Ink Of Fate

13. The Vow

Shivansh was taking her inside but in midway Aryan came to him.
"Neil told me that you are here, so i too came" Aryan said, then he looked at Shivanya.

"Put me down" She said with a glare.

After standing straight, Shivanya says to Aryan "Bhai, see your so - called best friend scolded me"

"What wrong he did? Shivanya, now I will not tolerate any tantrums of yours! Be quiet" Aryan said looking at her with anger..

"Shivansh, we should go. Everyone is waiting" Aryan said, on which  Shivansh nodded and held Shivanya's wrist and made his way inside.

But Shivanya was still stuck on the fact that how can her brother react like that??
Tears were forming in her eyes but she isn't allowing them to fall!!

"Sorry, everyone.. We got little late! Pandit ji start the Mantras" Aryan said, not even glancing at Shivanya..

They sat in the pavilion!
Pandit ji started chanting the mantras,  Shivansh glanced at Shivanya and then looked at Aryan, as if asking is he fine..
Aryan understood and nodded. But deep down he was crying, regretting and was feeling guilty. Because for the first time in his life, he talked to Shivanya, to his Choti rudely or say angrily..
He can see the tears which Shivanya is holding back and not allowing them to flow down her cheeks.

Soon the Pandit ji said "Kanyadan ke liye Vadhu ke Maa Pita aa jaaye"

(The bride's parents should come for Kanyadaan.)

"Pandit ji, I will do the Kanyadaan " Aryan said, taking off his shoes.

"Your wife? "

"Pandit ji, I'm not married" Aryan replied and looked at Pandit ji with a confused look.

Aryan sat down, and as per the Pandit ji's instructions he did.
The Kanyadaan ritual is a significant part of Hindu weddings, where the bride's father gives his daughter's right hand to the groom's right hand.But in this case its bride's brother.This symbolizes the brother's acceptance of the groom as his Sister's equal partner and his approval to give her away.

After the ritual, Pandit ji chanted some mantras and said "Var aur Vadhu phero ke liya khade ho jaaye"

(Bride and Groom should stand up for the vows)

They stood up and did as per the instructions.

With the first phera, the couple invokes the gods for the plenitude of pure and nourishing food and a life that is noble and respectful.
With the second phera the couple prays for physical and mental strength and to lead a healthy and peaceful life.
The third phera is taken for the fulfilment of spiritual obligations. The gods are invoked for blessing the couple with spiritual strength.
The fourth phera is taken for the attainment of happiness and harmony through mutual love and trust and a long joyous life together.
The fifth phera is taken to pray for the welfare of all living entities in the entire universe and for begetting noble children.
The sixth phera is for bountiful seasons all over the world. The couple prays for bountiful seasons and seeks that they may go through these seasons together, just as they would share their joys and sorrows.
With the last phera they pray for a life of understanding, loyalty, unity and companionship not only for themselves but also for the peace of the universe.

I promise you, Vakil Sahiba, that I will be loyal to you. I will always protect you. I will give you every possible reason to be happy and joyous. That's my promise to you.
Shivansh said in his mind, taking the last vow..

They sat at their respective places.
Shivansh applied the Vermillion in her hair partition, a little fell on her nose.
She was about to rub it, when Isha says "Bhabhi, don't rub it. It is considered good and signifies that how much the groom loves his bride"