The air in the temple was filled with the sacred chants, the pandit's voice reverberating through the room as Ashtram and Niranya stood before the fire, their hearts entwined in unspoken promises. The flickering flames cast an ethereal glow on their faces as the first Phera began.
Niranya's feet, though she tried to hide it, were still raw from the Shiv Tandav she had performed on the hot coals. The pain from the burning embers had not fully faded, and with every step, a sharp sting shot up through her legs.
As they took the first step together, Niranya winced but tried to maintain her composure. Ashtram noticed instantly. His sharp gaze caught the slight tremor in her step, and without hesitation, he gently but firmly cupped her waist.
"Angel, you're hurting," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. "Let me help you."
Before she could protest, Ashtram scooped her up in his arms, his strong hold reassuring her that he would not let her suffer. She gasped in surprise, but there was no time for words as he carried her toward the sacred fire. His gaze never left hers, and in that moment, the world around them seemed to fade away.
The people in the temple gasped at the unexpected gesture, but Ashtram paid no mind. For him, Niranya's well-being was the only thing that mattered. His arms tightened around her as he stepped forward, carrying her with ease.
Niranya instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her heart racing at the closeness, the warmth of his embrace. She had never expected this, but in his arms, she felt like the most precious thing in the world. Ashtram's eyes were filled with determination, and for a brief moment, Niranya forgot about the pain in her feet. All she could feel was his love, his need to protect her.
They continued with the Pheras, and with each step, Ashtram's heart grew heavier, not with burden, but with the weight of the vows they were making. He had always protected her in ways she didn't know, and this moment felt like the culmination of all those unspoken promises. His touch, the heat of his body, made her feel safe, cherished, and loved.
As they neared the final Phera, Ashtram felt Niranya's exhaustion in his arms. Despite her attempt to hide it, the pain in her feet had not fully subsided. The heat from the flames and the weight of the moment were overwhelming, but he remained unwavering. With each step, he could feel the world around them grow more intense, as though the universe itself was witnessing their vows.
Finally, as the seventh and last Phera came to an end, Ashtram gently placed Niranya back on her feet. His hands lingered on her face, tender and protective. His heart raced as he looked into her eyes, a mixture of love, hope, and promise reflected in her gaze.
"Yeh shaadi sirf ek vachan nahi, Jaan. Yeh mera Aapse wada hai ki hum milke har dard aur har kashti ko jhelenge, saath mein," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
("This wedding is not just a vow, Jaan. It's my promise to you that we will face every pain and hardship, together.")
Niranya's eyes softened, a faint smile curving her lips. She could feel the depth of his love, the weight of centuries of torment in his heart, but also the glimmer of hope. Their love had the power to heal them both.
The last of the vows were exchanged, and with a soft yet lingering kiss on her forehead, Ashtram sealed their union. Time seemed to stand still for that fleeting moment, as if the world around them had faded into nothingness.
"You are my salvation, Niranya," Ashtram murmured, his voice full of conviction. "Together, we will find peace."
Niranya blinked back the tears in her eyes. She had always feared this moment, yet now that it was here, it felt like the only thing that truly mattered.
After all the vows were completed, Ashtram stood tall, looking at her with immense pride and love. "Congratulations, Mrs. Niranya Ashtram Raghuvanshi," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Niranya, her voice trembling yet strong, smiled back. "Congratulations, you too, Mr. Ashtram Niranya Raghuvanshi."
With those words, their worlds merged, and the bond they had just created could never be broken.
After the marriage rituals were completed, Ashtram and Niranya stood side by side before Shaurya Rathod, the wise sage who had guided them through the union. Their hands were still intertwined, the weight of the moment settling over them.
Both of them, though exhausted from the long ceremony, now felt a sense of calm in their hearts, knowing that they had taken a significant step forward. Ashtram, with his strong yet gentle grip on Niranya's hand, looked at her as if she were his lifeline, his anchor in the chaos that had been his cursed existence.
Shaurya's old eyes glinted with a strange mix of wisdom and satisfaction. He looked at them with a knowing smile, his calm aura radiating peace.
" Niranya, Ashtram," Shaurya began in a deep voice, his tone soft but commanding, "You've taken the first step to break the chains that have held you for so long. Now, there is only one thing left."
Ashtram and Niranya knelt before Shaurya, both of them bowing their heads in reverence. They touched the sage's feet in gratitude.
"Thank you, Shaurya Uncle," Niranya whispered, her voice filled with devotion.
Ashtram's voice echoed in the quiet room, a rare softness in his usual commanding tone. "We are grateful for everything, Shaurya Rathod. You've given us hope."
