"...and it would be great if we took a minute right now to really just take our time to reflect the beauty of the moment and start with a word of prayer." The priest said and told Tae-Hoon to grab Hani's both hands in his and join their forehead together and Tae-Hoon did as told, while both of their gazes were on the floor, not daring to look at each other.
This much proximity after that night was making her uncomfortable but she just cannot step back from this position and cause a commotion.
Along with them, all the guests dropped their heads slightly forward in respect, while the priest continued, "...Heavens, we are thankful that we are in this special moment for Tae-Hoon and Hani and we thank you that you have brought them together. Lord, you have molded their lives and perfectly shape them to be together as husband and wife. So, right now we are so grateful and thankful that you have brought them together and we are thankful that you have allowed their lives to be an inspiration for the rest of us..." The priest was saying all of this in respect of the spiritual bond of marriage but how could he know that there was no love, no bond and no inspiration for them to be together. This was all a game of fate that indeed had brought them together.
"So, as we take in this moment, this afternoon and all throughout this evening, we may have the spirit of celebration and gratitude. We pray that this will be a special moment, a defining moment for them to continue to look after the rest of their lives and we pray that you will continue to look after them as they go forward as husband and wife and that you will protect them and watch over them and you will guide them and direct them and give them wisdom and understanding, discernment, give them strength and patience. Amen."
Everyone lifted their heads up again as the priest ended the prayer including Tae-Hoon and Hani. Their eyes met for a mere second as they look away from each other instantly.
"I thank you for inviting me to this special day in your life and be a part of it. It would not take long just a few more sentences from me. I have known your families for decades and you are lucky enough to born in these households. Not because they are rich and not because they have fame and everything. But because of the love and faith, they have towards this simple word 'family'. Both of your families cherish and love each and every family member equally and I would like to assure you that even if after all these prayers your life, your marriage would have any kind of ups and down then your families will be there for you guys. They will hold you and make your bond stronger than ever. I bet the importance of the family is something you already know by the love, care and affection you got since your childhoods. Just like that, just exactly like that try to make your life beautiful." he was genuinely smiling at the bride and groom and those words coming out from the bottom of his heart.
Tae-Hoon and Hani gave their weak smiles to him, still holding their hands and as the priest was told there would not be any personal vows so he did not ask them to say their individual vows to each other.
"The moment you take those rings, you will be committed to each other for the rest of your lives. I want you to think through the words that I am going to ask you to repeat after me. So, Tae-Hoon, we will start with you. As your best man have both of your rings, I want you to take the ring and as you place it on Hani's figure, I want you to repeat after me." Finally, Tae-Hoon left her hands to moved towards Dong-Hoon as Dong-Hoon stepped forward as well with the pillow containing the rings.
He took the ring from the pillow, that ring was utterly beautiful, embellished with creepers like leaf lines and many white stones attached to it. He placed it near her hand as he took her right hand into his left.
"I Tae-Hoon." The priest said and Tae-Hoon repeated after him, "I Tae-Hoon."
"Take you Hani to be my wife." "Take you Hani to be my wife."
Her heart thumped as he pronounced the word "wife" for her and not even understanding the effect of that word onto her, she brushed it out of her mind.
"To live together," "To live together,"
"as friend and mate," "as friend and mate,"
"and I will love you," he hesitated for a moment but eventually said, "and I will love you,"
"as a person," "as a person,"
"respect you as an equal," "respect you as an equal,"
"Sharing joy," "Sharing joy,"
"as well as sorrow," "as well as sorrow,"
"through triumph," "through triumph,"
"as well as defeat," "as well as defeat,"
"I will keep you beside me," "I'll keep you beside me,"
"till death do us apart." "till death do us apart.”
After saying the last line, Tae-Hoon put the ring on Hani’s ring finger, he swore in his mind that it was the most nerve-wracking moment in his life. Claiming someone as his, whom he did not even love, making these promises which he did not mean in front of that many people was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life.
"Now, Hani you may take the ring." the priest said and she took the ring from the small red pillow as Dong-Hoon stretched his hand towards her for her convenience. She slightly bowed at him in gratitude, and he smiled back at her.
Although this ring was not embellished with any special design or stone but the pure platinum and gently polished sides were giving it a very magical and enchanted look. She placed the ring near his ring finger.
"I Hani," The priest said and Hani repeated after him, "I Hani,"
"Take you Tae-Hoon, to be my husband." "Take you Tae-Hoon, to be my husband."
Although saying the words wife was nerve-wracking but hearing the word husband was not anything less than that for Tae-Hoon.
"To live together," "To live together,"
"as friend and mate," "as friend and mate,"
"and I will love you," "and I will love you,"
"as a person," "as a person,"
"respect you as an equal," "respect you as an equal,"
"Sharing joy," "Sharing joy,"
"as well as sorrow," "as well as sorrow,"
"through triumph," "through triumph,"
"as well as defeat," "as well as defeat,"
"I'll keep you beside me," "I'll keep you beside me,"
"till death do us apart." " till death do us apart."
And after saying those words, she placed the ring onto his ring finger and everyone cheered for them. Basically, not everyone as Ji-Hoon was seated quietly beside his cousin a.k.a his best friend with a blank expression on his face.