The reception was held in the vast open front yard of the house. Both brides, Halima and Rafia, now sat in the living room. In their family, there was no elaborate ritual of having the bride and groom seated on a stage. Things were done with simplicity. Guests came from different places, ate, saw the brides, gave them money, and left.

Halima and Rafia wore the exact same mulberry-colored lehengas, with matching jewelry and makeup. Rafia smiled warmly at each guest, diligently noting down their names and the gifts they brought in her notebook. Halima, on the other hand, sat silently next to her, nervously watching the guests while fidgeting with her large nose ring and the chain attached to it.