Chapter 10 #3
‘For this vow, I promise to be your strength and shield, and to protect you from the troubles of the world.’
Someone sniffled around them as they began their third round.
‘For this vow, I promise to hold your hand through every season, in health and in hardship, in happiness and in sorrow, with honesty, loyalty, and trust.’
He lightly caressed her knuckles as said, ‘For this vow, I promise to respect your individuality and honour your voice. You’re my soulmate and best friend, and I’ll walk beside you in every lifetime.’
Kashvi swallowed, her breath uneven, as they completed the fourth round. His words still echoed in her mind when the pandit gestured for her to exchange places with Swayam.
He stepped aside to let her pass so she could walk ahead of him, not letting go of her hand even once.
She cleared her throat as they began their fifth round. ‘For this vow, I promise to build a home of our own, with sincerity, care, and unwavering respect.’
Behind her, he squeezed her hand in silent assurance, steadying her enough to continue.
They moved into their sixth round, and this time the words came a little easier. ‘For this vow, I promise to meet our differences with understanding, our storms with patience, and our days with laughter.’
‘For this final vow, as God is my witness, I promise to forsake all others, and to be your soulmate and best friend as much as you’re mine. You belong to me, and I belong to you, for all eternity.’
They came to a slow stop, and Swayam clasped both her hands as he repeated after her with quiet certainty.
‘For this final vow, as God is my witness, I promise to forsake all others, and to be your soulmate and best friend as much as you're mine. You belong to me, and I belong to you, for all eternity.’
The pandit gestured to them to take their seats. His chants rose as he reached for a small silver box and held it out to him. ‘Now, the groom will perform the sindoor daan.’
Swayam took a small pinch of vermilion between his fingers. He held her gaze as he lifted his hand and slowly drew it through the parting of her hair. Kashvi felt the faint tremor in his fingers before he pulled away.
The sensation was fleeting, yet it lingered. When he looked at her like that, everything else seemed to fade. Her lashes lowered, and a tiny speck of red slipped loose, falling onto the bridge of her nose.
‘Oh, we know you like her. You don’t have to ruin her makeup to show that,’ Luv said, barely containing his grin.
When he pulled out his handkerchief, Kusha swatted it away. ‘Shut up. It’s auspicious,’ she said, snapping a few shots with her camera.
Kashvi heard the shutter click and flinched, trying to hide it with a cough. Swayam stole a glance at her.
Clearing his throat, the pandit announced, ‘Now place this mangalsutra around the bride’s neck. It will bind her to you in union, forever.’
She turned towards Swayam and caught him scratching at his beard, a nervous habit she had often seen him do.
Her brows drew together as she searched his face. ‘Why do you look like you’re about to confess a crime?’
His breath left him in a quiet exhale that almost resembled a laugh. ‘Good guess.’
Her eyes widened, a flicker of worry rushing through her.
‘Okay,’ Swayam murmured. He reached into his kurta pocket and pulled out his hand, his fist curled around something delicate.
‘My pendant,’ Kashvi whispered, recognising the ruby heart.
He watched her closely, then opened his hand fully for her to see the rest of it.
The rose gold chain was no longer plain.
Threaded along its length were tiny black beads, evenly spaced, giving it the look of a modern, minimalist mangalsutra.
Swayam rubbed the back of his neck as he said, ‘I wasn’t sure if I should get it modified but… you wear this all the time, so I figured if you have to wear a mangalsutra, it shouldn’t feel odd to you.’
For a moment, she simply looked at him.
He went on, ‘I didn’t know if you’d like it, and before you say anything, if you hate it, I’ll get it fixed back to the way it was, I swear.’
Kashvi shook her head and whispered, ‘It still feels like mine… just better.’
‘That’s kind of what I was going for,’ he said quietly, his voice still carrying a hint of disbelief.
‘It’s perfect,’ she said, leaving no room for doubt.
He let out a chuckle. ‘Oh, thank God.’
The pandit resumed the chants, and Swayam leaned closer, his fingers finding the nape of her neck before fastening the mangalsutra in place. His breath against her skin made her acutely aware of every point of contact.
The weight of the pendant settled against her collarbone, familiar yet entirely new.
‘The vivaah is complete now. Your fates are joined together in holy matrimony today. May God bless you,’ the pandit announced with a smile.
A cheer rose around them as they were pulled into a group hug.
Kashvi let out a breath that turned into a laugh when Swayam pulled her to him. As she nestled in his arms, a crazy thought slipped through her mind, one she tried to dismiss but couldn’t.
I’m home.