Chapter 35
Act III, Scene VIII: Montague House, Surrey
Kalina
‘W e’re going to be so late.’ I tried doing up the back of my top, while Titan undid it.
‘They won’t miss us,’ he said, placing a kiss on my neck.
I leaned back against his chest and he wrapped his arms around my waist. His thumb toyed with the skin between the hem of my top and waistband of my skirt. It sent little tingles up and down my spine.
‘No, no.’ I tried putting some distance between us. ‘Savi will have my head if we don’t show up.’
‘But you can have mine if—’
‘Titan,’ I exclaimed.
He grinned from ear to ear before lifting his palms in mock surrender. ‘Fine, but don’t say I didn’t offer.’
‘After.’ My voice was filled with promise.
‘I’m not going to stop trying.’
‘You’re not playing fair,’ I whined.
He pulled his shirt on—much to my dismay—and I watched his fingers move painstakingly slowly doing up each button. ‘You didn’t want any of this, now you have to wait.’
‘I am my own worst enemy.’
He flashed me an impish grin.
‘I like this. When you’re so playful and happy.’
‘You make me happy.’ He gave me a once over, stepped closer, and did up the back of my top. He ended it off with a kiss on my shoulder. ‘Have I told you I like this look? A lot.’
‘Thank you,’ I replied, doing a twirl so the skirt of my lehenga flared out. ‘You’ve said it at least thrice.’
‘My favourite colour on you—sunshine yellow.’
He took my hand and squeezed it before placing a soft and quick kiss on my lips. ‘Let’s go so we can come back here. I have some plans for this outfit of yours and where I’d like it to end up. Spoiler, it’s the floor.’
I laughed as I dragged him out of our room and down to the ballroom of Montague House where the mehndi and haldi was being held.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked as we walked towards the stairs.
‘A little nervous.’
‘Why?’ He placed soft kisses on the inside of my hand and wrist.
‘This is the first time we’re…together. In front of my entire family.’
‘Exactly,’ he said. ‘So, I can do this.’ He kissed my neck, and I giggled. ‘Or this.’ Another kiss on my collarbone while his hand found my waist.
‘You’re distracting.’ I wiggled out of his grasp but he pulled me back and rained kisses all over my face.
‘You’re enticing.’
‘Okay okay, the quicker we go, the quicker we can get back to this.’
‘Promise?’ He pouted down at me.
‘Yes.’
He kissed me, gently pushing my back against the wall.
‘Public space,’ Ted called out.
We pulled apart.
‘Hi,’ I greeted Ted sheepishly.
Titan pulled Ted into a hug.
‘Ted, you look dashing. Does Savi know about this?’ I gestured to the navy-blue traditional outfit he wore.
His face flushed red. ‘It’s a surprise.’
Titan and I smiled widely.
‘She’s going to enjoy this. A lot.’ Titan nodded approvingly.
‘Let’s find your bride.’
We started toward the stairs, my hand in Titan’s, and walked toward the ballroom.
‘Are you okay?’ I asked Ted as we reached the entrance.
He looked like he was going to break into hives as he hovered in front of the doors anxiously. ‘I don’t know what to expect.’
‘Don’t worry. It’s going to be fun,’ I said. I let go of Titan’s hand and hooked my arm through Ted’s.
We walked into the room and it was spectacular. String lights and soft colourful fabric was draped from the ceiling and hung down the sides of the room. There were pockets of luxurious seating around the room.
Savi was seated on a golden chaise where the mehndi artist had started on her arms and worked her way down to her palms.
Before Ted could approach her, our family and friends swarmed him with well wishes and greetings. A beautiful blend in the space where their story had begun.
Titan stepped up beside me and offered me his hand. ‘Ready?’
I wrapped his fingers with mine. ‘Yes.’
The BAAs were on us in an instant.
‘What’s happening here?’
‘Are you two together?’
‘It’s about time.’
‘Our two girls have found their Englishmen.’
They barely gave each other a chance as their questions flew our way.
‘Titan would love to tell you,’ I said to the aunts. ‘I should see if Savi needs anything.’
‘Do you need me to help you?’ Titan’s voice was layered with desperation.
I shook my head. ‘No, I want to talk about you, so you can’t be there.’
He leaned down, while my aunts tittered excitedly amongst themselves, and whispered, ‘You are in so much trouble when I get you alone.’
The blood rushed to my cheeks, but the excitement rose in my belly.
‘Promise?’ I asked.
He held back a groan.
‘Enjoy,’ I told the aunts and ducked under Titan’s arm toward Savi.
