"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The church erupted into applause as Samuel leaned in and kissed Rhea, which led to a sigh of relief by the guests. Cheers and whistles filled the grand hall, the sound filling the room like an orchestra of joy. I clapped along with everyone else, my heart filled with joy for my best friend, knowing this was the start of a beautiful new chapter in her life. She looked radiant, glowing with happiness, and for a moment, I forgot my nerves.

But only for a moment.

Because now, it was time for the speeches.

As the maid of honor, I was up first, and my stomach twisted with anxiety. I took a deep breath, grabbing the microphone as I rose from my seat, walked towards the podium. The room was filled with awaiting faces, all waiting for me to say something meaningful, funny, and memorable. No pressure, right? 

I stood over the podium, cleared my throat and smiled at Rhea. "Where should I start from...Actually, I am not that good in speeches, speeches are not at all my cup of tea, that's why I never took part in any speech competition in school, because my speech-making skills are as bad as Tanya's baking skills." The room laughed, easing some of the tension in my chest. I looked around and saw Tanya, she looked pissed.

"Sorry, Tanya, for making that comment...now let's get back to the newlyweds...I've known Rhea for years, and if there's one thing I can say for sure, it's that when she loves someone, she loves them wholeheartedly. So, Samuel, that means you're stuck with her. Forever. No excuses."

More laughter. Good. I am doing okay. I guess.

"I know how annoying Rhea is in everything, I literally grew up with her, I saw her everything, her stubbornness, her pouty-baby face, her sleeping-in-history-class face, her tantrums when she is drunk and what not...I can go on and on about her, but I don't want my best friend to kill me right after my speech because her that face is really horrifying." I added while chuckling awkwardly.

"Well, on a serious note," I continued, "seeing Rhea this happy is everything. She's found someone who not only loves her but respects and supports her. And that's rare. So, Samuel, just know that if you ever hurt her, you'll have to deal with me first. And I may be small, but I fight dirty."

The guests laughed again, and I saw Rhea shake her head fondly. "But in all honesty, I couldn't have imagined a better person for my best friend. You both complete each other in ways that make it clear—this was meant to be. So, let's raise our glasses for Rhea and Samuel—may your life together be filled with love, laughter, and just the right amount of ridiculously cute moments. Love you, Rhea."

Applause followed, and I exhaled in relief as I sat back on my seat. Speech done. Crisis prevented.

Tanya was up next. She strode up to the podium, giving me a pointed look as if silently plotting her revenge for the baking joke. I smirked at her, and she rolled her eyes before turning to the audience with a confident smile. "Alright, first of all, I'd like to say that Navya's speech was decent...for someone who thinks my baking is a crime against humanity. But moving on!"

The guests laughed, I chuckled and gave her a thumbs-up for the comeback. Tanya began her speech by sharing funny stories about Rhea's college mishaps and drama. Everyone laughed, and some felt a little emotional too. Watching her, I felt a wave of gratitude—we were all here, celebrating Rhea, and that was what mattered most.

After the speeches, it was time for the cake cutting. The tall white and gold wedding cake stood in the center of the reception hall, a masterpiece of light sugar flowers and 4 elegant tiers. Rhea and Samuel stood together, hands intertwined around the silver knife as the guests gathered around, phones ready to capture the moment.

Samuel whispered something in Rhea's ear, and she nodded, grinning.

They sliced through the cake, laughter bubbling between them as cheers erupted. A small smear of frosting ended up on Rhea's nose, and Samuel chuckled before kissing it away, earning more delighted reactions from the crowd. Cameras flashed all around them as the paparazzi captured every moment—of course, it was the wedding of a rich brat like Samuel, and the media wouldn't miss this spectacle for anything.

I smiled, watching them, feeling nothing but happiness for my best friend. This was her moment, her perfect day, and I was honored to be a part of it.

As the cake cutting ended, the dance floor was opened up. The grand ballroom, bathed in the warm glow of chandeliers, seemed to glow with the energy of celebration. The newlyweds took the first dance, swaying gracefully as the soft melody of Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez filled the room. Their movements were effortless, their eyes locked as if they were the only two people in the room. 

Guests watched with adoration, some already pairing up for their turn, while others captured the moment on their phones. The scent of fresh flowers and vanilla cake lingered in the air, blending with the faint clinking of champagne glasses and murmured conversations.

I, however, found ease near the food table, grabbing a slice of cake and taking quick bites. The sweetness dissolved on my tongue as I glanced at Rhea and Samuel, twirling together in the center of the dance floor. They looked so in love, and I was genuinely happy for them.

As I wiped my hands and mouth with tissues, the dance floor slowly filled with couples swaying to the music, lost in their own little worlds. The atmosphere hummed with warmth and joy, laughter blending seamlessly with the soft hum of conversation. The scent of vanilla and fresh roses remained in the air, mixing with the faint hint of champagne. I let out a content sigh, soaking in the moment, when suddenly, I heard a deep manly voice beside me.

"Um... hey."

I turned my head toward the voice.

And just like that, the night took an unexpected turn.