UNSPOKEN BONDS

18. I Have Been Ready

© archanaj1308 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.

The 24th of June dawned with a humid, golden intensity that seemed to signal the official beginning of the festivities. Ammu was awake before her alarm, the events of the previous night still settling in her mind like sediment in a calm pool.

At 9:00 a.m. sharp, the intercom buzzed. Sam was downstairs, looking characteristically polished in a crisp linen shirt that did little to hide the subtle tension in his frame. As Ammu climbed into the passenger seat, he reached over, his hand finding hers-a silent, grounding anchor.

"Ready to be scrutinized by half of Singapore?" he asked, his lips curving into that familiar, lopsided smirk.

"Is it only half?" Ammu retorted, fastening her seatbelt. "I thought the entire committee had been assembled."

"The committee is currently waiting at the jewelry district," Sam noted, shifting into gear.

"And they are armed with opinions. Proceed with caution."

Ammu groaned dramatically and sank lower into her seat. "Why do I suddenly feel like I'm heading into a board meeting where my ring choices have to pass through seventeen levels of approval?"

Sam laughed under his breath. "Because that's exactly what's happening."

"Wonderful. If I like something, they'll reject it. If they like something, I'll have to pretend I liked it first."

"You've understood the process perfectly."

She turned to look at him, amusement dancing in her eyes. "And whose side are you on, Mr. Mehta?"

Sam didn't even hesitate. "Yours."

The answer came so easily, so instinctively, that something warm settled in her chest.

"That was suspiciously fast."

"Because it's not a difficult decision."

Ammu smiled despite herself and looked out the window. The city rolled by in a blur of glass towers and morning traffic, but her thoughts had already leapt ahead to the next three days. Ring shopping today. A quiet day tomorrow. Mehendi after that.

And then Gol Dhana.

For the first time, it didn't feel distant anymore. It felt real.

Sam glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the road.

"Nervous?"

"A little."

"Good."

She blinked. "Good?"

"If you're nervous, it means it matters."

Ammu intertwined her fingers with his and rested their joined hands on the center console.

"It matters," she admitted softly.

Sam squeezed her hand once.

"I know."

The jewelry district was a hive of activity, and by the time they reached Tiffany & Co., the entourage was already waiting. Leela and Usha stood at the front, flanked by a chaotic, energetic mix of people: Sejal, poised and observant; Dhwani, already laughing at some joke Jeet had made; and the quiet strength of Arjun, Chinmay, and Shruti.

"Finally!" Dhwani teased, pulling Ammu into a hug. "We were about to start scouting for a new groom."

"We had candidates ready," Jeet declared solemnly. "Three investment bankers, one tech founder, and a cardiologist."