‘I see they’ve staked their claim.’ Savi tipped her head behind me.
Titan spoke to them patiently.
‘He’s so wonderful,’ I gushed.
‘I told you.’ If she hadn’t needed to sit still during this process, she’d have shimmied her shoulders.
‘We needed to find out for ourselves.’
‘We’re so glad you did. You two are idiots.’
‘Hey!’
Savi smiled. ‘But idiots I love and couldn’t see with anyone else.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I bet you finally know what sex eyes are now.’ Savi burst into a fit of laughter.
My face heated. ‘Maybe.’
Ted, now freed from the clutches of the other family members, crossed the room a little while later and rescued Titan.
‘What a man,’ Savi said and sighed.
‘And that outfit?’ I wiggled my eyebrows.
‘I can’t wait to get him upstairs.’
The artist interjected. ‘Let me wrap your hands first.’
Savi and I burst into a fit of giggles.
Ted walked over to his bride and I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around Titan. ‘Hi.’
He kissed my head. ‘You are a menace.’
‘I learn from the best.’ I nuzzled into his side.
‘A year ago, I wouldn’t have pictured myself standing here.’
We both looked around the room; Ted and Titan’s friends mingling with our cousins, Ted’s mother talking to Savi’s, and Titan and I openly together.
‘You didn’t see yourself here with me?’ I asked.
He pulled me closer. ‘Of course I saw myself here with you. Do you know this is almost the exact spot where I met you?’
‘We’re doing this?’ I tilted my chin up.
‘We are,’ he said, then he leaned down to brush his lips over mine.
‘Finally,’ my grandmother’s voice rang out.
This was turning out to be the debut of our status as a couple.
With Scarlet on her arm, my grandmother stopped in front of us.
‘Dadi,’ I greeted her and Titan followed suit by touching her feet.
My grandmother pulled the both of us into a tight embrace. ‘It’s about time.’
‘You were right, Dadi.’
‘I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect for my Gulab.’ My grandmother took my hand and placed it in Titan’s.
‘Thank you.’ I kissed her cheek.
‘Don’t let me keep you. We can catch up over chai. The both of you.’
‘We’d love that,’ Titan said.
‘Do you want to get your hands done?’ Scarlet asked.
‘Of course.’
I kissed Titan then we traipsed off to the artist for the guests.
Titan spent the night keeping my hair out of my face and hydrating me with drinks, even though I’d only had the backs of my hands done.
The festivities continued well into the night, but I’d given Savi a strict bedtime. Rest was key in the lead up to her big day.
‘Can we go to bed early too?’ Titan asked in a low voice.
‘I am feeling a little sleepy…’ I smirked.
We barely made it through the door of our room before my back was pressed up against the wall. His lips were on mine and his hands wrapped around my waist.
‘I’ve wanted to rip this off from the moment you put it on,’ he groaned. His hands bunched up the fabric of my skirt.
‘You can,’ I breathed.
‘Not yet.’
He kissed my collar bone and all along the front of my very low top.
My hands hovered over his hair, and I was too afraid to touch the golden strands.
He kissed his way up the inside of my arms then held them above my head. ‘Don’t move them. Okay?’
I nodded.
He raised an eyebrow at me.
‘Okay,’ I breathed.
His lips moved along my jaw, further down my body along every inch of my skin until he knelt down in front of me.
With a focused gaze on mine, he slid his palms under my skirt, and circled my ankles.
I sucked in a breath as his fingers brushed up along my skin.
‘I’ve been craving you all day, Kalina,’ he said as he ran his thumb along the thin mesh between my thighs.
I moaned.
‘I love the way you react.’ His voice dropped an octave.
‘Titan…’ I leaned my head and arms back against the wall, unconcerned with the smudges it may cause.
My words turned into sounds and became incoherent as his mouth and hands got me over the edge and into a climax that wracked through my entire body.
‘That…was…’ I said between pants.
‘I know,’ he said.
‘What about you?’
He stood and kissed my forehead. ‘That’s all I wanted. Let’s get you ready for bed.’
He helped me remove my makeup and wrap my hands.
‘You can sleep in this,’ he said, and pulled the green T-shirt from his bag.
‘It exists.’ I grinned.
‘I told you, if you stayed over you’d see it.’
‘It’s mine now.’ I lifted my arms.
He slipped the T-shirt over my head. ‘And so am I.’
It’d been two nights of celebrations, and I was in desperate need of caffeine, but when I walked into Savi’s room the morning of the wedding, my breath hitched.
