Mariana Zapata Read-a-thon: Wait for It starting March 27th

[Aiswrya]

So, I kinda cheated and read all the way through chapter 19 hehe. I just couldn't put the book down! I'll just say very generic things about what I like. First, I love how far they have come in their friendship. Especially during the softball games, on texts, at each others' homes. It's adorable!

I hated that scene in the car after Sal's doctor's appointment. I sincerely dislike people who say whatever shit they want and blame it on being angry and not being to control their words. Like, what are you? 5? I swear if this dude does this again, he would no longer be my book boy friend lol

I know none of you have read this yet but I LOVE THAT SCENE IN SAL'S BEDROOM!!! "Eyes up here, Taco!" **swoooon**

[Nikitha]

Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 1-6

Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anything but the basic story. I love MZ but not all..."
Haha yess, Rajni fans are quite intense. My favourite movie of his will always be Padayappa!

[Nikitha]

Jans wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Jans wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 1-6

Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anythi..."

I thought we had mentioned it in one of our earlier buddy reads!
We're the only readers in the family actually and everybody else hates it when we start talking about books- especially our siblings 😂

[Nikitha]

So I saw the Taco thing too and it made me pause for a moment but then like Jans said Sal brushed it off so I guess I did too. Kulti doesn't seem to bothered either.
But I remember what you're talking about Aishu because I was also very surprised it was there- Sal says she wants to tell Kulti to suck a dick and she hopes he chokes on it, if I'm not wrong.

[Nikitha]

Also is no one else joining the Buddy Read?

[Nikitha]

Chapters 7-12
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I feel like when I was reading that I had a lot I wanted to mention but nothing is coming to my mind right now. A lot of stuff happened in these chapters and I love how their relationship is progressing. The car rides were really fun to read about and I was cringing so much when Kulti tries to pay her.

The soccer aspect is also really great. Usually in sports romances the sports part gets so technical and its usually American football or hockey neither of which I have any knowledge about so I tend to skim but in this one I want to know everything. I loved the scene in which he tries and scores the first time but Jenny stops it and everybody is sort of freaking out but they don't want to say anything xD

I have a doubt- In the scene in which Sal and Kulti talk to the team manager, that Cordero guy, he mentions something about Sal not being a team player before, something about her wanting to leave her family out of it. Is this thing already introduced or is it just being set up? I feel like I missed something!

One thing I felt was a little annoying was that Sal is kind of obsessed with doing the right thing all the time. Like all the small things about not leaving when there's equipment lying around, answering when someone asks for the time and you don't have a watch- I just felt like it was coming off like she's too perfect which bothers me a little. What do you guys think?

But I'm so excited to read the next set especially since they're actually talking and hanging out now. I'm probably going to start right away!
Also wow, I managed to find things to talk about xD
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[Aiswrya]

Nikitha wrote: "I have a doubt- In the scene in which Sal and Kulti talk to the team manager, that Cordero guy, he mentions something about Sal not being a team player before, something about her wanting to leave her family out of it. Is this thing already introduced or is it just being set up? I feel like I missed something!"

I was confused too. I thought it was either about the fiasco with the national team or something else happened and they're setting stage.

Nikitha wrote: "One thing I felt was a little annoying was that Sal is kind of obsessed with doing the right thing all the time. Like all the small things about not leaving when there's equipment lying around, answering when someone asks for the time and you don't have a watch- I just felt like it was coming off like she's too perfect which bothers me a little. What do you guys think?"

I don't think so since Sal has many character flaws (literally everything I've bitched about). I still think she's a pushover. But she's a genuine, nice person. And I think that's from the way she was raised. When she talks to her dad about how Kulti snubs him at the opening game, he asks her to forgive him for not knowing better. So really, I just think she's very nice.

[Aiswrya]

I can't wait for their first kiss!! It's taking forever to get there!!!

[J]

Aiswrya wrote: "Jans wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "I’m so surprised that none of us has mentioned the serial racist remarks in the book so far!"

Yeah, I saw that but because the characters themselves enjoyed it and did..."

Yeah, I get what you mean.

[Aiswrya]

You guys! I just finished the book. I couldn’t help myself. I’ve been a terrible buddy reader with this book 😂

[Nikitha]

Chapter 16- Kulti tending to Sal's wounds. Oh goshh the tension I LOVE IT

[Aiswrya]

Nikitha wrote: "Chapter 16- Kulti tending to Sal's wounds. Oh goshh the tension I LOVE IT"

“I didn’t peg you as the kind to be shy” 😍

[J]

Nikitha wrote: "Chapter 16- Kulti tending to Sal's wounds. Oh goshh the tension I LOVE IT"

Yeah, and the way he came for her defense. It was cute considering he broke her brother's leg.

