Yuanfen : Destined To Be Together

Chapter 2

Nandini took a deep breath as she started speaking, her eyes already shimmering with unshed tears,

"When I first saw you, I didn't know that I would get tangled with you. That we would end up to this day. Yet...I loved your eyes, your smile, your voice....everything that belonged to you. You're the one who turned the fear within me into faith. You gave me a reason to live, to hold onto this life."

She paused and looked down, a drop of tear hit the floor before she spoke again,

"Falling in love with you....wasn't only falling in love but it felt like getting to know this feeling once more. It felt as if we were taking slow steps towards each other, even though we were miles apart. And where we met...it was an environment, only filled with love, certainty and trust. A place where the horizon ends and the earth meets with heaven with the serene feeling of falling in love."

She took a deep breath before speaking again...
"Today, I promise to stay by your side through all the sunshines and storms that will come into your life. To be your other-half, your soulmate, your safe haven. I promise to share your joy, your sadness. I promise to garnish a new life, a new world with you, which we will be living together, the rest of our lives."

She looked up at Jimin when she finished speaking. Both of them were smiling through their tears. Feeling overwhelmed with emotions. The crowd smiled softly as they listened to the bride's words, devoted to her life partner.
The priest spoke up, "Park Jimin, do you take Nandini Sen to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Nandini looked down, a sudden nervousness surging within her with the question.
Jimin's voice rang out clear and strong, echoing in the hall room.
"I do." He gazed into Nandini's eyes when she looked up. The crowd murmured approvingly, touched by the raw emotion between the couple. The priest then turned to her.
"Nandini, do you take Park Jimin to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Her heart thumped in her chest as she nodded and spoke, "I do." Jimin's face immediately lit up with the most beautiful smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. The crowd cheered when the priest declared with a gentle smile, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present you Mr and Mrs.Park." The priest turned to Jimin as he spoke, "You may now kiss the bride."

Jimin pulled her closer gently as he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, the most gentle gesture, filled with love and respect. As they both stood straight again, the priest spoke up with his smile, "But the wedding hasn't finished yet." Jimin and Nandini, both looked at him, a confused smile on their face. Jimin ended up asking, "What more is left?" The priest looked at Nandini with a gentle smile, "Her traditions are yet to be followed." Nandini's eyes widened a little meanwhile Jimin smiled again, excited to perform her rituals. The priest spoke again, "We will follow some significant rituals of the traditional Indian wedding." Nandini smiled, her heart still pounding with excitement. 

Two flower garlands were brought. The priest handed the Varmala to both of them. He started explaining the ritual, "You both will be exchanging the garlands for three times. The exchange of Varmala signifies the mutual acceptance of the bride and groom as life partners. It symbolises their willingness to enter into a lifelong commitment." 
Jimin's eyes lit up as he understood the tradition and its significance. He held up the garland delicately in his hands, looking at Nandini with adoration, his gaze making her heart skip a beat. "Three times, you say?" he asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice. Nandini nodded excitedly, her heart was eager to perform her own traditions. 
"Let's make this memorable then." With that, he quickly and playfully tried to put the garland around her neck. The crowd chuckled as she playfully ducked, trying to evade his hands. The game of cat and mouse began, with each failed attempt causing laughter from the guests.
The priest chuckled as well. When the ritual ended, Jimin's garland was around Nandini's neck and her was around Jimin's, indicating their new life together. The priest spoke up, "The next ritual is the Saptapadi. Both of you will be walking around the fire in circles for seven times. Each of the steps is called a 'Phere', and each Phere stands for the seven promises and principles made by the couple to each other during the exchange of vows."
As Nandini and Jimin watched the priest prepare the sacred fire at the center of the altar, he turned to her with a tender smile. He took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers as he spoke, "Are you ready for our next step, my love?" His voice barely above a whisper, only meant for her. His eyes filled with love and nervous excitement. As Nandini nodded with a soft smile, the priest instructed the to walk around the fire. "Hold hands and walk around the fire. Jimin, you will walk ahead of her." As they both started walking, the priest recited Sanskrit shloka for the each round. With each round, their bond grew stronger, their love deeper, as they promised to stay with each other for their next seven lives. As the Saptapadi finished, the priest made both of them sit in front of the fire, side by side. He spoke up, "This is our final ritual of the ceremony, 'Sindoor Daan'. According to Sanatan traditions, vermillion is considered a symbol of unbroken good fortune. Apart from this, it is also believed that applying vermillion on the forehead daily by a married woman keeps the married life happy." Nandini's heart skipped multiple beats as she watched the priest handing Jimin a ring having vermillion on top it. Jimin nodded and took the ring from the priest, holding it up to Nandini's forehead as he tied their life together with the vermillion. The crowd gave them a round of applause, celebrating their new life as a married couple. 
Nandini felt a new saree wrap around her head. As she looked up, it was Jimin's mom. She smiled at her, finally understanding who arranged to follow her traditions.