Oh no.No, no, no!
One, two, three, four.
The beats start.
Kash and Ishika duck out from under the canopy, flailing and twirling like absolutelunatics. Liam joins in, arms waving. Isaac, Emma, and Karina jump in next. Vikram and Advik are holding up the canopy with one hand, dancing with the other. It’s full chaos. Glorious,ridiculous chaos.
A perfect recreation of Jim and Pam’s wedding entrance. Right in the middle of ourdesifairy tale.
And Rohi? She’slaughing. Spinning in that heavy-as-helllehengalike she’s weightless. Her smile brighter than everystring light in the venue. She’s making her way to me faster now, dancing with the rest of them.
And I’m just standing here, asherwani-clad, sweat-soaked mess, crying and laughing like an idiot.
The aunties and uncles? No clue what’s happening. But they’re clapping, smiling, loving it anyway.
Then Liam pretends to do that infamous Dwight Schrute kick—right toward Kash.
Kash screams. Oh, he’sso fucked. But he’s also laughing too hard to care.
And now, Rohi’s right at the edge of the stage. Tugging herlehengaup, climbing the two stairs toward me.
I’m already there, hand outstretched, beaming through my tears like a man who just won the universe. And I absolutely did.
The music swells—
But first, it’s your chance, take my hand, come with me...
And shedoes.
Her hand slips into mine, soft, certain.
The lyrics keep going as she steps onto the stage, eyes locked with mine.
It’s like I’ve waited my whole life (Oh) for this one night (Oh), it’s gon’ be me, you, and the dance floor...
And right then, with the veil still draped over her head and a sparkle in her eyes that could ruin me, she whispers, “Forever, Mr. Vale?”
I grin, tears and all.
“Forever, Mrs. Vale.”
EPILOGUE TWO
Aarohi
He’s crying.
Why is he crying like this?
“I...” he swallows hard, eyes glassy. “I kissed someone else.”
My stomach drops.
No. He couldn’t do this. He wouldneverdo this. No matter the temptation. Iknowhim. He’s lying to me.
“You’re lying,” I snap, my voice sharper than I intend.
He shakes his head, tears already falling. “I’m not.”
