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The light from the old family photograph seemed to focus intensely on the finger of Ameya's grandmother. Her breath hitched. There, on the granny image, was a distinct splash of color—a green ring, identical to the one she held in her own hand. The photograph, a relic of a time she barely remembered, was now a mirror to her present.
"Is this ring... belongs to my grandmother?" she whispered, the shock in her voice making the question barely audible.
"What?" Ameya's mother asked, her expression one of confusion.
The sudden click of the door brought Ameya's father into the room. "Aren't you two still up?" he asked, a gentle reproof in his tone. He walked over, curious. "What are you both seeing?" He took the photo from Ameya's hand, his eyes softening as he looked at the faces. He smiled. "Oh, my mother is in this photo, too."
Ameya seized the moment. "Father, do you remember this ring?" She held up the simple band with the green stone.
Her father's eyes widened. "It's your grandma's ring! Where did you get it?"
"Really?" Ameya's mother interjected, a slight frown on her face. "But I don't remember this ring belonging to your mother."
"It was inside my old teddy," Ameya said,
"But... impossible," her father said, his brow furrowing in confusion. "How could it be inside a teddy?" He shook his head. "And I didn't see that ring on my mother's hand after this photo was taken, I think. Maybe she lost it."
Ameya's mother stepped in with a definitive, matronly voice. "Go, both of you. Is this the time to inquire about this ring? Go to bed. And you, Ameya, come to eat your dinner."
Her parents turned to leave. Before her father stepped out, he looked back and smiled. "Keep it. That's your grandma's."
As the door closed, Ameya sank onto her bed, clutching the ring. That means... my father didn't know the truth about this Ring. Maybe my grandma knew... but she isn't alive now. How can I find out?
Then, a sudden rush of memory made her eyes widen. Wait... She knew the ring's magic! That's why she gave me that teddy! She remembered the day vividly. "Ameya, if you want anything, say it in this teddy. Grandma can hear. I will help you to your wishes come true."
"Yes!"
The Engagement Day
The Grand Palace Hotel was a kaleidoscope of elegance and anticipation. Ameya stepped into the opulent lobby, a vision in a green slit gown that hugged her figure. Her hair was styled in sleek, shiny waves, complemented by a delicate, small neck chain.
As she entered the engagement hall, Clara spotted her immediately. Clara's face lit up, and she came forward with a warm, inviting smile. "Welcome, Ameya! My Herman's Jewellery ambassador!"
Ameya returned the smile. "How are you, Mrs. Clara?"
"Good, and you're gorgeous! I think it's been six months since we last met," Clara said.
Ameya nodded.
"I have such a busy schedule, I couldn't even attend our last jewellery event," Clara continued, sighing.
"I can understand," Ameya said genuinely.
Just then, Rumi approached. She greeted Ameya with an initial bright smile, which quickly faded into something more hesitant. Ameya kept her own smile genuine.
Clara, noticing the tension, said brightly, "Rumi, bring Ameya to the party area."
Rumi nodded and led Ameya away. She was unusually quiet, walking with her shoulders tense. Ameya decided to break the silence. "Why are you silent? Are you ignoring me?"
"No, I am not... but..." Rumi stammered.
"What happened between me and Rico is past," Ameya said, her voice soft but firm. "Don't mind that. I am still your Ameya."
"And my idol, too," Rumi said, a touch of the old adoration returning.
Ameya laughed. "How are you? I didn't see you for a long time. Did you forget me? Did you even attend my concert?"
Rumi grew emotional. "I attend every concert of yours... but not the last concert. Why did you guys disband?"
"Every group one day disbands," Ameya said simply.
"But still..." A single tear dropped from Rumi's eye. Ameya immediately wiped it away. "Don't, Rumi."
Rumi quickly controlled her emotions. "You have to be with me today," she insisted.
"Of course," Ameya replied.
Rumi's expression changed instantly. "Let's take selfies first!" They took a few photos together. Rumi then noticed a message on her phone. "Wait here, I will come back. Jenna asked me to bring her outfit."
