Page 198 of Glass Jawed
Delivered.
Read.
Perfect.
“The fuck are you doing?” Liam mutters.
I glance up, confused—but his eyes are locked on the aisle. I turn—
—and then Isee her. And every thought fades away. Along with the panic.
A group of women walk under the flower canopy. My Rohi front and center. Glowing. Beaming. Her smile hits me like a freight train made of rose petals and existential relief.
My heart thuds wildly. It’s happening. It’sfinallyhappening.
Jesus fucking Christ!
She looks breathtaking in her wedding outfit—an intricately embroidered red lehenga laced with gold thread and studded stones that catch every light. Her arms are adorned with henna, the patterns trailing beneath the edge of hercholi. And that veil—gracefully draped over her head. She outshineseverythingandeveryonein my vicinity.
She casually hands her phone to Kash, just as mine buzzes in my hand.
I don’t even need to read it.
Still, I peek. And then I shove my phone into Liam’s chest, eyes still glued to my bride.
Rohi Vale: YES
The first bars ofKudmayibegin to play, soft and delicate, echoing through the air. Under the flower canopy, Rohi and her crew begin walking toward the stage in perfect rhythm.
My chest tightens. My throat?Wrecked. Because this—this right here—is our moment.
Andholy shit, it’s really—actually—happening.
I feel the tears coming, no use fighting them.
I love this womanso damn much, and she’s walking toward me.Me. There’s a split second where I consider crawling toward her. Meeting her halfway. But then—I remember.
Tradition.
It’ll take another ten, maybe fifteen minutes for her to reach me at this pace. That’s fine. I can wait. I’ll waitforever.
Except suddenly the music stops.
No fade. No transition. Just—cut. Like someone pulled the plug.
My head whips around. DJ? Sound guy? Equipment?
Rohi’s eyes widen, but she’s not looking at me anymore. She’s looking at—Liam?
What. The. Fuck?
Before I can even piece it together, Liam bolts down the stage. And I suddenly realize what’s about to happen.
“No!Don’t you dare,” I hiss under my breath. “This is anIndianwedding, Liam.”
But it’s too late.
The opening tune ofForeverby Chris Brown blast through the speakers.
