Chasing Tomorrow

chapter 40

It was the day Raya had never imagined in her wildest dreams would come true—a day she had been waiting for her entire life. As she stood in front of the full-length mirror, looking at herself in the wedding dress, her hands trembled with excitement and a little bit of nerves. The delicate lace hugged her curves perfectly, and the flowing train cascaded behind her, shimmering as the light hit it. Her mother and friends buzzed around her, helping with last-minute adjustments. Her heart raced as she caught sight of her reflection.

"You look beautiful," her mother whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Raya turned to her, smiling through tears. "Thank you, Mom. I feel like I’m in a dream."

"You are," her mother said, wiping away a tear. "But this is your dream, sweetheart."

Raya nodded, taking a deep breath. "I’m ready."

Jake, on the other hand, was pacing back and forth in the dressing room. He kept looking at his watch, checking the time. The ceremony was about to begin, but his mind was racing, full of excitement and nerves. He adjusted his tie for the hundredth time, and his best man, Adam, looked at him, a teasing grin on his face.

"Man, you’re getting married. You’re really doing this," Adam chuckled, his eyes glinting with humor.

"I know," Jake replied, running his fingers through his hair. "I can’t believe it’s finally here."

"You sure you’re ready?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jake paused, his eyes softening. "I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Raya is everything I’ve ever wanted."

Adam grinned, slapping him on the back. "Well, then, you’re good to go."

The ceremony was held in a small, intimate venue—a garden surrounded by tall trees with twinkling fairy lights, creating a romantic atmosphere. As Raya walked down the aisle, her heart pounded in her chest. She could see Jake standing at the altar, looking so handsome in his tailored suit, his eyes locked on her with an intensity that made her stomach flip.

As she reached the front, Jake took her hand, and their eyes met. The world seemed to disappear for a moment, and all that mattered was the two of them standing there together. The officiant began the ceremony, but Raya could barely focus on the words. All she could think about was the man standing beside her—the man she was about to marry.

"You may now exchange your vows," the officiant said, breaking through her thoughts.

Jake turned to her, his voice shaking slightly but filled with love. "Raya, from the moment I met you, I knew my life would never be the same. You are my heart, my soul, my everything. I promise to love you every day, through every moment, good or bad. I will always support you, protect you, and cherish you for the rest of my life. You are my forever."

Tears welled up in Raya’s eyes as she listened to his words. She never thought she would be standing here, hearing Jake say these beautiful things to her. Her heart ached with love for him. She took a deep breath and began her vows.

"Jake, when I first met you, I never imagined this moment. You have made me the happiest I’ve ever been. You’ve been my rock, my best friend, and my love. I promise to always stand by your side, to support you, and to love you, even on the days when things get tough. You’re not just the love of my life, you are my everything. I will love you through every challenge, every joy, and every moment we share together."

The officiant smiled and nodded, motioning for them to exchange rings. Jake took the ring from his pocket, his hands trembling as he slid it onto Raya’s finger. "With this ring, I promise to always love you."

Raya repeated the gesture, slipping a beautiful band onto Jake’s finger. "With this ring, I promise to always be by your side."

The officiant smiled, his voice filled with joy. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Jake pulled her into his arms, and without a moment’s hesitation, he kissed her, gently at first, savoring the moment. But as the kiss deepened, the crowd cheered, and the moment became even more magical. It was their moment, the beginning of forever.

Later that evening, after the reception and all the celebration, Jake and Raya found themselves alone in their hotel room. The moment they had both been waiting for had finally come—their wedding night. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of candles flickering on the bedside table. The air was thick with anticipation.

Raya sat on the edge of the bed, nervously smoothing the fabric of her dress. She could feel her heart racing in her chest. This was it. The night she had imagined for so long. And yet, the nerves still lingered, though she knew Jake was the one she wanted to share this moment with.

Jake, seeing her nervousness, walked over to her and gently cupped her face, tilting it up to meet his gaze. "Raya, it's okay if you are tired, we don’t have to rush."

Raya smiled, her heart swelling with love. "I want this, Jake. I want to be with you, always."

Jake kissed her forehead softly before sitting beside her on the bed. "Then we’ll take it slow, together."

They both stood up, and with one gentle movement, Jake helped her out of the dress. Raya gasped slightly, feeling a shiver run down her spine as Jake’s hands brushed against her skin. His touch was gentle, but she could feel the intensity of his love in every movement.

As the night unfolded, their connection deepened, and every kiss, every touch was filled with love and tenderness. It was their first night as husband and wife, and they took it slow, cherishing each moment. The vulnerability they shared in that quiet room created a bond that was even stronger than before. They spoke to each other softly, sharing whispered words of love and admiration, expressing their feelings in ways that only they understood.

Later that night, as they lay in each other’s arms, exhausted but content, Raya whispered softly, "I’ve never been more in love with you than I am right now."

Jake held her closer, pressing a soft kiss to her hair. "And I’ve never been more in love with you, Raya. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, and more."

They drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms, knowing that this was only the beginning of their forever.