my bestie at the airport. We joke to our friends we're each other's primary partner. Just two single gals in the city. Taking each other out on better dates than the men we see. Airport pickups are her love language, and I'm a big quality time and acts of service gal, so we're a match made in heaven. I drop her off past our bedtimes.

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I talk on the phone with the ex I've borrowed stolen the drill from. He has invited me to join him in Mexico City for a coworker's wedding in February. Part of me is proud of us for being on good terms even now. Part of me is excited-nervous for the inevitable adventure-romance-heartache of it all. But I guess we're both adults.

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I write yet another heartache poem. Pull myself off the couch and hop on the bus. And twenty minutes later I'm reading it at my local Sunday open mic. The crowd hums in resonance, and I make two new friends afterward. (I can't remember their names.)

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I had one friend sleepover, two tearful FaceTime calls, and most of my meals were some form of soup or jook. I've been forcing myself to go on a walk or run in the park before the sun sets so goddamn early, and I'm feeling a bit better.

This week in late-twenty-something-hood I realized I only have three more weeks as a twenty-something. And I don't know what to do with that information.

I had four oat cappuccinos (most of them left me jittery). Made some variation of fried egg over rice five times. Started my days again with gratitude practice. Called my parents three times. Screen time was down 8%.

[choicesfanaf]

The Meeting of a Lifetime AU

Part 13: The Pre-Wedding Rituals

Pairing: Ethan x f!MC (Dr. Arundhati Kulkarni)

Characters: Elijah Greene, Bryce Lahela, Rafael Aveiro, Tobias Carrick, Naveen Banerji, Alan Ramsey, Sienna Trinh, Aurora Emery, Jackie Varma, Harper Emery, Kyra Santana, Mridula Patel (OC), Ruby Ramsey (OC), Uma Kulkarni (OC), Sahil Kulkarni (OC), Greg Barnett (OC), Edward Walter (OC), Apoorva Sharma (OC)

Word Count: 1458 words

Rating: General

Summary: Ethan and Aru hold a ceremony to conduct certain pre-wedding rituals according to Aru's traditions.

Category: Fluff

Tagging: @nooruleman, @izzyourresidentlawyer, @jooous, @schnitzelbutterfingers, @sophxwithers, @red-rookie

A/N:

@nooruleman: Noorie, I am extremely thankful for your help, support and motivation. It was only because of you that I decided to write this series. You are a literal sweetheart. Thanks a lot for your help!

I sincerely apologise if this turns out to be messy or not up to your expectations.

A day before their wedding, Aru and Ethan had a pre-wedding ceremony according to her traditions, known as Haldi. This ritual consisted of the bride and groom's family members and loved ones applying turmeric paste on them using mango leaves.

For the ceremony, Aru invited all of her friends from Edenbrook, as well as Mridula, Sahil and her good friend, Apoorva. She wanted everyone she knew to celebrate her happiness along with her. Ethan brought Alan, Naveen, Jenner and two of his closest friends from college along with him.

The day started with Naveen and Sahil explaining everything about the ritual to their guests so that they knew how and what to do as well as arranging some delicious Indian and Continental food and snacks for their guests.

The ceremony started as soon as Aru and Ethan arrived, both coordinating in yellow outfits, dancing to some famous Bollywood songs, which were being played by a DJ.

Naveen was the first person to smother the turmeric paste on the couple, who was applying it almost everywhere. He was doing it so excitedly as he was very happy to see Ethan finally getting married to Aru and respecting her culture as well as letting her plan her wedding the way she wanted to.

After Naveen was done teasing and blessing the couple with a long and peaceful life, Alan came forward to apply the paste and told the couple to always take care of and understand each other, which they promised they would.

"Ethan, big man, before I apply the paste, I just want to remind you how lucky you are to have a chance to marry the love of your life. So, please don't do anything that will make you lose your chance, okay? And didi, don't forget, I'm saying the same thing to you. I'm equally protective of both of you."

"Don't worry, young man, I'll take good care of your sister. And I know very well that she is strong enough to see that if anything happens to her, she will take good care of it all by herself."

"Sahil, don't worry about your big man, I know to not do anything that invokes his bad side and to stay away from it."

"That's comforting to hear, so I wish you all the happiness in the world, you guys. Always stay happy and healthy and take care of the little angels."

"Thanks a lot, Sahil. Your approval means a lot to both of us."

"You know, I started trusting Ethan from the moment I met him. The way he spoke about you and looked at you, I knew he was the one for you. I'm really glad fate gave you two another chance and you guys took it."

"I know, I thank God for it every day."

"And every day when I look at her, I forget how difficult my life was before her."

