His Hayat

C h a p t e r 16

The air was thick with emotion as the pandit announced it was time for the kanyadaan ritual.

A sudden hush fell over the hall, a silence that only deepened as everyone realized something important—that my family wasn’t there. I felt the absence like a weight on my chest, like an ache I had hidden away but couldn’t ignore. I never wanted my father to do my kanyadaan, but my mother and...she wasn't here...that ache of her not being here.

Before I could process the hollow feeling, a hand rested gently on my shoulder. I turned to see Vani’s mother and father standing beside me, their eyes filled with warmth, and her mother’s smile soft and reassuring.

“Tum humari bhi toh beti ho na, beta,” Vani's mother said, her voice tender. My eyes immediately welled up with tears as she squeezed my hand, as if to say, "We are here. You’re not alone."

Vani’s father placed a hand on my head, blessing me with a love that felt so pure, so genuine. “Aaj bare saurbhagya se, hume yeh mauka mila hai ki, apni beti Hayat ka haath main ek bare ache vyakti Abhimanyu Rathore ko dene Jaa rha hun!” he said, his voice full of pride as he looked over at Abhimanyu, who nodded respectfully, his gaze warm with gratitude. "Humari beti ka dhyaan rakhna beta, humari phool si bachi ko humesha khush rakhna."

They guided me toward Abhimanyu, where they took my hand and placed it gently in his. I looked down at our joined hands, feeling the weight of the moment—the love that surrounded me, even in the absence of my own family. Vani’s parents’ touch, their kindness, their words—it all made me realize how loved I was, how they had always treated me as one of their own.

Abhimanyu looked up at them, his expression solemn yet deeply grateful. "Thank you" he murmured softly, holding my hand with a quiet promise in his grip.

Vani’s mother brushed a tear from her eye, giving me a radiant smile. “We know you’ll take care of her, beta” she whispered to Abhimanyu.

He gave a firm nod, looking at me with that unwavering gaze of his, and I could feel the strength of his vow in that moment. The world around us faded, and all that remained was this simple, profound promise shared between families—those born to us and those we choose.

As the pandit began the blessings, I felt my heart settle, knowing that even though my family wasn’t here, I had found a new one, woven together by love, loyalty, and all the people who stood by me today.

----

As we stood before the sacred fire, the flames crackling softly, casting a warm glow over us, the pandit signaled it was time for the pheras, the seven rounds symbolizing the vows we would make to each other.

We stood up, and Vani tied my saree's palloo to his shall. "Lo bhai ab you guys can't leave each other AT ALL" she muttered giggling. Abhimanyu touched the knot, and gave it another knot, touching it to see the durability, as everyone laughed at the gesture.
"Bas check kar rha tha.." I hear him whisper as I chuckle. Soon after Abhimanyu took my hand in his.

Abhimanyu’s hand was firm around mine, his warmth grounding me as we began to walk around the fire. I could feel my heart racing, the weight of the moment settling over us. I knew this was just a contract marriage, yet here we were, making promises in this ancient ceremony, a ritual that had bound countless souls together before us. And somehow, it felt real—surprisingly, deeply real.

---

The First Vow

As we completed the first round, I thought of the words the pandit spoke about nourishing and supporting each other.