Let the Most Benevolent guide me to my heart's deepest desire, that is you.
—H

♡❥⁠˙⁠๑

Her

As the man, in the twilight of his years, casts his gaze upon the couple standing before him, he beholds a beauty that transcends the ages. The softness in his eyes speaks volumes of his heart's contentment. For he has long held gatherings such as these, weaving threads of kinship and unity. And now, as he stands before the Holy One, the serenity that washes over him is a testament to the magic of bringing souls together.

A sacred bond such as marriage, he has witnessed enough and it brings peace to him to know how beautifully the Lord has made man and woman for each other.

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh," the man says, loudly enough to be heard by everyone who has gathered there to witness the beautiful bond. He continues, "Says the Word of God."

Beyond the net that veils her countenance, her eyes are uplifted, seeking a glimpse of his visage. His Word, like a beacon of illumination to guide her path, fills her heart with a fluttering sensation. She knows the words are woven with threads of their shared destiny. Yes, she knows intimately.

Fiery orbs ablaze with an intensity that could set souls alight, gaze upon her. Though their heat warms her as it always has, she cannot ignore the sting of sorrow and remorse that lingers within. Does the thought of their union cause him such anguish? The question echoes in her mind, a haunting melody that refuses to fade. She finds herself unable to bear the pain etched in those eyes any longer, and thus lowers her gaze, seeking refuge from the heartache.

"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ has loved the church. He gave up his life for her." The old man gazes at the man before him, speaking, "Will you have this woman as your lawfully wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; for richer and for poorer, forsaking all others, and keep yourself only to her, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Though the voice is low, the tone is firm.

Now, the bride has the man's attention. He smiles gently, ministering to her, "Will you have this man as your lawfully wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; for richer and for poorer, forsaking all others, and keep yourself only to him, so long as you both shall live?"

And so she remained resolute, for her heart knew no other way. The pledge to stand by his side, unwavering and firm, flowed from her with ease. From the moment their paths intertwined, in the innocence of youth, she knew that her heart belonged to him. Their connection was pure, and her love for him was true, without a shadow of doubt or deceit.

"I do," she says with honesty.

"What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." All of a sudden, her palms go sweaty. Hand in hand, he can feel it. When the priest announces, "You may kiss the bride, gentleman."

As her velvety lids lift, he releases her hand and unfurls the lacy veil that curtains her. His orbs, as bright as the brightest star in the heliocentrism system, falls upon her countenance, now aglow with a flush. He lowers his eyes, and his palm cradles her cheek with tenderness. Tilting his head, he draws near, and her heart drums louder in her chest. At the corner of her mouth, his lips alight, sparking a flame of expectancy within her. Yet, in that fleeting moment, he withdraws, shattering her dreams of a deeper enchantment. How could she have dared to desire more, she wonders, as the stars above whisper their mysteries.

❥⁠˙⁠๑

Upon crossing the threshold of her new abode, she shed the weight of her gown, donning a lighter garment with the aid of her sister-in-law.

Amidst the stillness, she busies herself with her belongings, drawing forth her treasures from the confines of her trusty suitcase. The tranquility enshrouds her, and the sweet solace of her own company stirs magic within. He is yet to arrive, and the mysteries of his delay remain unknown.

Alas, the ephemeral moment dissolves like mist by a gentle rapping on their chamber's door. She turns, her eyes alighting upon the threshold, where her mother-in-law and sister-in-law awaits. They greet her with a smile.

"May we come in, bhabhi?" Her sister-in-law inquires, giggling playfully. Her hazel eyes, akin to the very essence of magic, shimmer with a radiance that rivals the gown she adorns. Her attire, a tapestry of wonder, clings to her form, as if she is enchanted to never let it go. Perchance, she has yet to shed her raiment.

She smiles. "Of course, you're always welcome." She puts away her dress, walking to the ladies as they join her in. The door shuts behind.

"We wanted to see you. Especially Elle, you both are friends, after all," her mother-in-law says, a smile has graced her lips. "Adam will arrive soon. His friends have delayed his arrival. I hope this hasn't brought you any discomfort, my dearest."