She was dressed in a heavily beaded red and gold bridal lehenga, the now darkened mehndi swirled up her hands and arms and disappeared under her sleeves.
‘You look so beautiful Sav,’ I whispered. Tears sprung from my eyes and ran down my cheeks.
‘No,’ she said, and shook her head. ‘Don’t start doing that. If you cry, I’m going to cry.’ She waved her palms at her face, as if that could stop the tears in its tracks.
‘Okay, okay, I’m trying not to.’ I mirrored her movement and grabbed a tissue from the dresser to dab at my eyes.
Her makeup was done and it hadn’t budged.
Her makeup artist was Tara, the same woman who’d done mine for the photoshoot with Titan. I’d definitely use her for the foreseeable future.
‘Can you help me with this?’ she asked, holding up her dupatta.
Her hair had already been styled in loose waves and it was just a matter of pinning it in place.
‘What about your mom and Dadi?’ It was quite a special and significant moment, and seemed as though they should be the ones to do it.
‘They’ve already helped me this morning. This is for me and you.’
Now I really cried. ‘This means so much to me. Thank you.’
She sat down in front of the dresser and I stood behind her, adjusting the gauzy fabric until we were both satisfied with where it lay.
‘Hold it here,’ I said, then moved her hands into the right positions before I reached over to grab the little box that housed the hair and safety pins.
‘Can you believe it?’ Savi asked, wriggling in her seat. ‘How far we’ve come.’
‘I cannot. How are you feeling?’ I focused on my hands as they worked.
‘I feel really good actually. No sickness or anything.’
‘She’s on her best behaviour today.’ I tipped my head at her abdomen. It was still concealed by careful pleating and adjustments from our grandmother. As excited as they were about being parents, Savi had insisted she not look too pregnant on this big day.
‘She knows. Her dad is the one.’
‘Don’t,’ I said, narrowing my eyes at her. ‘We’re going to look awful and puffy.’
‘You know your boyfriend has magic fingers.’
‘Oh my God.’
‘For editing, Lina, get your mind out of the gutter.’
Savi laughed and it was infectious. I couldn’t help but join in and the tears that threatened to fall were now ones of joy.
A knock sounded at the door before it opened, and Savi’s parents walked in.
‘I’ll leave you to it.’
It was the last quiet moment of the morning, so I headed downstairs.
The setup of the ceremony area was done and the staff were walking in and out of the back door with flowers, candles, and various other decor items.
I followed them to the ballroom, where any remnants of the celebrations over the last three nights had been cleared and the space was transformed.
The staff lined the outer edges of the room with the large hurricane vases, which would be filled with white pillar candles and lit before the reception.
I looked up at the painted ceiling, the gold light glimmering off the surfaces.
‘Lina, are you still happy with the table placements?’ Mr Smith asked.
‘Yes, it’s perfect.’
Long tables were arranged along the walls, creating a square, with the white dance floor in the middle of the room. Maximum walking space on either side of the tables to encourage mingling, as Ted and Savi had requested.
I checked the place settings and looked up as Lexie entered the room.
‘Lina, just the person I was looking for.’ Her voice rang through the empty space. She looked as fresh as ever, not as if she’d spent the night up until one a.m.
I slapped a smile on my face. ‘Lexie, hi.’
My blood turned to ice as soon as Jesse walked up behind her.
‘Sorry to corner you like this.’ They stopped in front of me. Jesse couldn’t meet my gaze. ‘Jesse has something he’d like to say.’ She folded her arms over her chest.
Jesse took a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry about what happened between us.’
An apology from Jesse Montague was not on my bingo card for the day.
It wasn’t really on my bingo card for my life.
‘And…’ Lexie looked about one second away from tapping her foot with impatience.
‘I was an ass and I wasn’t thinking about how everything would affect you. It was selfish and wrong.’ He exhaled, as if it’d been sitting on his shoulders for ages. ‘I was an idiot and I’m really sorry.’
Lexie nodded once and took a few steps away from us. ‘I’ll give you two a moment.’
‘I…don’t know what to say.’ I was in total disbelief.
‘You don’t have to say anything. I’m the one that has the explaining to do. I’m genuinely sorry about what happened. I really liked you, but I shouldn’t have used you that way. I’m trying to fix things between Ted and I.’
That surprised me. ‘Oh?’
‘Yeah, and I told Lexie about what happened. She was furious.’
I looked over his shoulder and she waved at me.
‘I hope you can forgive me. This is only the beginning of my apology, but I will do anything to make things right with you.’
