THE IInd DECISION

🌸Shaadi🌸

Ayan pov:-

I was adjusting the collar of my kurta when Rudra walked in, grinning from ear to ear. "Look at you, man," he said, giving me an appreciative once-over. "You look dashing and handsome." His compliment caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but smile-it was rare for Rudra to hand out compliments, especially to me.

Before I could respond, I caught sight of Riya entering the room. She looked stunning, beautifully adorned in a vibrant lehenga that made her glow with a quiet elegance. Her eyes met mine as she walked towards me, her steps soft and purposeful. Without a word, she reached up and placed a small dot of kajal behind my ear, a gesture meant to ward off the evil eye. But what caught me off guard was the emotion in her eyes-tears shimmering at the corners.

"Thank you so much, bhai," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "It's every sister's dream to see her brother getting married." Her words hit me harder than I expected, and I could feel the lump forming in my throat. Riya rarely got emotional and seeing her like this made me feel both protective and deeply vulnerable.

I gently brushed the tears from her cheeks with my thumb, the weight of the moment settling heavily on my heart. "Riya..." I began, but the words caught in my throat. All I could do was pull her into a tight embrace, holding her close as if to shield her from the world .

My mother's voice broke the silence, a soft but firm reminder that it was time to go. "Let's go," she said, her tone gentle yet resolute. I nodded

The wedding hall was adorned with soft lights and delicate floral arrangements, setting a serene and almost magical atmosphere. I sat on the stage, surrounded by guests, my expression composed, betraying none of the turmoil within me .The marriage was a contract, a business arrangement with clear terms, devoid of the emotions usually tied to such a day. Or at least, that's what i had told myself.

As I waited, I adjusted my sherwani, my mind wandering. The rituals, the expectations-everything felt so formal, so distant. But something in me shifted when the soft murmur of the guests signaled the bride's entrance.

The room fell into a hush as Ashi stepped into view, her lehenga shimmering under the warm lights. She moved with a grace that captured everyone's attention, but it was her eyes, lined with kohl and filled with a mixture of emotions, that held my gaze. For a moment, I forgot about the contract, the agreement, and everything that had led us here. My heart betrayed me , flickering with an unexpected warmth, a feeling I hadn't anticipated.

She walked slowly, every step bringing her closer to me , her expression a mixture of resolve and vulnerability. The weight of the situation was not lost on her; this was not the fairytale wedding she might have once dreamed of. Yet, she held her head high, her poise masking the uncertainty within.

As she approached the stage, my eyes never left her. I had seen her before, of course, but today, surrounded by tradition and ceremony, she looked different-more beautiful, more real. There was a strength in her that I hadn't fully appreciated until now, and it stirred something deep within me .

But just as quickly as the feeling came, I pushed it down. This was a contract, nothing more. Yet, despite my efforts to remain detached, my heart betrayed me again, beating just a little faster as she finally stood before me.

The priest began chanting the sacred mantras, and the rituals commenced. Ashi's mother, standing close by, performed the initial rituals, her hands trembling slightly as she blessed her daughter. I noticed this, and for a brief moment, my gaze softened. This woman had been both mother and father to Ashi, and I felt a sudden rush of respect for her.

Then priest asked someone elder to come and bind her Duppata with my sehra.

As the ceremony progressed, I found myself increasingly distracted by Ashi. Each time our hands brushed during the rituals, I felt a spark, an electricity that shouldn't have been there. My mind raced, trying to rationalize the emotions bubbling up inside me , but it was no use. The more I tried to convince myself that this was just a formality, the more my heart rebelled.

Pandit ji remarked " Now , its time for Kanya Dan" . In a low, trembling voice, she suddenly said, "My mother will do it. She has raised me, fulfilling the roles of both mother and father. It's only right that she should do this." Tears began to well up in her eyes, and her voice quivered. The priest sighed and responded, "This ritual must be performed by a male member. If a woman does it, it could bring obstacles to her married life."

Her hands clenched into fists, and I could see them trembling as tears spilled over, visible only to me. Despite this being a contract marriage, I value relationships. The fact that she is willing to marry me without asking for anything in return speaks volumes. Even though I may not show it, I felt compelled to stand up for her.

"Her mother will perform the ritual," I said firmly. "She has been both mother and father to her, and as for any obstacles in her married life, I'll make sure she's more than happy with me."

Ashi turned to me, her face a mix of shock and disbelief, as if she hadn't expected anyone to stand up for her. The priest finally relented, saying, "If the bride and groom agree, we will proceed as you wish."

