The officiant gave them the signal.
Silence settled over the hall, soft and reverent.
The bride lifted her gaze to Jihan, and the world around them simply… blurred.
His parents sat in the front row.
Jihan's mother was already holding a handkerchief in both hands. His father
stern, composed, always controlled had his eyes lowered, trying not to blink too much.
The officiant smiled. "You may share your vows."
Jihan didn't pull out paper this time. He didn't need it.
He held her hands and spoke like he'd been waiting his whole life to say these words.
"There were days I thought I could live fine without love.
Then you looked at me once and it became the most impossible thing.
You were not easy. You didn't fall fast. You didn't trust half promises.
You made me earn every inch of you and I'm grateful you did."
"Today isn't a victory. It's not the end of pursuit.
It's just the first day I get to love you with your permission.
I will be patient when your fears speak louder than your voice.
I will be gentle when the world is not.
And I will spend every day making sure you never regret choosing me."
The bride's breath shook.
She blinked up at him, tears clinging to her lashes, and everyone went painfully quiet.
Jihan's mother covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to cry too obviously. His father turned his face away slightly, clearing his throat like he had something in his eye.
Then the bride spoke soft, shy, emotional.
"I didn't know love could be quiet until you gave it to me.
You didn't rush me. You didn't force me.
You just stayed… even when I didn't know how to stay with myself.
You loved me when I couldn't trust love.
You held me at a pace I could handle.
You made the idea of forever less frightening.
I don't know how to promise perfectly.
But I promise this
If you keep choosing me, I'll keep learning how to love you back."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Jihan wiped it before it could fall.
The officiant paused to let everyone breathe. Or cry. Mostly cry.
Jihan's mother pressed her forehead against her husband's shoulder. His father patted her hand once, silently emotional.
They weren't just watching a wedding.
They were watching a son who once held the world like a weapon… now hold a woman like she was the world.
And for the first time in years, their tears weren't from fear or stress they were from relief. From pride. From the rare, quiet joy of watching their son finally have something worth kneeling his ego for.
I stepped back slightly, letting the couple have their moment, but I couldn't tear my eyes away.
Their story... it wasn't flashy. It wasn't built on grand gestures or a whirlwind romance. It was patient. Persistent. Real.
Jihan had worked for every inch of her trust, every smile, every step toward forever. And she… she had held back, quietly cautious, but when she finally let him in, it was total. Absolute.
I could feel it. Every glance, every pause between their words, the way they held hands like the world didn't exist outside their circle.
I whispered under my breath, almost to myself, "They really are perfect together."
Taehyun's voice, low and sharp, cut through my thoughts. "Impressed?"
I jumped slightly. "You're supposed to be watching the ceremony, not eavesdropping."
He smirked, arms crossed. "I'm watching. I just… notice you staring. Like a love-struck fool."
I gave him a mock glare. "I am not! I'm… appreciating a good love story."
He tilted his head, lips twitching. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that. Don't think I don't notice how soft your expression got."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at my lips.
The officiant signaled them for the ring exchange. Jihan pulled a small velvet box from his pocket, opening it with deliberate reverence.
The bride gasped softly, and I found myself holding my breath with her.
Even from my place, I could see the way his hands shook just slightly not from nervousness, but from the weight of finally holding something he had fought for so long.
When he slid the ring onto her finger, she gripped his hand tightly. Their eyes met, and the room seemed to shrink around them.
I whispered again, quietly to myself, "That… that is real love."
Taehyun caught my gaze and leaned in, his voice teasing but soft, almost reluctant: "Maybe I should take notes."
I rolled my eyes again, but my heart couldn't stop warming at the scene. And even with his possessive teasing, I knew… he was secretly enjoying it, too.
The ceremony had ended, and the hall buzzed with laughter, chatter, and clinking glasses.
Guests were moving toward the banquet tables, and I was immediately drawn to the dessert section. Cakes, tarts, pastries, chocolate fountains… my eyes were practically sparkling.
"Taehyun," I whispered, tugging gently at his sleeve, "look at that chocolate mousse! And the eclairs! We have to.."
Before I could finish, strong hands closed around my wrist, pulling me gently but firmly away from the dessert table.
"Taehyun! I was about to taste..."
"Not now," he said, voice low, controlled, but with a teasing edge.
I stopped, arms crossed in mock protest. "Not now? You're ruining my dessert mission!"
He smirked, dragging me through the crowd. "You'll have dessert. Later. After I decide where we're standing."
I tried to wriggle free, but he held me close enough that escape wasn't really an option. "You're serious? I've been waiting for that chocolate fountain all day!"
"I know exactly how serious you are," he said, his thumb brushing along the back of my hand. "And that's why I'm taking you away before anyone else steals you and your dessert attention from me."
I glared at him, but inside… my stomach wasn't just hungry for sweets anymore. It was fluttering for him.
"Fine," I said finally, surrendering, "but I swear… you owe me tasting rights."
His smirk widened, impossibly satisfied. "Oh, I plan to. After I finish reminding you whose dessert you really belong to."
I groaned dramatically, letting him pull me through the crowd, secretly thrilled and more than a little hungry.
We walked over to the newlyweds to say our goodbyes.
"I had the most amazing time," I said, smiling at the bride.
She hugged me, and I froze for a second. Warm. Soft. Motherly in a way I didn't expect. Her arms wrapped around me gently, and I felt… strange. Like I was a child and she was this safe, comforting presence.
I pulled back quickly, trying to ignore the fluttering feeling. "Thank you… for letting me be your bridesmaid."
She smiled, eyes glimmering. "You were perfect. Truly."
Jihan gave me a nod and a small smile, and I finally stepped back, feeling light-headed from all the emotions.
We got into the car. I immediately pouted, crossing my arms. "I didn't get to taste enough desserts. None of the chocolate! No eclairs! Nothing!"
Taehyun chuckled, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, really? You're pouting like a toddler."
I glared, sticking out my lower lip. "I am not! I'm… an adult who respects pastries."
He shook his head, still laughing. Then, with a casual flick of his hand, he pulled out several paper packets from the backseat. "Well, I may have anticipated this."
My eyes widened. "You… what?"
He smirked. "You weren't getting dessert from anyone else. These are all yours."
I barely even noticed the traffic as I tore into the first packet ..a chocolate tart then a cream puff, then the tiniest eclair.
"Taehyun! Stop! I can't.." I tried, but I was helpless, shoving one dessert after another into my mouth like a greedy toddler.
He laughed, leaning back, arms crossed, watching me devour the sweets. "You look ridiculous. But adorable."
Between bites, I mumbled with chocolate smeared on my lips, "I… can't… stop…"
He smirked, leaning in closer, thumb brushing a stray crumb off my chin. "Good. Don't. I like it when you forget everything else for me… even desserts."
I froze, heart thumping, before diving back into the next bite, cheeks flushed, completely powerless and completely happy.