Page 123 of Entangled Vows

Suraj sat back as he wiped his face with his palms and blinked at Vikram. “So... we’re good?”

Vikram gave a slow nod. “We’re brothers. That’s never going to change.”

They laughed, and it felt real for the first time since they were kids.

Vikram leaned back, drained the last sip of his wine, and looked over at Suraj. “I’ve decided to meet Mom tomorrow. First thing in the morning.”

Suraj’s head shot up. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” Vikram said. “For my own peace.”

Suraj looked stunned for a moment, then deeply relieved. His voice shook. “That will mean everything to her. And to me.”

Vikram rested a hand on his shoulder. “We’re not perfect. But we’re still here, together. And that’s what matters.”

Suraj gave him a watery smile. “Brothers forever, Vik.”

“For life,” Vikram said. “Even when you’re being a pain.”

Suraj rolled his eyes. “Says the emotionally constipated one.”

They laughed, and the sound settled between them like a warm hug.

After a pause, Vikram asked, “So, how is Mom?” The words seemed foreign on his tongue. “Anything I need to know before I meet her?”

Suraj sighed. “You just need to know that she’s been through hell. When her husband passed away, it broke her. She stopped taking care of herself. Her heart is weak, and her health has been fragile, but with treatment, she’s better now. She will be on cloud nine when she comes to know you’re meeting her. She’s been wanting to see you and Mahika.”

“She knows about Mahika?” Vikram asked.

“Of course, she does. Mahi is my best friend. And she saw your reception photos when she was recovering in the hospital. She said you and your wife looked like poetry together.”

Vikram swallowed hard. Those pictures had gone viral months ago, and still, his mother had only seen them from a distance.

“Was she incapable of calling me even then?” he spat, his mood shifting in a heartbeat.

“Vicky,” Suraj warned, “it wasn’t like that. She just didn’t know if you would even want to talk to her. She only wants to meet you and Mahika to congratulate you properly.”

“It’s not necessary,” Vikram muttered. “But if that’s what she wants.”

“Look,” Suraj said, trying to reason with him, “if you really don’t want to meet her, I’ll tell her no. I won’t even lie and say that you’re busy. But Vicky… she’s our mom.”

Vikram looked up at the ceiling as if searching for an answer, then let out a long sigh. “Fine.” He poured more wine into his glass. “So, little brother… are you seeing anyone?”

Suraj grinned. “Yeah. I have a boyfriend, Henri. He lives in Paris.”

“Long-distance?” Vikram arched an eyebrow.

Suraj laughed. “Yeah. We met on a dating app, chatted a few times, and met in person when I was in Paris for work. Mahika knows about it.”

“What do you do now? I mean, for work?”

“I work for a Dubai-based fashion brand. It’s a good, cushy job, and I get to meet different people. So, works for me. And where was I... Yes, I went to Paris to meet Henri, and we just clicked. After that, he came to Dubai for a week, and we made it exclusive.”

“I’m glad you found someone you like enough to be in a serious relationship,” Vikram said with a nod.

A few moments passed before Suraj tilted his head. “So... you and Mahika. This marriage is…”

“A one-year thing. The clause said one year, and then… we could resume our old lives if we wanted,” Vikram explained.