45. Rohit
I rush into the wedding venue and look around. Everything is meticulously beautiful, and I would expect nothing less from Ruby. The tea ceremony has finished, but now all the guests are milling about before the wedding ceremony. I can’t seem to spot Miley, but since the wedding hasn’t started yet, she must be off somewhere helping Ruby get ready. I glance around for bathrooms or changing rooms.
Along the far wall I find a hallway, and sure enough, I see Miley in the one-shoulder dress I’ve only seen in photos.
“Miley!” I call out, stopping in my tracks when she turns around. She is stunning. The dress is a soft green and fits her curves beautifully. Her hair is swept into an updo that showcases the luminous skin of her exposed shoulder. I search her eyes, which are as dark as the midnight sky.
“Rohit,” she whispers. “I wasn’t sure if you’d come. You missed the tea ceremony…” Her voice trails off.
“I’m sorry, Miley. I was going to be there, but I thought Reena had appendicitis, so I rushed to see her and I’m so sorry I missed the ceremony.” I reach for her arm, and surprisingly, she lets me take it.
“Is Reena okay?” Miley asks, because she’s such a good person that our personal drama is less important to her than the welfare of my sister.
“She’s fine! Thank God. We think my mother lied to me to get me to miss this wedding.” I roll my eyes, trying to make light of the situation, but at the mention of my mother, Miley pulls away forcefully. “Wait, it’s not what you think. I told her, and my dad, all about you and our relationship. I told them how I love you and that even if they don’t approve, it’s not going to change.”
“You did?” Miley’s eyes narrow and she looks at me skeptically, taking a step back, as if she’s putting up walls.
“I did. They don’t understand right now, but they will. They are just a group of buffalos, but we’ll figure it out. We can figure anything out, as long as we are together. Wo ai ni .” I love you . I reach out for her again and pull her close to me. This time, she lets me.
Miley searches my eyes, and slowly, I see a smile forming. “An obstinacy. A group of buffaloes is called an obstinacy.”
I lean in close, and whisper, “I love you more than a zeal of zebras, you have more charm than a group of finches, and I will always make you the center of my galaxy of starfishes.”
She chuckles, but then her smile falls. “Rohit, I know it couldn’t have been easy to talk to your parents—” she starts.
“You were right,” I interrupt. “You have been all along. I love you, and that’s the most important thing, and I always want you to know that.” I lean down to finally kiss Miley, but just as our lips are about to meet, I hear grumbling behind me.
When I turn to see who’s there, I see some guy in a tuxedo, full of disdain.
“Be careful with that one, I see she’s easy as ever,” this guy has the audacity to say.
I can sense Miley tensing behind me. This must be Harrison. Instinctively, I charge towards this offender, grab him by the collar, and hold him against the wall.
“What did you say?” I grit out. I’m easily half a dozen inches taller than this pipsqueak, and his face immediately turns red. “Don’t you ever talk about her like that. Don’t talk about her period. Don’t even look at her. Your presence is not needed here.” My words feel hot out of my mouth. One hand continues to hold Harrison against the wall while my other hand balls into a fist.
“What’s going on here?” Ruby’s voice interjects, drawing my attention away from Harrison. Miley rushes to Ruby’s side and whispers, “Ruby, we need to talk,” as she ushers Ruby back into the changing room. Miley looks over her shoulder to me and gives me a reassuring nod as she says, “Rohit, I’ll see you soon. Harrison…”
I don’t hear the end of that sentence as Miley and Ruby disappear behind a closed door.
“Bro, let me down,” Harrison croaks, face still the color of ripe strawberries.
I slowly let Harrison down, but keep my hand on his collar.
“I am not your bro. How you behaved all those years ago is deplorable. You should have manned up and supported Miley however she needed. But you didn’t, and now you are nothing to her. Stay away from Miley,” I say as I finally let go of his shirt. Harrison scurries away without a second glance.