"Worry not, Ma." She blinks in assurance. "I don't mind it."

"You, too, don't worry, Lena. I'm here to keep you busy." His sister-in-law, her friend first, jokes. She takes a seat beside her, holding her shoulders to give her a warm hug. She hugs her back.

Her mother-in-law's smile radiates with love. Tenderly, her hand reaches forth, cupping her cheek in a gesture of endearment. Her eyes, suffused with a radiant warmth, mirrored the very essence found in her husband's gaze.

"May the glow of joy illuminate your face, shining like the first dawn of spring. May your heart brim with an abundance of smiles, and your aura radiate comfort, peace, and bliss to all those who are around you. May the bond between you and your beloved blossom eternally, as you make the Lord Almighty the foundation of it, for it is He who endows all with prosperity. Let no earthly guise sway the bond between you, for your love shall flourish like the verdant tree of life, deeply rooted by the river's edge of eternity."

"Amen," she mumbles at the end of the blessings her mother-in-law bestows upon her.

Her mother-in-law smiles and proceeds to open the box that she brought with herself. Her eyes watch as they see an outfit that comes out.

"How's it to you?"

"Beautiful."

"I chose this for you for a small function tomorrow. Glad to know you liked it. Wear it tomorrow evening, okay?"

"I will."

"And I'll help you with makeup and all!"

To Arielle's determination, she smiles and nods her head.

As the stillness of the moment lingered, a sudden knock broke the silence, beckoning attention. A maiden enters the room, bearing news that the rest had arrived. The air hummed with anticipation, and yet, another call summoned Arielle from their midst. Her father, seeking her presence, awaited her downstairs. And so, Arielle departed from the company of her mother and sister in-law.

The door closes again and her mother-in-law doesn't waste a moment to put forth her concern that she couldn't keep inside herself anymore.

"You look nervous, worried and anticipated. What's wrong, my dearest?"

With trepidation, she averts her gaze from her mother-in-law, fearing that the depths of her eyes might reveal the secrets that lay dormant within her. For her heart was troubled, and her soul was restless, and she dared not risk the discovery of more hidden truths.

Yet, her mother-in-law persists. With a gentle touch, she grasps her kin's hand, beckoning her to listen. "I'm your mother, ain't I?" She asks, her voice low and soft.

She finds herself nodding her head.

"Then why do you hide things from me? I can help you, Lena. If something troubles you, tell me." Her words, a salve for the soul, carry the promise of a solution to all that ails her.

She sighs, agreeing to tell her whatever that troubles her heart. "I'm thinking about us-Adam and me. I'm thinking of our future. I don't know what lies ahead of us and most importantly, I think... I think he's forced to do this all." She lowers her gaze, not wanting her mother-in-law to witness the forlorn look in her eyes. She's not used to it.

As her gaze falls upon Evalena, her son's new bride, a pang of heartache dances within her chest. Her eyes, windows to the soul, betray the sorrow that lingers within. She is aware, all too well, of the circumstances that led to this union.

Though she does not possess the entire truth, she knows that this union may have wounded their compatibility, potentially leading to broken hearts. Moreover, how can she ignore the fact that her son is a widower? The gentle soul sitting before her has chosen to embrace the responsibility of a family, comprising of a man and his son. And yet, what causes her heart the most pain is the lingering memory of his first wife, still present after three long years.

"No, he's not forced. I know he was willing to marry you because he knows you're the woman who can change things in his life." She exhales softly, adding, "He knows you can give love to his son selflessly."

"And what about him?" Though Evalena feels too quick to press, she doesn't regret. "He probably didn't want to marry me. Prior to any reason, Ma, you know how badly I've wounded his trust. I wonder if I'd be able to mend it. I wonder if he'd be able to accept me."

"Lena, in this world, nothing endures forever except the Word of God. This moment, too, shall pass fleetingly, and the balm of time shall soothe all wounds. Remember, this sacred bond now unites you both, binding you as one. Let no force of this world intervene unless it's your own will."