[J]

Aiswrya wrote: "You guys! I just finished the book. I couldn’t help myself. I’ve been a terrible buddy reader with this book 😂"

Seriously?

I began noticing that pushover part in these chapters, when she literally asks for forgiveness every single time. I kinda get where she comes from, and I think the author wrote an arc to resolve it, but as a reader it gets a bit irritating as we are reading her inner-monologue too much.

[J]

Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 7-12

I feel like when I was reading that I had a lot I wanted to mention but nothing is coming to my mind right now. A lot of stuff happened in these chapters and I love how their relatio..."

I kinda blame the writing. Because certain things we do because it just gets ingrained into us. Like, we wouldn't bother to mention it all the time. Like, once I was asked if I could help to arrange a hall, and just did without putting even effort into thought. And once a girl fell from her bike, and I took her to hospital. And it wouldn't even cross my mind of the effort I had put. The way Sal does it, makes me feel like, she doesn't want to but has to put a lot of extra effort to be nice.

The problem with putting effort into being nice is, we start expecting some gratitude in return, and generally, no one gives attention to being nice. And in a long run, it will start becoming so tiresome and exhausting, if we go out of our way to help someone and they become an ass.

But I think the writing was that way. I think the author simply wanted to tell that she is a nice girl.

[Nikitha]

Oh ya Jans that makes a lot of sense actually. The author is drawing a lot of attention to the good deeds she does which normally would just be something people do in passing

[J]

Chapter 13- 18:

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All of a sudden, I feel these few chapters were less impressive than the first two sets. Probably, because I feel the Wall of Winnipeg vibes, and partly because there were a few more telling than showing. Like resolving the attraction to older men by letting Kulti watch a DVD. It felt plot-wise, something is done for the sake of doing.

I knew this must be an arc, but Sal trying to justify her 'friendship' to her manager, was my most hated moment. She didn't need Kulti to save her day, she should have at least, at a point realized how she should have set boundaries clearly.

Apart from that, their moments playing softball, and taking her to a doctor, and each slowly confronting their issues were slow-burn. And the best-friend confrontation was really sad and heart-touching, as it came from Kulti.

Overall, I enjoyed it.

(hide spoiler)]

[Majstor]

Something came up at uni so I'm just starting today. I will try to catch up today.

[Aiswrya]

Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 7-12

I feel like when I was reading that I had a lot I wanted to mention but nothing is coming to my mind right now. A lot of stuff happened in these chapters and I love h..."

Oooh that’s actually a great observation! I agree that’s probably why her behavior felt off

[Aiswrya]

Nikitha wrote: "Oh ya Jans that makes a lot of sense actually. The author is drawing a lot of attention to the good deeds she does which normally would just be something people do in passing"

I think this mainly to create a contrast between Kulti and Sal and show she’ll always be the exception when it comes to him being kind or affectionate

[Aiswrya]

Jans wrote: "Chapter 13- 18:



All of a sudden, I feel these few chapters were less impressive than the first two sets. Probably, because I feel the Wall of Winnipeg vibes, and partly because there were a few ..."

Yeah I wasn’t a fun of that moment at Cordero’s office either. There are several points in the story where Sal gives everything up for someone else. It’s makes me literally want to pull words out of her mouth and spit it out! She’s a tiger in her mind and the world’s biggest chicken in real life! At least Van walks out on Aiden after the dinner roll comment!

[Aiswrya]

Majstor wrote: "Something came up at uni so I'm just starting today. I will try to catch up today."

Np :) happy reading!

[Aiswrya]

Did you guys get to the chapter in Sal’s bedroom? I need to talk about it more!

[Nikitha]

I didn't get my quota of reading done today! I had a busy day but I'll catch up tomorrow for sure, maybe even try to finish it

[Nikitha]

I finally read the bedroom scene!

[Nikitha]

Ok so I'm upto chapter 20 and I'm just going to post a few of my favourite moments
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Kulti in the dollar shop and Kulti using a lawn mower was so precious. I just wanted to hug him at those moments.

The bedroom scene is so GREAT! Eyes up here Taco/ eyes up her pretzelface 🤣 slowly the sexual tension is starting to simmer and I love it.

