The morning sun arrived like a blessing—soft, golden, and full of promises. The courtyard of the singhania mansion buzzed with life. Marigold garlands swung gently from the doorway, their fragrance mixing with the sweet aroma of freshly made kheer. Women in bright sarees moved about, giving final touches to the decorations, while someone in the kitchen shouted, “Bas, thoda aur sugar daal do!”

Today was no ordinary day—it was Ram and Siya’s roka. The first step, the sacred promise before the promise, where two families became one heartbeat.

Siya sat quietly in her room, the mirror in front of her catching the morning light. Her reflection looked like a painting—calm yet nervous, glowing yet unsure. The golden border of her pink lehenga shimmered as she adjusted her dupatta. Her best friend, tara , teased, “You look like you’re about to meet your groom in some movie scene. Should I play a song in the background?”

Siya smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Please don’t. I’m already nervous enough.”

Naina laughed. “Nervous? About Ram? He literally worships the ground you walk on!”

Siya’s smile deepened, a mix of shyness and affection. She still remembered the first time she met Ram—four years ago in party . They bumped into each other in the first meeting. Later, when they were introduced, she found him awkward yet genuine. Since then, they secretly liked each other ,which slowly turned into something sacred, something that needed no dramatic declaration—just understanding.

Today, that understanding was being blessed by their families.

Downstairs, Ram had just arrived with his family. The sound of car doors, laughter, and the rustle of silk sarees filled the entrance. Ram stepped out of the car in a cream-colored kurta with subtle embroidery, his mother fixing the collar like he was still a little boy. His father smiled proudly, saying, “You clean up well, beta.”

Ram chuckled. “I hope Siya thinks so too.”

The Singhanias welcomed them with warmth and aarti. Siya’s chachi , Sunita, had tears in her eyes as she greeted Ram’s parents. “Finally, it feels like our daughter is stepping into a home filled with the same love she’s grown up with.”

Inside, laughter flowed as relatives exchanged pleasantries and compared who looked like whom. The air was thick with excitement and the clinking of bangles. The priest sat in the middle of the living room, preparing the small ceremonial setup. A brass plate of sweets, rose petals, and sacred thread lay ready.

“Call Siya,” her mother whispered to tara, who rushed upstairs.

When Siya entered, the whole room seemed to pause. Her lehenga glimmered under the soft fairy lights, her kohl-lined eyes lowered shyly as she greeted everyone. Ram couldn’t take his eyes off her. For a second, everything faded—the noise, the crowd, even the priest’s chants. It was just her.

Their eyes met briefly, and Siya smiled, the kind of smile that could melt a lifetime of silence.

The priest began the prayers. Both families sat close, hands joined, hearts steady. “This roka marks the beginning of a sacred bond,” the priest announced. “From today, Ram and Siya are tied in a promise of togetherness, loyalty, and affection.”

As he said the words, Ram’s mother gently placed a tilak on Siya’s forehead and fed her a small piece of ladoo. Siya’s chachi did the same for Ram. Everyone clapped softly, and petals were showered upon the couple.

It was official.

Ram looked at Siya with quiet devotion and whispered, “So… are you ready for forever?”

She smiled and nodded her head.

The next few hours passed in waves of joy. Someone started a soft dhol beat, and soon cousins began dancing in the corner. Laughter echoed, phones clicked selfies, and elders exchanged stories from their own weddings.

Darsh smiled and said " Bhabhi if you need something just tell me, i know my khadoos bhai will fulfill your every wish but still "

Siya laughed softly and nodded.

Everyone burst into laughter.

At one corner of the room, Siya’s brother,dhruv,, watched the scene quietly, emotion flickering in his eyes. Tara walked up beside him and he whispered, “my little princess really grown up ,it Feels like just yesterday she was holding my finger to cross the road. Now she’s walking towards a whole new life.”

Siya noticed them from across the room and walked over. “bhai, I'll miss you "she hugged him tightly as if afraid to let him go.

Dhruv smiled, pulling her into a hug. “ I’m just... proud of you.”

For a few moments, time seemed to stand still—the brother, the daughter, the emotions unspoken but deeply understood.

As evening fell, fairy lights twinkled around the courtyard. The families gathered again for dinner. Someone played soft music in the background, and the air was fragrant with jasmine and celebration.

Ram found a quiet spot near the balcony and looked out at the sky painted in shades of orange and purple. Siya joined him, standing close but silent. After a moment, he said, “You know, when I first met you, I never imagined this day would come so soon.”

She turned toward him. “Neither did I. But somehow, it always felt meant to be.”

He smiled. “It does, doesn’t it?”

They stood there for a while, hand in hand, watching the stars appear one by one. The sounds of laughter floated in from behind, but here, in this small moment, everything was still.

“Ram,” Siya whispered. “Promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“No matter how busy life gets… we’ll never stop doing the small things. Talking, laughing, arguing, making up—all of it.”

He looked into her eyes. “That’s not a promise,” he said softly. “That’s my favorite part of loving you.”

Siya smiled, her heart full. Somewhere below, the priest’s last chant echoed faintly, ‘Mangalam bhavatu…’—may it be auspicious.

And indeed, it was.

The stars above seemed to shine brighter, as if the universe itself had joined in their joy. It was not just a ceremony; it was the beginning of something eternal—a story that would unfold with love, patience, and the same quiet magic that had brought them together.

As the night deepened, the lights dimmed and laughter softened. The guests began to leave, carrying sweets and blessings. Ram’s car waited outside, but before he left, he turned once more toward Siya. She stood at the doorway, her dupatta fluttering in the breeze.

He smiled and kissed her forehead.

She closed her eyes feeling the moment and smiled.

And as the car disappeared down the road, Siya whispered to herself, “Today was perfect.”

The marigolds swayed in the night wind, their fragrance still hanging in the air—a quiet witness to the day two hearts had been joined, not just by rituals, but by fate.