"Congratulations!" I grin, handing over the flowers. Her hands brush past mine as she holds the roses, smiling down at the white ribbon that ties the huddle together.

"Thank you so much!" She says, letting her eyes meet mine as I smile larger to keep up the facade. Her hazel eyes sparkle brighter than they usually do, perhaps because of her floor length peach dress and a permanent smile on her face.

"I'm gald you like it," I reply, brushing past her as I enter the reception. Her heels click on the marble floor as she walks along with me. My eyes automatically move to her left hand, wondering how long it'll take for her engagement to be over.

How long will it take for me to wipe this fake smile off my face? Or to get out of this tight suit as I greet people I've known for years? How much longer until I can walk to my car, successful with today? We pause at the table where piles of food lie as I watch over people dancing and laughing.

The music is faint to the ears as people talk and chat. A piano is playing in the corner of the stage where thousands of petals lie on the floor. Almost everyone seems to be lost in their own thing.

She clears her throat next to me, starting to speak. "Hey - I'm really gald you came today. I know it must be hard with your-"

"It's fine," I interrupt her, not wanting to hear the usual 'I'm sorry.' She purses her pink lips together, frowning at what else she can say. When she realizes there's nothing to say, she leaves to talk to other people.

I automatically turn towards the food table all though my mind isn't on the food or what I can eat. As normal, my hand moves to my wedding band, twisting it around.

"Sadhil?" Aadhya asked, snapping her fingers at my face. I grabbed her slim fingers automatically, lacing my fingers with her as she laughed. A small smile appeared on my face as she laughed, I couldn't help it. Her laugh was contagious.

"What where you saying about that friend?" Aadhya questioned, smiling innocently. I doubted she knew which 'friend' this was.

"Well," I started off, swinging our hands together as she laughed. "Him and his girlfriend love each other a lot and he doesn't want to ruin that. Every time, he thinks it's a good time to pop the question, he gets too nervous. What should he do?"

"Stop being a wimp and ask her. She obviously loves this guy, she'll probably say yes," Aadhya answered, making eye contanct with me as my heart did a back flip. Her eyes were beyond beautiful, every single time I look in them, I can't help but to remember every moment we've spent together.

"Are you sure she'll say yes?" I asked again, trying to sound as neutral as possible. She nodded, letting her hair fall out of her last minute bun. A sigh had esacped her lips as soon as she realizes her bun fell but she made no indication to fix it.

The last rays of sunlight poured on her brown hair, making it seem lighter than usual. It was six in the afternoon and I decided to surprise her with a walk around a park. She told me to wait outside, as she quickly wore a simple white dress with along with her usual  gold necklace around her neck.

"You're acting like you're this guy," she said, looking down to our shoes. We had stopped walking and now we're facing each other. Her mint green shoes were touching my black shoes. Autumn leaves were swirling around our feet. I finally got the courage to look up into her eyes instead of her shoes.

My heart seemed to be running away from me at that moment but I decide to ignore it as I kneel down to one knee. I couldn't bring out the box properly, instead fumbling as I tried to open it.

"Will you marry me?" My heart was still pounding as I looked up to see Aadhya with her hands out in front of me. I take it, raising a eyebrow as she nodded. The ring easily fitted her hand, the diamond looking as if it was meant to be a part of her. Aadhya held my bare hand, pulling me up as she wrapped her arms around me.

"I love you," she said, almost as if she was out of breath and these were her last words. My lips finally melted into a smile as my nerves fall away.

"I love you too," I replid as a smile appears on my face. I meant every syllable of that sentence.

I shake the memory out of my head, letting my eyes focus on the wedding banner that hung over the stage. It looks cheap compared to the rest of the stage which was coated in petals which has the perfect shade of white to contrast with it.

Alia and Amar. It's simple, written in gold across sliver. Alia has been my co worker for what feels like years now and we've been okay friends. Amar and Alia. Their names sound perfect together, almost perfect.

Too bad someone has to ruin that.

□

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- Maya