I feel like they're finally talking and properly getting to know each other now. Before this it was mostly them going off of each other's expressions or body language which is still there but they're finally communicating.
I don't see the pushover thing as much as you guys, I still see a lot of her being extra nice but maybe they're kind of the same thing? Idk

The only thing that felt off to me- Kulti saying that Sal is his best friend. I just feel like they hadn't developed their relationship that much for them to be best friends, the trip to her house happens only after that and till that point they really hadn't connected at the level that they do after that and idk I just thought that was a bit weird. But then again, Kulti being who he is probably has no friends and he really does think that Sal is his best friend because she makes an effort. That's sweet and sad.

That's all I have to say for now. I'm really going to try and finish the book by today!
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[Nikitha]

I'M DONE!
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It was a 4 star read for me. I loved the book, the writing, the story and the characters. It was so wholesome, it really makes me feel like if I want something enough and I'm willing to put in the effort for it, nothing is impossible. I think the story progressed very realistically when it came to the soccer part of it and how Sal faced so much trouble and hate for her relationship with Kulti. If all had ended up happy, then the story wouldn't have that much impact.

My only complaints are- I wish we could have known more about Kulti. Everything we were told felt surface level, except for his feelings for Sal so it was hard to connect with him as a person or with his story.

Secondly, the reason I gave this book 4 stars in my first read was that in the end when Sal confesses her childhood crush to Kulti and it turns out that he has not only known all this time but that he kept her letter through the years was just too out of reach for me. I felt like that moment was too fairy tale and not in sync with the rest of the story at all so it was a let down. The moment in itself was adorable but it just didn't fit according to me.

Otherwise I loved the book. To pull off a successful slow burn, the wait should be worth it and the end should be explosive. It only works for some characters and stories and it has to be written exceptionally well. This is one such book and I'll definitely read it again sometime!
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[Nikitha]

Aishu we can finally discuss all the good scenes

[Aiswrya]

Oh yayyy!! So, I agree when you say it would have been great to know a little more about Kulti. But, that's a problem in all single POV stories. We only ever get to know one character. Honestly, my favorite writing style is in the third person, omniscient. Single POV in the third person is my least favorite!

The other thing doesn't bother me at all. Like I said, fate and destiny and shit :P

Alright, my favorite scenes, in no particular order:
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When she injures her ribs while playing softball and Kulti checks her ribs out at the parking lot. I feel like this is the first time there was any sort of attraction between them, especially from Kulti's side. And he calls her schneke for the first time 💕

The next day, when he asks her if she ever wears pants!! LOL! And figures out she likes older men! I think this is the first time he imagines himself having a relationship with her

When they go to Austin, and Kulti says "He's wearing a wedding ring" when he catches her checking out Dex 😂

The bedroooom!! When he says Sal's ex-boyfriend looks like an idiot. So cute! And the "Eyes up here, Taco!" moment. Although, I think it's really weird that she even got out of her clothes in the bedroom while he was asleep. Who would even do that! That was unrealistic

When Kulti hugs Sal's dad 🥺

When he gets stupid jealous over Sal spending time with Franz! And then asks her if being in a relationship with him is truly so distasteful. "Do you not find me attractive, is that it?" LOL that entire chapter is great!

I can keep going but I'm going to give you guys a chance to add to the list :D
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[Nikitha]

Aiswrya wrote: "Oh yayyy!! So, I agree when you say it would have been great to know a little more about Kulti. But, that's a problem in all single POV stories. We only ever get to know one character. Honestly, my favorite writing style is in the third person, omniscient. Single POV in the third person is my least favorite!"

Yeah I get that but I feel in Wowam even though we only ever read it from Van's POV, I also felt very connected to Aiden. I don't know if its because the characters already knew each other before the start of the story or because it was a fake marriage/live in the same house plot that they spent more time together, I just felt like it was better. I know that I shouldn't compare but its hard not to.
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Aiswrya wrote: "The bedroooom!! When he says Sal's ex-boyfriend looks like an idiot. So cute! And the "Eyes up here, Taco!" moment. Although, I think it's really weird that she even got out of her clothes in the bedroom while he was asleep. Who would even do that! That was unrealistic"

I loved this scene a lot too but even I was definitely thinking it was weird that she took off her clothes like that. But the weirder part is she does it again the next day 😂

Aiswrya wrote: "When he gets stupid jealous over Sal spending time with Franz! And then asks her if being in a relationship with him is truly so distasteful. "Do you not find me attractive, is that it?" LOL that entire chapter is great!"

