Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
I t was a beautiful day for a wedding.
The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, honeyed light over everything. The backyard sparkled under strings of fairy lights, white flowers, and soft gold accents.
Muriel looked like a vision in white as Diego, somehow managing to look smooth even with one crutch, walked her down the aisle and handed her over to Kaif. Her brother looked radiant with happiness and her mother, of course, had cried like a baby.
To be fair, Kash had teared up too. It was impossible to remain untouched in the presence of such simple, sheer love.
Now, music floated through the air, laughter rippling across the lawn like a living thing. The newly wedded couple were making their rounds, meeting all the guests and seeking their blessings, before it was time for cake and a small reception.
Kash stood with Mona and Chaaru near the edge of the patio, bare feet digging into the cool grass, all three of them dressed in simple beige satin dresses that shimmered when they moved.
She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so light. So rooted. So ready to be part of something bigger than her own carefully guarded world.
Mona bumped her shoulder, before handing her a champagne flute. "Look at us," she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. "All grown up. Almost respectable."
"Almost," Chaaru echoed with a crooked grin, running a hand down her hip. Her dark eyes shone with laughter, but there was a softness underneath, something quieter and waiting.
Kash’s heart ached for her. Chaaru hadn’t found her ending yet. But she would. No one who saw her and DP together could doubt that they were meant to be together. With her own perspective now so different, it was easy to have faith in them.
“I know you aren’t big on weddings and the whole marriage thing, but we could all fly to Vegas and make it a double feature, you know? When DP’s back, I mean.”
Chaaru choked on her drink, making Mona hoot in laughter. Smiling, Kash dabbed at Chaaru’s chin with a napkin. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to shock you into choking. Did I go too far?”
Chaaru shook her head and took the napkin from Kash. “Of course you didn’t. All I want is a future with him, in whatever way I can get him.”
Kash nodded.
“Vegas, really?” Chaaru said, without missing a beat in teasing her back. “I thought you would go for a big wedding.”
“In the few minutes we got to talk at the ER yesterday, Diego made it clear he doesn’t want to wait. And honestly, I agree.” Kash sighed and looked up at the orange-pink streaks in the sky. “The big wedding was a dream when I was na?ve enough to think love should look grand and loud and full of big gestures.”
“And now?” Mona asked softly.
“Now, as you very well know, Mona darling, all I want is time with him. But we’re both traditional enough to want to make it official and our mamas scary enough that it’s better to have a big reception/dance party after a quick wedding.”
“That sounds perfect,” Chaaru said, tangling her arm through Kash’s.
"Life's been good to us, girls," Mona said, lifting her champagne flute. “And remember we’re here for each other, yeah?”
“Yes, please,” Kash said, the words catching a little in her throat from the sheer weight of abundance. “I’m bracing myself to do this whole new mother in forties routine and I’m going to need you both.”
Chaaru chuckled. “Better you than me, babe. But,” she squished Kash closer, “I can’t wait to hold an infant again and drink in that baby smell. And I can promise you two days and two nights every month so that you and your soccer stud can run away.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to be an aunty, Kash,” Mona said, sudden excitement making her eyes glow. “I’m going to use this chance to get Dom to change diapers this time. He was too busy making money to help with my twins.”
“Poor Dom,” Kash said, giggling. Not that she had a single doubt that Dom would do anything to prove to Mona that his workaholic days were over.
“Together forever, ladies,” Char said, raising her own glass.
"Even after everything dries up down there and gravity brings down our boobies and we’re mistaking each other’s dentures for our own," Mona said in a solemn vow.
They stood there for a moment, letting the sunlight soak into their bones.
And then Kash saw Diego and Tia, stepping out onto the grass from the house, framed by the golden light. They hadn’t told Tia yet, wanting just a little more time after the wedding first to absorb this…togetherness.
Suit jacket open, tie loosened, Diego moved carefully but stubbornly toward her. Tia clung to his good side, grinning wide, her white dress billowing around her like a little cloud.
The sight of them together—her entire world—punched the air right out of Kash’s lungs.
Before she even knew she was moving, she was stepping away from her friends, heading straight for him.
Behind her, Mona called out, laughing, "We’re losing her!"
Chaaru’s laughter joined in, bright and easy. “Oh, let her have the moment, Mon! You know how sugary sweet those early stages are.”
Kash tossed a grin over her shoulder but didn’t slow down.
As she reached them, she slipped her hand into Diego’s. He squeezed her fingers tight and under the guise of adjusting his crutch, leaned into her and kissed her cheek. “Hi, beautiful. I missed you in the last forty minutes and fifty seconds.”
Kash met his eyes and smiled. “Me too.”
Tia bounced beside them, tugging at Kash’s other hand, eyes sparkling.
Kash laughed, blinking against the sting in her eyes, the overwhelming fullness of this moment. This life she had almost lost because she’d picked strength and loneliness over connection and love.
If this was surrender, Kash thought, she would happily give in every single time. Especially since she never need be strong again alone.