Next day
Caleb and Fazal reached the palace. Solly welcomed them heartily.
" Guess you have set the things right and we will see a wedding in the family", said Fazal as he hugged Solly.
" You bet", he winked as Shai blushed.
Caleb was a bit distant but he congratulated Solly too.
" I am glad you both are together. Wish you both a great future", he said.
Shai hugged Caleb and asked,
" How are you"?
" I am fine", he said.
He was anything but fine thought Shai.
Dark circles below his eyes indicated less sleep, dry lips indicated dehydration spirits were were low and he looked tortured.
" You need to rest", she said. " You are washed out".
" Too much work", he said staring into horizon.
" I thought you stayed back for a holiday. Fazzy was working", she said.
He shrugged.
" Thought of earning few buxks. Got a job in a guest house", he said. " Close to forest. Exciting wildlife. Got involved way more".
" You and your wildlife ", she winked hitting him playfully.
" Solly is going to freak out if you will be sweet to me", he joked. " He turned a zombie last time when you ghosted him".
" He'll live", she shrugged. " I have some snakes to discuss with you. So rest first and then we can".
" Snakes", he said his eyes twinkling.
" Yeah we found a skin in forest. I got excited", she said.
" Since when snakes excite you", he asked.
" Rest first we will discuss later", he said.
As soon as Caleb left Fazal said to Solly
" Caleb's a mess".
Meanwhile
" We are all set for the wedding", said Prakriti. " Both you and Ro wished for a church one. Though grandpa is not very happy about it", she said as a whisper.
" Don't take her on a guilt trip", admonished her husband. " Grace you should not be rail roaded by old man. My respect for Rohit increased the day he stood before him declaring that the child was his. I wish my father had same guts. Two lives wouldn't be ruined".
" He loves you", Grace said to Ro's brother.
" I have hurt him a lot", said Prakhar. " I hope he forgives me and you too".
" I do", came a voice.
" Ro stood there. Prakhar smiled.
" I do too", Grace assured him.
" Ohhh no no no no"..
Two men rushed in.
" Maddy, Parry".
" You are not eloping on us like that assh*le", said Maddy.
" Yes you say your vows in front of everyone and we get to dance", said Parry.
" And booze and party", said Maddy.
" You got it bro", said Ro with a thumbs up.
Late night
Zaid, Zoya and Ibrahim reached Junagarh along with his wife. Women were crying.
A stoic Salman met them. He was still not good with emotions. And he avoided Zoya altogether. Zoya avoided Salman too.
Years have passed but an unspoken awkwardness prevailed between the two of them.
" Salman", Ibrahim hugged him.
" Solly informed me", he said with concern. " We will not let anything happen to him".
" How is he", asked his mother.
" Under control", said Salman.
Solly came then with Shai.
" Mom", Shai hugged her mother.
She started crying too.
" I suggest everyone rest", said Solly.
" Ro is getting married tomorrow. After that we will discuss what happens", said Solly.
Wedding day
" It was a lovely morning. St. Mary's Church was decorated with white peonies and yellow tulips. Chairs and tables were covered in champagne coloured cloths. A large feast was organized.
Guests were sitting in a large hall inside the church. Women were smiling and sobbing. Men were chattering. As the minister arrived everyone stood up.
Ro stood at the altar flanked by his four friends and brother. His cousins skipped the wedding. Prakriti sat with Dr. Gayatri.Her daughter was sleeping.
The wedding band played. One after another bridesmaids arrived. As the maid of honor Kenny arrived Ros anticipation grew.
Then Grace came. She walked shyly and nervously holding old man Khurana's hand. Ro was floored. She wore a slim blush coloured sleeveless gown with a short net veil. Breathtaking...
" Who present the bride", asked the minister.
" I do", the old man said proudly.
Grace was so happy.
"! Ladies and Gentlemen we are gathered there for heavenly union of Rohit Khurana and Grace Thomas", he was saying.
" IT WILL NOT HAPPEN", boomed a voice.
They all saw a man in his mid 40's moving towards the marital couple. He was tall and distinguished. And Rich..
Grace shrunk a little. Ro froze in anger.
" YOU", his eyes blew fire.
Dominic smirked.
" I believe father if the bride is already married she cannot remarry", he said calmly. Kiara lost it.
" I'll make her a widow right away", she sneered as she rolled her sleeves.
But Raj stopped her. He said,
" No he is right. If she is married he has a legal right".
" Thank you your highness", said Dominic.
" Hold those words for you didn't listen to him properly ", said Maddy.
" He is smirking. He has a legal trick up his sleeve", said Kiara as she relaxed.
" What", asked Dominic to Maddy.
" Prove your marriage ", he said seriously.
Dominic showed photos and a certificate.
" Hmm looks fine", wondered Maddy. " Read aloud the date of marriage".
He read it out.
Maddy looked pleased as a cat who got the cream.
" Are you sure of the date", he asked again.
" Yes", Dominic was irritated.
" That was 6 years before", smirked Maddy.
" So it's still legal. We never divorced", he said.
" She filed for one", argued Kenny.
" We never got it", said Dom.
But Maddy was unbothered.
" Ms Grace Thomas is currently 23 years old. 6 years before she was 17. Now the consenting age for a marriage is 21 in India. She was a minor. So your marriage is void", he said.
" He is a genius ", said Kiara.
" Her father", Dom started.
" Can consent but after she is of age she must consent and till then you cannot consumate the marriage which you did. Now that is rape of a minor. Ohh think of the years I can put you behind the bars", he smiled deviously.
" You", he said.
But Raj now walked between them.
" I gave you a chance. And you couldn't prove anything. It's my friend's wedding. So I spare you. Leave. You don't want me as an enemy", he said menacingly.
Dominic scurried away.
" Sorry for the interruption ladies and gentlemen. Father let's not keep Heavenly Father waiting", he said to the minister.
The minister smiled.
" He bestows his blessings on you future king", he said. Raj bowed in respect and moved back.
" Dr. Rohit Khurana do you take Ms. Grace Thomas as your legally wedded wife", he asked.
" I do", said Ro.
" Ms. Grace Thomas do you take Dr. Rohit khurana as your lawful husband?
" I do", she said.
Raj and Kenny produced the wedding rings.
Ro landed his in Grace's finger boldly. With shaking hands she did too.
" As power vested upon me by God I now declare you both as husband and wife. Till death do us apart", said the minister. " You may now kiss the bride".
Rohit took her in his arms and landed a soft kiss on her lips. Tears flew from Grace's eyes.
Her Lord has given her the world..