Page 68 of Entangled Vows (Destined Diaries #2)
Four Years Later
Byron Bay, Australia
“Kiara, no… put the glitter down!”
Mahika’s voice rang through the sun-kissed beach house, chased by the delighted giggles of a three-and-a-half-year-old whirlwind dressed in a pink tutu and jelly sandals.
Vikram looked up from his lounge chair on the deck, his tablet forgotten in his lap. The Pacific Ocean sparkled in the distance, but the real storm was brewing inside. A flurry of glitter had just whooshed past the sliding glass doors, signalling what was coming.
Life had taken a complete turn the day he confessed his love for his wife, Mahika.
Mumbai was their forever home now, but this beach house in Australia had become their happy escape, their all-time favourite vacation spot.
Over time, it had turned into a grand holiday home for the Khuranas and their closest family friends.
“It’s not even ten, and it already looks like a unicorn exploded in the living room,” he muttered, pushing himself up and heading inside.
Mahika stepped out of the open kitchen, barefoot, her long hair twisted into a messy bun. A smear of flour streaked her cheek, and the delicious aroma of banana bread trailed behind her. “Because your daughter thinks glitter is sacred,” she sighed.
“Our daughter,” Vikram corrected, smirking, as he lifted Kiara into his arms despite the glitter now coating her dress, his T-shirt, and pretty much everything. “And you’re the one who told her that the colour pink and glitter are powerful.”
“They are powerful,” Mahika retorted, planting a hand on her hip. “But I didn’t mean she should launch it like missiles at war.”
Kiara grinned at both of them, completely unbothered. “I draw pwetty card for Mama’s book launch!” she announced, glitter sparkling on her fingers as proof.
Mahika’s smile softened instantly, that fluttery feeling she always had when she was caught off guard by something so pure and innocent.
“You remembered that, munchkin?” Mahika asked softly.
Kiara nodded with the solemn wisdom of a child who knew how to melt hearts. “Dadda says Mama’s gonna be the best lomance wviter in the whole world. So I’m making it sparkly for good luck!”
Vikram pressed a kiss to the top of her curls. “Finish it, bub. But no more glitter bombs, okay? Deal?”
“Deal!” Kiara chirped, skipping back towards her little workstation with pink streaks in her hair and her chin.
Mahika sighed, marvelling at how amazingly life had turned out.
There had been a time when she had doubted whether she could even dream about pursuing her passion for writing romance novels.
And now here she was, in Australia for the next two months, on a book-signing tour for her earlier novels at bookstores across Byron Bay.
And in just two weeks, she would be launching her brand-new book at CupidCon, the romance book festival in Brisbane.
What made it even more remarkable was that all her achievements were celebrated not only by her family but also by her friends. In fact, Vikram’s friends had all become her best friends too. She was glad they had all arrived the day before yesterday to be there for her book launch.
Mahika joined Vikram and slid her arms around his waist. “How is it that she’s the perfect mix of both of us and somehow also a total maniac?”
Vikram chuckled, tucking a strand of stray hair behind her ear. “Because we made her.”
Mahika tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “She’s half you. That explains the drama.”
“And she’s half you. That explains the sparkle,” Vikram teased, his eyes softening.
She looked up slowly, and he kissed her, slow and unhurried. But the moment her fingers slipped under his T-shirt and his hand slid down her back to press her closer, the kiss deepened, turning hotter and more urgent.
Four years together, and they still burned for each other. Just as Vikram was about to lift her into his arms, they heard a loud crash, followed by another.
“Mama, Bungee broke the flower vase,” Kiara yelled in her sweet baby voice.
Mahika rolled her eyes, trying not to laugh. “Bungee and his acrobatics.”
Vikram shot her a mock glare. “Your rabbit clearly needs a lesson in timing. He always shows up when things are getting interesting.”
They heard another crash, louder this time.
“Is he destroying the house?” Vikram scowled.
“No, baby. He just gets jealous when I don’t give him attention first,” she said, trying not to laugh.
He narrowed his eyes. “One day, I’m sending him to a very luxurious rabbit spa. For a whole month.”
“Liar,” she whispered, tugging him back down. “You’d miss him in ten minutes. He sits under your work desk the entire time, and don’t think I don’t know that you sneak him banana chips.”
He kissed her again, his voice husky against her lips.
“Damn it. You weren’t supposed to know about the banana chips.
You know,” he murmured against her mouth, “we should probably start working on a sibling for Kiara. She needs someone to play with so we can get a little more alone time,” he winked.
