CHAPTER 32 Neel
Neel
I stand in awe, taking in the grandeur of Elena’s wedding. Kiara, Kavita’s best friend and our wedding planner has transformed the sprawling Bangalore Palace Gardens into a fairytale wonderland that would make even the Ambanis nod in approval.
The expansive garden is a riot of colors and lights. Massive trees wrapped in twinkling fairy lights create the illusion of a magical forest. Glowing lanterns line the pathways, guiding guests through themed areas inspired by Elena’s favorite Bollywood movies.
The centerpiece is an enormous stage designed to look like the iconic Taj Mahal, with intricate marble-like carvings and a shimmering backdrop mimicking the reflection pool. It’s where Elena and Dilip will exchange vows and where Bollywood stars will later perform.
Flowers are everywhere, their fragrance perfuming the air. Enormous arrangements of local and exotic blooms—jasmine, marigolds, roses, orchids, and peonies imported for the occasion—adorn every surface.
As I scan the garden, my eyes land on Elena and Dilip. They look like they’ve stepped out of a blockbuster movie. Dilip is wearing a heavily embroidered deep blue sherwani.
But it’s Elena who steals the show in Kavita’s creation.
As I watch them together, their joy radiating, I feel a mix of pride and bittersweetness. My little sister looks so grown up, so happy.
For a moment, I allow myself to imagine what it might be like if it were Kavita and me up there someday, surrounded by all this love.
She’s here at the wedding, and my heart swells to see her, looking so gorgeous I want to hold her and kiss her right now.
We’ve decided to allow time until her parents accept me. And I’m willing to be patient, no matter how long it takes, for someone I love this much.
The Taj Mahal-inspired backdrop shimmers in the soft evening light as Dilip and Elena stand before the priest and the ceremonies begin.
As the priest concludes the ceremony, declaring them husband and wife, Mom reaches out and clasps my hand, squeezing it tightly. I turn to see her eyes brimming with tears of joy.
The air is suddenly filled with a shower of rose petals.
As the newlyweds make their way down the aisle, the festivities kick into high gear. The music swells, and the crowd’s excitement builds as they anticipate the next part of the evening.
The sound of a helicopter signals Shah Rukh Khan’s imminent arrival for his performance.
Suddenly, the opening chords of a familiar Bollywood tune fill the air. The crowd goes wild as Shah Rukh Khan takes the stage, his charismatic presence electrifying the atmosphere. His performance is a whirlwind of energy and charm, the perfect culmination of the ceremony.
The excitement is palpable as the celebrations continue. I can’t help but feel proud of how smoothly everything has gone. This wedding is a grand success beyond my wildest dreams.
I glance to my side and see Kavita looking breathtaking tonight. My eyes are drawn to her bare hands, and I’m suddenly struck by an overwhelming desire to see my ring on her finger.
“Hey!” I say, smiling as I see her eyes shining so brightly. Even with all the guests milling around, their chatter and laughter filling the air, I could lose myself in her gaze.
“Hey, you!” She loops her arm into mine, her expression telling me she loved every part of the wedding, too.
We make our way to the stage for the bouquet toss. Instead of throwing it to the crowd, Elena hands it directly to me, her smile knowing and encouraging.
“What?” I ask, surprised.
“I hope it’s your turn next,” she grins.
Kavita gives me a shy smile.
I can’t believe how lucky I am to have Kavita with me. Although I may still have a way to go to convince her parents I’m the right guy for her, I’d wait forever if I had to. The thought of letting her go is unimaginable.
Just as we rejoin Kavita’s parents, I feel a tap on my shoulder.
Turning around, I’m shocked to see Ramya. “You? How did you know about the wedding?”
“I wanted a way to get in touch with you since you weren’t picking up my calls. So, I contacted Elena and she told me about it,” she smiles.
I’m surprised Elena never told me; it was unusual of her not to. “What do you want now?” I say curtly. “More money?”
Ramya reaches into her bag and pulls out a box.
My eyes widen.
“This is yours,” she says, holding out the box.
“The wedding ring?” I ask without opening it. “I thought you said you’d lost it.”
She swallows. “I lied to spite you, Neel. I wanted to squeeze every last penny out of you in the settlement. I’m sorry.” She looks contrite.
I can’t believe I’m holding Grandma’s ring. “What made you change your mind after all these years?”
A man appears by her side as she continues, “That’s why I’ve been calling you, but you never picked up.
This is Akash, my new husband. He’s the man I wanted to marry all along, but my parents forced me to marry you.
I just want you to know it’s not your fault that I left you.
I’m happy to have finally married the man I love.
I just wanted you to be happy, too. I hope you’ll give this ring to someone who deserves it. ”
“Thanks,” I manage, unable to believe that she returned the ring. My eyes mist over.
“I was cruel to you, Neel. I hope you’ll forgive me. And I truly wish you the very best in life.” With that, she and her new husband walk away.
I hear a gasp and see Kavita’s mom standing nearby, her jaw open. I can’t read her dad’s expression.
Kavita squeezes my hand. “Wow,” she says as I open the box to reveal the gleaming emerald ring—my grandmother’s heirloom that I’d longed to get back for so long.
