Her stomach sloshed, and she wasn’t sure if it was the breakup, the alcohol, or the dancing that had caused it, but she decided cake could only help the situation. Thankfully, while they were outside, they’d missed out on the cake-cutting, the bouquet-tossing, and the garter-throwing, so pre-cut slices were already set out on a table foranyone to take. She picked up a plate, plopped down at the first table she saw, and took a bite. Something lemony and floral burst in her mouth. She wished it was chocolate.
Someone made an announcement that it was time for the bride and groom to go, and she followed everyone outside. Sparklers were passed out. The air was filled with cheers and goodbyes. And then it was done. They had left. The wedding was over.
It was all over.
Karthik appeared at her elbow, and he joined her in saying goodbye to everyone.
“You ready to go?” he asked. And she nodded.
They walked the short distance back to their hotel in silence. Meghna didn’t have the energy to discuss anything else tonight. But as they entered the lobby, she felt the weight of Karthik’s gaze on her hand. She removed the ring, handing it to him wordlessly.
He took it, somewhat startled.
“I wasn’t going to ask for it back,” he said.
“Well, I can’t keep it.”
“But shouldn’t you hold on to it? Keep it until after we tell our families? What if you see your parents before Wednesday? Won’t they ask questions about it?”
Ugh.Why was he making this so difficult? She didn’t want to wear this ring. Didn’t want to have to keep track of it. She didn’t want the reminder that this diamond was the only thing that had not been fake between them.
“It’ll be safer with you.”
He put the ring in his pocket. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
A few seconds passed in awkward silence. Meghna wanted to say good night. She wanted to head straight to her room, vent to Ankita for a while, and fall asleep. But for some reason she couldn’t make herself do it.
“What time is your flight tomorrow?” she asked instead.
“Early. I’ll really only get a few hours of sleep. Yours is in the afternoon?”
“Yeah,” she said, not even surprised that Karthik had remembered her flight information. He always seemed to remember everything she told him.
“I guess this is goodbye, then.”
“I guess so.”
He watched her carefully, almost like he was waiting for an invitation or an opening for a hug, but she made no move to offer one.
“I’ll see you…” He stopped and let out a short, rough sound. “I don’t know when I’ll see you next.”
“I don’t think you will.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat. “That, uh, makes sense. Would you maybe want to stay up a bit? We could practice how we’ll tell our parents? Figure out the best way to do it?”
She shook her head, stifling a yawn. “No. It’s too late now.”
“Yeah. Yeah, it is.” He scratched the back of his neck. “But maybe when we get back? Maybe I could call you and we could…”
“Sure. Maybe.” Really, she just wanted to go to bed. Put this whole night behind her.
Karthik seemed to get the hint. He gave her a small, sad smile and told her good night. Then she left, heading back to her hotel room. Alone.
Her feet throbbed after spending most of the night dancing, leading to a combination of relief and pain when she finally took her heels off. She quickly changed into pajamas, switched off the lights, and climbed into bed. But just as she was about to drift off, her phone beeped.
Ankita: You alive? Still want to talk?
