47. Epilogue
Reena and her fiancé are happily dancing surrounded by their closest friends and family. We have been planning her sangeet for so long, part of me cannot believe the time has come. I’m happy to see my daughter settled, but the nostalgia for realizing my little girl has grown up is so strong.
I look for Rohit and see he’s sitting with the henna artists. The artist finishes the design just as I approach. He proudly shows me the paisley design and I quickly spot Miley’s name hidden within the intricate work. My smile cannot be contained, and I give my son a knowing wink.
Rohit turns to Miley, who looks beautiful in a dark blue lehnga with heavy silver embroidery that looks like the night sky. I hear Rohit ask if she notices anything particular about the design. After a few minutes of her confusion, he relents and shows her where her name is hidden.
“I took liberties with the tradition that a bride will hide her groom’s name in the henna. Do you like it?” he asks, with a hopeful expression on his face.
Miley nods with glee.
Rohit continues, “Good, because this design is going to be my next tattoo. Right over my heart.”
I turn away as he leans in to kiss her, wanting to provide them privacy for their intimate moment. While I still do not share my son’s fondness for tattoos, I have grown quite fond of his relationship with Miley. Both of them have been so busy lately, since Rohit has added an MBA program to his schedule and Miley is progressing through residency. It’s nice to see them both here, together.
As I make my way through the crowd of guests, I overhear two of my wife’s friends gossiping.
“Can you believe Rohit brought that girl to his sister’s sangeet ?” Veena asks.
“I know! Such an odd couple,” Shanti replies. The implication is not lost on me. After all, it’s one that my wife and I had ourselves not too long ago.
I choose this moment to interject.
“Veena Ji, Shanti Ji,” I begin with a smile that does not reach my eyes. “Doctor Miley Chen is one of the finest anesthesia residents I have ever worked with. She’s also an incredibly kind and respectful human being. I’ll be lucky if she joins my practice when she finishes training. I’ll be even luckier if she joins my family even sooner than that.”
Veena and Shanti stand silently, mouths open like they are trying to catch flies.
“Now, please, enjoy the event and have a drink on me,” I say as I gesture to the open bar and walk away. I take one last look at the dance floor and I see my children and their significant others dancing, and now my smile comes from the heart and reaches every part of me, including my eyes.
— THE END —