"Then I will too," Ameya offered, always wanting to be there for her friend.
Rumi quickly stopped her. "No, Ameya."
Ameya smiled. "Why not? She is my bestie."
"You can't see her now. You can only see her when she's ready," Rumi insisted.
"Then fine, you go."
Rumi left. Ameya began to walk slowly through the hall. On a large LED screen, a slideshow of photos was playing. She smiled at a picture of Michael and Jenna, but then the next photo flashed up: Rico and Alice. Her smile vanished instantly. She turned away, but as she did, she bumped into someone. A glass of wine went flying, spilling all over Ameya's gown.
The girl whose cup it was shouted, "Where are your eyes?"
"Sorry," Ameya quickly apologized.
Suddenly, Rumi appeared. "What happened?" she asked the girl. "It's a mistake, don't take it seriously."
But the girl was already gone too far. "Look! Because of you, my hand is full of wine! Eww!"
"Come, Ameya," Rumi said, grabbing Ameya's hand and trying to lead her away.
The girl wasn't finished. She grabbed Ameya's other arm. "Wait!" Ameya and Rumi turned back. The girl picked up another glass of wine and was about to splash it on Ameya. Before she could, Rumi darted forward, grabbed the glass, and threw it onto the floor. The girl gasped in shock, and Ameya froze.
"If you go too far, I will call the bouncers and throw you out of this party," Rumi warned, her voice low and dangerous. Rumi then grabbed Ameya's hand and pulled her away, leaving the girl humiliated and fuming.
The New Dress
In a quiet, private room, Rumi was frantic. "Oh, your dress is full of wine! Wait." She took a well-wrapped, brand-new white gown from her bag. Rumi handed the dress to Ameya.
Ameya hesitated. "It's okay," she said, not accepting it.
"Look, your dress is full of wine. How can you attend the party in this?" Rumi insisted. "Accept this new dress."
"It's okay, it looks like a bride's gown. I can't..." Ameya trailed off.
"I am already upset that you aren't my sister-in-law," Rumi said, her voice laced with sincere pleading. "Don't upset me again. Please accept this dress. At least if you wear this dress, I'll feel happy."
Ameya finally accepted the dress. Five minutes later, she emerged.
Rumi smiled so brightly it seemed to light up the room. "This dress suits you so well. Everybody will confuse who the real bride is."
Ameya's smile disappeared. "What are you saying? Don't say like that, otherwise, I will change back into my old dress."
"No, no, I won't! Come with me," Rumi said, pulling her along.
The Dance and the Warning
The party area was now crowded and electric. On the center stage, Jenna and Michael stood alongside Rico and Alice. Beside them stood their parents: Angela (Alice's mother), Clara (Rico's mother), and Jenna's parents.
Ameya and Rumi stood in the crowd. Jenna noticed Ameya, waved, and smiled. Ameya smiled back.
Then Rico noticed Ameya. He froze. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Ameya, too, felt a wave of emotion wash over her as she saw him. She quickly turned her face away.
Alice saw Rico looking at Ameya. "Shall we dance?" she asked Rico.
Rico nodded.
The music started. Rico danced with Alice, and the audience cheered. Jenna convinced Michael to dance, and though he denied it at first, he soon began to dance with her.
The two couples danced, but Ameya's eyes were fixed on Rico. Rico, while dancing with Alice, kept stealing glances at Ameya, his eyes lingering on her. Ameya couldn't watch it anymore.
She slipped out, and Rumi noticed, following her. Ameya went to the rooftop balcony, a quiet haven overlooking the party. She took a glass of alcohol and drank it, standing alone and looking out. The tears she'd been holding back finally came, sliding down her cheeks as she thought of her past with Rico.
A hand suddenly placed itself on her shoulder. Ameya turned, wiping her tears, and saw Angela. Angela's smile was cold and poisonous. "Why are you crying?" she asked.
"No, just... some dust got in my eyes," Ameya lied, quickly wiping her cheeks.