Omg yes!! Honestly how Sal didn't clue in at this time that he liked her back is a mystery. But my favourite part with his jealousy is when he tells her that he would have practiced with her at any time if she had just asked him. I felt like he was thinking that playing together was their thing and suddenly she was just doing it with someone else.

My favourite scenes are:

This one really melted my heart- Its the first time Kulti hugs Sal at the kids camp when he brings the shoes. Before he hugs her, he'll punch her in the arm but she won't return it so he'll take her arm and punch himself with it and I just went AWWW

When he asks her if the freckles go everywhere!! I loved that.

Kulti watching the semi finals with Sal's parents was also so cute. And honestly, I loved that till the end Sal's dad never becomes normal with Kulti and just start treating him like some other person. It was true to his character and again, super realistic because how many of us can just be ok with a super star celebrity person became part of our family suddenly?

I wish we could have seen more of Eric and maybe a final scene with Jenny and Harlow! Also the epilogue was tooo short :(
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[Nikitha]

(view spoiler)[
Oh also when she breaks down crying in his bathroom and he'll try and comfort her and he'll say schneke in the most affectionate voice, I felt like I could hear it.

ALSO how could I forget the snippet of the interview in the end? He's a great penetrator ahaha, I had no recollection of this but it was soo funny.
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[Aiswrya]

(view spoiler)[
Shit yes!! That interview was EPIC! I almost died laughing!

And yeah that bathroom scene was so cute. And when he blots her tears but is too rough because he's never done it with anyone else!

Yeah, the first time he hugs her back is adorable! And when Sal hugs Franz for a second too long, Kulti grumbles in the background and Franz calls him territorial. She still doesn't clue in at that point. How dumb of her!

I have sooooo many more favorites:
Their first kiss! I love MZ's first kiss scenes. She makes it all about the affection and love rather than the sex another favorite is the scene at Coldero's office when Kulti tells Sal that he would do anything for her, including sitting a game out! That was so sweet when Kulti wouldn't miss a game for anything!

Alright, I'm going to wait for the others to add to the list now :D

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[J]

I only finished till 22 chapter. I will try to finish the book by tomorrow and join in the discussion.

[marcela]

hiii! I read last year three of her books, which was From Lukov with Love (my fav!!! Ivan is everything I want), The Wall of Winning and Me (my fav too) and Under Locke (I didn't like this one so much). I wanna read Kulti so bad, but it's not available in kindle unlimited :((( I will start reading Wait for It and Hands Down next month I think.

what I really love about her books is the slow burn + enemies to love lol and how strong her heroines are! and all the characters development... this is really something else (hi aiden graves). I'm so happy to found other people who likes her books!! :))

[marcela]

actually I reread this three books a few weeks ago, I really loveee her books haha ❤️

[Aiswrya]

marcela wrote: "actually I reread this three books a few weeks ago, I really loveee her books haha ❤️"

That's awesome! I feel the same way about Wall of Winni and Lukov! Under locke was awful. I DNF'ed it at 40% and read the epilogue lol. Dex was such a bad person! I liked Luna and the Lie too, even though it sounds like I'm in the minority here!

We'll probably read Wait for It in March too! Feel free to join us if you'd like to chat more about the book :) I read this book 4-5 years ago so I don't remember anything about it!

[Aiswrya]

Jans wrote: "I only finished till 22 chapter. I will try to finish the book by tomorrow and join in the discussion."

No rush! Niki and I cheated lol

[Aiswrya]

Guys! I want to add another book to our non-MZ section - Protecting What's Mine

This was such a sweet read! Are you guys interested?

[marcela]

Aiswrya wrote: "marcela wrote: "actually I reread this three books a few weeks ago, I really loveee her books haha ❤️"

That's awesome! I feel the same way about Wall of Winni and Lukov! Under locke was awful. I D..."

yesss! he was so rude and possessive, I didn't like him at all. ok!!! I will enjoy, this is going to be so cool haha thanks :)

[Nikitha]

marcela wrote: "hiii! I read last year three of her books, which was From Lukov with Love (my fav!!! Ivan is everything I want), The Wall of Winning and Me (my fav too) and Under Locke (I didn't like this one so m..."

I feel the same way! Wait for it was extremely sweet but I didn't enjoy Hands Down too much. Hope you like it though!

[Nikitha]

Aiswrya wrote: "Guys! I want to add another book to our non-MZ section - Protecting What's Mine

This was such a sweet read! Are you guys interested?"

Sure! I haven't read it but I don't mind.
What do you guys think about adding The Witness?
I read it a few years ago and it was amazing. Its long and I think a slow burn but I enjoyed it!

