Epilogue
The bathroom mirror had begun to fog slightly with the last wisps of steam from the shower. Siya stood in front of the porcelain sink, applying mascara to her lashes. The late afternoon sunlight streamed in through the slit in the blinds.
Just as she picked up the small golden tube of lipstick, her phone buzzed with a message from her UK manager, Valerie.
Siya, we got it! House of Karielle is the official exclusive jeweller for the royal exhibition next quarter. Just closed the deal. Get ready to blow them away.
Siya squealed and sent a quick response. Giddy with joy and disbelief, she discarded the lipstick and rushed back into the bedroom to share the news with Abhay.
But the room was empty. Where did he go? She’d left him lounging on the bed, telling her to get ready because he had something planned for her.
And then she saw it.
The icy blue dress was perched on the bed, the same one he’d picked out for her for their engagement brunch, the one she’d refused to wear because things had been complicated between them at the time. With an aching pang, she realised just how far they had come.
The soft fabric gleamed faintly in the overhead light, its sweetheart neckline beaded with dark blue gemstones. Siya noticed the small folded note placed gently atop it and picked it up.
She recognised his handwriting and traced it gently with a finger as she read.
Do you remember how you promised to give me a chance to win you back. It’s time for my final trick. Wear this dress for me, sweetheart, and be in the parking lot by four. Kashvi will be waiting for you.
I can’t wait to see you!
— A
A huge smile stretched across her face. Let’s see what you’ve got, she thought. A quick glance at the tableside clock told her she only had five minutes.
She put on the dress, and took a moment to admire how it fit her like a mould. No matter how much tried, her stubborn curls refused to cooperate, so she whipped them up in a messy bun and hopped to the door as she put on her sandals one by one.
Downstairs, she found her sister waiting for her in the car. When she slipped into the passenger seat, Kashvi said, ‘Someone is glowing.’
‘Quick, tell me where we’re going!’
‘Oh please. Why do you think he sent me and not Meera to pick you up? You won’t be able to break me.’
‘Please,’ Siya said, dragging the word out.
‘I’m a wall. I’m an island,’ Kashvi declared, putting on her sunglasses with swag.
‘And my sister!’
‘Yes, but I’m more loyal to Jiju.’
Siya gave a short laugh and pulled her ear. When Kashvi warned her not to do it, she ruffled her hair instead. Kashvi retaliated in kind by sticking her tongue out. God, she loved her sister.
At the core of it, all she’d wanted to know was how long she had to wait until she would see Abhay.
She badly wished to tell Kashvi the good news about her first overseas project, but she wanted to tell Abhay first. He’d pulled late nights with her as she struggled to finalise the designs for her submission. He deserved to know first.
Soon, the car slowed down and the smell of the sea reached her.
And then there it was. The sand and the water stretched out in front of her.
She found Abhay standing at the edge of the stairs that led down to the beach, leaning against the brick wall.
He looked delicious in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and dark jeans clinging firmly to his frame.
She stepped out of the car and came up to him. Suddenly, Abhay fell to his knees with a sigh. Her impulse was to help him, but when she placed her palm on his shoulder, he trapped it there under his.
‘What happened?’ she asked, worried.
‘I’ve dreamt of seeing you in this colour since the night we met, and today, when it has finally come true, I realise I wasn’t ready for this glorious sight,’ he said, laying a soft kiss on her wrist.
Her heart soared but she swatted at him. ‘You’re an idiot!’
‘No, I’m your idiot,’ Abhay said with pride.
She playfully hit his arm again and he stood up, chuckling.
As soon as he was upright, she jumped into his wide open arms with a squeal. He caught her easily. She titled her head up and said, ‘Enough with the suspense! Tell me what’s happening?’
Kashvi passed them by with a quick comment. ‘I didn’t tell her anything, Jiju, but she tried to get it out of me.’
‘I’m proud of you,’ Abhay said with a wink.
Beaming at his praise, Kashvi gave her sister a mocking bow and went down the stairs.
‘Come with me,’ he said, and tangled her fingers with his. They followed after Kashvi, but Siya froze at the first step, shocked at the beautiful sight in front of her.
The beach had been transformed into a small fair. There were wooden stalls, carts full of games, and street food stalls lined along the shore. She recognised a few of the kids from Lumora Children’s Home, running and playing around with water guns.
