INSEPARABLE HEARTS 2

Chapter 139

Happy Reading

The mandap was glowing in shades of marigold and fairy lights. Soft classical music played under the sounds of laughter and the rustling of silk. Isabella and Dev looked radiant, sitting side-by-side, finally united in a love that had taken decades and second chances to blossom.

Keerthi and Dharshi stood together, stunning in coordinated pastel lehengas, holding hands tightly  their smiles present, their eyes guarded. They had promised each other: not today. Today was about family, joy, and celebration.

They could deal with Nick after.

As the pheras began, Sumitra and Andy arrived, warmly greeted by everyone. Keerthi’s eyes softened at the sight of them  and Dharshi welcomed them with Elena and this felt like a real family now. Angad gave keerthi a subtle smile across the aisle, and she returned it with a small nod.

Nick sat stiffly at the edge of the crowd, watching everything like an outsider, even as his own sister glowed with joy.

_____

As the final blessings were given and Isabella’s mangalsutra glittered in the firelight, guests began to scatter for the dinner, and the air shifted from ceremonial to relaxed.

That’s when Angad walked up to Nick.

Straightforward. Calm. Resolute.

Angad (softly but firmly): “Whatever you try, it’s not going to work.”

Nick blinked.

Angad (stepping closer): “I love Keerthi. I’ve loved her since the moment we met. I made mistakes. I was 17 then. But now I’m an adult official, and I’m not backing down this time.”

Angad: “You may be her brother, but I’m the one who’s going to stand beside her  not behind her, not hiding. Beside her.”

Nick opened his mouth, but Angad didn’t let him speak.

Angad (cutting in): “And just so you know… trying to break us apart only made her stronger. Made us stronger.”

He stepped back with a confident nod, voice low enough to not draw attention but loud enough to make it sting.

Angad: “You lost this one. Because you never understood the one thing I did  Keerthi doesn’t need protection. She needs belief.”

And then he walked away like a hero  straight to Keerthi, where she stood by the buffet giggling with Caroline and Elena. She didn’t hear what was said, but she saw Nick’s face go pale, and her boyfriend return with that quiet fire in his eyes she knew so well.

______

A little later, Abeer found Nick near the drink table, nursing a glass of soda. He didn’t hesitate.

Abeer (calmly): “You hate me. I’ve accepted that.”

Nick rolled his eyes.

Abeer (without flinching): “But that doesn’t change how I feel about Dharshi. I love her. Not for what she brings to my life, but for who she is.”

Abeer: “And I’m not going to let her walk away again just because you’re stuck in the past.”

Nick didn’t respond.

Abeer: “You can keep judging me if it helps you sleep better. But someday, you’ll realize  I wasn’t the villain in this story.”

Then, just like Angad, Abeer turned and left  back to where Dharshi was helping Isabella with her bangles and laughing with Elena. Her face lit up as he approached, and they shared a small, secret smile.