✨2. The marriage

"तुम्हारे बिना मेरी कहानी अधूरी है, और तुम्हारे साथ हर पल एक कविता।"

(Without you, my story is incomplete, and with you, every moment is a poem.)

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Shivaay glared at Ivaan who was singing that song, upon seeing him he stopped singing and said,"Oopsie" .

Anita said,"Okay okay....now stop. Jiji let us perform the rituals." Shreya nodded her head in yes and she came forth.

Indra Singh Ranawat took a thick bunch of rupees 500 and he moved his hand in clockwise motion in order to finish any evil eye he has caught.

The rituals were performed nicely without any problem.

Anand Singh Ranawat, the uncle or chhote papa of Shivaay says,"Okay let's go we are already late."

Soon the baaratis were off to the venue. Anand and Indra on in one car, Anita and Shreya in another. Riya, Ishaan and Ivaan in another one and Shivaay in another.

There were their other relatives from the extended family too. But only the close ones were there.

Shreya seems a little off, Anita upon noticing her concern asks,"Is everything okay jiji, you seems a little anxious."

"It is the point of being anxious Anita" she said and continues,"Shivaay is not ready for the marriage. How will he love his wife then? I am concerned for him."

Anita consoles her,"Didi everything will be fine. Believe in god right."

Soon they came at the venue. Everyone came off from their cars. The people from the girl's side, their mouths were open. Seeing the luxury the Ranawats holds were just surprising. Some were thinking like Niharika has got a nice luck.

Shalini came on the front she did the aarti of Shivaay who kept a poker face.

Shalini was very happy as after today she will not see the face of Niharika.

The groom now entered, everything felt luxurious. His walk was as if he is spreading a lot of money while walking.

He sits on the mandap area. Now the turn for bride to come arrived. In the room Niharika was getting anxious.

She never ever wanted that. She wanted to do a love marriage. She felt as if her life is ruining.

The door opened revealing Shalini. She came to her and Niharika stood up, knowing that nothing can happen now.

Absolutely nothing.

She accepted her fate with open arms. She was now ready to face everything. Shalini and she came and she saw her cousins. Her cousins never differentiate her though.

She stood under the canopy model. Her brother Raj was holding that too. Her brother Raj has changed at starting he was different and now he is different.

Now he has improved a lot. She entered the place with her gaze fixed on the floor.

Niharika 's POV

"I entered the mandap. My eyes were looking down. I am hella nervous, very very nervous right now. I want to disappear. No one is ready to hear me. As a result I am getting married.

I do not want that. But, I am compelled, it is my compulsion."

End of the pov

Shivaay with his cold kohl black eyes looked up at his bride. There she was dressed in a beautiful luxurious lahenga given by the Ranawat family itself.

For a moment he could not remove his gaze from her. She looks eternally beautiful.

"Here I am forced by my father, sitting in the mandap. Honestly I am not happy with this marriage, not now.

But....

When I looked up to see the bride, for whom Riya and Ivaan's mouth kept open. I wondered what is so special in her. I have not seen her photo though in arrogance.

When I saw her, it felt as if my world has stopped. She is heavenly beautiful. No men could ever take his eyes off from her.

End of the pov

Seeing her only one word escaped his lips and that was,"Beautiful". It was unintended and subconscious.

His heart started to pump fastly in a swift motion. His breathes became intense.

In his body there was a current flowing inside it. He could feel hi getting nervous for the first time that too in front of a girl. An opposite gender.

She came and sat beside him. The pandit started to chant the mantras. Soon the time for varmala or jaimala came.

They both faced each other and their eyes met. That Kohl black eyes of him with her brown eyes was something different that cannot be expressed.

Their already intense heartbeats intensified more. They made each other wear those jaimalas. Everyone hooted.

While Shivaay's eyes went to his father, Indra who was handing over a suitcase to her father Vishal.

He clenched his jaw in anger.

Shivaay's pov

"I swear Niharika....I will not leave any chance to make your life a living hell. Just wait and watch what Shivaay Singh Ranawat can do to you."

End of pov

They both stood up after some time for the 7 phera. These are the seven promises and principles made by a couple to each other during the exchange of vows.

The pandit ji started to chant mantras and explained the meaning. The first four are of the groom.

*Phera 1:*

The first Phera represents the beginning of the couple's life together. The groom promises to provide for and protect his partner.

Mantra: "Om esha ekapadi bhava iti prathama" ("Together, we will take the first step in life.")

