Darsh's POV: 

The auspicious moment had finally arrived, and we were just a few moments away from being spiritually wedded. The pandit was chanting the mantras loudly for us to hear, and after each chant, he explained everything so that we could understand the meaning and keep our promises for the rest of our lives as husband and wife.

Despite all the chaos around us—with family standing behind us whispering, people sitting across the stage chatting, and a thousand other things happening—our concentration did not waver. It was fully directed toward the rituals we were performing and the mantras we were listening to. Amma sat behind me calmly, following everything the panditji said and making sure to repeat it so I could follow the traditions correctly.

We sat across from each other, but a curtain remained between us, which we call Thera—a traditional, often decorated screen held between the bride and groom during the most pivotal, auspicious moments of the ceremony. The bride and groom are not allowed to look at each other until the specific muhurtham (auspicious time) arrives. My brother held one end, and another person held the other.

Only our hands were visible to each other. Her palm was placed in mine by her father as part of the ritual of entrusting her responsibility to me, and me accepting her presence in my life as my wife with utmost regard. My fingertips were also painted red because of the Parani (red dye), which complemented her dark red, mehendi-stained palm beautifully.

"Sir! Ma'am! Please look at the camera once," came a shrill voice from the cameraman on the stage with us. As soon as I turned toward him to pose, a huge flash from the light stand blinded me for a moment. I only hoped the picture came out well.

"Now the bride and groom will place the Jeelakarra Bellam on each other's heads, as the auspicious moment is due soon," the pandit announced. He immediately placed betel leaves with a paste of cumin seeds (jeelakarra) and jaggery (bellam) into our palms, chanted a few more mantras, and sprinkled holy water over our hands to sanctify the ritual further.

It symbolized that the couple would remain together through both sweetness and challenges in married life—just like the paste, which, once mixed, becomes inseparable, representing a permanent bond.

At the exact auspicious moment, the Mangala Vayidyam began. We placed our hands on each other's heads simultaneously, and the Thera that had separated us until then was removed. Everyone around us showered us with Akshintalu—sacred turmeric-coated rice grains symbolizing blessings, prosperity, and good wishes.

As our eyes finally met, the world around me faded away. I saw my wife—my Goddess—sitting before me in a bright golden pattu saree adorned with gold ornaments. But the most beautiful thing about her was the bugga chukka—a small black dot placed perfectly on her cheek to ward off the evil eye—positioned exactly where her dimple formed, now even more prominent as she smiled at me.

With our hands still resting on each other's heads, pressing the Jeelakarra Bellam, we continued smiling. She raised her eyebrows and, through her eyes alone, asked me how she looked.

I chuckled softly at her silent question. I wished I could show her how I saw her—how breathtaking she looked, like a divine presence before me.

Her smile was so precious that I could see our entire life ahead in it, with that same smile adorning both our faces. Perhaps this truly was the peak of happiness one could ever experience.

All my life, love, marriage, and settling down had felt like distant dreams. Never had I imagined that one day my life would change from being a loner to becoming one with the woman I loved—the only woman who had ever made my heart sway so deeply, who stirred emotions within me I never knew existed.

Soon, we were made to sit side by side, and the panditji began the next ritual: Mangalyadharana. As the mantras were chanted, I was asked to tie the mangalsutra around Nidhi's neck. I bowed my head in respect before taking the sacred thread, then looked at Nidhi. She was smiling at me, but behind that smile, I could sense her nervousness—the weight of the moment settling in.

I bent down to tie the knot, lowering myself close enough to her ear, and whispered softly, "I can understand the nervousness inside you, but believe one thing—I love you, Nidhi, till my last breath. Trust me, my treasure."

I tied the knot three times and stood up, hoping she would feel reassured. Her moistened eyes gave me my answer.

Next came the playful ritual of Talambralu, where we poured rice over each other. Whoever poured more was considered the winner. I would say I let her win—but she would never agree.

After several more rituals, the final ceremony—Appagintalu—began, where her family formally entrusted her to mine. The atmosphere turned heavy. Her mother and grandmother were in tears, and even her brother, usually so composed, struggled to hold himself together.

My family and I waited by the car, and even Amma grew emotional, perhaps remembering her own past. 

Nidhi hugged everyone goodbye. When she reached her father, he did not hug her or say anything. Instead, he held her hand and gently led her toward me. Instinctively, I straightened up despite my exhaustion.

Placing Nidhi's hand in mine, he said, "I am giving you my daughter. She has been the most pampered and loved in our family. Please don't treat her any less."

After blessing us, he stepped back. Though he did not show his tears openly, the pain of a father parting with his daughter was unmistakable. Maybe this is his way of expressing his love and emotion for his daughter. 

I promised him that I would never treat her any less and guided Nidhi to sit inside the car. 

As we started off with his blessings behind us, we began our journey—stepping into a future that was no longer uncertain, but ours to build together. 

Hello Everyone.

Hope you are doing well!

Its been more than a month since I updated and this chapter took me time to properly write it. I don't know if it is perfect or not but I am satisfied with the final output. 

The whole traditions and rituals are based on Telugu weddings. There are more steps included in the wedding but I didn't explain everything. You all tell me if any of these rituals are common in your side of weddings or how it happens at your end.

Do let me know your views. Now that the wedding chapter is done it we reached half the plot. Hopefully I will complete the remaining half soon.

Please do VOTE, COMMENT and FOLLOW. Share the story with your friends who will like it. 

Hope you liked the chapter.

Thank you.