Mahika swatted his chest, but her cheeks reddened, and her eyes sparkled at the thought. “Oh, do you really think you’re ready for round two of sleepless nights and diaper duties?”
He leaned in, his lips brushing the slope of her neck in a slow and sinful kiss. “Baby, I was born ready.”
Before she could reply, a loud Kiaaaraaa echoed through the house, followed by Kiara’s excited shriek, “Aunty Ishiiii! Uncle Mo!!”
The front door swung open, and Ishika walked in, barefoot. She wore oversized sunglasses, a floppy sunhat, and held up a wine bottle like a trophy. Mohit followed right behind her, juggling their beach gear.
Ishika and Mohit had gotten married last year, and it had been the sweetest surprise for Mahika. She had no idea that they were even dating! Then one day, out of the blue, they announced they were in love and were getting married.
Vikram had known Mohit had a thing for Ishika the whole time, but Mahika was totally clueless. It all began six months after Kiara was born. That was after Mahika and Vikram had gotten married again, with all the ceremonies, rituals, and fanfare.
Six months after Kiara was born, Vikram proposed to Mahika again, this time purely out of love, not some business obligation.
He wanted her to have the wedding of her dreams, so he planned everything meticulously.
The proposal itself was a cosy, candlelit setup on their terrace with fairy lights twinkling above, rose petals strewn around, and Kiara in a tiny onesie that read, “Will you marry Daddy again?”
Mahika had been stunned, overjoyed, and had burst into happy tears. Every single moment that followed, from the planning to the ceremony itself, was truly dreamlike.
Their beach wedding was breathtaking, with only their closest friends and family around, including their six-month-old daughter, Kiara, nestled in Mahika’s arms for parts of the ceremony.
Mahika looked ethereal in an ivory saree, embroidered with delicate pearls, while Vikram looked effortlessly regal in his perfectly tailored sherwani.
Their eyes met during the seven sacred pheras around the fire, every vow feeling sacred and full of meaning. They exchanged wedding rings—classic, elegant gold bands, this time engraved with two very special dates: the day they first confessed their love for each other and Kiara’s birthdate.
They spent their honeymoon in Bora Bora, but they weren’t alone.
They had taken along little Kiara with Sandhya Ma, Ishika’s mother, and Vikram’s mother.
Both grandmothers had been over the moon when they heard about Mahika’s pregnancy.
And when Kiara was born, that happiness had only doubled.
From then on, until now, both mothers and Sandhya Ma had supported Mahika in every way possible.
So, it was only natural that when they went to Bora Bora, they all came along, staying in a luxurious family suite at the same resort as Mahika and Vikram.
This allowed Mahika to stay close to her baby while still giving her a much-needed break.
With the elders helping care for Kiara, the couple had time to relax in privacy.
The trip became the perfect balance of love, laughter, family bonding, and passionate nights.
“House of chaos and glitter, we have arrived!” Ishika announced with her arms flung wide open.
Trailing behind Ishika and Mohit, Mahika spotted what she had come to think of as their extended family—not by blood, but by all the little moments, choices, and memories that truly counted.
The Oberoi brothers and their wives strolled in, along with Vikram’s best friend, Arjun and Ira.
They didn’t just show up for birthdays or anniversaries, they showed up for everything.
Adil and Mira claimed the couch on the open deck, Mira already angling her phone for a selfie, probably to post on her Picturegram account. Ever since their café became the city’s hottest go-to spot, Mira and Ruhi had practically turned into internet celebrities.
“Ruhi, lean in,” Mira said, tugging her best friend closer. “This one’s going on my story.”
Ruhi laughed. “I’m reposting it too. Our followers are going to think we’ve moved to the beach.”
“That’s because maybe we should move here,” Mira said, flipping her hair like she was in a photo shoot.
“You wanna move here, my love?” Adil asked, giving her a look so intent and focused it was obvious he was already figuring out how to make it happen if she said yes.
“No, hubs. I’m just kidding. No need to mentally plan our big move to Australia in the next five seconds.” Mira kissed his cheek, but Adil caught her chin, tilted it, and gave her a proper kiss instead.
“C’mon, soul, these two aren’t going to let us breathe without giving us a full exhibit of their PDA,” Vaayu groaned, tugging Ruhi towards the refrigerator.
“You talk as if you two are any better,” Kabir called out from his spot, clearly entertained by the scene.