I waited for a beat. I hadn’t needed his apology, although it was quite nice, but let him simmer in it for a while. ‘Well, you should know I’m not going to make this easy for you.’
He smiled. ‘I didn’t expect you to.’
‘I’m going to charge you so much to plan your wedding.’
‘Whatever you want. Double it. Triple even.’
‘You need to talk to Titan. Probably more than you need to talk to me.’
He sighed. ‘I know. He’s on my list. Being an ass toward him has always come so naturally for me.’ He laughed. ‘I think I took it one step too far though…’
I narrowed my eyes, thinking about what he could be referring to, but drew a blank. Wanting this to end, I said, ‘Thank you. I forgave you already. I didn’t want to make things weird with Savi and Ted being together so I pushed my feelings aside.’
‘Which isn’t fair. I should’ve spoken to you sooner. I’m sorry. Again.’
I nodded. ‘Thank you for doing it now.’
Lexie squealed from where she stood. ‘So, you’ll plan our wedding?’
I shivered at the high pitch of the sound. ‘Yes, I’ll do it.’
Jesse hadn’t really crossed my mind since the Wedding Expo and seeing him now didn’t bother me as much as it used to.
A set of arms snaked around my waist.
‘Hi, beautiful.’ Titan spun me around and planted a kiss on my lips that stole my breath away.
‘Hi.’
‘Titan,’ Jesse started, then cleared his throat. ‘I, uh, owe you an apology. Quite a few actually.’
I looked at Titan’s set jaw. His gaze over my shoulder softened and his grip on me eased up. ‘Thank you. But, not today. I’m going to let you grovel a bit.’
Jesse nodded. ‘I deserve that. Whenever you’re ready.’ He walked over to where Lexie stood.
‘What did you hear?’ I asked Titan once they’d left the room.
‘Almost everything.’
‘Ah. Explains your scary calm tone.’
‘I’m a changed man, dimples.’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Sure sure. You should actually thank him.’
Titan arched a brow.
‘Without him at the expo, we wouldn’t be together now.’
He chuckled then leaned down to kiss me. ‘I would’ve found a way to be with you.’
‘You’re so romantic.’ My chest was ready to burst.
‘Ready to get those two hitched, again?’
‘You bet,’ I replied.
I hurried back to our room to get changed, then we made our way down the aisle together as Maid of Honour and Best Man.
The ceremony went off without a hitch, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. But my gaze only sought out one person.
As I looked up at Titan his gaze softened and his lips turned up in the smallest of smiles.
It was the look I’d seen hundreds of times before at weddings.
It was the look I’d been searching for.
And now it was being directed at me.
Once Ted and Savi walked back up the aisle, and greeted their guests, Titan strode over to me and wrapped his arms around me.
‘You look beautiful. Have I told you that today?’
I leaned up to kiss him. ‘Only once.’
‘Well then, you look breathtaking and I want you to find me later so I can kiss you properly.’
My stomach flipped at his words and I nodded.
We parted ways as he took photos of Savi and Ted in and around the grounds and I mingled with the guests as they had pre-reception drinks and snacks.
I snuck away to help Savi change and when I walked out of her room, Ted paced the corridor.
‘You’re going to burn a hole in the carpet,’ Titan said. He leaned against the wall and I really wanted to identify as a wall at that moment.
‘Sorry.’ Ted stopped.
‘Don’t be. It’s very endearing that you want to be beside her all the time.’ Titan straightened when his gaze met mine.
‘Hi,’ I said.
‘Hi,’ he replied.
My heart raced. I couldn’t believe that look was all for me.
The door opened and Ted’s breath hitched. ‘My love, you look…’
Ted’s gaze took in the champagne and ivory coloured lehenga Savi now wore. The fabric was a little more modern, made up of lace and silk, while the style remained classic.
Much like Savi herself.
Despite the negativity and the barriers they’d faced before, they were together and happier than ever. They deserved all the celebrations and festivities.
‘I’m going to…yeah. Okay,’ I squeezed past the two of them, who’d forgotten I’d existed as they reached for each other and made out.
Titan took my hand and pulled me close. ‘I missed you.’
‘It’s only been two hours.’
He cupped my face and stroked the back of my neck, sending goosebumps down my arms. ‘Still missed you.’
‘I missed you too,’ I admitted.
‘Want that kiss now?’ He grinned.
‘I wish. I have to make sure everyone finds their way to the reception, but you could meet my dad.’
‘What?’ Titan’s eyes went wide.
I laughed. ‘He’s obviously here. Savi is his favourite niece.’