Shaurya nodded slowly, his weathered hands raising them to their feet. "It is not me you should thank, but the bond you both share. The true power lies within you. The last piece of the puzzle is the union of your souls. When your bodies and hearts truly unite, that is when the curse shall be lifted."
A silence fell over them, the words lingering in the air like a heavy truth. Niranya's heart thudded in her chest, and her gaze shifted to Ashtram. She could feel the weight of those words, the knowledge that their connection had to be deeper than mere physicality.
Ashtram's grip on her hand tightened, his mind racing. His heart ached with longing, but there was still fear in his eyes. He wanted this-wanted her-but he couldn't ignore the burden he carried, the curse that bound him to a life of pain and endless waiting.
"Your souls must meet as one," Shaurya's voice broke the silence, pulling them back to the present. "And only then will the curse be truly gone."
Niranya's breath caught in her throat. The weight of Shaurya's words filled the space between them. She had always known there was more to Ashtram than met the eye. She had seen the torment in his gaze, the secret he kept locked away, and though she loved him with all her heart, she had no idea how deep his suffering went.
Her fingers brushed his arm as she spoke softly, "We will do it, Ash. I will give you my soul, my heart, everything. I promise."
Ashtram turned to her, his dark eyes filled with a mixture of love and pain. "Angel.." His voice was a whisper, as if speaking louder might break the delicate spell between them. "It's not just about the body. I've been cursed for so long... but it's you. You're my cure, my only hope."
Her heart clenched at the raw emotion in his words. She knew this wasn't just a physical union they were talking about-it was something far deeper. This was the key to breaking the chains that bound him, the final piece of the puzzle that could free Ashtram from his eternal torment.
Shaurya's gaze softened as he watched the two of them. He knew their journey wasn't over, but the path ahead was now clearer. The curse was a powerful thing, but so was the bond they shared. It was a bond that had been forged long before they even knew it existed.
"You must embrace this, Ash. Only then will the curse end," Shaurya's voice was gentle but insistent.
Ashtram nodded slowly, his heart heavy with the knowledge that this was the moment that would change everything. "I understand," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Niranya, sensing the vulnerability in his words, squeezed his hand reassuringly. "We'll do this together."
With that, Shaurya offered one final nod of approval. "Go now. The night awaits. Remember, it is not just about the physical connection, but the uniting of your hearts, your spirits. The curse can only be broken when your souls are one."
As Shaurya's words hung in the air, Ashtram and Niranya stood in the temple, their hearts racing with the weight of what was to come. They were prepared, yet the ominous silence of the surroundings was soon shattered by a cold, venomous voice.
"Do you think this will end, Ashtram Raghuvanshi?" The voice cut through the tranquility like a knife.
Ashtram's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing. Niranya instinctively stepped closer to him, her hand gripping his tightly as she searched for the source of the voice.
Out of the shadows emerged a man, his face twisted with rage, his eyes burning with hatred. He stepped forward, his movements deliberate, each step carrying the weight of vengeance.
Ashtram stood his ground, his voice steady, though an undercurrent of danger laced every word. "Who are you?"
The man smirked cruelly, his lips curling into a malicious grin. "You don't recognize me, do you, Ashtram? How convenient. You killled my Brother."
"Who was your brother?" Ashtram asked, his tone sharp, instinctively sensing the threat, but not yet knowing the depth of this man's grudge.
The stranger's eyes burned as he spat out the name. "Shravan Sehgal."
Ashtram's brows furrowed. The name was vaguely familiar. Shravan had been a name he knew in the darker corners of the underworld-a criminal, no doubt. "What about him?" Ashtram demanded, his voice cold but curious.
Karan's eyes flickered with a wild, righteous anger. "He was my brother. The one you killed eighteen years ago." His voice dripped with venom. "But I won't let your soul be united with hers. Your wife, your life-she will be the one I take from you."
Ashtram's pulse quickened, but he didn't flinch. His expression remained calm, betraying none of the rage that boiled beneath the surface. "If he was your brother, why was he a target?" Ashtram's voice was direct, every word calculated, his eyes fixed on Karan. "I don't remember him fondly, but if he was involved in trafficking, he was a threat to the very foundation of what I stand for."
Karan's jaw tightened at Ashtram's words, but he wasn't backing down. "Yes, he was. He was involved in girl trafficking-destroying innocent lives, exploiting those who couldn't fight back. But you... you don't care about that, do you, Ashtram? You only care about your curse and your precious wife."
