Rice Shower

Under the soft evening sky, the murmur of the guests seemed distant as I waited at the altar, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves. It wasn't fear… it was a strange mix of happiness and a warm feeling I could barely describe. When the music began, the world shrank, as if all that existed was the aisle and Rice Shower's slow footsteps approaching me.

Rice walked with her characteristic trembling hands, clutching the small bouquet as if afraid of breaking it. Her blue eyes darted back and forth, uncertain, as if at any moment she might think she didn't deserve to be there. But as soon as our eyes met, she stopped, took a deep breath, and pressed her lips together before blushing. —I-I'm… here… are you really… okay? — he murmured, almost like a whisper that only I could hear.

I held out my hand and she hesitated for barely a second before taking it, soft, trembling, warm. "Of course it's okay," I said softly . "It was always okay if it was with you."

Rice lowered her gaze, hiding a shy smile. —I… I always thought I could bring you… p-problems… or bad luck… but… even so… you… — her voice broke a little — you never left me alone.

During the ceremony, every word seemed to weigh heavily on her, not out of fear of commitment, but out of fear of not being enough. When the time came for the vows, Rice took a deep breath, squeezed my hands as if gathering strength, and, her cheeks flushed, spoke: —I… want to be with you… even though everything scares me sometimes… even though I feel like… I don't deserve so much… You taught me to believe in myself a little more… and I… want to keep learning by your side… if… if you want…

Her sincerity pierced me completely. There was no doubt, no fear. Only her. "Of course I want to," I replied . "No matter how many times you doubt, how many times your voice trembles. I'll be with you. Always."

Finally, they declared us husband and wife.