Savi and Ted were still whispering sweet nothings to one another beside us.
‘Are you sure? This seems like such a big moment.’
‘It’s very casual. I mean, you got through Dadi. That’s the person you should actually be worried about.’
He laughed. ‘Weirdly enough that makes me feel better.’
‘Okay, let’s go.’
I led him down to the reception, and scanned the crowd before I spotted him talking to Savi’s father. I hadn’t seen my dad in a while but when they stood next to one another, they looked like twins.
‘Papa,’ I said as we walked up beside them. ‘This is Titan.’
They shook each other’s hands.
‘Oh, it’s so nice to meet you. My brother’s told me a lot about you.’
Savi’s father gave me an encouraging smile that set me at ease.
Seems like everyone was hoping we’d be together.
‘It’s so good to meet you too.’ It was the first time I’d seen Titan blush.
‘You should have a seat. Savi and Ted will be down any minute.’
I pulled Titan away, but his expression remained frozen in confusion. ‘I don’t feel like I had a chance to process that.’
I laughed. ‘It was meant to be brief. I wanted him to meet you officially.’
‘I’ve never met anyone’s father.’
‘Another first for me.’ I did a little shoulder shimmy.
‘You’re enjoying this way too much.’
‘I am.’ I squeezed his hand. ‘But I think you are too.’
He stole a kiss. ‘Wouldn’t want to share this with anyone else.’
The MC introduced Savi and Ted. Both families cheered loudly and excitedly as they made their way to the dance floor and their first dance song started up.
Scarlet stood beside me and Titan as we watched Ted spin and twirl Savi around the dance floor with a practised ease. He was really good at it.
‘They’re so beautiful together. Their baby is going to be adorable.’ Scarlet gazed at them with hearts in her eyes, much like everyone else in the room.
‘I know,’ I agreed with Scarlet. ‘I can’t wait to smush her.’
‘What?’ Titan asked.
‘Right? She’s going to be too cute for me to handle,’ Scarlet said.
Titan opened his mouth to say something, thought better of it, and shook his head instead. ‘You two are so weird.’
We both grinned at him.
The dance floor opened up and the guests were more interested in it than they were in the food.
‘Hello, hello,’ Nick said as he strolled up with Charlie alongside him.
‘Hi,’ I greeted them.
‘Would you like to dance?’ Nick asked Scarlet.
Titan opened his mouth to say something, but I stopped him.
Scarlet looked at Nick and Titan then Nick again. ‘Sure.’
‘It’s just a dance,’ I said to Titan.
‘It’s never just anything with Nick.’ Titan shook his head but made no move to stop them.
‘Chill out, it’s a room full of people,’ Charlie said as he tapped Titan on the back.
‘Exactly,’ I agreed.
‘Are the two of you ganging up on me?’ Titan crossed his arms over his chest.
I shrugged.
‘Yeah. We’re a team now.’ Charlie grinned.
Titan sighed with resignation. ‘Thank you.’ His words held so much meaning.
Charlie shook his head. ‘Don’t be. I know you. Sometimes better than you know yourself.’
‘Are we okay?’ Titan asked.
‘Of course.’ Charlie nodded and pulled Titan in for a hug.
It was really endearing.
‘Okay, go. Kalina is itching to dance.’ Charlie chuckled.
He was right, I was moving around on the spot.
‘Come on,’ Titan said and he took my hand in his, pulling me through the throng of people. The music was slow and beautiful.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and looked up at him.
‘Thank you for kissing me at the expo.’ His hand tightened on my waist, closing the gap between us.
‘You were in the right place at the right time,’ I joked.
His breaths were deep and his gaze focused on mine.
‘Everything okay?’ I rubbed my hand up his neck.
He nodded. ‘I’ve never felt this way about anyone, and I hope you know I would never do anything to mess this up.’
‘Of course. We found our way to each other. Eventually.’
I looked at our entwined hands, where his fingers gave the beads on my ring a spin. ‘I wanted to tell you that I loved you then. I think I fell in love with you from the moment I saw you across this room.’
‘Titan…’
He shook his head. ‘I want you to know that I’ll always love you.’
Tears sprung into my eyes then. ‘I love you too. I’ve fallen in love with the way that you accept me as I am. I can be myself around you and my head gets quiet. I’ve never had that with anyone else.’
He reached down, steadying my chin between his fingers, and kissed me on the dance floor. The very same room I’d met him in nearly a year ago.
The room that changed it all.
‘Right place, right time, dimples,’ he murmured in my ear.