Ashtram's fists clenched at his sides. His eyes glowed with a dark fire. "I don't care about my curse," he said, his voice low and seething with intensity. "But I will never tolerate what your brother did. I protect those who cannot protect themselves-women, children-those who are exploited, used as pawns by men like your brother." His voice hardened with fury. "He trafficked innocent girls, destroyed families, destroyed futures. That is why he had to die."
Karan's eyes widened, the fury in his gaze escalating. "And you think that gives you the right to take everything from me? You think your moral high ground excuses you from what you've done?"
Ashtram's eyes turned colder, his body tensing with power. "Your brother was a disease, and I'm the cure. I'm the Mafia King, Karan. I've lived in the darkness, and I protect the light in my own way. Your brother's blood stains the very world we live in, and I won't let that go unpunished. I will wipe out every trace of his kind-those who think they can break the law, destroy innocence, and still walk away scot-free."
Karan's voice was thick with rage. "And what about her? What about your soul? She's your life, isn't she? I'll take her from you, Ashtram, and watch you wither away. You'll suffer for the blood of my brother, for every soul you've destroyed."
Karan says, I was an associate of her father. I was the one who sabotaged her parents' car brakes so that she would die with them, but she survived because of this Shaurya. But now, she must die because I want to see you suffer even more. I tried so many times to kill her, but she kept escaping. But today, I will end your boon once and for all.
Before Karan could raise his gun, Ashtram's body blurred with motion, his eyes never leaving Karan's as he lunged for the sacred Trisul placed at the altar. He grabbed it in one swift motion, the weapon pulsing with divine energy as it hummed in his grip.
"You'll do nothing," Ashtram growled, his voice dripping with finality. He turned to face Karan, the Trisul raised high. "You think you can come into my life, threaten my wife, my soul-and think I'll stand idle? You've miscalculated."
Karan's eyes widened as Ashtram threw the Trisul with a force that could shatter the heavens. The weapon spun through the air, its gleaming tip finding its mark as it struck Karan's arm. The impact was brutal, sending Karan stumbling back, his grip on the gun loosening. He cried out in pain, the blood dripping from his wound, staining the floor beneath him.
Ashtram moved in with the precision of a predator, his eyes unblinking as he spoke with the full force of his authority. "You are nothing but a ghost. My wife's life will not be taken by you. Your brother's legacy of darkness ends with you."
Karan gasped, pain flashing in his eyes as he backed away, his strength faltering. "This isn't over," he sneered through gritted teeth, his body trembling. "You have to pay for it."
Ashtram advanced, cold fury radiating from every inch of him. "You won't." His voice was final, the promise echoing through the temple. "Your bloodline ends here."
As the echo of Ashtram's words faded into the temple, Karan collapsed to the ground, defeated. The sacred air of the temple seemed to cleanse the darkness his presence had brought. Blood pooled around Karan, but Ashtram's focus shifted to Niranya, who stood trembling beside him, her face pale and tear-streaked.
Niranya's sobs broke the silence as she collapsed into Ashtram's arms, clinging to him as though he was her only anchor in a sea of despair. Her body shook with the weight of the revelation, her tears soaking into his chest. "He killed my parents... just to kill me..." she whispered between sobs, her voice filled with anguish. "Why did they have to die? What did they do to deserve this?"
Ashtram held her tightly, his hand stroking her hair as he pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head. "Nothing will happen to you, Jaan," he murmured, his voice soft but resolute. "Your husband is here for you, always. No one will ever hurt you again. I swear on everything I have, you are safe in my arms."
His words were like a balm to her soul, grounding her amidst the chaos. She clung to him even tighter, finding solace in the strength of his embrace.
Shaurya, who had been standing silently, stepped forward, his expression a mix of relief and weariness. He looked at Ashtram and Niranya, a faint smile of gratitude crossing his lips. "Thank Shiv Ji that this monster has finally met his end. Justice has been served today."
He turned to Ashtram, his tone gentle but firm. "Now take her, Ashtram. She needs rest. She's been through too much already."
Ashtram nodded, his gaze never leaving Niranya. Without another word, he scooped her up into his arms, cradling her protectively against his chest. Niranya didn't resist; her exhaustion and emotional turmoil left her drained. She buried her face in his neck, drawing strength from his warmth and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Ashtram looked down at Niranya, her tear-streaked face finally relaxing as she drifted into an uneasy sleep. His jaw tightened with determination. He would move heaven and earth to ensure that no harm ever touched her again. For her, he would face every demon, conquer every shadow, and protect her with his very life.
"You're my world, Niranya," he whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of love and resolve. "And I'll never let anyone take you away from me. Never."
With those words, Ashtram carried his wife into the dawn, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as she was by his side.
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