Chapter 18: The Vows That Bound Them

The priest began chanting the mantras, his voice steady, filling the space with a sacred rhythm.

Everyone settled around, watching closely.

“Beta, you will perform the rituals in this suit?” the priest asked, looking at Veeresh.

“Yes,” he replied calmly. “I will marry in this.”

For a brief moment, she looked at him… and a small smile appeared.

Typical him.

Unchanging.

The rituals began.

Sankalp.

Their hands were joined, a sacred thread tied as the priest asked them to take the vow, to accept this union with full consciousness and responsibility.

Veeresh’s hand was firm.

Steady.

She placed her hand over his.

A quiet acceptance.

Gadhbandhan followed.

Their garments were tied together, symbolizing that from this moment, their lives were bound.

Two individuals.

One path.

She looked at the knot for a second.

And a thought crossed her mind.

I became his ardhangini.

The priest then called for kanyadan.

Siddharth stepped forward.

His hands slightly trembling.

The priest guided him.

“Place your daughter’s hand into the groom’s hand,” he instructed.

Siddharth took her hand.

A pause.

A father letting go.

A daughter being given away.

He placed her hand into Veeresh’s.

Water was poured over their joined hands, mantras being chanted, symbolizing the sacred giving of responsibility.

“From today,” the priest said, “she is yours to protect, to respect, to stand beside.”

Siddharth’s eyes lowered.

Lakshmi watched quietly.

She sat still.

Everything happening around her felt distant.

But that touch…

That moment…

It felt real.

Then came the pheras.

They stood up.

The sacred fire burned in front of them.

They began walking around it.

First phera.

A promise for nourishment and a life where they support each other’s needs.

Second phera.

A vow of strength, to stand together in every situation.

Third phera.

A promise of prosperity and shared responsibilities.

Fourth phera.

A bond of love, respect, and mutual understanding.

Fifth phera.

A prayer for children and a fulfilling life.

Sixth phera.

A vow for health and long companionship.

Seventh phera.

A promise of friendship, loyalty, and togetherness for a lifetime.

With each step, their bond deepened.

With each circle, something irreversible formed.

They sat down again.

The priest’s voice softened.

“Now, sindur.”

Veeresh looked at her.

For a second, everything slowed.

He reached forward and gently lifted her maangtika.

Her breath stilled.

His fingers were steady as he took the sindur and filled her maang.

Red.

Final.

Sacred.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

Then came the mangalsutra.

He tied it around her neck carefully.

The black beads resting against her skin.

A mark of their marriage.

As he adjusted it, his fingers brushed her neck…

Then he slowly pinched it.

Just slightly.

A faint smirk appeared on his face.

She looked at him instantly.

A mix of surprise and something else.

Something only they understood.

The priest continued chanting.

But for a moment…

Everything else faded.

And in that moment—

She wasn’t just a bride anymore.

She was his.