Page 8 of Knot So Romantic

From the initial gush of excitement, as Elena embraces me in a tight hug to her looking around the place, her eyes widening with awe, she’s a ball of laughter and boundless energy. “I’ve been following your socials, and I’ve been wanting to meet you. I’m so excited I got a chance to do that today!” Elena gushes.

“I’m happy to help you find what you’re looking for!” I say, sharing in her excitement. “Kiara told me you’re looking for a wedding dress.”

Her eyes shine. “Yes, and I can’t wait to find the perfect lehenga for my wedding.”

“Let’s get started!”

Elena looks around the boutique, marveling at the pieces in the collection. She is a designer’s dream-come-true. I smile to see her childlike enthusiasm. Finally, she moves toward a dusty-rose-colored brocade fabric that I had purchased recently.

Elena stops and gasps when she sees that piece. “I love this.”

“It was the only piece in the shop. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it, too.”

She turns around with a smile. “I think my brother will love it as well.”

Her brother.

I wasn’t sure if Neel would accompany his sister Elena today, but it turns out I was not at all prepared for the possibility of meeting him.

My bedroom looks like a disaster area. In my attempt to find the perfect outfit for today, I pulled out nearly every piece of clothing I owned. Finally, I chose a dark-blue jumpsuit with a heart-shaped neckline and paired it with a bold statement necklace. I slipped on my espadrilles and styled my hair into a loose bun at the nape of my neck. I added a little makeup and a light lipstick, too.

As I examined my reflection, I realized how much effort I’d put into my appearance. The weird thing is, I actually care how I look today. Like, since when do I spend this much time on my outfit? This is so not like me!

But now that he’s a no-show, all that time I spent fussing over my clothes feels pointless. Deep down, though, I guess I was holding onto a sliver of hope that he’d accompany his sister today.

“You always look gorgeous, Kavita,” Kiara would say if she saw the fuss I made today. But I’ve never thought it was true. Of the three of us, Kiara always looks stunning, followed closely by Khushi. I don’t think I even come close.

I lead Elena to a cozy seating area where we can discuss her preferences. “Let’s start by talking about the style and theme of your wedding. Do you have any specific ideas in mind?”

As Elena describes her vision for a wedding that blends tradition with modern elements, I listen attentively and take notes to tailor her options. With the current bridal trends in mind, I pull together a selection of lehengas I think she’ll love.

“Based on what you’ve shared, I think you’ll love these designs,” I say, presenting her with a variety of lehengas adorned with intricate embroidery, delicate beadwork, and luxurious fabrics. “Each piece is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail. They look stunning and will make you feel like a radiant bride on your special day.”

Elena’s eyes sparkle with excitement as she admires the exquisite craftsmanship of each ensemble. “They’re all so beautiful, Kavita! I don’t know how I’ll choose.”

I chuckle softly, understanding her dilemma. “Choosing the perfect wedding lehenga is a big decision, but trust me, you’ll know when you find the one that speaks to your heart.”

We go through a few more pieces I have in mind as Elena continues to consider her options. We discuss fabric choices, styles, and the theme of Elena’s wedding.

“Oh, would you look at this?” Elena laughs, pointing to a Regency-style muslin dress with an empire waistline and a high neckline.

“This is an inspired design created for one of my clients who’s a Regency fan.”

“What a brilliant idea!” Elena gasps.

Just as Elena and I are laughing over it, the front door bursts open.

My breath catches at the sight of Neel by the door. He doesn’t just look handsome; there’s a boyish charm about him, especially with his hair slightly longer than the last time we met. Our gazes lock for a beat before he takes a stride forward, his expression unreadable.

It’s the moment I realize he’s still looking at me and hasn’t noticed the low-hung bell by the door. For someone shorter, it might be high enough, but Neel’s head is about to collide with it. Reacting swiftly, I jump from my seat and lunge toward him, waving in panic.

He freezes as I fling myself at him, steering him away just before he reaches the bell. My breath hitches as our chests collide. He loses his balance, teetering backward with me in his arms, and sends a mannequin toppling over, setting off a domino effect as rows of others come crashing down in a cacophony of plastic limbs and fabric.

“Whoa,” he exclaims, his arms instinctively wrapping around me. I feel his breath against my ear as he tries to steady us both, breaking our fall.

“Was that you happy to see me?” he asks, one hand going to his stomach. I think I may have punched him accidentally.

“I...um...the bell,” I stammer, gesturing awkwardly above us. My face feels like it’s on fire. Then I look at his shirt, horrified to see a lipstick stain. Oh god, I’ve got my lipstick on him. I try to rub it off surreptitiously but end up smearing it all over until he grabs hold of my hand, stopping it against his chest.