Raghav pov

As I stood in the middle of the mandap, I couldn't shake off the sense of unfamiliarity that filled the air. Everything felt so ceremonious, so formal, yet beneath the surface, I could feel the weight of a promise. A promise I didn’t know how to keep.

The moment Arti walked towards me, everything else blurred. She was beautiful, yes, but it was her eyes that held my attention. There was something hidden behind them, a quiet sorrow, perhaps. I didn't know her yet, but I knew one thing for sure that I would try to understand her, even if she wouldn’t speak.

“Yeh shaadi ke pal mein koi nayi baat nahi hai, par uski aankhon mein kuch aisa hai jo mujhe samajhna hai.”

(There’s nothing new about this wedding moment, but there’s something in her eyes that I need to understand.)

As she sat beside me, I tried to glance at her, but she was focused on the ceremony, her hands folded, not looking at me, not looking anywhere. She seemed lost in her own world.

Pandit Ji told to both of us loudly

“Vishnu ji ka naam lekar phir se agni ko pranaam karo.”

(After taking the name of Lord Vishnu, offer your respects to the fire again.)

Arti followed the instructions with precision, but there was no warmth in her gestures. It was all robotic, as if she was doing it because she had to, not because she wanted to.

I know this marriage is just a formality, but will I ever make a place in her heart?

I could see the nervousness in her eyes, the way she fidgeted with her sari, as though every movement was calculated, controlled. But why? Why did she seem so distant?

As the ceremony went on, I couldn’t help but steal glances at her. She barely looked at me. There was a moment when I felt like reaching out, but I stopped myself. It wasn’t the right time.

I can't leave her like this. I need to understand her, whether she wants it or not.

The fire burned bright, and the chanting of the priests filled the air. The only sound that I could focus on was the steady beat of my heart, louder than anything else.

As the sacred flames flickered, the Pandit announced,

“Shaadi ki bandhan ko apne jeevan ka hissa samajhkar, ek dusre se vachan lo.”

(Understanding that the bond of marriage is a part of your life, take vows with each other.)

When it came time to take vows, I turned to her, but she wouldn’t meet my eyes. I tried to smile at her, to offer her some form of comfort, but it was as if the walls around her were too high.

Speaking from my heart, I told her,

“Arti, main tumhe kabhi dhokha nahi dunga. Main tumhe samajhne ki puri koshish karunga.”

(Arti, I will never betray you. I will try my best to understand you.)

She didn’t respond, but her fingers twitched slightly, just enough for me to notice. Maybe it was a sign that she had heard me. Or maybe, it was just a reflex. I couldn't tell.

She spoke silently without looking at me, “Yeh sab kuch bahut naya hai... main kaise samjhun?”

(This is all so new... how do I understand it?)

Her words were almost lost in the noise of the ceremony, but I could sense the confusion in them. I wasn’t sure what she meant, but I wanted to find out.

As the ceremony concluded, the priest offered blessings, and I stood up, still trying to comprehend the look in Arti's eyes. It wasn’t hatred, but it wasn’t affection either.

This journey may not be easy, but I will not give up. Understanding Arti has become my biggest responsibility.

I could see the weight of everything on her shoulders, and it made me wonder,what kind of life had she been living before this moment?

Maybe this marriage is a new beginning for both of us. Or maybe, it’s just a part of an old story.

But one thing was clear,I am not going to let this be just another chapter in her life. I wanted it to mean something for both of us.