Page 23 of Knot So Romantic

Kiara’s face lights up. “That’s a great idea! I can help!”

“Count me in, too!” Khushi says, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “We’ll be saving this neighborhood from turning into another lifeless commercial district.”

We are all thrilled with the idea.

“I have some more thoughts,” I say, referring to the long list I’ve created. “We need a theme for the outfits. We also need to find models, coordinate fittings, and have rehearsals. Plus, there’s the actual event planning. There’s a lot to do.”

Kiara goes through the list, her finger tracing the page, and looks up at me, nodding. “You’ve covered pretty much everything. I can handle the stage setup and backstage logistics.”

“I’ll take care of the music and anything else you need me for,” Khushi adds.

“We’ll have to set up practice dates. I can use my place,” I say, quickly checking my calendar to see if there’s a way to squeeze in practice on the days I don’t have evening appointments.

We sip on tea as we go through all that we’ve discussed, making sure we’ve covered most of it. We might be able to do it in a month, six weeks tops, if we plan carefully.

“Looks like we should get started soon,” Kiara says, picking up one of the ragi cookies I’ve set in front of them. She dips it into her tea and takes a bite. “Oh my God! Delicious!”

“Right?” I say, biting into one myself. “It’s become Mom’s latest passion since semi-retirement. Oh, I almost forgot. She’s invited you both over for dinner.”

“I’d love to come!” Khushi exclaims, bouncing with excitement.

“Me too!” Kiara laughs.

As we munch on the cookies and sip our tea, it feels like old times again. We used to spend so much time at each other’s homes, and most of the meals were at my place because my mother loved treating us to all the new things she tried out.

Then we get back to work, brainstorming more ideas. I don’t know how long we’ve been talking. I get more and more excited as things begin to take shape.

“But there’s a slight problem,” I say, interrupting the discussions.

The models. I don’t know how we’re going to find them. Kiara suggests tapping a few agencies, but I’m not entirely convinced. We don’t have that much time.

There’s the hair and makeup, too. But that’s secondary and much easier to handle.

Kiara agrees. “We’ll hire hair and makeup artists or go DIY, depending on what fits into the budget.”

“And the event logistics?” Khushi adds. “That’s a big one too.”

By then, my head is already spinning.

CHAPTER 9

Neel

“Come on, Neel!” Elena knocks on my bedroom door. “Anjali is waiting.”

I don’t know why she wants to drag me to this Dandiya dance tonight, but since Elena and Dilip are going, and Dilip’s sister is in town and wants to go too, Elena insists I join them. I would have preferred to stay at home, but since I have no plans tonight, Elena refuses to let me off the hook.

I even had to buy a new outfit for tonight since I don’t own a traditional Indian kurta, except for the one I wore on my wedding day, which I donated to charity soon after my divorce.

I check out my gold kurta and cream pants in the mirror. It’s nothing like the green kurta I selected at Kavita’s boutique, but it’s better than my casual clothes. My fingers graze over my cheek, noticing the dark five o’clock shadow. I’m pondering whether I should shave again, even though we’re already late when Elena knocks harder. “Neel!” she shouts.

When I finally come out of my room, Elena whistles. “This looks nice on you.”

I tug at the collar uncomfortably, feeling some of the zari threads against my neck. “It’s itchy.”

“You’ll get used to it,” she laughs. “I wasn’t going to allow you to come wearing a shirt and jeans to a traditional dance.”

“Whatever, let’s go.”