& Then They Wed (Ampersand Love #2)

41. & Then They Wed

Rian & Aditi

O ne Year Later.

Doc, My Sunshine,

I could not imagine our webing wedding day without you v wearing the flowers I picked. I hope Vihaan didn’t crush them. I hate that he gets to see you before I do.

Though I cannot be their there to help you put them no on, this will be the only time I’ll let it happen. I have tried to fight it but Nanamma is scary & will nut not let me out of her sight before the web wedding is complete. I’ll be glad to be dun done with these rituals and finally have you in are our home again.

Every day hereafter, I will be present to pin flowers on you. Every day, I will be ther tehir there to feed you the feebs foods you love, but more importantly the be foods you need. Every day, I will love you. I wouldn’t know who how to a live otherwise.

When you come down that aisle today, I'll be there. Waiting. Planning for the tert test rest of my life with you.

Yours, and only yours,

Bugs

PS: Can we please revisit this nickname? Bugs is weird.

No, Chota Bheem is not a valid option. Neither is Daba Bada Bheem! Don’t even suggest it.

Chef is fine, but we both no know what happens when you say it.

PPS: I also have a new nickname for you. Tell you later.

Aditi chuckled warmly, reading through the letter as the stylist put the final touches on her hair. Her thumb swiped over the edge of a sentence where it looked like Rian had irritatedly smudged it in an attempt to correct the spelling. The little errors, crossed out words and mildly illegible writing did not lessen the impact of his message. She picked up the thickly strung garlands of closed jasmine that Rian had sent with a handwritten note that left her sniffling back happy tears.

For a person who’d once told him that she rarely cried, Aditi found that Rian had a penchant for making her emotional. In the year and a bit since they’d gotten together, his ability to render her speechless with his thoughtfulness, a reflection of his selfless love, had only increased.

True to his word, he had done what he could to leave the past behind so that it never again hindered their future together.

“Careful with this.” Aditi handed the lengthy gajra to the stylist, letting her sister step in to finish sliding bangles on both her hands. Anika’s happy face beamed at her, clearly excited that her two favourite people were getting married today.

Rian had quickly endeared himself to her entire family. Where she’d once been worried that he’d find it overwhelming to accept her large family, he’d turned around and effortlessly slipped into the role of a big brother for her siblings and cousins. His patient and calm demeanour made him their go-to person for problem solving.

To her never-ending amusement, he took this responsibility very seriously, which is why he was also privy to every school crush and romantic problems of her teenaged cousins.

The drama was better than his Korean sitcoms, he’d once told her.

At one point, she’d returned after multiple weeks away at medical camp, only to find that he’d coerced her parents to come to Mumbai to spend time with him, citing that he was lonely. Her mother doted upon him, her father trusted him like he would a son, and Rian soaked up every bit of their attention with a hunger she knew was a result of the loss of his own parental relations.

With his hesitancy fading in time, Rian had taken over as the darling of the house and her family members had unequivocally declared him their favourite.

She’d have been jealous, but seeing his efforts to establish familial relationships given his past made her heart swell with love and respect for the man she’d claim today as her husband.

Aditi took a moment in front of the mirror to sweep her gaze over her bridal outfit. The dark mehendi designs adorning her hands bore evidence of being deeply loved by one’s spouse as per an old wives tale. Ancestral jewellery graced her forehead and neck along with the waist chain that Rian had gifted her with express instructions that he’d be the one to remove it on their wedding night. Her diamond ring glinted every time she wiggled her fingers to reduce her nerves.

Every part of her today represented an amalgamation of her past and present, as she stepped into a future she’d once prayed for. With one last look, she turned and walked towards the door where her sisters and friends waited patiently to escort her to him.

Her love.

Rian sat on his groom’s throne, offering prayers directly into the holy fire as directed by the priest. Every so often, his eyes would travel across the open gardens in front of him. It had been transformed completely with chairs laid out in neat rows for attendees to sit in, white tents in the back where the party would shift to later. Gauzy curtains wrapped the trunks of the tall trees that shaded them, creating an almost mystical greenwood feel around them. Long ribbons with crystals and pearls formed a glittering archway above the carpet of flowers that led from the back of the mansion to where the wedding dais was.

The crash of ocean waves behind him added to the enchantment of the venue.

That his wedding was taking place on the grounds of his childhood home felt surreal. When Aditi had suggested it, it had made perfect sense. This place had held only bad memories for him. Step by step, little by little, he’d replace them all with good ones. He would fill every nook and cranny within this manor with laughter for the family he would have with Aditi.

His lips curved softly, recalling her surprise when he’d brought up accepting his inheritance.

“You told the investing board you’re dyslexic?” She'd stared at him like he’d grown a third eye.