*Phera 2:*

In the second Phera, the groom promises to provide strength and support to his partner, and to work together to build a strong foundation for their life.

Mantra: "Om oorje kamaye iti dvitiya" ("Together, we will strive to build a strong and prosperous life.")

*Phera 3:*

The third Phera represents the couple's journey together, with the groom promising to be a loving and supportive partner.

Mantra: "Om rayas santu joradastayaha iti tritiya" ("Together, we will grow and flourish, and our love will continue to strengthen.")

*Phera 4:*

In the fourth and final Phera, the groom promises to provide a happy and harmonious life for his partner, and to work together to build a strong and loving relationship.

Mantra: "Om ma sucha sandrithi iti chaturthi" ("Together, we will strive to build a happy and harmonious life, filled with love and mutual respect.")

Shivaay's pov

" I promise to destroy you."

" I promise to take your strength from you."

" I promise to be your hateful partner "

" I promise to destroy you and build a hateful relationship with you."

End of pov

With the passing rounds, Shivaay in his mind was making some other promises to her. Now the time for Niharika to walk in the front came.

_Phera 1:_

The first Phera represents the bride's commitment to her husband and her new life together. She promises to stand by her husband and support him in all his endeavors.

Mantra: "Om praja bhutya hai bhavasya" ("May I be blessed with children and a happy family life.")

_Phera 2:_

In the second Phera, the bride promises to be a loving and supportive partner to her husband, and to work together to build a strong and harmonious relationship.

Mantra: "Om arjunyai namah" ("I offer my respects to the divine couple, Arjuna and Subhadra, and pray for a strong and loving relationship.")

_Phera 3:_

The third and final Phera represents the bride's commitment to her husband and her new life together, and her promise to stand by him through all the joys and challenges of life.

Mantra: "Om saha dharmachare bhavasya" ("May I stand by my husband and support him in all his endeavors, and may we grow old together.")

Niharika 's POV

" I promise to  always stand be you."

"I promise to be a loving partner and support you."

"I promise to always help you."

End

With that the time of filling the hairline with vermilion came.

Vermilion, also known as Sindoor, holds great cultural and spiritual significance in Hinduism, particularly for married women. This vibrant red-orange powder is made from turmeric, lime, and other natural ingredients. As a visible indicator of a woman's marital status, vermilion is worn in the parting of the hair, signifying her union with her husband.

The spiritual significance of vermilion is deeply rooted in Hinduism. It is believed to possess spiritual powers, warding off evil spirits and bringing good fortune. The color red is considered auspicious, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and good luck. Vermilion is also a symbol of a woman's purity and fidelity to her husband.

In Hindu weddings, the groom applies vermilion to the bride's forehead and hair parting during the ceremony, signifying their union and his acceptance of her as his wife. This sacred ritual is a pivotal moment in the wedding ceremony, marking the beginning of their life together. By wearing vermilion, the bride is not only signifying her marital status but also embracing her new role and responsibilities as a wife.

He took a pinch of it and filled it on her partition and some of it fell on her nose.

If vermilion (sindoor) falls on the nose, it is considered a good omen in Hindu culture. This occurrence is believed to bring good fortune, prosperity, and happiness in life. In some cultures, vermilion on the nose is thought to signify a long and healthy life for the person.

The nose is considered a sensitive and sacred part of the body in Hinduism. When vermilion falls on the nose, it is believed to awaken the person's inner consciousness and promote spiritual growth. This occurrence is also thought to deepen one's connection with their spiritual self, leading to a more enlightened and aware life.

Overall, vermilion on the nose is considered a positive and auspicious sign, indicating good fortune, prosperity, and spiritual growth.

With that he tied the nuptial chain on her neck.

The nuptial chain, also known as "Mangalsutra," is a sacred necklace worn by married women in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. It is typically made of gold or other precious metals, with a pendant or charm symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. The nuptial chain is tied around the bride's neck by the groom during the wedding ceremony, signifying their union and commitment to each other.

For kanyadan Vishal and Shalini came.

The Kanyadan ceremony is a sacred ritual in Hindu weddings where the bride's father symbolically gives away his daughter to the groom, entrusting him with her care and well-being. This ceremony signifies the transfer of responsibility from the bride's parents to the groom, and is considered a crucial step in the wedding ritual. By performing Kanyadan, the bride's father seeks the groom's promise to protect and cherish his daughter, and the groom accepts this responsibility with reverence and gratitude.