"Oh, Ethan", Aru said, on the verge of tearing up.

"Okay, you lovebirds! Dry up your tears! Enough with the sappiness and bring on the happiness. You are getting married tomorrow! You guys must be really excited!"

"We are! It seems like I've been waiting for this day to come ever since Aru returned into my life."

"Who knew Ethan would be such a softie, hey!", exclaimed Bryce as he and her friends joined Sahil to tease the couple.

"You know what, Aru has turned him into one!", teased Elijah.

"That's true, Elijah, you should have seen him before her. He was extremely grumpy back then", pitched in Harper.

"Harper, you'll have to tell us some stories of Ethan before Aru waltzed into his life", mentioned Tobias, "cause I knew how grumpy and annoyed he used to be at all times."

"Yeah, definitely. You'll love to hear them."

"Did you know, he was so grumpy that we, along with Tobias, had nicknamed him Major Grumpy Pants back then."

"Aru, meet my friends, Greg and Edward."

"Thanks for the nickname, Greg, now that's what he is going to be saved as in my phone."

"Even we have some good stories about Ethan's grumpiness that we would like to share someday."

"Sure, you all are welcome to."

"Well, Aru, it seems like you have cast a spell on our Ethan."

"So has Ethan on Aru. Just look at them!"

"I hope that this spell never wears out and may you live happily now that you have gotten another chance."

"Hey, Ethan, why didn't you invite us for your bachelor party?"

"I did, but you said that you both were extremely busy that week and would love to catch up later."

"Greg, did you say that? Cause I don't remember saying so."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Relax, Ethan, they are joking around", Aru said, as Greg and Edward started cracking up.

"Never change, Major, never change."

"Okay, guys, now let's get done and get going so we don't block others from meeting the couple. We'll have plenty of time to talk to them later", chimed in Sienna.

"But before you leave, let me give you something", Aru said, as she applied the paste on her friends.

"Why did you do that? It's your Haldi, not ours", said Bryce.

"Meathead, the bride and groom apply the paste to their unmarried friends so that they can find a partner soon", explained Jackie.

"Enjoy this new chapter in your life, you guys. May you be blessed with happiness and joy all the time."

"Aww, you guys, you are going to make me cry, you all are too sweet", Aru said.

After the group was done, Mridula and Apoorva came in to meet and greet the couple.

She pretended to be happy for the couple, but she couldn't stop thinking about how she missed her chance to be with Aru and how much she regretted letting her go.

"Is everything going well, Mri?", asked Aru.

"Yeah, everything is going good, there are no major mishaps or issues as of now."

"That's great, Mri. We are very glad that you are our wedding planner. All of this was a part of our imagination and we could turn it into reality all thanks to you", Ethan replied.

"Oh, you don't need to thank me, I am glad to have met Aru after this long. It's been a pleasure doing all this. I've always dreamed of planning Aru's wedding and I'm extremely glad I got a chance to do so."

"You don't know how happy I am to hear this. You are seriously the best wedding planner out there."

"Aww, Aru. Well, can I?"

"Yeah, go on, it's literally our Haldi. You have a right to apply the paste on us today."

"She's right, Mri. Go on. You don't need to ask us today."

"Alright, then, may you all be blessed with good life and be together forever", Mri said while lathering them up with the paste.

"You too, Mri", Aru said as she applied the paste on her face.

"Hi, Apu! I'm delighted that you could come for my Haldi. It's been ages since I met you."

"I know. We need to catch up as soon as possible. I want to know everything that has happened since the last time we met."

"Yeah, we will need an entire day for that."

"Well, that's what makes it interesting. So, congratulations on your engagement, Aru! I would have never thought that you would get married to the guy who you so deeply admired."

"Just like Ethan, who never thought that he would get married to one of his interns", joked Greg.

After everyone was done wishing and blessing the radiant couple, they went on to take a ceremonial bath, while the others had fun applying the paste on each other and enjoyed the party.

When Aru and Ethan came back, Naveen and Alan told them, "So, children, you will not be allowed to meet each other until tomorrow, okay? Will you be able to do that?"

"Definitely", they said together.

"Also, the bride and the groom meeting before their wedding is considered to be inauspicious, so we will not be doing it."

"Since when did you two become superstitious?"

"Ever since we realised that we couldn't take any more chances."

"That makes a lot of sense."

"So, you both can go and take your beauty rest while all of us will help clean up."

"Thanks a lot for everything you have done for us and the girls. We can't ever thank you enough."

"Dear, you don't need to thank me. I'm just returning the favour from every time you both have helped me", replied Naveen.

"And I'm just doing my job as a good father, Aru, you don't need to thank me at all."