As the priest agreed to our request, Ashi's eyes widened in surprise, her expression softening from shock to a quiet, profound gratitude. Her tears, which had been of frustration and sadness, seemed to shift, as if she couldn't believe someone had finally taken her side. For a moment, she just stared at me, as if trying to process what had just happened. Then, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, a silent thank you that spoke louder than words. She quickly wiped away her tears, straightened up, and nodded, ready to proceed. It was as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and the tension that had gripped her seemed to ease.

After the priest agreed to let Ashi's mother perform the ritual, the ceremony resumed with a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. Ashi's mother, though initially hesitant, stepped forward with a mixture of pride and emotion, ready to fulfill the role traditionally reserved for a male. The tension that had hung over the proceedings seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of unity and respect for Ashi's wishes.

As the rituals continued, Ashi occasionally glanced at me, still processing my unexpected support. our eyes met a few times, each exchange silently acknowledging the moment that had just passed. It was as if an unspoken understanding had formed between us-a bond that, while not rooted in romance, was based on mutual respect.

The rest of the ceremony proceeded smoothly, with Ashi and her mother carrying out the traditions with a renewed sense of purpose. The guests, who had initially murmured about the unusual turn of events, soon fell silent, recognizing the significance of what was happening.

" Now tie Mangalsutra (nuptial Chain)" priest said . As I reached out to place the sacred necklace around Ashi's neck, our eyes met, and the world seemed to slow down. In that instant, I saw a flicker of fear in her eyes, but also hope, and something else-something that mirrored the conflict within me.

My hands trembled slightly as I fastened the necklace, the significance of the act weighing heavily on me. It was more than just a symbol; it was a promise, a commitment, one that felt far more real now than it had when we had first signed the contract.

following he handed me Sindoor , As I filled Sindoor with coin in her partings , a few spilled on her nose and she closed her eyes .The priest instructed us to rise for the pheras, the sacred seven steps around the fire that would seal our marriage. As we stood, My resolve finally began to crack.

priest said " Now I pronounce you both as husband and wife , you may take elders blessing ".As we started to stand, Aashi suddenly slipped, her foot catching on the edge of the carpet. Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed her hand, steadying her before she could fall. Our eyes met once again, and for a brief moment, everything else faded away. Her face was glowing, the sindoor in her hairline and the freshness of her bridal look only enhancing her beauty. I couldn't stop myself from staring, caught in the spell of her presence.

But as quickly as the moment came, it passed. Aashi pulled her hand away, her cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment. Just as she did, someone from the crowd couldn't resist commenting, "Held each other's hands already, huh?"

A ripple of light laughter spread through the room, but I barely noticed. My mind was still on the fleeting touch of her hand, the way our eyes had locked.

As we head out together, Ashi's earlier shock had given way to a quiet sense of contentment. She knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but in that moment, she felt a little more hopeful about the journey she was about to embark on with this man who had, against all odds, stood by her side when she needed it most.



Once the rituals were complete, Ashi's mother placed her hand on her daughter's head in a gesture of blessing, her eyes glistening with tears. I, standing by Ashi's side, felt a strange mix of emotions-respect for Ashi's strength, a deeper sense of responsibility towards her, and perhaps the first flicker of something more than just a contractual obligation.

As the moment of vidaai arrived, Aashi clung to her mother, hugging her tightly as she burst into tears. Her sobs filled the air, a mixture of sorrow and the bittersweet reality of leaving her childhood home. Her mother held her close, gently stroking her back, and whispered softly, "Stop crying, my dear. You're only a few hours away from me." But Aashi couldn't find the words to respond, her emotions too overwhelming.


We began to move forward, but just as I was about to step into the car, I noticed something crucial missing-my shoes. "God, not this again," I muttered under my breath, realizing what was happening.

Sure enough, there stood Ruhi, holding my shoes with a mischievous grin plastered across her face. "Cash, Jiju," she said with a playful glint in her eyes, "Not a rupee less than 5 lakh."

I sighed, realizing there was no escaping this tradition. With a slight nod, I signaled my PA, who promptly handed me a cheque. I quickly signed it for 5 lakh rupees and handed it over to Ruhi.

She took the cheque, her face scrunching up in mock disappointment. "You're so boring, Jiju! If I knew you'd give in so easily, I would've asked for more," she teased, causing a wave of laughter to ripple through the guests.

With a dramatic flourish, Ruhi finally set my juttis down on the ground, gently brushing her dupatta over them as if to show respect. The playful banter lightened the mood, and despite the tears and emotions of the vidaai, the moment brought a sense of warmth and togetherness that made everything feel just a little bit easier and we made our way towards car.

-Ashi wedding outfit

-Ayan Wedding Outfit

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