The Bride Seeing Function and Engagement
Months passed, and the village buzzed with excitement as Arjun's family arranged his marriage. The groom, Raghavan, was a kind-hearted man from a nearby village. He was the son of a prosperous merchant, with a reputation for being both gentle and respectful. Despite this, the idea of Arjun marrying him felt more like a distant reality, a moment that Arjun had never truly prepared for.
As the days grew closer to the wedding, Arjun's heart began to race. His family had been steadfast in their encouragement, and Priya and Vani had been by his side every step of the way, helping him prepare for the traditional ceremonies. Yet, as the engagement approached, Arjun couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that clung to him.
The bridal seeing ceremony, or kalyana paattu, was a significant event in the village. It was an occasion where the groom's family came to see the bride before the engagement, marking the formal beginning of the marriage process. It was a time of celebration, where friends and family gathered to witness the union that would soon take place.
But for Arjun, the thought of being presented as another man's wife in front of an entire gathering felt overwhelming. Despite all the preparation, despite all the time spent wearing sarees and becoming accustomed to a life of domesticity, the idea of marriage—of becoming someone’s wife—was still difficult for him to accept.
As the day arrived, Arjun found himself in a luxurious saree, an intricate shade of red and gold that Vani had chosen for him. His hair was braided neatly, adorned with fragrant jasmine flowers that hung delicately around his face. The saree clung to him in a way that made him feel both beautiful and vulnerable at once. His heart pounded in his chest as he sat in front of the mirror, trying to adjust the pallu just right.
"Arjun," Priya’s voice broke through his thoughts, "you look absolutely beautiful."
He forced a smile, but the nervousness in his eyes was unmistakable. "I feel so… exposed, Priya," he confessed softly, his hands trembling as he folded the pleats of the saree.
"Don’t worry," Priya reassured him, kneeling beside him. "This is a joyous occasion, and everyone is here to support you. Raghavan is a kind man. He will cherish you, and so will our family. You’re not alone in this."
But despite Priya’s words, Arjun couldn’t quell the anxiety bubbling within him. He had never imagined his life would lead him to this moment—to the point where he would be married, to a man no less, as a bride. It felt surreal, as if the events of his life had unfolded in a way that he had no control over.
As the groom’s family arrived, the atmosphere in the house grew thick with anticipation. The women of the village, dressed in their finest sarees, gathered in a circle around Arjun, offering compliments and teasing him gently about the upcoming engagement.
"She’s a beautiful bride," one of the elder women remarked, her voice filled with approval. "Raghavan is a lucky man."
Arjun’s heart sank as he heard the words. "Bride." The word seemed so foreign to him, even as he sat there, dressed in the finery that should have been reserved for a woman about to start a new chapter with the man of her dreams. His mind spun with confusion and fear. Was this truly the life he wanted? Was he ready for this?
The moment Raghavan entered the room, Arjun’s breath caught in his throat. The man was tall and broad-shouldered, with a warm smile and kind eyes. He was dressed in a traditional white dhoti and shirt, the gold embroidery gleaming in the light. He looked nothing like the man Arjun had imagined he might marry. There was no rush of romantic feeling, no sense of connection beyond the formality of the arrangement.
Raghavan approached Arjun, his smile warm but cautious. "You are as beautiful as your family described," he said, his voice gentle. He reached out a hand, and though Arjun hesitated, he placed his trembling hand in Raghavan’s, feeling the warmth of the gesture.
But as the bride seeing ceremony continued, Arjun felt a sharp pang of discomfort. Everyone around him was celebrating, laughing, and offering blessings, while he sat in the center of it all, feeling like an object of display. His body, draped in the beautiful saree, felt heavier than ever. He had become what everyone expected of him, but it didn’t feel right.
"Arjun, come," Vani’s voice cut through the chatter. She gently led him to the center of the room, where the family members gathered to offer gifts and exchange words of good fortune. As they performed the traditional rituals, Arjun’s hands shook in his lap, the weight of the moment too much to bear.
Later that evening, as the ceremony came to a close and the guests began to leave, Arjun slipped away to his room. He couldn’t face the celebration any longer. He needed space—time to think, time to process everything that had happened.
Sitting by the window, staring at the darkened sky outside, Arjun’s mind raced. What have I become? he wondered. Is this the life I wanted? Is this the path I’m supposed to follow?
The thought of being someone’s wife felt strange, but there was also a strange acceptance in it. He was no longer just a boy wearing his mother’s sarees. He was a bride—a woman, in the eyes of the world. But it was more than just clothing or appearance. It was about the life he was about to live, the roles he was about to take on. And in that moment, he realized that he couldn’t run from it.
As the night deepened, Vani entered the room, her presence a quiet comfort. She sat beside Arjun, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "You did well today," she said softly. "I know this isn’t easy for you, Arjun, but you’ve shown so much courage. This marriage will be a new chapter, a new beginning. You’re ready, even if it doesn’t feel that way now."
Arjun rested his head on her shoulder, feeling the weight of his emotions lift just slightly. "I’m scared, amma," he admitted, his voice trembling. "I don’t know what it means to be someone’s wife. I don’t know what it means to be married to a man."
Vani held him close, offering a reassuring smile. "It’s okay to be scared. We all are at first. But in time, you will find your place. You will find your strength."
And with that, for the first time, Arjun allowed himself to let go of his fears. The path ahead might be uncertain, but he was no longer walking it alone. With his family beside him, and Raghavan waiting to share this new chapter of his life, Arjun could take the next step with confidence.
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