Chapter XVII
"Laughter, Cake, and a Little Bit of Jealousy"
With smiles lingering in the air and the warmth of everyone around us, Sita and I finally stood side by side, ready to cut the cake that had been waiting patiently in the center of the celebration. Our fingers brushed slightly as we held the knife together, and in that fleeting touch, I felt something tender — something so simple, yet so incredibly powerful.
The knife slid through the soft sponge with ease, and applause echoed around the room. The cheers of our friends, the fairy lights dancing in their eyes, the joy in Sita's expression — all of it stitched together a moment I wanted to remember forever.
I picked up the first slice and gently held it out to her.
Sita looked at me with a mix of surprise and shy delight. She leaned forward, took a small bite, and smiled — that quiet, reserved smile that only those who truly knew her would notice for the magic it was.
That's when the teasing began.
From across the room, Brownie's voice rang out with exaggerated mock offense, "Wow, Sita, at least you're getting something to eat from her hands. We used to beg Vedu to feed us, but she'd never even share her fries, let alone feed us herself!"
Everyone burst out laughing, including me — though I shot Brownie a mock glare. "Hey!" I said, turning toward her with narrowed eyes and a playful smirk, "That's my wife you're talking to. Don't go exposing me in front of her like that!"
The laughter only grew louder.
Gorya chimed in, dramatically throwing her hands up, "Would you look at that! In front of his friends — zero. In front of his wife — full hero. Vedu, you've changed!"
I rolled my eyes and marched over to her with mock indignation, pinching her cheeks with exaggerated force. "My little tomato Gorya, how dare you!" I said, grinning. "I'm still the same old Vedu, alright?"
The room practically echoed with joy. Everyone was in stitches — leaning on each other, wiping tears from their eyes. It was the kind of laughter that healed something inside you, even if you didn't know it was broken.
And then, just as the teasing was beginning to fade, Avika raised her brows and said with a sly grin, "Vedu, you better step away from your friends now. Because if you keep hanging out here, my friend Sita might just make you sleep on the sofa tonight."
She paused dramatically. "Or worse… the floor."
That made everyone roar with laughter again.
I gasped, clutching my chest. "Sita, no! I'm sorry! Please forgive me! It won't happen again, I swear!" I said, dramatically falling to my knees in front of her with clasped hands like a bad movie villain.
Sita just shook her head, but I caught that tiny smile — the one she tried so hard to hide.
And in that moment, surrounded by noise, jokes, cake crumbs, and glowing faces, I felt something so profoundly warm, it almost brought tears to my eyes.
This was more than a celebration.
It was belonging.
It was love, camouflaged in laughter.
And maybe, just maybe… it was the beginning of a forever I hadn't dared to dream of — until now.
"A Gift Full of Surprises"
After the laughter finally began to settle and everyone had a slice of cake in their hands, it was time for the final part of the evening — the surprise I had been waiting all night to reveal.
With a little nudge and a grin, I gently guided Sita to stand in front of a huge gift box that stood tall in the corner of the room, wrapped in deep gold with ribbons cascading down its sides. Her eyebrows raised in surprise as she turned to me. "What's this?" she asked, amusement flickering in her eyes.
Minaci, with a knowing smirk, stepped in and said, "Sita, your Ved went through a lot of trouble to arrange this gift for you. It's something very special."
Sita blinked and looked back at me. "Oh? Is that so?" she said, crossing her arms. "Well then, I suppose I have to open it."
I bit back my smile and nodded. "Yes, yes… go ahead."
The entire room quieted slightly as she stepped forward and began unwrapping the giant box. Paper crinkled, ribbons fell away, and she lifted the lid with careful hands — and then paused.
Inside, all she could see was a soft curtain folded neatly, with a few colorful balloons floating lazily on top of it.
She blinked. Then turned toward me with mock confusion. "Wait… this is the gift?" she asked, holding up the fabric with a raised brow. "You gave me a curtain? For our bed?"
The room instantly exploded with laughter.
Gorya clapped her hands and said between giggles, "Oh ho ho! Vedu, your wife is actually romantic! Look at her thinking about bed décor already!"
Sasha chimed in with a dramatic sigh, "And beautiful too — just like Vedu described her."
Mia, who had been sipping juice in the corner, gave Sasha a teasing look. "Well, Sasha, since Vedu is out here complimenting her wife, maybe it's time you say something nice about your future wife too?"
Sasha looked startled for a moment, and I quickly jumped in with a grin, "Sasha, if you don't want to get hit later, now's a good time to praise Mia."
Everyone laughed, especially Sita, whose smile now stretched wide across her face, soft and real and utterly beautiful.
And just as the laughter rang loud and full…
The curtain inside the box began to shift.
Sita turned toward it, confused — and before she could say anything, the balloons parted, and out popped a familiar face.
"Shruti!" she gasped, eyes going wide in disbelief.
There was her younger sister — crouched inside the box, now laughing as she stood up fully, arms wide open and eyes sparkling with mischief and love.
The entire room erupted in cheers.
Sita just stood there, frozen for a second, overwhelmed and stunned. And then she rushed forward and wrapped Shruti in a hug so tight it looked like she was never going to let go.
Laughter turned into sniffles, and smiles turned into happy tears.
The surprise had worked.
Completely.
Sita turned back to me, her eyes glistening, her voice soft with emotion. "You did this?"
I gave her a quiet nod.
She didn't say a word — but in that silence, her expression said everything I needed to hear.
Gratitude.
Joy.
Love.
And maybe… just maybe…
Something more.
Because in that moment — surrounded by laughter, light, and the people who meant the most to her — Sita looked at me not as someone she was stuck with in a contract.
But someone she was beginning to see… in a new light.
And that?
That was the best gift of all.
To be continued…