The Unwanted Royal Marriage

18. The Late night talks..

Meera's pov

As we settled into our seats, I felt a strange calm washing over me. The gentle murmur of our families, the soft hum of prayers, and the priest's rhythmic chanting made everything feel surreal yet grounding. I glanced over at Adhyay, watching his expression as he listened intently to the priest. Something was reassuring in his calm demeanour—a steadiness that I was grateful for.

The priest began to explain the significance of the engagement, talking about the journey we were about to embark on together. His words felt weighted with tradition and history, connecting us to generations before us who had taken these same vows, and exchanged these same promises. And yet, here we were, two individuals in a world so different from theirs, trying to find our place within it. I caught Adhyay's eye and felt a sudden surge of gratitude—for the fact that we both seemed to understand the enormity of it all in our own quiet ways.

After a few moments, the priest turned to us, holding up the rings. "These rings represent an unbroken bond, a promise of loyalty and love," he said, his voice calm and measured. "Today, you exchange these rings as a sign of your commitment to each other."

I felt my pulse quicken as I reached for the ring that had been chosen for him. The simplicity of the design felt fitting—a plain band with a subtle engraving along the edge. It was a reminder of the simplicity we would hopefully find amidst the complexities of this new journey.

I slipped the ring onto his finger, my hand trembling slightly. Our eyes met, and I saw a flash of emotion in his gaze—something vulnerable, something real. In that moment, I realized that we were both stepping out of our comfort zones, both reaching toward each other in trust, even if it was an arranged beginning.

He took my hand and slid the ring onto my finger, his touch gentle yet sure. There was something grounding in that gesture as if he were silently saying, I'm here. We're in this together. I felt a surge of warmth rise up in my chest, and I couldn't help but smile.

Our families erupted into cheers, clapping and laughing, their happiness infectious. I could feel the pride in their smiles, the love in their voices as they blessed us. Abhimaan bhai sa came over, teasing us both and giving Adhyay a playful shove. Devyani, Dhruv, and the rest of the cousins joined in, laughing and pulling us into a whirlwind of hugs and laughter.

"See, bhabhi, we're going to give you so much trouble, you have no idea!" Dhruv joked, and everyone laughed.

"And I'll have my hands full managing all of you," I replied, smiling.

As the laughter died down, our parents came forward. My mother placed her hands on my shoulders, her eyes misty with pride and a hint of sadness. "You're going to be so loved, Meera," she said softly. "You're starting a new chapter, but remember, you'll always have a home with us."

I hugged her tightly, feeling the weight of the moment, the bittersweet mix of leaving and starting anew. My father, standing beside her, gave me a nod of encouragement, his eyes shining. "You're ready for this, beta. You're stronger than you know."

I glanced at Adhyay's parents, who were watching us with warm smiles. His mother, Arundhati aunty—no, Maa, as she insisted I call her—pulled me into a gentle hug. "Welcome to the family, beta," she whispered. "You have a place here now, and we're so happy to have you with us."

Standing there, surrounded by our families, it felt like everything was finally coming together. Adhyay and I exchanged a glance, and in that moment, I saw my own excitement reflected in his gaze.

Later, as the guests mingled, I found a quiet corner and stood by the window, taking in the view of the palace grounds. Everything felt surreal—the ceremony, the family, the love and laughter that had filled the day. It was all beginning, and though there were still uncertainties, there was also hope and excitement.