Page 78 of Since You Came Along

She trailed his jaw with her lips as she whispered, ‘Please, please make love to me!’

Raghav chuckled, but there was a sad edge to the sound. ‘Oh baby, you have no idea how much I want to, but we can’t.’

Her lips parted in confusion. ‘Why not?’

‘Because…’ he trailed off and whistled twice. The door to their bath swung open, and their friends came rushing onto the balcony. Meera stared in surprise as they all burst in, loud and full of energy.

Raghav murmured into her ear, ‘I swear it’s like living in a joint family.’

Meera couldn’t suppress her laughter as Siya and Kusha collided with her, wrapping her up in their squealing embrace. The men patted Raghav on the back, and she could have sworn she saw a tear glint in his eye.

‘I’m getting married again!’ Meera yelled, the words escaping her mouth before she could even think. The group erupted in cheers, whistles, and hoots, filling the room with their joy.

The discussions for the ceremony began almost immediately as the group moved into the living room. The guys were already deep in conversation about the alcohol they would want at the wedding.

Meera just shook her head in amusement as she headed back to the bedroom, needing a moment to process everything that was happening.

Siya followed her, her energy practically bouncing off the walls. The dream they’d shared as children, of magical weddings and happy endings, was coming true. When Siya hugged her, Meera felt the happiness radiating from her friend.

They pulled apart, wiping their eyes, both of them laughing at their own emotional reactions. Siya reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. ‘I want to show you something,’ she said.

‘I drew this when we were kids and kept updating it as we grew. This is how I pictured it would be... and you don’t have to like it, Mihu. If you don’t, it’s okay.’

With a soft rustle, Siya unfolded the paper and handed it over to Meera. When Meera looked down at it, her breath caught in her throat. The drawing was of a lacy lavender off-shoulder dress with dusty pink floral patterns with tiny black dots that Meera knew would be crystals.

‘You mean this is how you imagined my dress would be?’ Meera asked.

‘We always talked about our weddings when we were young. I drew this to play with the idea, and with time I kept updating it.’

‘If you like this, I can get it custom-made. Or, if you want something else, we’ll go shopping. No pressure,’ Siya added, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Meera smiled, folding the paper back. ‘It’s good that there’s no obligation because when I choose this dress, it’ll be my choice alone.’

Siya jumped in delight as she threw her arms around Meera in a hug.

‘Hey! I would love to stand here and hug you, but don’t you have to custom-order my wedding dress? Come on, chop-chop. I’m the bride-to-be and I’d hate to be disappointed.’

Meera stood still for a moment, the weight of everything settling on her. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. Her heart was too full. She joined her friends in the living room, trying to steady her emotions.

‘So, when do you guys want to get hitched?’ Kusha asked.

Raghav grinned and said, ‘As soon as possible.’

Siya suggested, ‘How about New Year’s Eve?’

Meera loved the idea, but shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. It’s already the 4th of December. No venue will be available at such short notice.’

Abhay raised an eyebrow, curious. ‘What are you looking for? Some place fancy?’

‘Not at all,’ Meera replied, thinking about it. ‘I want something simple, like an open space for a small, intimate ceremony at sunset. It’ll just be us, after all.’

Abhay nodded and left the room, his phone already at his ear.

Meera leaned close to Raghav and whispered, ‘I had lost all hope, but you’re making my dream come true. Thank you.’

Raghav traced his finger on her cheek and said, ‘You never have to thank me.’

Abhay strode into the room with a triumphant grin and announced, ‘We’ve got a venue!’

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