“Yes,” he’d sheepishly admitted, lying down on their couch with his head in her lap. He nudged her belly with his nose, annoyed that she’d stopped massaging his scalp in shock.

“I’m recovering all of myself that I hid before,” he told her, grabbing her wrist to direct her to keep stroking his hair, sighing in happiness when she did. “I had a hard time talking about it, but I’m in a position where I can affect change. We’ve come a long way as a society to accept that disabilities exist, but we can be better. I want to make conversation around it normal whenever I can.”

“That’s. . .I’m proud of you, sweetheart,” Aditi had murmured, bending down to brush a kiss across his lips. “There truly is nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Hmm. I’ve put into motion changes on hiring practices at my restaurants already. I’ve given instructions to open up employment for differently abled individuals in Singapore as well.”

“And the school?”

“I have money.”

“I know, but. . .”

“No, Sunshine,” he’d interrupted her. “I mean, I have a lot of money. My inheritance—I’m claiming it.”

At her blank stare, he’d shown her the papers he’d been sent by his lawyers.

“My father left all his assets to me,” he’d revealed to a bewildered Aditi. “He changed his will before his death. I’ve known since I turned twenty-one but I thought leaving everything behind would let me escape my mother and help me forget my past. It didn’t. So, I’m facing it now. Whatever weird connection I still held with her, I’m severing it. I meant it when I said you’ll never have to come in contact with her again.”

“What did you do?”

His look of innocence had not fooled her one bit.

“I didn’t do anything. My lawyers did. She’ll be moved to a different home and will subsist on what I allow for her living expenses.”

He’d chuckled at the way her jaw had dropped open, chucking her under her chin playfully.

“She agreed to that?” Aditi had questioned immediately.

“I am certain my lawyers heard every curse word in the book. But I didn’t give her a choice.” He slid his hand down to hold hers, his thumb drawing lazy circles on her warm skin. “She had to accept my conditions and stay away from us, or she would have nothing. I will no longer allow Leela Shetty to take the things I rightfully deserve. Whether that is my name, my father’s legacy, or my happiness with you.”

“So, you’re rich?”

“Yep.”

Aditi had leaned in, hesitating before asking, “Like, seafront-mansion-rich?”

“I’m afraid so.” He’d grinned at her stunned expression. “We can pick the smallest one to live in if you want.”

“You have more than one?” she’d gasped, eyes widening as the truth slowly set in.

“We do. It’s not just mine— it's ours.”

“Uh-huh. What about the school? Does this mean you don’t need to rely on investors for the school anymore?”

Rian had shrugged, drawing her into his arms.

“I still want investors. It is good to have big names involved if I want it to be accepted as a formal institute. But I am not limited by them. I can build a bigger facility, have a larger scholarship pool, pay for better instructors, and figure out a way to use the money my dad left me to do good.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Aditi’s approval of his decision had relieved him. “Between your restaurants and my earnings once I’m through specialisation, we won’t need your inheritance at all.”

Rian had nodded, saying nothing else. The truth was that there were portions of his estate that would always remain his, bound to pass from him to his children. Entailments that were substantial enough that he could spend like a madman, and still leave wealth behind for the next few generations to live in comfort.

To his amusement, Aditi still seemed to be adjusting to the idea that he was as rich as Croesus, and by default, so was she. The fact that her ideal date was still a nighttime bike ride and a plate of pav bhaji at Chandan’s stall only endeared her more to him.

Excited whispers and tittering had him breaking out of his musings. The wavering sound of flutes filled the atmosphere, an indication of the bride’s entry.

Rian stood up, running a hand down his front and nervously straightening his kurta. He blew out a quick breath, his eyes stuck at the bend around which she would arrive. The sound of anklets and the clinking of bangles accompanied the group of ladies who slowly came into view as they sang verses that spoke of two beloveds tying the knot, of the heavens witnessing their union and blessing them with untold joy. He observed them, as mesmerised with their coordination as the other attendees. Surrounded by her sisters and girlfriends, all swathed in various colours of rich Kanjeevaram sarees, he couldn’t catch sight of Aditi. He noted Kaya in the procession at one time, and Vera beside her, even Nina—but not the woman he was desperate to see.

Anxious and excited, he leaned slightly to the side, waiting with bated breath for that first special glimpse of his bride.

A heartfelt prayer of thanks escaped his lips when the bridesmaids parted. Aditi emerged, looking resplendent, a true goddess today. All the gold on her didn’t shine as much as her eyes did when they met his. Her radiance was unmatched when her smile widened at his besotted expression, and his heart damn near exploded with happiness.

The prickle behind his eyes increased when she accepted his hand to step up on the dais, her unwavering gaze upon him, the subtle tightening of her fingers in his palm anchoring him to her.

