Page 75 of Knot So Romantic

“What?” Kavita’s mom gasps, her hand instinctively reaching for my arm. “Did you really buy it?”

I nod, explaining it took a while to make a good deal, but I finally managed it.

Even her father looks impressed, his eyebrows raised in admiration.

Kavita lunges into my arms. “Oh, I love you so much, Neel!”

I hug her back in spite of everyone watching. “I love you too,” I say into her hair as she rocks in my arms with delight.

Kavita’s mom dabs at her eyes, and her dad blinks rapidly, pride evident in his gaze. The moment feels surreal.

Just then, we hear someone call out, “Kavita!”

We turn to see Kavita’s grandmother beaming at us. I’d invited her and her friends to the wedding, too, and they waste no time in their usual good-natured teasing.

“Can you drive us back after the wedding, Neel?” one of them asks with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Another chimes in, “Only if you’re not too busy with Kavita afterward,” drawing chuckles from the group.

Kavita’s mother looks surprised to see how familiar I am with them.

“Oh, we’ve known him for quite a while,” Kavita’s grandmother explains, quickly adding, “Kavita never mentioned her feelings for Neel, but we saw the sparks between them right away.”

“We have a knack for spotting true love,” Rimli Aunty says proudly.

Kajal Aunty nods in agreement. “Indeed, our instincts about couples are rarely wrong.”

I can’t help but smile, realizing these sharp-eyed ladies had seen the potential between Kavita and me long before we had recognized it.

“You know,” Kavita’s mom says after some thought, “I may have opposed Kavita and Neel’s relationship, but I’m relieved to find out that Neel supports her career. Until now, we’ve never had anyone put her ambitions first, even the men who came to see Kavita. But with Neel, I must admit, I have no such fears.”

I hold Kavita’s hand, smiling. Her mom is right. I will always cherish and support Kavita’s dreams.

Her mom pauses, then continues, “And after hearing Ramya’s story, I realized that could have been my daughter—marrying a man she didn’t love, only to waste years before finding her true partner.”

Beside me, my mom is also dabbing at her tears, happy about Grandma’s ring and the papers Kavita is holding onto. “I’m truly happy for both of you.”

Just then, Elena and Dilip approach us. “This is a moment to celebrate, not cry!” Elena says cheerfully.

We move away from the elders toward Kiara and Arjun, standing further away.

“Remember how much fun we had on our last group trip?” Elena remarks to us. “We should plan something like that again soon!”

“Count us in,” Kavita says.

“I’m thinking we should watch Pride and Prejudice again,” I laugh, hugging Kavita to my side as I remember our passionate kiss. “We never made it to the end.”

Kiara nods enthusiastically. “That would be a nice little getaway together,” she says, winking at Arjun.

As we laugh, I notice Kavita’s gaze drift to a quiet corner of the garden. We excuse ourselves and walk hand in hand toward a solitary figure.

It’s Khushi, sitting alone and absently licking an ice cream cone.

“Hey, why are you sitting here all alone?” Kavita asks gently as we approach.

“Ah, all the talk about couples and fun trips together. You guys make me jealous,” Khushi sighs.

“Well, you’re invited too,” Kavita smiles.