Chapter XIV
"Old Friends, New Vows"
Sasha, Mia, and I all piled into the car together, music buzzing faintly from the speakers, laughter weaving through the conversation as we headed off to Gorya's place. It had been a while since we all gathered like this, and there was something deeply nostalgic about it — like time was folding back on itself for just a moment.
When we reached Gorya's neighborhood, the energy shifted — more familiar, more personal. The streets here didn't just echo with sound; they echoed with memories. As we pulled up in front of the house, I could already hear muffled chatter and laughter spilling through the slightly cracked windows.
I knocked on the door with a crooked smile.
It swung open almost immediately — and in the next second, chaos broke loose.
"VEDUUUUU!" a chorus of voices screamed, followed by a flood of people tackling me in a whirlwind of hugs and squeals.
Before I could even say a word, a pair of strong arms lifted me right off the ground. "She's married now and still the same lanky idiot!" someone yelled as I was swung in a circle like a rag doll.
I was laughing uncontrollably, heart swelling from the warmth of it all — this madness, this joy, these people. My people.
Everyone was talking at once.
"Congratulations, Vedu!"
"So… where's the bride?"
"Tell us everything, come on!"
As I was finally set back down on my feet, one of my oldest friends — Jasmine — leaned in, her mischievous smile shining. "So Vedu… how's the wife? You in love with her or what?"
Before I could even answer, Brownie piped up with a snort. "What kind of dumb question is that, Jasmine? She falls in love with every girl who blinks at her. The real question is — does she love her?"
The room erupted with laughter.
I clutched my collar dramatically like I was in the middle of some soap opera. "Excuse me! Is this not a bit too personal?"
Someone slung an arm around my shoulder from behind. "Look at this girl. Marriage changed her entire vibe! Did you always wear your shirt this neatly tucked in?"
Another friend teased, "She probably irons her socks now."
I was half-laughing, half-shaking my head. "You guys are ridiculous."
They weren't letting up. "Vedu! Tell us you haven't forgotten your old gang in all this married life madness."
I placed a hand on my heart and gasped. "Oh no… you found out. I have, in fact, forgotten all of you. Who are you people again?"
Gorya threw a cushion at me. "Look at this girl! Gets one beautiful wife and suddenly has royal attitude!"
I raised both hands in surrender, chuckling. "Okay, okay! You caught me. But come on, can I ever forget you maniacs? Impossible."
Sweetie clapped. "Now that's the Vedu we know! Not that polite, tucked-in husband robot who just walked through the door."
The whole room was glowing — with nostalgia, with laughter, with that sense of unfiltered belonging. The kind that doesn't ask questions. That just pulls you in and wraps you tight.
And in that moment, standing in the middle of my chaos crew, I felt it.
I wasn't just someone who got married.
I was still me — just… with a little more heart invested in someone else now.
But my roots?
They were still here.
Alive and loud and unapologetically mine.
"A Surprise Meant for Her"
The sun had begun to tilt ever so slightly toward the west, casting golden shadows over the roads as we all finally set out for my place — the venue of the evening's celebration.
Two cars.
Two destinations.
One plan that meant more to me than anyone else knew.
In the first car, I was driving. Beside me and in the back seats were Sweetie, Jasmine, Gorya, Brownie, and Alfiya — chattering endlessly, giggling about everything from old school days to teasing me about my newlywed glow. The energy was electric, vibrant, full of love and memories. Every traffic light turned into a moment to laugh harder, to share one more inside joke. I couldn't help but smile every few seconds. These were my people — and I was bringing them home.
In the second car, Sasha was behind the wheel, as confident and carefree as ever. Mia sat beside her, the two of them heading to pick up Sita's friends. I had given them the list secretly, each name handwritten by me, just so everything would go perfectly. Sita had no idea her own circle was going to be there tonight. She thought it was just my gang. That's why this night meant more than just music, wine, and fairy lights.
It was about her too.
Maybe even mostly her.
She deserved to see how much she was loved, not just by me, but by the people who truly knew her — her own world, her roots, her laughter.
I had planned this as a surprise. She knew my friends were coming. She didn't know hers were too. And I could already imagine the look on her face — that flicker of surprise melting into one of those rare, unguarded smiles she tried to hide from the world.
But there was one more person I needed to bring.
Someone special.
Someone who had the power to make Sita feel like her entire childhood had come walking through the door.
Shruti — her younger sister.
I had sent out all the invites myself, but when it came to Shruti, I didn't want to just call her or send someone else. No. This was personal. I wanted to go and pick her up myself. Not only because there might be questions from her in-laws — awkward ones that only I could dodge with a joke or a firm tone — but because I wanted her to feel important. Valued. Special.
Shruti wasn't just Sita's sister. She was the piece of Sita's heart that still danced with innocence. The bond they shared, the stories they whispered, the secrets they protected — I had seen glimpses of it. And tonight, I wanted to honor that bond.
I smiled to myself as I drove, letting the thought warm me from the inside out.
This wasn't just a party.
It was a beginning.
Of something deeper.
Something more real.
And tonight…
I wanted Sita to feel surrounded.
By her friends.
By her family.
By me.
Even if she hadn't said it out loud — I could feel her heart asking to be seen.
And I was ready.
To see her.
To celebrate her.
To love her — in ways she hadn't dared to imagine yet.
To be continue....