“Yeah, I know. Who’d have thought?” I nod, squeezing her hand back, marveling at how fate has brought this precious piece of my family history back to me. And then I remember something else.
I pull out the papers tucked into my coat’s inner pocket and hand them over to Kavita.
“What’s this?”
“It’s about your building.”
She sighs. “Unfortunately, I think we’re too late. My landlord sold it. We lost our chance.”
“I don’t think so.”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t have to move.”
“That’s if the new landlord allows it. I’ll have to ask him.”
“You have permission to stay as long as you wish,” I say confidently. “Because I am your new landlord.”
“What?” Kavita’s mom gasps, her hand instinctively reaching for my arm. “Did you really buy it?”
I nod, explaining it took a while to make a good deal, but I finally managed it.
Even her father looks impressed, his eyebrows raised in admiration.
Kavita lunges into my arms. “Oh, I love you so much, Neel!”
I hug her back in spite of everyone watching. “I love you too,” I say into her hair as she rocks in my arms with delight.
Kavita’s mom dabs at her eyes, and her dad blinks rapidly, pride evident in his gaze. The moment feels surreal.
Just then, we hear someone call out, “Kavita!”
We turn to see Kavita’s grandmother beaming at us. I’d invited her and her friends to the wedding, too, and they waste no time in their usual good-natured teasing.
“Can you drive us back after the wedding, Neel?” one of them asks with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Another chimes in, “Only if you’re not too busy with Kavita afterward,” drawing chuckles from the group.
Kavita’s mother looks surprised to see how familiar I am with them.
“Oh, we’ve known him for quite a while,” Kavita’s grandmother explains, quickly adding, “Kavita never mentioned her feelings for Neel, but we saw the sparks between them right away.”
“We have a knack for spotting true love,” Rimli Aunty says proudly.
Kajal Aunty nods in agreement. “Indeed, our instincts about couples are rarely wrong.”
I can’t help but smile, realizing these sharp-eyed ladies had seen the potential between Kavita and me long before we had recognized it.
“You know,” Kavita’s mom says after some thought, “I may have opposed Kavita and Neel’s relationship, but I’m relieved to find out that Neel supports her career.
Until now, we’ve never had anyone put her ambitions first, even the men who came to see Kavita.
But with Neel, I must admit, I have no such fears. ”
I hold Kavita’s hand, smiling. Her mom is right. I will always cherish and support Kavita’s dreams.
Her mom pauses, then continues, “And after hearing Ramya’s story, I realized that could have been my daughter—marrying a man she didn’t love, only to waste years before finding her true partner.”
Beside me, my mom is also dabbing at her tears, happy about Grandma’s ring and the papers Kavita is holding onto. “I’m truly happy for both of you.”
Just then, Elena and Dilip approach us. “This is a moment to celebrate, not cry!” Elena says cheerfully.
We move away from the elders toward Kiara and Arjun, standing further away.
“Remember how much fun we had on our last group trip?” Elena remarks to us. “We should plan something like that again soon!”
“Count us in,” Kavita says.
“I’m thinking we should watch Pride and Prejudice again,” I laugh, hugging Kavita to my side as I remember our passionate kiss. “We never made it to the end.”
Kiara nods enthusiastically. “That would be a nice little getaway together,” she says, winking at Arjun.
As we laugh, I notice Kavita’s gaze drift to a quiet corner of the garden. We excuse ourselves and walk hand in hand toward a solitary figure.
It’s Khushi, sitting alone and absently licking an ice cream cone.
“Hey, why are you sitting here all alone?” Kavita asks gently as we approach.
“Ah, all the talk about couples and fun trips together. You guys make me jealous,” Khushi sighs.
“Well, you’re invited too,” Kavita smiles.
“How do I go if I don’t have anyone to go with?” she sighs again.
“You will find that special someone, too,” Kavita reassures her.
“Do you think I’ll find him at one of these weddings?” Khushi asks hopefully.
Kavita squeezes her shoulder. “Love has a way of surprising you when you least expect it.”
As we leave Khushi with a hint of a smile on her face, Kavita tugs me toward a secluded spot in the garden. The air is filled with the sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine, and in the distance, fireworks fill the sky in brilliant bursts of color.
Kavita looks up at me, her eyes reflecting the shimmering lights. Slowly, I lean down, savoring every moment as our lips meet in a soft, tender kiss.
Every time I kiss her, it feels like our first kiss, and I never seem to have enough.
She holds me tight against her like she doesn’t want to let go, trailing soft kisses along my face.
I groan in delight when I hear her whisper my name.
To think I might never have had this if I’d given up on us.
On our love. It’s like nothing I’ve ever had. Or could ever have dreamed of.
It’s a long moment before we part. Kavita’s eyes are shining.
“What are you thinking?” I whisper, stroking her cheek as I gently kiss her again before I pull back and look into her eyes.
She smiles, holding my gaze. “Remember when we first met? I had such a big crush on you. Looks like my heart knew what it wanted all along.”
“I’ll admit, I had an inkling my heart knew what it wanted right from the moment I met you, too.”
Her lips sear mine with a kiss I don’t want to ever end.