Amidst the tranquility that flows between them, she drinks in the words of the wise woman. Her voice, a melody of faith, kindles a rebirth of confidence within her. So she listens, enraptured by the woman's words, letting her mind recall whatever she has learnt by her mother.

"Adam knows what's good for him and his son. He's a responsible father; he knew he had to be responsible for his son rather than be selfish and do nothing. He knows where his son's happiness lies and where his son's happiness lies, his happiness lies."

"And about our relationship, Ma?" With bated breath, she inches closer, seeking solace in the woman's wisdom. "Can we grow?" She has come to realize that the woman holds the keys to life's battles, and her teachings, if heeded, shall pave the way to triumph. For the woman's words echo divine truths, said by the Almighty through His sacred Word.

"Yes." The woman smiles gently. "You know one thing about God's love? That it dominates every form of love. The love between a man and a woman is also dominated by His pure love. He made them for each other and blessed them to grow. But they grow if they remain in Him. And they remain in Him when they follow his commandments."

Evalena listens to her silently. Her soul loves to listen to what the woman says.

"When we're close to Him, our hearts remain soft but when we start to distance ourselves with Him, our hearts harden. Only those who have loved God know what love is because they remain in Him and He remains in them. See, if He remains in them, they learn to love like Him and that's how we love each other; and you've already seen how deeply God loves us."

"Very deeply that He gave His only begotten Son."

"Right." The woman pats her cheek. "So all you have to do is to love Him, love everyone and do what He says. He'll turn everything in your favor."

Evalena nods in agreement, a bright smile spreading across her face. The burden that once weighed heavily on her heart now dissipates into nothingness. A feeling of peace envelops her, as she realizes that she holds the strength to confront any obstacle. Confidence in the benevolent direction of the Most High fills her heart, bringing forth a sense of calm that will assist her on her journey.

"I must leave now. It seems he didn't intend to interrupt us, as he would've been told by Elle that I'm talking to you about something important." Her mother-in-law gets up to leave. Evelena follows her after. And though she waits for him, he doesn't come.

Evening passes by, they do dinner together but Adam wasn't there even on the dining table which worried Evalena. She asks her mother-in-law and she tells her that something needed his attention immediately. Finding no alternative, she decided to return to their room. Despite her desire to see Barak, the exhaustion from the gathering overcame the boy, causing him to fall asleep shortly after finishing dinner.

Within the confines of their room, an air of silence prevails. It is a space that feels foreign to her, as everything within it is unfamiliar. Although she has arranged her belongings, the room still exudes his dominance. Since morning, they have been apart, going their separate ways, which ignites a slight yearning within her to catch a glimpse of him.

With her long hair cascade as she combs them, thoughts of him consume her. The wisdom passed on by her mother-in-law holds true. No longer does her heart concern itself with their wounded compatibility, instead, it longs to catch a mere glimpse of him. Through a gaze upon his handsome countenance, she seeks solace reminiscent of her previous experiences.

As she sets the comb aside, preparing to depart from the view of the vanity, her attention is grasped by the delicate nudge of the door.

In that moment, her heart flutters anxiously as she observes him entering the room with an exhausted appearance. Disheveled curls of his raven hair gently caress his forehead, his gaze lowered as he shuts the door. First two buttons of his white shirt are undone, his chest rise as he takes a deep breath that calms him. Sleeves of his shirt are rolled up and the jacket he has hung on his forearm.

After firmly closing the door, his eyelids slowly rise to meet hers, causing her heart to skip a few beats and her eyes to helplessly sink into the pupils surrounded by his fiery irises. The dim orange light in their room falls upon his face and his orbs shine brighter than before like flames ablaze.

When he is around, she becomes completely powerless and has no control over herself, as evident in their gaze.

"Adam," she whispers his name to herself but he hears her.

♡❥⁠˙⁠๑

A/n:- I just wanna let you know, there's more waiting for you. A lot of romance, heartbreak, drama and sensitive lines. So, consider giving this book a chance.

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