Page 69 of Entangled Vows (Destined Diaries #2)

“Pause it, guys. You all are no saints. Everyone here is totally whipped, and loving it,” Kyra piped up, grinning.

“Damn right, Princess. I love it,” Kabir said, wrapping his arms around Kyra from behind and nuzzling his face into her neck.

Vaayu and Ruhi laughed, shaking their heads as they emerged with miniature wine bottles in hand. They handed two to Kabir and Kyra, who were hovering over Kiara as she crafted something outrageously glittery. The table already looked like a colourful crime scene.

“I thought coming here without the kids would be a therapeutic break,” Kabir sighed, eyeing the shimmery chaos. “But now, I’m just missing the whole kids gang back home.”

“That’s true, Bira. Even I thought that without the kids we’d finally have some peace, but I think we’re addicted to the madness they bring,” Vaayu chuckled, popping the cork off his wine bottle.

“Agreed. We should group call Mom and Dad before they go to sleep,” Ruhi suggested.

Finally, Arjun and Ira strolled in from the beach. Or rather, Ira ran while Arjun trailed at the back. But then he caught up with her and literally swept her off her feet, grabbing her from behind and spinning her around until she squealed.

“Arjun!” Ira smacked his chest, laughing. “Stop it.”

He ignored her, giving her one more twirl before setting her down.

“Whoa! Okay, now I’m dizzy,” Ira complained.

“Dizzy from the spinning… or are you not telling us something?” Kyra teased, waggling her brows suggestively.

“I’m definitely not hiding a thing. Right, my love?” Ira turned to Arjun, who pressed a kiss to her lips.

“Absolutely, sweetheart. But we can practice a little more… just so we have something to hide next time.”

“Such a one-track mind, AJ,” Vikram teased, grinning.

“Look who’s talking,” Adil cut in, looking smug. “The man who’s barely left his wife’s side all morning.”

“Pot, meet kettle,” Vaayu and Kabir said in perfect unison, and the whole group burst into laughter.

“You all are mad,” Mahika giggled, shaking her head.

“So, how was beach time?” she asked, uncorking a bottle of wine and pouring generous glasses for everyone left out.

“It was fantastic,” Ishika replied, just as Mohit slipped his arms around her from behind and pressed a soft kiss on her neck.

Vikram raised an eyebrow. “How come your PDA is acceptable, but the moment I kiss my wife, you have a problem with it?”

Mohit and Ishika couldn’t keep their hands off each other, and Vikram never missed a chance to point it out, a perfect way to get back at Mohit for years of teasing.

Vaayu chuckled. “Dude, because Mahika is his sister.”

“So?” Adil shrugged. “Mohit got them married, so now he has to watch them making out and be damn happy his sister is in love, man.” Ever blunt, Adil’s matter-of-fact words made Mohit groan.

“C’mon, Vicky,” Mohit said, grimacing. “It is weird to watch you both making out, even if I’m somewhat used to it by now.”

“I don’t care. Feel weird if you want, but I’m going to kiss the heck out of my wife, and maybe do a little more.” Vikram tugged Mahika closer and kissed her deeply, not holding back, right until Kiara came barrelling into the room, glitter all over her tiny hands.

Her eyes went wide as she babbled in her child-like voice. “Are you playing the kissy game again?”

Vikram and Mahika jolted apart, and the rest of the room tried and failed to hide their amusement.

“Baby, do Mom and Dad play this game a lot?” Ishika asked, feigning innocence.

“Yes, Ishi Aunty. All the time. Don’t they get bored?” Kiara asked, completely oblivious to the chaos she was causing.

“Let’s ask them,” Ishika said mischievously as she turned to Vikram. “Vicky, why don’t you ever get bored playing this game, hmm?”

Vikram smirked. “Why would I get bored when the game keeps getting better every time with my baby dragon?”

Mahika tilted her head, her eyes glinting. “Careful, Vicky. Keep talking like that and you’ll have to prove it.” She clinked her glass lightly against his before turning to her baby girl. “Okay, Kia darling, who’s hungry?”

“Mee! But first…” Kiara wriggled free and dashed towards Mohit. “Uncle Mo! I made you a card. Come see!”

“Oh god, does it involve glitter?” Mohit groaned, already swiping imaginary sparkles off his shorts.

“Only a little!” Kiara giggled.

“Darling, it’s so beautiful,” Ishika exclaimed, holding up the sparkly card Kiara had proudly handed over to them. The three of them began bantering while Kiara showed off her handiwork.

Mahika leaned into Vikram’s side, her expression softening. “I miss Suraj. So fucking much.”

“I know, Momo,” he said, rubbing slow circles over her shoulder. “I miss him too. He’s planning to come to your book launch.”

“Really?” Mahika’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Yes. He wanted it to be a surprise, but I couldn’t watch you carry that sadness any longer. So now, you’ll have to pretend to be surprised when you see him.”

Her eyes sparked with hope. “Aww. You really can’t see me sad, baby?”

“Nope. not even for a moment.”

“Love you, Grizz.”

“Love you, Momo.”

“Is your mom coming too?” Mahika asked.

“Yes. She is,” Vikram replied with a smile.

The quiet warmth in his tone told her more than the words ever could. She knew how strained things had been between Vikram and his mother, and the thought of those cracks finally mending filled her heart with joy.

“I can’t wait to see both of them. I just wish Mom and Ratan Uncle could’ve come too. They’re the only ones missing,” Mahika murmured.

“Me too, darling. But she’s going to Jaipur with Ratan Uncle. It’s his nephew’s wedding. We’ll come with them another time, don’t worry.” He pulled her close, his voice reassuring and full of love.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. “This is it, isn’t it? Everything we ever wanted… right here.”

Vikram kissed her temple, holding her a little tighter. “This is only the beginning, love. Our real fairytale has just started.”

A burst of laughter erupted from the living room.

Kiara had taken centre stage, with all their friends gathered around her.

Her daughter was the centre of their world.

And not just theirs, she was everyone’s little star.

And she was so glad that her daughter had this amazing circle of love and support system from the very beginning.

She knew for sure it would stay that way for the rest of her life, so unlike her own childhood, which had been privileged but painfully lonely.

Mahika had promised herself that her daughter would grow up in a world full of love and affection, and looking at her now, she had succeeded in fulfilling her promise.

Mahika stood there, taking in the scene, a soft smile spreading across her face. She had the love of her life, her little bundle of joy, and her whole world of favourite people right here with her.

And she had learnt that love with Vikram wasn’t just a feeling. It was an experience. You could see it in the little details: in his every action, his thoughtfulness, and the way he looked at her, as if she was his everything.

Between baby stuff, stolen romantic moments, and cosy mornings, Mahika had completely fallen for the boy she used to fight with as a kid. That boy had grown up and had become her entire world now. And their home buzzed with laughter, chaos, and nothing but pure, happy energy.

Her life was messy, loud, and yes, sometimes glittery, but it was hers. And it was full of love… just the way she had always dreamed. It was chaos. And in that beautiful chaos, she had found her forever.

THE END

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