Maha Nain: "In the presence of Supreme Som, I, Nain, shall command your destiny. Young Lady and Young Boy, hold your hands together."
Vibha stepped forward, her elegant gown flowing like liquid silk. The soft fragrance of fresh blossoms surrounded her, an unspoken symbol of purity and grace. As she reached Jeeva, her hands trembled—just for a moment—before she firmly grasped his hand. Her fingers tightened around his, unwilling to let go, as if clinging to something she feared losing.
Jeeva inhaled deeply, steadying himself. This is fate. Accept it. But as he felt the warmth of Vibha’s grip, a different thought crept into his mind. No… I won’t leave her. I won’t abandon her like my parents abandoned each other for the sake of destiny.
A torch sparked to life, its golden glow illuminating the sacred chamber. Maha Nain raised his hands, and a beautifully rolled parchment—fresh, scented, and bound with golden threads—was presented to them.
Maha Nain: "Lady Ras Vibha, begin the pledge."
Vibha (her voice soft, yet unwavering): "I, Vibha, accept the path before me. I vow to remain with Jeeva until my destiny as a Ras is fulfilled. My union is not my choice, but destiny’s command. I will protect my partner until destiny upholds."
As she finished, she glanced at Jeeva. Her eyes, deep and unreadable, held a flicker of uncertainty.
Maha Nain: "Jeeva, your turn."
Jeeva took the parchment in his hand, feeling the weight of its words. He parted his lips, but the script before him blurred. His mind screamed against it. Destiny’s command? To leave her when fate decides?
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His grip on Vibha’s hand tightened.
Jeeva (his voice firm, defiant): "I, Jeeva, accept the path before me. I vow to remain with Vibha until my life as a person ends. My union is not my choice, but destiny’s command. I will protect my partner… until death."
A silence fell over the hall.
Vibha’s breath hitched. Her heart pounded in her chest as Jeeva’s words sank in. He changed it…? Vibha although emotional seeing her partner''s will but feared of losing him as he had not read pledge word to word instead added his own aspirations to it.
The flames flickered violently, as if the world itself had shuddered.
Maha Nain’s expression darkened. His lips curled in displeasure, and without hesitation, he stepped forward, raising his hand to extinguish the sacred fire—a punishment for those who defied destiny.
But then—
Som lifted a single hand.
A command unspoken, yet absolute.
Maha Nain froze, his fingers inches from the flames. His face twisted in controlled fury, but he stepped back. The torch continued to burn.
Som: "Jeeva… I know this feeling, and I understand where it comes from. But you should not have changed the pledge."
His voice, though calm, carried a weight heavier than steel.
Som: "We are born to follow destiny. To accept it. Not to defy it."
Jeeva met Som’s gaze, his hands still gripping Vibha’s. He refused to bow.
Som: "I am sorry about your mother."
Jeeva’s muscles stiffened.
Som: "But this will not be tolerated again."
The unspoken warning rang clear: Once is a mistake. Twice is rebellion.
But despite the tension, the ceremony had to continue. Maha Nain took a deep breath before turning toward the Chief of Rashiks, Dhar Hanu.
Hanu stepped forward, presenting a token—an emblem granting unlimited currency, the privilege of all Ras. It was not wealth, but a necessity. The Ras existed to experience life, love, and create new generations. And for that, they were given everything.
As Vibha accepted the token, her fingers brushed against Jeeva’s.
Her touch lingered.
For the first time since she had entered the hall, a small, secret smile flickered across her lips.
Jeeva felt it—the silent understanding between them.
Som watched them both before rising from his throne.
Som: "May destiny uphold you both."
The ceremony had concluded.