"I know," Angela said. She leaned in and whispered in Ameya's ear. "You loved Rico, didn't you? And do you know, I am the one who is the reason you stand here now, and my daughter is standing as a bride beside Rico."
"What?" Ameya panicked, her voice barely a breath.
Angela's smile vanished, and her voice became a warning. "You better go from here. Otherwise, you'll have to face consequences." Angela turned and walked away.
Seconds later, Rumi appeared. "What happened? Why are your eyes red, Ameya?"
Ameya wiped her tears and forced a smile, her mind racing with Angela's words. "Nothing. Let's go to the ceremony area." Rumi looked confused, but Ameya's smile seemed genuine.
The Rejection
When Ameya and Rumi entered, the engagement was about to begin. Ameya's thoughts were turbulent. If Angela is really behind my and Rico's separation... but still, he is ready for engagement with Alice. That means... My Rico isn't strong in our love.
"Come with me," Rumi urged.
"No, you go. I will stand here," Ameya said. Rumi went to the central stage to stand with Clara.
Angela gave the rings to Michael and Jenna. Clara gave the rings to Alice and Rico. Both couples were about to exchange their rings, but suddenly, Alice stopped.
"First, brother and Jenna should put their rings on," Alice said. Angela was stunned, then smiled, accepting the delay. Jenna put the ring on Michael, and Michael put the diamond ring on Jenna's finger. The audience clapped.
"You too," Angela said to Alice. Alice took the ring and was about to put it on Rico's hand. Rico lowered his hand slightly, but Alice forcefully grabbed it and brought the ring close. Then, she stopped again.
Angela, Clara, and everyone else were stunned. Alice threw the ring onto the floor. Her smile had disappeared, and her face was colder than ice.
"What are you doing, Alice!" Angela cried, shocked. Rico was equally stunned. Ameya was in disbelief.
Alice shouted, her voice cutting through the silence. "I don't want to engage with him!"
She leaned closer to Rico and whispered in his ear, "How are you feeling when I reject you? It's amazing, right?" Her face was now a mask of anger. She looked him in the eye and said, "This is how I felt when you rejected me both times."
With a smirk of twisted satisfaction, she turned and walked out of the engagement area.
"Alice! Alice!" Angela called, hurrying after her daughter.
Jenna asked Michael, "What's going on here? Go, bring your sister back!"
Michael merely smirked. "Do you think she'll listen to what I say?"
Jenna's eyes widened. "Wait... do you already know what she would do?"
Michael smiled playfully. "Watch what he is going to do next. I am waiting for his action." Jenna was shocked.
The paparazzi swarmed Rico. "You already rejected Alice twice! Oh, now you are rejected by Alice! How are you feeling?"
Clara grabbed Rico's arm. Rico turned to his mother. "Mom, I won't sacrifice my life anymore." He smiled a knowing, resolute smile.
He turned back to the crowd and saw Ameya. "It's Alice's decision," he said, his voice loud and clear. "But my decision is... I will marry my loved one!"
"Who's that?" the paparazzi shouted.
Rico smirked. "She is here."
Ameya's eyes widened, a pulse thrumming in her ears. Rumi smiled. Jenna and Michael, too.
Rico pointed directly at Ameya. "She is there."
As Rico began to walk toward Ameya, the crowd parted, creating an open path for him. He took the mic from the host.
"She is the one I have loved since then and now," he confessed. "My first love. I hurt her. I am sorry for what I did and how I hurt you before. I know. But I can't leave her. That's what I felt when I was away from her. I understood how important she is in my life. She is..."
Rico walked the last few steps until he was standing right in front of the stunned, emotional Ameya. He dropped the mic.
Rico suddenly kissed Ameya, a passionate, deep kiss that was a public declaration. The paparazzi went into a frenzy, their cameras flashing wildly. Ameya was stunned, but her tears of shock and relief fell down her cheeks. Clara, Jenna, Michael, and Rumi were all smiling.
After the kiss, Rico looked into her eyes. "She is Ameya."
Ameya smiled through her tears, face-to-face with the man who had just risked everything for her.
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