Today was the day Siya and Ram had been waiting for.The sun had barely risen when Siya woke up at 5 in the morning, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation.She finished her yoga routine, the calming stretches helping her find a moment of peace before the whirlwind of emotions that lay ahead. As she stood in front of the mirror drying her hair, she couldn't shake off the flutter of nerves in her stomach.

Last night, she had applied Alta to her hands and feet, the brilliant red color a stark reminder of the new chapter she was about to embark upon.The thought sent a shiver down her spine.“You will be happy with him. Trust me,” Mridhula, her mother said, but all Siya could think about was the finality of it all.

Just then, she felt the familiar warmth of her mother’s embrace.“Don’t cry, my little bird,” her mother whispered, her voice soothing.Siya wanted to be brave, but the thought of leaving her childhood home made her heart ache.She sobbed, letting the emotions wash over her. Ekansh, her father, walked in at that moment, his brow furrowing at the sight of his daughter in tears.

“Siya, get ready!You have the Chuda ceremony and Ganesh Pooja to prepare for.Come on!” He tried to lighten the mood, but his own heart was heavy with the impending separation. The pooja was a sacred affair, and Siya found herself sitting in front of Lord Ganesh’s idol with a priest chanting mantras beside her.“I don’t know why this is happening, but I trust you,” she whispered into the silence, her heart a mixture of fear and hope.“You’ve given me Ram, and I believe everything will turn out fine.”

As the Ganesh Pooja came to an end, the more personal ceremony of the Chuda began.Mridhula gently removed the evil eye from Siya as she transformed into a vision of elegance.Clad in a rich red Banarasi saree, her hands adorned with intricate mehendi designs, and her wrists jingling with red and white chuda bangles, she was a sight to behold.Her mother’s jadau kangans glimmered in the light, and her open hair flowed like silk, cascading down her back.With a touch of kajal highlighting her brown eyes, she resembled an angel ready to take flight.

Meanwhile, at the Marriage Registrar's Office, Ram was preparing for the most significant day of his life.He donned an off-white kurta with a red dhoti, a raksha mala elegantly resting around his neck, and a Rolex watch glinting on his wrist.Inside the car with his friends, Sadhna and Vishambhar, he felt the weight of anticipation.

“I saw Thakur’s here,” said Akhil, his eyes darting around. “Humm…” Ram replied, barely paying attention. “Bhabhi is still in the car.I couldn’t catch a glimpse of her!” Akhil said, frustration evident in his tone. “You better not before I do, or else…” “Or else what? Are you being possessive?” Akhil teased, but Ram merely shrugged, suppressing a smile.

As they entered the room where Siya was seated, Ram’s breath caught in his throat. She sat there, veiled, radiating beauty like the moon hiding behind clouds.Time seemed to freeze as he stared at her, lost in the moment. Vishambhar coughed loudly, breaking the spell.Ram quickly sat beside her, feeling a rush of emotions.

The Registrar guided them through the formalities, and soon it was time to sign the papers.Ram signed confidently, handing the pen to Siya.Her hands trembled, and just then, a sob broke the silence.Mridhula hugged her tightly, reassuring her as she signed the documents.

Cheers erupted in the room, celebrating the couple. As the elders stepped out to discuss matters, Ram took her trembling hand, hoping to comfort her.He couldn't help but admire the bright red alta on her hands and the delicate chuda bangles.The urge to unveil her was overwhelming.Ignoring the ritual's restrictions, he gently lifted the veil, revealing her stunning features.

Their eyes locked, and in that moment, a silent understanding passed between them. Akhil, unable to resist, remarked,

“Uper wala bhi kya kalakaar hai, apni tasveer ka deddar krvata hai, aur taqdeer sa meri kismat mein uttar aata hai.Jaise roshni se koi andhere ko mitaya Chala hai…”

As they exchanged rings, Ram covered her once more with the veil, keeping their moment just between them.Together, they made their way to Thakur Mansion for the rituals. At Thakur Mansion, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation.The varmala ceremony commenced, followed by the kanyadaan, and the sacred tying of the gathbandhan.

The couple walked around the sacred fire, exchanging vows and promises, each step forging a deeper bond between them. Finally, the priest instructed Ram, “Yajman apni vadhu ke mang mein sindoor aur gale mein mangal sutra bandhe.” Ram, filled with emotion, removed his engagement ring and filled it with sindoor, applying it to her maang.A good amount fell onto her nose, and the priest declared, “It is an auspicious symbol for them; their marriage will be filled with love and care for each other.”

After the pooja, the couple shared a meal with their families, laughter and joy filling the air.Before the vidai, Siya lit a diya in the mandir, while Ram watched her, mesmerized by her beauty and grace.The tears she shed for her family flowed freely as she embraced her parents, her lifeline.

“Don’t worry, I will come any time without notice. Am I clear?” she joked through her tears, eliciting a chuckle from Ram. As they walked together towards the car, Ram wrapped an arm around her shoulders, whispering, “I wish us a good married life ahead.” Siya smiled, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she hugged him back, slowly warming up to the idea of their future together. With all rituals completed, they finally left for Rajvansh Palace, the beginning of their journey as husband and wife.

The car ride was filled with a comfortable silence, both lost in thoughts of what lay ahead. As the palace loomed closer, excitement bubbled within Siya, and she knew this was just the beginning of a beautiful love story—one that would unfold with every passing day, as they learned to trust, love, and grow together.