Threads of Tradition: Tales Of Indian Arranged Marriages

9.

The sun rose on the day of the wedding, casting a golden glow across the city. It was as if the universe itself was aligning to bless the union of Amrita and Vihaan. The air buzzed with excitement, and the Verma household was already abuzz with preparations. Amrita's family, friends, and relatives were scattered throughout the house, everyone busy with last-minute arrangements, making sure every detail was perfect for the big day.

Amrita, however, sat in the quiet solitude of her room, staring at her wedding lehenga—a magnificent deep red ensemble adorned with intricate gold embroidery. The day she had anticipated for months had finally arrived, and she could barely believe it. Her mind raced with thoughts—nervousness, excitement, and the weight of the life-changing commitment she was about to make.

Her mother, Suman, entered the room quietly, bringing with her the familiar scent of jasmine from the flowers she had been stringing. She smiled softly at Amrita, her eyes filled with emotion. It wasn’t just a wedding day for her; it was the day she would watch her daughter step into a new chapter of life.

“You look deep in thought,” Suman said as she walked over to Amrita’s side, gently touching her shoulder. “Are you nervous?”

Amrita glanced up at her mother, feeling a wave of comfort in her presence. “A little,” she admitted. “It’s all happening so fast. I just keep thinking, what if I’m not ready?”

Suman smiled warmly, taking Amrita’s hand in hers. “No one is ever fully ready for a new beginning. But I’ve seen the way you and Vihaan look at each other. I know that both of you will figure it out together, one step at a time. You’ll grow into this marriage, just like we all do.”

Amrita felt her heart settle a bit at her mother’s words. She had been overthinking the details, as she often did, but Suman’s reassurance made her realize that marriage wasn’t about being perfect from the start—it was about learning and growing alongside one another.

The makeup artist arrived shortly after, and soon Amrita was swept into the whirlwind of bridal preparations. As the stylist worked on her hair and makeup, Amrita’s room filled with her cousins and friends, who showered her with compliments and playful banter. The air was light and full of joy, a welcome distraction from her earlier nervousness.

By the time her bridal look was complete, Amrita hardly recognized herself in the mirror. The transformation was breathtaking—her hair adorned with jasmine flowers, her eyes lined with kohl, and her face glowing with an ethereal beauty. But the centerpiece was her lehenga, which shimmered in the sunlight as she stood up to admire herself. It was a perfect blend of tradition and elegance, a reflection of the significance of the day.

"Amrita, you look like a queen!" Aditi gasped, clapping her hands in excitement. “Vihaan’s going to be speechless when he sees you.”

Amrita blushed, a smile tugging at her lips. Despite the overwhelming day, the thought of seeing Vihaan at the altar brought a sense of calm to her heart. She realized then that her earlier doubts were natural, but her feelings for Vihaan—the connection they had built—were real and strong.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the groom's preparations were in full swing. Vihaan’s family home was equally chaotic, with relatives bustling about, ensuring that the groom’s attire and the baraat arrangements were flawless. Vihaan, though outwardly calm, felt the weight of the day settling in. His sherwani, a regal ivory and gold outfit, lay neatly on the bed as he stood before the mirror, collecting his thoughts.

His best friend, Rohit, burst into the room, already dressed in his traditional attire, grinning from ear to ear. “Well, today’s the big day! How are you holding up?”

Vihaan chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m holding up, but it’s starting to feel real now. Marriage is a big deal, Rohit.”

Rohit nodded, playfully adjusting Vihaan’s collar. “Of course, it is. But you and Amrita? You’re going to be just fine. This is the fun part—you get to ride in on a horse, look like royalty, and marry the girl you love.”

Vihaan smiled at that. The thought of seeing Amrita walking down the aisle in her bridal attire filled him with anticipation. The doubts and fears that had lingered were slowly dissolving as he focused on the love and bond they had built in the short but meaningful time they’d known each other. They might not have had years of history, but what they had was solid, built on mutual respect, trust, and growing affection.

The baraat, in true Indian tradition, was a spectacle to behold. Vihaan, seated on a white horse, was dressed in his sherwani, the sun casting a golden hue over the baraatis dancing exuberantly to the beats of the dhol. His friends and cousins led the procession, their colorful turbans and sparkling outfits creating a vibrant, joyous scene. The sound of music filled the streets, and neighbors came out to watch the celebration, cheering on the groom’s party.

As the baraat arrived at Amrita’s family home, they were greeted with a traditional welcome by her parents. The families exchanged pleasantries, and Suman performed the ritual of warding off the evil eye from Vihaan. The atmosphere was a mix of joy, celebration, and solemnity, with everyone aware of the significance of the day.

Inside the house, Amrita stood by the window, peeking through the curtains as the baraat arrived. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Vihaan, looking every bit the princely groom in his sherwani and turban. There was something surreal about watching the man she was about to marry, surrounded by his family and friends, arriving to begin their journey together.

"Ready, Amrita?" Aditi’s voice broke her thoughts. "It’s time."

Amrita nodded, taking a deep breath. This was it. The moment she had waited for. She felt a strange mix of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and a sense of calm all at once. Her father, Rajesh, stood by the door, waiting to escort her to the mandap. He smiled at her, his eyes misting with pride and emotion.

"You’re ready for this, beta," he said softly, his voice filled with affection.

Arm in arm with her father, Amrita made her way towards the mandap. The soft strains of shehnai music filled the air, and the guests stood as she entered, their eyes fixed on the bride. The mandap, decorated with marigold garlands and traditional motifs, stood at the center of the courtyard, and Vihaan stood waiting, his eyes locked on hers the moment she appeared.

As she approached, Vihaan’s breath caught. She looked absolutely radiant, her beauty enhanced by the grace and poise with which she carried herself. In that moment, everything else faded away. The guests, the rituals, the noise—it was just the two of them, standing at the cusp of their new life together.

Amrita felt the same as she met Vihaan’s gaze. It was as if the entire world had narrowed down to just the two of them, and the moment felt perfect. All her worries and doubts seemed insignificant now. This was where she was meant to be.

The priest began the ceremony, chanting the sacred mantras that had been passed down through generations. As they sat side by side, the fire in front of them crackling softly, Amrita and Vihaan exchanged glances, feeling the gravity of the moment.

The rituals unfolded, each one significant in its own way, symbolizing the union of two souls, two families, and two futures. As they stood to take the seven vows around the sacred fire, the significance of each step resonated deeply within them. Every promise they made, from supporting one another through life’s trials to standing together in joy and sorrow, felt like a binding contract, one they were ready to honor.

The final moment came when Vihaan gently placed the mangalsutra around Amrita’s neck and filled her parting with sindoor. It was the moment that signified their official union, and the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

Vihaan smiled at Amrita, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. “We did it.”

Amrita smiled back, her heart full. “We did.”

And in that moment, surrounded by family, tradition, and love, they knew that this was just the beginning of their beautiful journey together.