An Inconvenient Flame (Completed)

Chapter 66 {Last Chapter}

By the time we reach the jewelry lane, my ears are already ringing from the nonstop noise around me.

Mishti walks beside me carrying three shopping bags and exactly zero patience. "If one more person asks me whether I want kundan or polki, I'll collapse."

"You're the bride," I remind her helpfully. "It's going to get worse."

She glares at me immediately while Mami laughs from ahead.

Mamu, meanwhile, has completely given up pretending to understand women's shopping and is sitting in the car drinking sugarcane juice with Chote Mama while discussing other things least interested that their daughters aren't inside spending horrifying amounts of money.

Typical.

The second we enter the jewellery showroom, cold air-conditioning hits my face and half the women collectively sigh in relief.

Within minutes the entire place turns chaotic.

Boxes open everywhere.
Necklaces spread across velvet trays.

"No no, this one makes her look older."

"Exactly! That's what I said."

"Who asked you?"

"Excuse me, I have eyes." Mishti looks seconds away from cancelling the wedding entirely.

I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts by the time one of the saleswomen starts bringing out bangles for matching.

It's strange being back like this after so long.

The last few years of my life have mostly been insolation. I really forgot how chaotic it gets them.

And honestly? I've missed it.

"Didi, you're not looking at anything for yourself," Mishti chided, breaking away from Mami's lecture on traditional kundan work.

"You've spent the last hour just watching us. Go look around! Papa is paying for the family tab anyway."

"I'm just taking it all in,"I laugh. "Trust me, I don't need anything. Have just come to enjoy."

After sometime Mishti and Teena disappears toward another counter.

I drift absentmindedly toward the men's section mostly to escape the argument happening.

And that's when I see it.

A matte finish gold cuff bracelet resting against dark velvet beneath one of the spotlights. It's a thick bangle but open at the wrist.

It's elegant.

I stop walking automatically.

The design is minimal. Just clean sharp edges and brushed gold finishing.

This would look unfairly good on him.

I can already picture it.

"An exclusive piece, ma'am," the attendant murmured, lifting the tray. "Hand-carved, 22-karat solid gold. Minimal, but very heavy."

"Would you like to see it?"

I nod.

I take the cuff between my fingers. The weight is surprisingly dense and heavy.

Solid gold.

Definitely expensive enough to make Abhiraj lecture me for spending unnecessarily.

Which means I immediately want to buy it more.

"This is from our newer collection," the salesman explains enthusiastically.

"Didi? What did you find?" Mishti peeks over my shoulder, her eyes widening. "Oh wow. That is gorgeous. Jiju?"