A small merry-go-round stood toward the far end, just before a Ferris wheel studded with balloons and confetti tassels. With the backdrop of the setting sun, it looked like she’d stepped into a dream.
‘What is all of this?’ Siya asked, pressing her free hand to her heart.
‘You once told me that if I really wanted to earn brownie points for recreating our first meeting, I should’ve arranged a fair for you, so I did it.’
Her eyes went wide and she exclaimed, ‘I was joking!’
Abhay shrugged and walked backward as he tugged her along. ‘I’m a perfectionist and I want to pass with flying colours.’
Siya shook her head, then placed a quick kiss on his cheek. ‘Come on,’ she said, dragging him along with her.
The kids rushed up to greet them, and after some hugs and kisses, ran away to a nearby food stall. The mouth-watering smell of fried snacks and cotton candy mixed into the air.
Meera and Raghav stood near a food stall, eating pav bhaji. Kashvi, Luv, and Swayam were ribbing each other as they played ring toss.
‘Abhay, I can’t believe you did all of this. When did you even plan this?’ Siya asked.
Abhay tossed an arm over her shoulder as they walked up to the rides.
‘When I thought about throwing a fair for you, it hit me that it would be selfish to do it just for us. On the other hand, it would be a day to remember if we spent it with the kids also, so I thought why not let their joy fill our evening.’
‘But how could you manage to bring all the kids along?’
‘Vihaan and Dhruv made it happen. I told them I was planning something for you, and they handled everything, from the logistics to getting me contacts for the resources to bring all this here,’ Abhay gestured toward the rides and food stalls.
‘Those two are here too?’ Siya asked, elated.
Abhay nodded and pointed behind them where Vihaan, Dhruv, and Luv were playing tag with a group of kids. Siya caught Dhruv’s gaze, and he stopped long enough to nod at her in greeting.
She turned back to her husband and said, ‘You’re the most thoughtful and crazy man I’ve ever met.’
‘You’re worth being crazy for,’ he declared.
Abhay led her toward the far edge of the beach where the Ferris wheel rose above everything else. The confetti tassels attached to each seat flowed in the air. A few kids were scattered among several seats and their shrieks roared as it went around in circles.
Within a few minutes, the Ferris wheel had slowly come to a halt and Abhay and Siya climbed into the small seat. Siya’s arm slid behind her back as the wheel jerked once. As the speed increased, the wind caught onto her hair and loose strands whipped into her open mouth as they screamed with joy.
‘I still hate heights,’ she said, gripping Abhay’s other hand as they rose higher.
‘And I still love it because you hold onto me just a little tighter,’ he teased.
After a few spins, the wheel came to a stop, their seat swaying gently at the top. The sea stretched out, endless and glittering beneath the faint orange glow of the sky, and everyone seemed small before it.
‘So, I have some news for you. Do you remember when you gave me the auction cheque and told me to find a good use for it?’
When she nodded, he went on. ‘I set up a foundation in our mothers’ name for children’s welfare, and we’re now benefactors in Lumora Children’s Home.’
Her heart soared at the news. She couldn’t have found a better place to make a difference, and the fact that he honoured her mother meant more than she could tell him. So, she settled for saying, ‘I love that you did this. You’re my hero.’
‘Did I pass with flying colours?’ Abhay asked, a glint in his gaze.
‘You passed with colours, gold stars, distinction, all of it,’ she said, and the seat swayed wildly when she moved to the side to place a kiss on his lips.
He held her tight and the laugh he let out was full of relief. As their seat swayed lightly, she foolishly thought her heart couldn’t possibly beat any faster. But Abhay loved to prove her wrong.
When he pulled out a small, velvet box from his pocket, her chest practically vibrated as her heart hammered. He opened it and the deep sapphire glinted even in the fading light. Her mother’s ring?
‘But I gave it to Kashvi…’ she trailed off.
‘Remember the whole emotional bit she did yesterday when she declared her undying love for this ring and took it from you? It was so I could surprise you with it,’ he confessed, rubbing the back of his neck.
She’d been struck silent when Kashvi fought with her, asking to keep the ring for herself. It had been difficult, but she’d let it go because it seemed to really matter to her sister. And now here it was, as Abhay held it out to her.