Chapter 90 — The Four Weddings
Morning sunlight spilled across the palace lake like molten gold.
The entire courtyard shimmered.
Four mandaps stood beside the water, glowing under garlands of marigold, jasmine, and roses. Sacred fires flickered gently, their smoke curling upward into the bright Rajasthani sky.
Soft chanting had already begun.
Priests sat before each mandap preparing the rituals.
The air smelled of flowers, sandalwood, and incense.
Hundreds of lamps still burned from the night before.
And around the mandaps stood nineteen people who had fought death, trauma, loss, and chaos together.
Now they stood dressed in silk, jewels, and tradition.
Watching four weddings begin.
---
The Ceremonies Begin
The priests raised their hands together.
"Vivah Sanskar begins."
The chanting grew louder.
Sacred.
Ancient.
The flames of the four fires danced in the wind.
And the first vows began.
---
Care & Cole
Care and Cole sat before their sacred fire.
The flames reflected in Cole's eyes.
For a moment both of them just looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
Because both remembered the same thing.
The frozen truck.
The jungle night.
The fire Cole built to keep her alive.
Almost losing each other before even understanding what they were to each other.
The priest spoke softly.
"Hold each other's hands."
Cole reached forward.
His fingers wrapped around Care's.
Strong.
Warm.
Alive.
The priest continued the vows.
Promises of protection.
Promises of loyalty.
Promises of standing beside each other through joy and disaster.
Care listened quietly.
Then she looked up at Cole.
"You nearly died for me."
Cole replied calmly.
"You nearly froze to death."
She smiled slightly.
"So we're even."
Cole shook his head.
"No."
His voice dropped softer.
"I'd do it again."
The priest gestured for the mangalsutra.
Cole lifted the sacred necklace with steady hands.
But Percy whispered loudly behind them.
"Don't drop it."
Everyone tried not to laugh.
Cole glared briefly over his shoulder.
Then he placed the mangalsutra around Care's neck.
Next came the sindoor.
Cole filled the red powder carefully.
His hand paused for a second.
Care looked up.
"Doctor scared of a little powder?"
Cole answered quietly.
"I'm scared of the responsibility."
She whispered back.
"Good."
He placed the sindoor in her hairline.
The priest raised his voice.
"They are now husband and wife."
Ash burst into tears instantly.
---
Alex & Lyra
At the second mandap—
Alex and Lyra sat calmly.
Gracefully.
Almost like royalty.
The priest began the vows.
Lyra listened with quiet focus.
Alex held her hand.
His expression calm as always.
But Lyra noticed something.
His thumb was slowly tracing circles on her palm.
A small nervous habit.
She smiled.
"CEO nervous?"
Alex replied quietly.
"You're marrying me."
"Obviously."
The priest gestured for the mangalsutra.
Alex placed it gently around her neck.
Careful.
Precise.
Like everything he did.
Then came the sindoor.
Lyra watched him closely.
Alex's voice lowered.
"You changed my life."
Lyra answered softly.
"You needed the upgrade."
He smiled faintly.
Then completed the ritual.
Behind them Percy whispered loudly again.
"One billionaire successfully captured."
Honey elbowed him.
---
Nova & Ben
At the third mandap—
Nova and Ben looked almost peaceful.
Two surgeons.
Two calm minds used to life-and-death situations.
The priest began their vows.
Nova listened carefully.
Ben's fingers rested quietly around hers.
When the priest mentioned protecting each other in sickness and health—
Nova looked at Ben.
"We already do that."
Ben nodded.
"Every day."
The mangalsutra was placed.
The sindoor followed.
Everything simple.
Steady.
But powerful.
Because sometimes love doesn't need drama.
Just trust.
Endrix leaned toward Aries.
"This is the calmest wedding ever."
Aries whispered back.
"They're surgeons."
---
Daisy & Joong
At the final mandap—
Absolute chaos.
Joong was sweating.
Daisy was trying not to laugh.
The priest repeated the vows slowly.
Joong whispered—
"There are a lot of instructions."
Daisy grinned.
"You signed up for this."
The mangalsutra moment came.
Joong tried to tie it correctly.
It tangled.
Percy shouted from behind.
"Need help?"
Daisy laughed.
"Let him struggle."
Finally Joong succeeded.
Then came the sindoor.
Joong carefully placed it in her hairline.
His voice dropped quietly.
"I'm glad I didn't run away."
Daisy smirked.
"I would have caught you."
The priest smiled.
"They are now married."
Joong exhaled dramatically.
"Finally."
Everyone burst into laughter.
---
The Seven Steps
Now came the most sacred ritual.
The Seven Steps — Saptapadi.
Each couple stood.
Together they walked around the sacred fire.
Seven promises.
Seven circles.
Seven lifetimes.
Each step carried a vow.
Food.
Strength.
Prosperity.
Family.
Trust.
Friendship.
Love.
The fire burned brighter with each step.
Four couples.
Four journeys.
One family watching them.
Ash wiped her tears again.
JJ wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"We made it here."
Ash nodded quietly.
"Yes."
---
After the Weddings
Ten hours later—
The ceremonies were finally finished.
Everyone returned to the palace completely exhausted.
The living room looked like a battlefield.
Heavy jewelry abandoned on tables.
Shoes thrown everywhere.
Flower petals stuck in hair.
Percy collapsed on a sofa.
"I am dead."
Cin stretched his back.
"I'm more tired than after fifteen-hour surgery."
Ben agreed.
"Same."
Nova laughed softly.
"We need medical leave."
Cole loosened his collar.
"Next time we elope."
Care raised an eyebrow.
"There will be no next time."
---
The Final Celebration
Night fell over Udaipur again.
But the palace lit up brighter than ever.
The reception began.
Golden lights covered the balconies.
Music echoed across the lake.
Guests danced.
Laughed.
Celebrated.
But the main group stayed mostly together.
Because after everything they had survived…
this moment mattered more.
---
Balcony Moment
Care stepped onto the palace balcony.
The lake reflected thousands of lights.
Cole joined her.
They stood quietly side by side.
For a long moment neither spoke.
Then Cole finally asked—
"Worth almost dying?"
Care looked out across the water.
Then smirked slightly.
"Maybe."
Cole shook his head.
"You're insane."
She leaned lightly against his shoulder.
"You knew that already."
---
The End of the Night
Hours later the party finally slowed.
The living room was quiet again.
Care had fallen asleep on the massive couch.
Still wearing part of her bridal jewelry.
Completely exhausted.
Cole walked in.
Saw her sleeping.
Shook his head softly.
Then carefully lifted her into his arms.
Percy noticed instantly.
"Oho."
Honey grinned.
"New husband duties."
Cole ignored them and carried Care upstairs.
At the same moment—
Alex noticed Lyra trying to walk.
Her ankle slightly swollen from the heavy lehenga.
Without a word—
He picked her up too.
Lyra protested.
"I can walk."
Alex replied calmly.
"No."
Percy clapped slowly.
"Two grooms carrying their brides."
Joong whispered to Daisy.
"Should I try that?"
Daisy raised an eyebrow.
"You can try."
Joong thought about it.
"Maybe later."
---
Fireworks
Outside the palace—
Massive fireworks exploded across the Udaipur sky.
Colors reflected across the lake.
Gold.
Red.
Silver.
Blue.
Below the balcony—
Nineteen people stood watching.
Laughing.
Talking.
Dancing.
A strange family.
Formed through chaos.
Strengthened by survival.
Unbreakable.
And for the first time since the story began—
There was no danger.
No gunshots.
No hospitals.
No nightmares.
Only happiness.
Only peace.
And a future waiting for them all. 🎆