Unbinding Tradition

10. Tae's new world 🙂

YOU ALL; DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT 😒...

As the car stopped in front of the grand Jeon Haveli, the newlywed couple sat in silence. The weight of their new roles settled over them like the evening air—heavy and undeniable.

Jungkook was the first to push open the door and step out. His face was stern, eyes focused ahead as if avoiding the very reality of his new life. For a moment, he thought he could just walk away, go inside, and escape the rush of emotions he wasn't ready to face.

But then, he felt a tug. The cloth around his shoulders, still tied to Tae's pallu from the gathbandhan, stopped him in his tracks.

He let out a quiet sigh and turned his head slightly to glance at his wife, still seated in the car. The scene felt unreal. Tae, dressed in her heavy bridal outfit, was having trouble handling the weight of her lehenga and the long veil covering her face.

She reached out with one hand to hold her lehenga as she cautiously stepped out of the car. Her movements were careful, but the heavy fabric caught her off guard, and she almost stumbled.

Before she could fall, Jungkook’s reflexes took over. He swiftly grabbed her hand, his grip firm yet gentle, preventing her from hitting the ground.

Tae froze for a moment, her heart racing, but quickly found her balance. The warmth of his hand lingered longer than expected, and for the briefest second, their eyes met—hers hidden beneath the veil but still conveying the flurry of emotions she felt.

"Clumsy," Jungkook muttered, a slight chuckle escaping his lips.

He steadied her, his hand still hovering near her arm as if to ensure she wouldn’t trip again, and then began walking toward the entrance of the mansion.

Tae walked a step behind, the gathbandhan cloth keeping them connected. It was a strange sight—the confident and composed Jungkook leading, with the quiet, newly-married Tae following carefully, each step balancing between tradition and an unknown future.

As they neared the entrance, the Jeon family awaited them.

As Jungkook and Tae stood near the grand entrance of the Jeon Haveli, the air around them was filled with the soft murmur of family members, excited whispers, and the occasional clinking of bangles.

Mrs. Jeon came forward with a silver plate in her hand. It was adorned with a diya, flowers, and kumkum, the traditional red powder used to bless the newlyweds. She stepped up to them and gently applied a small dot of kumkum on both Jungkook and Tae’s foreheads.

She gestured Tae toward a silver kalash (a ceremonial pot) filled with rice, placed carefully in front of the entrance.

Mrs Jeon- Kick the kalash with your right foot, Banno (daughter-in-law). It symbolizes abundance and prosperity entering our home through you, the new bride.

Tae glanced down at the kalash. She gently lifted her right foot and kicked the kalash, watching as the rice spilled forward, scattered across the entrance, and symbolizing her arrival as the newest member of the Jeon family.

Next, Mrs. Jeon held out a small container filled with red kumkum water.

Mrs. Jeon- Now, place your feet in this, and step forward to leave your first footprints in our home. These prints will be a reminder that you are now a part of this family, marking your entrance into this new life.

Tae hesitated for a moment before stepping into the container, the cold water seeping through the delicate fabric of her bridal lehenga. Her feet, now stained red with kumkum, left a trail of crimson footprints on the pristine white marble tiles as she walked slowly into the Haveli.