June 20th, 2038.

The evening was chilly, a little windy, but otherwise sunny and perfect: standard for San Francisco in the summer.

Aarush was sitting in the back seat of a cab, wearing a kurta. Next to him was his uncle Karthik, also wearing a kurta, and Karthik’s wife Gracy, in a lightweight silk-cotton sari. Arun was in the front, and he too was in a kurta. Aarush was excited, though a little anxious after finally hearing the story of the twins last night. However, he was more anxious about a surprising phone call he’d received after the story ended.

The cab pulled up on Bay St and the party of four got down. Aarush marvelled at the massive Greco-Roman rotunda of the Palace of Fine Arts, reflected on the pristine waters of the pond in front of it. Incredible, Aarush thought. His aunts couldn’t have found a more picturesque place to tie the knot.

The group walked over to the rotunda, under which rows of chairs had been set up. At the front was a platform decorated with marigolds and pink carnations, surrounded by pillars with silk streamers tied to them. At the back was a violinist, apparently playing a classical rendition of the old track “Ride on a White Train” by Klubbingman.

Aarush looked around. He saw a small group of Mexicans already seated on some of the chairs, who he knew to be Elena’s family from New York. On another side was Amit, his wife, and their daughter, who Karthik and Gracy went over to greet. The other guests were an interesting mix of techies, tattooed skater-punks, gamer geeks, and flamboyant fashion types. Aarush overheard Karthik mentioning that Shyam didn’t make it because he couldn’t get a visa.



About an hour later the sun began to set, and everyone had settled down. Aarush was seated next to his grandfather, and Tippy the dog had inexplicably ended up on his lap. A short, middle-aged, mixed-race woman wearing glasses and a sari then appeared on the platform.

“Good evening and welcome, to one and all. My name is Valerie, and I have been chosen to officiate this ceremony. Now, this is neither a religious ceremony, nor is it a traditional one, rather, a ceremony that celebrates the greatest power in the universe: love and love alone.”

“Wait, is that–” said Aarush, intrigued by her soothing voice.

“Yup,” said Arun, taken completely by surprise. “That’s Rani’s old English teacher!”
 
“And now,” said Valerie. “Please stand for our ladies of the hour.”

Everyone stood up. Elena entered from the left, wearing an off-white dress with a floral headpiece. Rani entered from the right, wearing a soft-pink silk sari and jasmine in her hair. Both women, still radiant in their early 40s, met at the platform and grinned at each other.

“They both look so beautiful,” whispered Aarush, as they sat back down. Arun smiled.

“This is happiness, Aarush. In its purest form.”

“Rani and Elena,” said Valerie. “Please recite your vows.”

The couple held hands.

“Elena,” said Rani. “For the last 23 years I have done nothing but love you for who you are, and I promise to continue loving you for who you are for as long as we live. You’re so funny and clever and sweet and you’re… you’re my everything!”

Rani fanned herself as she started tearing up. Elena giggled.

“I love you for your smarts, your insane levels of determination, and that you’re just, well, really nice! But most of all, I love you for your fire. Time and time again I’ve watched you fight for us, and I promise to help you fight for us for as long as I live. I mean, we don’t know what could happen in the near future but whenever it is that my life ends we’re gonna be together so, so it’s okay.”

Rani shook her head and laughed.

“Never change, Elena.”

Elena grinned. Valerie cleared her throat.

“Rani Shivaram, do you take this woman to be your wife?”

Rani smiled.

“Yes.”

“Elena Rosa Rodríguez, do take this woman to be your wife?”

Elena giggled.

“Oh yeah.”

“Then,” said Valerie. “By the power of love and light, I now pronounce you… married!”

The guests’ applause reverberated around the dome as the newlyweds kissed, glowing from the golden-hour light. Aarush couldn’t help but make a big, happy smile. But then out of the corner of his eye he spotted someone watching from the entrance, someone familiar…

“I’ll be back Thatha,” said Aarush, carrying Tippy with him. Arun looked to see where he was going, and his eyes widened with shock.

“Huh??”



One by one the various guests got onto the platform to congratulate the newlyweds. Rani and Elena readied themselves to leave after who they thought was the last one, but then a 42-year-old Indian man hesitantly got onto the platform. He was tan-skinned, of average height, wearing a light-blue kurta, and resembled Rani’s father.

“H-hey, Rani. Elena.”

Rani looked at him with surprise and suspicion, but also intrigue. Elena was more shocked than suspicious.

“Ravi.”

“C-congrats.”

Rani furled her eyebrows.

“I didn’t see you sitting among the other guests.”

“Y-yeah, I, uh…”

Ravi rubbed the back of his head.

“I was standing over there, near the entrance.”

Both twins stared at each other awkwardly. What do you even say, after nearly a decade of silence?

“So, um, about what I… what I said that night–”

Rani held her hand up and shook her head. Then she slowly smiled.

“I’m glad you could make it… bro.”

Ravi slowly but awkwardly smiled back.

“I wasn’t gonna miss my twin sister’s wedding.”

“And you got rid of the mustache!” said Rani. Ravi rubbed his now clean-shaven face with his fingers.

“Oh, yeah, it was about time, I think. It was actually really ugly, I can’t believe I stuck to it for so long!”

“And Mom didn't say anything...?”

Ravi looked a little nervous.

“Well, she doesn't exactly know... yet.”

Rani raised an eyebrow, then made a little chuckle.

“You little rebel!”

Both twins laughed, then reached out for a hug. Standing behind Ravi she found Aarush holding Tippy, and next to him was Aditi.

“Thank you,” mouthed Rani, tearing up. Aditi smiled and gave a little bow.

Then, another figure appeared next to them. Both twins turned their heads.

“Dad,” they both said, at the same time. Arun was on the verge of tears.

“I– You—”

The sun was now fully set. Arun started crying.

 “Come here, both of you.”

Arun bear-hugged both of his children.