He’d never thought he would be here. That he would find someone to love and commit to for a lifetime, who felt the same for him. The world around him faded as he drew her closer, knowing that what he found so clearly reflected in her eyes was all her love, and the promise of forever.

It was hours before Rian and Aditi caught a moment together alone. Through every part of the ceremony, especially the vows, they had found ways to acknowledge each other silently. Their absolute incandescence was not hidden from any of the guests, and the entire atmosphere was one of revelry and jubilation.

Now, standing in the guest cottage that was serving as their temporary resting spot, they’d been afforded a brief respite to freshen up before joining everyone once more for the post-wedding rituals.

“Our family seems happy,” Aditi said, dabbing at the edge of her eye to wipe the kohl that had smudged. She’d shed a few tears when her father had given her away. Her emotions, though mostly happy, had certainly oscillated today. “Our friends, too,” she added, accepting the bottle of water Rian held out for her.

“Hmm.”

“Kaya is glowing and Arjun was being extra annoying while checking in on her. And did you see Vera and Vihaan?” she asked, gasping when firm hands settled on her hips and pulled her back into him.

“I don’t want to talk about our friends, Sunshine,” Rian murmured against her ear, tickling it. “I want to talk about us. Our friendship.”

She laughed, shaking her head.

“What?”

“I just remembered those days when you kept saying we weren’t friends.”

He dragged his lips along the delicate arch of her neck, pecking her intermittently.

“There was nothing remotely friendly about the way I felt for you. But you wormed your way into my life and became my friend anyway.”

She turned towards him, sliding her arms up to loop about his neck, leaning up to kiss him softly.

“I’m pretty irresistible, aren’t I, Mr. Shetty?”

“You’re my Kryptonite, Mrs. Shetty,” he muttered against her lips, making her giggle.

“Sweet talking to me using superhero terminology and the Mrs. tag? You’re going to make me swoon. ”

When they drew back to look at each other, they wore matching expressions of devotion, a sense of profound contentment connecting them in that moment.

“If my life were a story,” Aditi whispered, drawing her mehendi laden fingers against the edge of his jaw, “meeting you would be my favourite plot twist.”

Rian gulped, taking in a deep breath. Not that Aditi had not seen him cry before. During frustrating therapy sessions where he worked through his remnant anger and fears, during sad movies, during happy times as well. He simply didn’t want to go through the rest of his wedding day with red eyes. “Is this how you plan to tell me you love me today?” he teased, needing to stave off the rush of emotions he’d been experiencing on and off.

She huffed out a small laugh, happy to confess as many times as he wanted to hear it.

“I love you, Rian Shetty." Her abject adoration of him spread through him like the effervescent fragrance of the jasmine she wore. “I love your dimples, and your stunning eyes. I love your possessiveness for me, and your ability to apologise in the sweetest ways. I love that you laugh with me instead of at me, that you think my opinionated self is to be admired instead of hidden. I love that you feel so deeply for those who struggle, that you want to do good in the world. You have the softest and most beautiful heart under those rock-hard abs. While I suggested something temporary, my heart broke every plan I’d made and I fell permanently in love with you. Thank you for being mine. For giving me all of you, and accepting all of me.”

His forehead dropped to hers, their noses nestled against each other.

“You’re not supposed to be this good at confessions,” he rasped, his throat tight, engulfing her in his embrace.

“Must be all the romance novels I read,” she smiled, snuggling into him .

For a while, they held each other thus, exhilarating in the knowledge that today would be the first day of the rest of their lives as man and wife, savouring this newfound feeling of togetherness.

“You once told me you aren’t perfect,” he started, his voice muffled against her crown.

She pulled back to look at him, tilting her head curiously.

“That might be the only thing you’ve been wrong about.”

“Think so?”

“I know so. I love you, Dr. Mrs. Aditi Shetty, the most perfect woman for Rian Shetty.”

“Dr. Mrs.?” She frowned, scrunching her nose in distaste. “That is not the new nickname you mentioned in your letter, is it? I thought ‘Doc’ suffered from lack of creativity but this is pushing it.”

He chuckled, nipping the tip of her nose in an affectionate move.

“Trust your husband, Doc. I have a whole list of new names, but one in particular that is the absolute best.”

“Oh?” She tilted her chin imperiously. “And how will you be addressing me henceforth, Mr. Husband?”

With a flirtatious grin, he grasped her hand and lifted it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles, his eyes warming to a smoky grey as he beheld the woman who'd torpedoed his life so unexpectedly and swept him off his feet.

“My love." He dropped a peck on her cheek.

“My life.” A kiss on her forehead.

“My blessing,” he added, bending down to capture her lips under his before whispering her soon-to-be favourite moniker against the smile that started it all.

“My wife.”