Chapter XIII
Mia and I dove into our work the moment Sita left. With matching focus and shared playlists humming in the background, we opened our laptops and began working through our tasks like clockwork. Every click, every edit, every revision — swift, clean, and efficient.
There was something easy about working with Mia. We didn't need to talk too much, we just… got each other. The kind of understanding that comes from years of collaboration, inside jokes, and countless all-nighters spent polishing projects until sunrise.
By the time we closed our laptops, there was a mutual sense of satisfaction hanging in the air — a quiet pride that said we nailed it.
And then came part two of our mission.
Party prep.
Within minutes, we were up and moving, transforming the apartment into something festive and full of energy. Mia took over the decorations, her eyes lighting up with every string of fairy lights she hung, every balloon she blew up, every sparkle she added to the space. I handled the logistics — snacks, drinks, the wine chilling in the bucket, the mic and sound box set up perfectly for some fun karaoke later.
The space slowly turned from a quiet home into a glowing canvas of anticipation — laughter waiting to happen, stories waiting to be told.
By the time we finished, we were both a little breathless, sweaty, and grinning like overexcited kids on New Year's Eve.
Mia collapsed onto the couch dramatically. "Okay, this place looks amazing. Sasha and the others are gonna love it."
I laughed, tossing her a cold bottle of water. "Obviously. Who else can pull off this much charm in such little time?"
She winked. "We're pros."
Once we freshened up a bit, I grabbed the car keys. "Let's go. Our tradition awaits."
Mia perked up immediately. "Coffee?"
I nodded. "Coffee."
We drove to our favorite nearby café — the same one we'd been going to for years, where the staff knew our orders by heart, and the corner table always felt like ours. The moment we sat down, a warm sense of comfort settled over me.
Same mugs. Same menu. Same ease.
We sipped our coffee slowly, the world outside rushing past in fast-forward while we stayed in our little bubble of familiarity.
And yet… it felt a little different this time.
Not in a bad way.
Just… quieter.
Like something was shifting — not between me and Mia, but within me.
When the last sip of coffee was gone and we slid out of our chairs, I stretched and smiled at her. "Alright, partner. Ready for the final quest?"
She tilted her head. "Final quest?"
I shot her a playful look. "Let's go pick up your darling."
She laughed, catching on instantly. "Haaaan, of course. Let's not keep our Queen Sita waiting."
We both grinned as we walked to the car, the energy light and mischievous.
But somewhere beneath all that — beneath the laughter and the planning — I knew the real moment was yet to come.
Because tonight wasn't just about a party.
It was about the people in the room.
And the one person I was hoping… would look at me again the way she did when no one else was watching.
We arrived at Sasha's gym just around noon — that familiar scent of sweat, metal, and overachieving ambition hitting us the moment we stepped through the glass doors.
The place was alive with motion. Dozens of gym-goers moved from machine to machine, music thumping in the background, and in the center of it all, like some fierce goddess of strength and sass — stood Sasha.
She was in her element, coaching a group of incredibly toned, overly disciplined women, calling out reps with that commanding voice of hers that always made people listen — and occasionally, melt.
Mia, arms crossed and eyebrows raised, made a beeline straight for her.
I watched from a distance, already smirking at what I knew was coming.
"Hey, babe," Mia said, trying to sound casual but with a definite edge in her voice. "There are so many trainers in this gym. Was it absolutely necessary for you to be the one training all of them?"
Sasha turned, catching the tone instantly, though she played innocent. "Everyone else was busy…"
Mia narrowed her eyes. "Busy? Then hire more trainers. You don't have to train every pretty girl who walks in here."
Sasha stepped closer with a little smirk and gently tucked a strand of Mia's hair behind her ear. "Aww, come on, don't be jealous. You know no one compares to you."
Mia pouted, still pretending to be annoyed.
Sasha leaned in and pressed a soft, apologetic kiss to Mia's cheek. "Sorry, baby. It won't happen again."
Mia tried to look tough, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her — twitching into a smile. "Alright, I'm forgiving you this one time. But next time, I'm not going to be so generous."
Sasha held up her hands like a surrendering soldier. "Understood. No distractions. All eyes on you."
They exchanged one of those wordless glances — a whole conversation in a single look — before I decided to step in and break the romantic moment.
"Ahem," I said, clapping once. "Can we wrap up this soap opera? We've got places to be — namely, Gorya's house. Remember? Friends to pick up? Party to host?"
Sasha turned toward me and grinned wickedly. "Ved! You're married now, but you still get so touchy seeing me and Mia together. Admit it — you're jealous."
I let out a short, sarcastic laugh and gave her a slow, deliberate once-over. "Jealous? Of you?" I raised one brow and then added with a cool smile, "Sasha, I don't think you've looked at Sita properly yet."
Sasha gave me a skeptical glance, arms crossed. "What, your wife is that stunning?"
I leaned against a nearby bench and said with that smug confidence only someone madly in love can wear, "Stunning is an understatement. You could search all of London — heck, all of England — and you still wouldn't find someone with the grace, beauty, and fire that Sita carries without even trying."
Mia let out a quiet, approving "Hmm," while Sasha raised both brows dramatically. "Oh my god… that much confidence?"
I smiled wider. "No confidence. Just facts."
Sasha chuckled. "Well, now I have to meet this mysterious queen of yours properly. If she's really all that, maybe I'll finally believe in fairy tales."
I smirked. "Believe away. One look at her, and you'll understand why I'm not jealous of anyone. Not anymore."
The air around us buzzed with playful banter, but beneath it, something warm and proud curled in my chest. Talking about Sita like that — knowing it was the truth — made me feel grounded.
Because for the first time in a long time, I wasn't just showing off.
I was speaking from something real.
And I couldn't wait for the moment everyone else would see it too.
To be continue....