Chapter 10 #2
The white marble of the temple caught the early morning light, making it gleam. A shiver ran up her legs as they made their way up the wet steps from the morning wash.
The space was open and expansive, and its high ceilings were carved with delicate floral patterns. Inside the small chamber, the idol of Goddess Parvati stood bathed in the glow of oil diyas.
Kashvi noticed that one side of the temple had been decorated with flowers, and at its centre stood a small mandap adorned with vines. A havan kund sat in the middle, surrounded by offerings for the wedding.
‘How did you arrange all of this overnight?’ Kashvi asked, surprised.
‘We had help,’ Raghav said.
She didn’t understand his cryptic answer until she saw Dhruv emerge from the inner room, juggling a plate full of items. He handed them to the pandit with easy familiarity before heading back inside.
All the reasons she had used to justify his absence fell away, replaced by the simple fact that he was here for her.
For all the distance she had maintained, there was still a space in her life he occupied that she couldn’t dismiss, no matter how hard she tried.
If he hadn't been here today, it would have bothered her.
They approached the group and greeted the elderly man already seated in the mandap. One by one, they bent to touch his feet. He raised his hand in blessing.
‘Thank God Dhruv offered to set everything up, because if Luv had his way with the decorations, we’d be drowning in flowers right now,’ Meera teased.
Luv rubbed the back of his neck as he said, ‘Actually, I had thought of bringing a fog machine, but you know… AQI.’
Abhay snorted. ‘You would have turned this into a full movie production if they’d let you.’
Luv placed a hand over his chest in offence. ‘Excuse me, I bring excellent vision to the table.’
‘The only thing you bring is unnecessary chaos,’ Raghav retorted.
The pandit interrupted their conversation and said, ‘Everything is prepared. We can begin whenever you’re ready.’
‘We’re ready,’ Swayam replied, tightening his hold on her hand, and Kashvi nodded.
The pandit picked up the brass plate on which two garlands made of soft loops of pink and yellow flowers were kept. He sprinkled gangajal over them and chanted before handing them to Siya.
As Kashvi took one garland, she felt a faint tremor in her breath as the world narrowed until it was just Swayam standing across from her, holding the other garland.
Kashvi sensed movement behind her and turned to find Dhruv standing close. Before she could thank him, the ground disappeared beneath her feet.
A startled shriek broke from her as she instinctively reached out for balance, realising Luv and Abhay, along with Dhruv, had lifted her onto their shoulders.
‘What the hell?’ Kashvi swatted Luv’s head, feeling him shake with laughter beneath her.
‘We’ve been waiting a long time to do this. Siya and Mihu both gave us strict warnings at their weddings not to, but you didn’t, so you can’t blame us,’ Luv said.
Siya was about to scold him when Meera stopped her. ‘Don’t even bother. I spent the whole drive here telling them off. They didn’t even listen to me when I promised them caramel brownies.’
‘We’re definitely not going to now,’ Abhay said.
Siya huffed out a breath, shaking her head.
‘We want to make sure the groom earns the right to put the varmala on our kiddo,’ Raghav said, mockingly taunting Swayam.
‘With pleasure,’ Swayam replied, stepping forward.
Though they pushed her higher into the air, Swayam easily placed the garland over her head. The soft petals brushed her neck, and she inhaled their rich fragrance.
‘He’s too tall. We should’ve blindfolded him to make it a challenge,’ Luv complained as they set Kashvi back on the ground.
The pandit gestured for her to do the same, continuing his steady chant.
Swayam bowed just enough to make it easier for her, and the proximity made her acutely aware of the warmth radiating from him. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears as she lifted her hands and placed the garland over his head.
Cheers and hoots echoed through the vast space. The pandit gestured for them to take their seats, and Dhruv gave her a slight nod before walking across the mandap to sit behind Siya and Abhay.
Swayam held her hand as they took their seats in the mandap, in front of the small fire kund, while the others gathered around them.
The pandit poured ghee into the kund, and a faint crackle rose as the kindling caught. The Sanskrit chants flowed in a smooth rhythm, weaving through the air and settling into the marble beneath them.
After the puja, the pandit turned to Siya and Abhay. ‘Now the bride’s family may come forward to perform the kanyadaan.’
Siya leaned forward, reaching for Kashvi’s hand. ‘She’s my baby, Swayam. Take care of her.’
Kashvi’s throat tightened unexpectedly, her gaze flickering to Siya, who was already looking at her with misty eyes.
Swayam nodded without hesitation. ‘I promise,’ he vowed.
With a small nod, Abhay placed his hand beneath Siya’s, and together they guided her hand into his. Swayam tightened his grip just enough to acknowledge it, brushing his thumb lightly over her knuckles and sealing the moment in silence.
Siya leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. ‘He’s lucky that I’m willing to share you with him.’
Her vision blurred, and Kashvi tried to respond, but the words caught in her throat.
Siya pulled back and gave Swayam’s shoulder a light punch. ‘Don’t mess this up,’ she warned.
Swayam let out a soft huff of laughter, nodding once. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it.’
Abhay warned, ‘If you ever make our girl cry, you’ll answer to me. Got it?’
‘You got it, Jiju,’ Swayam said, making him chuckle.
The pandit’s voice rose above the soft crackle of the fire as he instructed them to rise for the pheras. ‘Now the bride and the groom will take seven vows of Saptapadi.’
They both stood, and Swayam shifted to walk ahead of her. He reached for her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers as they began their first phera.
‘For this vow, I promise to care for you with patience and devotion, and to build a life where you and our family are always surrounded by warmth and well-being.’
A lump of emotion formed in her throat as she followed him.
They moved into their second phera, their steps falling into rhythm.