Epilogue #3
Luv dragged a trembling hand through his damp hair. ‘When it comes to her, I just...’
Swayam frowned. ‘Luv, what’s going on?’
‘What the hell am I hearing, Luv? That author is your wife?’ Kusha shouted as she hurried over to them. Raghav and Abhay followed close behind, carrying stacks of magazines.
Luv shut his eyes for a moment before answering, ‘Look, she’s my wife in name only. We... we couldn’t get a divorce.’
‘But why divorce? Why aren’t you guys together? And when did you even get married?’ Kashvi asked urgently.
‘Years ago,’ Luv muttered quietly.
Kashvi caught the strain in his voice and that he had only answered one of her questions. The anguish in his eyes and his rigid posture were so far removed from the easygoing Luv she knew.
With growing dread, she asked, ‘What happened between the two of you?’
Before Luv could respond, Vedika’s voice rang out through the mic. ‘Hey, everyone. We’ll be starting in a minute, so please take your seats.’
Everyone turned back towards Luv, but he lifted a hand to stop them. ‘Listen, I know you all have questions, but not now.’
‘Fuck that. I’m your twin. How do you not tell me something like that? I want answers right now,’ Kusha snapped.
‘Kush, not now,’ Luv repeated, his lips pressed in a tight line. ‘We’ll talk later.’
‘Fine. But as soon as your so-called wife is done on the stage, we’re talking,’ Kusha fired back before marching out of the bookshop.
Luv exhaled harshly and strode towards the far wall. He crossed his arms and leaned against it, his gaze locked onto Ira on the stage.
‘Do you have any idea what the hell just happened?’ Kashvi asked Swayam.
He watched his friend with concern. ‘No. But I’ve never seen him like this before.’
Just then, Ira greeted everyone, and Swayam whispered in her ear, ‘I hope you’re ready, baby.’
He tugged Kashvi by the hand as they took their seats in the last row. Everyone else settled into the front few seats. Ira smoothed down her sweater as she took her seat on the chair.
‘Thank you all for being here today. Welcome to the preview of my upcoming novel, Where The Stars Remember Us.’
Applause rippled through the cosy space, and Kashvi felt anticipation curl in her chest.
Ira continued, ‘Today, I’ll be reading the first five chapters of the novel, and I really hope you don’t mind that I’m slightly nervous.’
Kashvi flashed her a quick thumbs up, and Ira’s grey eyes softened.
‘My readers often ask me how to tell if someone is truly in love with you, and I never had a simple answer. But from now on, I’ll tell them to read the dedication of this book. My editor, Akshar, wrote this poem for the woman he loves, and if someone sees you this way, that’s love.’
Ira opened the book on her lap and flipped through the first few pages. ‘The other thing they ask me is the real identity of Akshar. I wish I could tell you, but as my readers know, our magic lies in mystery, so he’ll remain unnamed. But I will say this… his Kash is a very lucky girl.’
Ira looked directly at Kashvi as she said it, making her gasp.
Kashvi immediately turned to Swayam, searching his face, and he only blew her a playful kiss in response.
With a soft smile, Ira began to read the dedication.
I worshipped words,
My devotion lay in ink,
My life ruled by language,
Until I met her.
Now I worship her honeyed gaze,
Hear scripture in her laughter,
Lose myself in the melody of her voice,
And find salvation when she whispers my name.
Like a foolish man, I hoped to live forever.
Then she kissed me once,
And I finally understood,
To be loved by her is to be eternal.
— Akshar
A tear slipped free as Kashvi slowly turned to Swayam. ‘You wrote that?’
His own eyes were misty too. ‘And I meant every word.’
‘So you’re Akshar?’ she whispered.
Swayam nodded with a sheepish smile.
A restless burst of excitement rushed through her, making it impossible to stay still. ‘How is that even possible?’
Siya twisted around in her chair. ‘Hey. Some of us are trying to listen.’
Meera added with a pointed glare, ‘Take it outside, lovebirds.’
Swayam chuckled. ‘Come on, Kash.’
Kashvi hesitated, torn between staying for the reading and chasing the answers burning inside her.
‘I have the chapters, baby. You won’t miss anything. Let’s go.’
That settled it.
Kashvi slipped out of the row and hurried towards the exit, practically bouncing on her feet as her excitement and confusion bubbled over.
The moment Swayam stepped out, the questions exploded out of her in a rush. ‘Okay, start talking now. How, when, and what the hell is going on?’
Swayam laughed and pulled her into a quiet corner beside the bookstore, safely out of sight. When he wrapped his arms around her, the frantic rhythm of her heart began to match his. ‘What do you want to know?’
‘You’re the editor of my favourite author?’
Swayam grinned with boyish charm. ‘Guilty.’
‘You are unbelievable. You knew how much I loved her books, and you still kept this a secret from me. What else are you hiding? Did you know about Luv being married too?’
He sobered at that. ‘I swear I didn’t know. Ira never mentioned she was married either. I’m just as shocked as you are.’
Kashvi narrowed her eyes. ‘Good. Now you know what it feels like.’
Swayam sighed. ‘I’m sorry, baby. Every time you talked about her, I wanted to tell you so bad, but I just couldn’t because I signed an NDA. I edit under a pseudonym of my choice, and I’m not allowed to tell anyone I’m her editor.’
Her eyebrows crunched together. ‘But why?’
Swayam shrugged. ‘She never really explained it, but she’s my friend. She said she doesn’t want anything traced back to her real identity, and I trust that she has her reasons.’
‘Is that why this event is so private?’
‘She only agreed to do this because I insisted. Or else, she wouldn’t have.’
Kashvi cupped his jaw with both her hands. ‘Why did you do all of this?’
Swayam gently brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers. ‘Because I wanted to propose to you, and I wanted to do it in a special way. And I also didn’t want to risk you saying no.’
Her lips quivered as emotion overwhelmed her and she looked up at him.
His forehead rested against hers as he went on, ‘What I wrote is barely a fraction of what I feel, so I’ll spend the rest of my life writing poems for you, if that’s what it takes to show you how much I love you.’
Kashvi laughed through her tears and melted into his arms. ‘I love what you wrote for me. I love how you see me. And I’m crazy in love with you.’
‘Not more than me, baby.’
Kashvi caught the faint rainbow glittering over the distant ridges. It felt like she could finally breathe after ages. ‘Instead of going back tomorrow, can we stay here longer?’
Swayam murmured against her hair. ‘I was hoping you’d say that.’
Kashvi pulled back to meet his eyes. ‘Are you sure you want to stay though? I know you wanted to go back because you planned to finally meet your maasi.’
Swayam shook his head regretfully. ‘I spoke to Mausa, and he said she’s still not ready to talk about it. It will take time, but we’ll get there eventually. Anyway, I’d prefer to stay. Some work is still pending on Ira’s book, and I usually stay here for the final edits.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Wait. Is that why you disappeared on those random business trips?’
Swayam winced slightly, offering a hesitant smile. ‘Yes.’
Kashvi narrowed her eyes. ‘Are you keeping more secrets from me?’
His expression turned serious as he nodded.
Her breath caught. ‘What?’
Swayam pulled her closer, nuzzling her nose with his. ‘You’re mine, Kash, and I’m never letting you go.’
A breathless laugh bubbled out of her. ‘That’s not a secret. You tell me that every day.’
Swayam pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, his eyes shining with love. ‘And I’ll keep telling you that, because ever since you stole my heart, you’ve been my girl. In this life, and in every one after.’
THE END