Chapter One Hundred Twenty Nine: The Double Wedding - Part Two (Shreya's Ceremony)
The east lawn was transformed.
Soft ivory draping. Sage green flowers. Delicate fairy lights woven through the arches. The morning sun cast a golden glow over everything, making it look like something out of a dream.
Guests filled the white chairs. Family. Friends. Loved ones.
Tita Gemma sat in the front row, already crying. Tito Rachel patted her hand. Kuya Angelo sat beside Ion, calm and proud.
Aries helped Ella to her seat, one hand on her growing belly. "Careful. Slow."
Ella laughed. "I'm pregnant, not dying."
"Same thing!"
"Very different things!"
---
Percy was already sobbing. "IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!"
Honey handed him a tissue. "Babe, the ceremony hasn't started yet."
"PRE-CEREMONY EMOTIONS!"
C.N. had his notebook out. "Documenting everything. Statistical analysis pending."
Rakii had her camera ready. "I'm getting every angle."
David grabbed Freya's arm. "I'M GONNA CRY!"
Freya patted him. "You always cry."
"BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT!"
---
Felix and Bridget sat quietly, hand in hand. Felix smiled. "This is perfect."
Bridget nodded. "Absolutely perfect."
Mica was bouncing in her seat. Calix held her down. "Mica, calm."
"I CAN'T! WEDDING!"
"You'll survive."
"BARELY!"
---
Keiran sat between Jay and Keifer, Rex and Ganesha on his lap. "Mamma, is Auntie Shreya coming?"
"Soon, baby."
"Rex is excited."
"Rex should be excited."
"Ganesha too."
"Ganesha too."
---
The music shifted.
The processional began.
First, the bridesmaids.
Akshi walked first—not as a bride today, but as Shreya's maid of honor. She was stunning in her pink and gold dress, smiling through tears.
Then Jay. Then Ella. Then the others.
Each one beautiful. Each one glowing.
---
Then the music changed.
Everyone stood.
Shreya appeared.
---
She was breathtaking.
Ivory and sage. Simple. Elegant. Perfect.
Her hair was softly curled, a delicate veil cascading behind her. Her bouquet was a mix of white flowers and sage greens.
She walked down the aisle alone.
Not because she had no one to give her away.
Because she had chosen to walk herself.
Toward her future.
Toward Mithun.
---
He waited at the altar.
Calm as always.
But his eyes—
His eyes were wet.
He watched her come toward him like she was the only thing in the world.
Because she was.
---
She reached him.
Took his hands.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Hi."
"I'm here."
"I see that."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
---
The officiant smiled. "Shall we begin?"
They nodded.
The ceremony was simple. Beautiful. Perfect.
They wrote their own vows.
Shreya went first.
"Mithun. I've loved you for so long that I forgot what not loving you felt like. And then I forgot everything. But even when I didn't remember you—my heart did. It knew you were safe. It knew you were home."
Tears streamed down his face.
"I'm sorry I forgot. I'm sorry I ran. I'm sorry for all the time we lost. But I'm here now. And I'm never leaving again."
---
Mithun wiped his eyes.
Took a breath.
"Shreya. I loved you before you knew me. I loved you when you forgot me. I loved you when you ran. And I'll love you for the rest of my life and beyond."
She cried.
"You're my calm in every storm. My peace in every chaos. My home. Wherever you are, that's where I belong."
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
She slipped his onto his.
---
The officiant smiled. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Mithun pulled her close.
And kissed her.
Not gently.
Not softly.
Like he'd been waiting his whole life.
She kissed him back the same way.
---
The crowd erupted.
Percy screamed. "THEY KISSED! FINALLY!"
Honey held him back. "Babe, calm down!"
"I CAN'T! LOVE IS REAL!"
Akshi was crying happy tears. Chethan held her.
Jay leaned against Keifer. "Another one."
"Another one."
"Our family."
"The best family."
---
Shreya and Mithun walked back down the aisle together.
Husband and wife.
Hand in hand.
Smiling.
---
The reception for Shreya's wedding was intimate.
Good food. Good music. Good company.
Toasts were made.
Akshi gave one. "To my sister. My best friend. You found your person. I'm so happy for you."
Shreya cried. Again.
Mithun kissed her forehead.
---
Percy gave a speech that somehow managed to be both ridiculous and touching.
Honey confiscated the mic after three minutes.
C.N. presented his "Marriage Probability Statistics" chart. It showed 100%.
Rakii photographed everything.
David attempted to start a dance-off. Freya stopped him.
Felix and Bridget slow-danced.
Mica and Calix joined.
Keiran ran in circles with Rex and Ganesha.
---
As the sun began to set, Shreya and Mithun slipped away.
Just for a moment.
To the garden.
Where it all began.
"Hey," she whispered.
"Hey."
"We're married."
"We're married."
"Pinch me."
He pinched her arm gently.
"Ouch."
"Then it's real."
She laughed. Kissed him.
"I love you, Mr. Kapoor."
"I love you too, Mrs. Kapoor."
---
They walked back to the reception.
Hand in hand.
Husband and wife.
Ready for the next chapter.
Akshi's wedding was next.
But for now—
This moment was theirs.
---
End of Chapter One Hundred Twenty Nine