My heart throbbed steadily in my chest as Jiya sat across from me. The distance between us was barely a few feet, yet it somehow felt both too close and not close enough at the same time.
I tried not to look in her direction, focusing instead on Lucas’s excited chatter about riding in a “fancy car” and Jack’s amused commentary about how this had all been Lucas’s expensive idea. But no matter how hard I tried to concentrate on the conversation around me, my eyes kept drifting back to her.
Every time the limo turned a corner, the sequins caught the light and sparkled like tiny stars across the deep navy fabric. Sheadjusted the edge of thesareeover her shoulder, and the delicate movement sent another ripple through my chest.
I looked away again quickly, pretending to be deeply interested in whatever Jack was saying.
But a moment later, my gaze betrayed me once more.
I shifted slightly in my seat.
This was going to be a very long ride.
The hotel ballroomwas decorated extravagantly. Gold and red dominated the room, with tall shining candelabras placed as centrepieces on round tables, surrounded by gorgeous flower bouquets. A stage stood in the centre serving as the dance floor, while the head table had four pillars decorated with flowers.
With all of us sitting at one table, I tried to keep myself busy by talking to Jack and Maureen.
But it was of no use.
My eyes wandered until I found her.
Jiya was speaking to the bride and groom and the restaurant staff who had attended the wedding.
“What’s going on with you?” Jack asked me.
Taken aback, I answered, “Nothing... nothing’s going on. Why?”
“Why do you keep looking at Jiya? Both of you came out of her house looking uncomfortable. Did something happen?”
“No, nothing happened.” I swallowed. “We just bumped into each other, that’s all.” I shifted in my chair. “I’m going out for some fresh air.”
I walked out through the convention hall doors. The cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it the distant sound of traffic and the faint scent of night air. My thoughtstangled into restless circles, refusing to still, no matter how deeply I inhaled. I ran a hand through my hair and exhaled slowly, staring out into the dark parking lot for a moment before turning back toward the entrance.
When I returned to the ballroom, the music wrapped around me again. Laughter echoed across the room, glasses clinked, and the scent of rich food and flowers floated in the air. That was when I saw Jiya dancing with Geeta, who was enthusiastically showing her some Indian dance moves near the edge of the dance floor.
I chuckled as she laughed at herself, clearly struggling to follow along. Her movements were a little unsure, a little hesitant, but the joy on her face made the whole thing look effortless.
I wanted to see her smile and laugh like that always.
Then the memory of the night her mother had come by flashed through my mind.
My veins pulsed with anger.
I could still picture it vividly—the way she had been sitting on the floor, trying to hold herself together, her eyes red and filled with pain.
Seeing her hurt like that lit a fire inside me—a raw, protective anger that refused to let anyone hurt her again. All I had wanted to do was hold her, comfort her, and take away the pain someone else had caused her.
I had made her a promise that night.
And I intended to keep it.
Watching her now made me realize again how strong she truly was. Despite everything she had been through, she still found ways to laugh, to show up for people, to keep moving forward. There was a resilience in her that I admired more than I could put into words.
A slowHindisong began playing through the speakers.
The rhythm softened the room, the lively chatter around us fading slightly as couples began drifting toward the dance floor.
I walked toward her and held out my hand.
