Chapter 30
Kartik
As we swayed on the dance floor, she couldn't help but ask, "There must be something about weddings that you secretly enjoy, right?"
With a playful grin, I quipped, "Well, the open bar is always a plus."
She responded with a firm shake of her head. "No, that's not it."
"Alright," I conceded, "here's the real deal. When the bride makes her grand entrance, I like to sneak a peek at the groom. Even though I sometimes question the wisdom of willingly entering what some might call the last legal form of slavery, he always seems genuinely happy. And, for some inexplicable reason, I... what the hell are you looking at me like that for?”
She gazed at me, mouth agape in disbelief. "Are you serious right now?"
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"That's my favorite part too," she exclaimed. "Oh my goodness, we actually have something in common.”
I shrugged casually. "Well, statistically speaking, it was bound to happen at some point."
She grinned mischievously. "You know, you should just admit that you're a big softy. This whole cynical persona is just an act to make you appear wounded, mysterious, and, dare I say, sexy."
I leaned in with a teasing tone, "Wait, did you just say sexy?"
Taken aback, she stammered, "What? I mean... well..."
I interrupted with a sly grin, "Do you think I'm sexy?"
She quickly replied, "No."
I pressed on, playfully, "It's alright if you do."
Her tone remained resolute, "I don't."
I teased further, "You think I'm a little sexy, don't you?"
She smirked, "No, I think you think you're sexy."
I chuckled, "I might be a little sexy."
She conceded, "That's the point I'm making."
I couldn't resist adding, "So you think I think I'm sexy?"
She laughed, "Yes."
And with that, we continued to dance, completely oblivious to our surroundings.
I looked at her, she looked stunning in that black saree, at that moment I knew I couldn’t wait any longer, I wanted to tell her then and there that I was falling in love with her, that I loved her, that I loved her the way she is and no matter what I’ll always be there for her.
She was looking in my eyes as we swayed to the sound of the music.
As Samaira and I moved to the rhythm, she tilted her head up at me, voice dripping with mischief.
“Guess who your cousin Meher wants to see me with?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Should I be worried?” “Her dentist,” she said, trying to sound offended but failing miserably.
I scoffed. “You’re literally here with me.
” She raised a brow. “Told her that. She thinks I’m too angelic for your chaotic soul.
” She grinned, all teeth. “She might be my favorite cousin now.” I scoffed, pulling her closer.
“Good to know Meher’s blind.” She just grinned.
And I swear—God help me, I fell a little more.
Samaira
The music shifted into something soft and old-school, the kind of track that felt carefully chosen to make people emotional on cue. I was busy gazing into Kartik’s eyes and my focus shifted for a moment and that’s when I saw him .
Hriday.
Standing near the bar like it hadn’t been over a year. Like he didn’t owe me at least a blink of discomfort.
He looked exactly the same, down to the overconfident smile and the hand-in-pocket pose he probably practiced in the mirror. A girl clinging to his arm. Laughing at something he said.
Only this time, he wasn’t behind a counter frothing oat milk lattes.
No apron. No coffee-stained name tag. Just a pale gold kurta, smug smile fully intact, and of course, a stunning woman on his arm.
I stared for a moment longer than I should have.
The last time I saw him, Kartik and I had just sat down at that café, scribbling notes and fighting about fonts, when I looked up and bam — there he was. My past in a making cappuccinos like he hadn’t once broken my heart like it was a disposable cup.
That day, Kartik had noticed the shift in me. He hadn’t pushed. Just handed me a napkin and let me pretend I was fine. Also pretended to be my boyfriend making him fume. Hriday accidentally dropped his mask that day. I knew better than anyone, it would never drop again.
But this? This was not the safety of a coffee shop. This was a wedding.
I snapped out of my trance as I felt Kartik’s touch.
I looked back at him as he tried searching my eyes for answers.
I was on the verge of crying. Not because I was happy to see Hriday, but I had to see him at all.
It wasn’t a joyous occasion for me anytime I saw him.
It came with its own set of drama and troubles.
I opened my mouth to reply to Kartik, but I couldn’t, so I gestured to him where Hriday was standing. I felt like I had seen the girl he was with. She was most definitely out of his league.
Kartik dragged me away from the dance floor, near the bar and turned to look at where I was pointing. And he stilled. “Is that…?” He asked, unsure.
I didn’t respond. Because just then, Hriday’s eyes met mine.
He blinked. Registered me. Then, he smiled. Waved.
Oh.
Oh no.
“He’s coming over,” I muttered.
“Want me to pretend we’re making out?” Kartik asked, deadpan.
“Please don’t joke right now.”
“Not joking. Give me the signal.”
Before I could choose between fleeing or flipping a table, Hriday and his date arrived.
“Samaira,” he said, grinning like we’d just run into each other at a grocery store and not in the middle of a wedding I was emotionally unprepared for. “Didn’t think I’d see you here again so soon.”
“Yeah, well. Life’s full of delightful coincidences,” I said, voice dry.
His date beamed.
“You two know each other?”
“We dated,” I said flatly. “A long time ago.”
There it was. No more soft landings.
She blinked. “Oh.”
Hriday chuckled. “It wasn’t that long ago.”
“Feels like a different lifetime,” I replied.
Kartik, stayed silent, but his energy beside me was sharp, protective, dangerous in that ‘I dare you to keep talking’ way.
“Well,” Hriday said, rocking back on his heels. “Glad to see you doing well. You look… happy.”
“I am,” I said, instantly. Truthfully. And Kartik shifted closer, just enough for our arms to brush, which Instinctively had Kartik wrap his arm around my waist.
“So, Pooja, how do you know Hriday?” Kartik asked.
Pooja beamed, “Well, we matched on a dating site and went on a few dates and I needed a date for this wedding.”
“We should catch up sometime,” Hriday added.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Kartik said smoothly.
Hriday turned to him. “Didn’t know you were the jealous type.”
“I’m not,” Kartik replied. “But I am the type who doesn’t enjoy watching people I love relive their worst mistakes.”
That shut him up. Pooja stood there awkwardly, and yet confused. Poor woman.
After a beat, she tugged Hriday’s arm, awkwardly whispering something. He nodded, threw me one last unreadable look, and walked away.
Hold up, did Kartik just say people he loves, as in loves, I mean surely he said it just to keep up with appearances.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
Kartik turned to me.
“You good?”
No,” I admitted. “But I will be.”
And this time, I didn’t wait for him to offer his hand. I reached for his. And he held on like he’d been waiting.