[Aiswrya]

Ooh I’ve rated this book 5 stars! I remember it quite well. I don’t mind reading it again!

I think we should add some MMs to the mix!

[Nikitha]

Yes, I don't mind! But just one thing- No closeted ones. They are not my cup of tea

[Aiswrya]

Oh for sure! I’m game for anything. Fantasy works too. We’ve never done a fantasy buddy read!

[J]

You both have listed all awesome moments and pretty much I enjoyed a certain spark in this book.

I will list down my musings on an overall interesting plot.

- The interview which we had only heard about was such a blast. I laughed. Really laughed. When Kulti accompanies Sal's father's birthday dinner and the girls made an adult-remark, I laughed then too. Zapata was excellent in showing us the humor and be a part of her characters to enjoy.

- There were moments when I stood with Sal when she experienced pain and disappointment. Like, when her career was crumbling, and Franz lets her know she was to be let go, the pain she undergoes was super realistic. It felt like a personal pain. Another moment was when Sal becomes really afraid of moving teams for her own best. This has happened to me, and I remembered how much I was scared of such a change. This was so well captured.

- As a slow burn, the author made a great effort to show the growing relationship, step by step. Right from asking for a lift, or Sal helping Kulti to escape from a crazy fan by asking to change tire, or Kulti losing all shots in the net, and how Sal brings him into her life to make it better. It was like a stone by stone established relationship. They had both good, bad, and remarkable moments. It was beautifully written.

- Overall, a well-written dynamic woman POV.

[J]

As to the things I didn't like.

It is, at best, my personal musing, but there was literally a time I felt something was wrong in the duo. And this started right after the 19+ chapters when their 'friendly' relationship started becoming news gossip.

In my understanding, there is a reason why coaches or anyone senior with the position of power should not involve in a relationship with their juniors. Not because the junior would sleep their way to rise to power. On the contrary, the one in power can literally do anything to mess the livelihood of the junior.

This is what irked me in this book. The power-imbalance in their relationship and how oblivious Sal was to it or actually how the author decided to deal with it.

Sal needn't apologize for being 'friendly', but surely that was not just friendship. It seemed Sal was trying to fool herself, so she wouldn't really feel disappointed when Kulti leaves her. Or more importantly that Sal doesn't want to be that person, who slept their way through. So, she keeps clinging to that 'friend' word more than necessary.

I am not a fan of that angle, and I certainly didn't enjoy it when Sal pretended that it was fine to cling on the 'friend' tag. More than everything, Kulti must be the responsible party here, as he is the one who can flip the life of Sal if he wanted to, but the author decided to not indulge in his feelings about it, or in my understanding, Kulti wouldn't give a crap about it.

Later on, it kinda gets messy, because Sal was indeed facing a career-ending situation, where she either had to continue being with Kulti or her passion.

The thing was, I didn't see if Kulti really gelled with her to take risks in her passion. I know Sal is strong. No doubt. But there is a big ass part of her that still worships him because he was the hero she fell in love with. And, that hero-worshipping, along with her acknowledgement of her feelings for him, which was at best, helping a hot stray-dog, kinda made me feel, the chemistry is still not there, and they should've taken more time.

And then the consequences and implications in Kulti's later confirmation. He tells her he would quit anything and everything for her. It came off like a person, who was clinging on their partner, rather than something that came as a part of love, because he keeps repeating, "this is it", "this is forever", and not once, Sal feels it, rather accepts it as the only way to survive because she couldn't clearly see anything better.

Maybe I am making a big deal out of it, but Kulti did grow as a clingy, and co-dependent person, as their relationship progressed. I kinda also felt, Sal's choices were already closed, other than to get along with Kulti.

Finally, of course, writing could have been improvised as a POV, and as Aish mentioned it came like an omniscient narrator and that made less difference between Ven/Sal, and Kulti/Aiden. They seem to merge together at various points.

[J]

Aiswrya wrote: "Jans wrote: "Chapter 13- 18:



All of a sudden, I feel these few chapters were less impressive than the first two sets. Probably, because I feel the Wall of Winnipeg vibes, and partly because ther..."

True! I thought there would be an arc, where she would learn to stand up for herself, and not even once she does it. I can get her, but because this is a romance genre and she isn't even acknowledging her issues, I don't like the way it was dealt.

[J]

Nikitha wrote: "I'M DONE!

It was a 4 star read for me. I loved the book, the writing, the story and the characters. It was so wholesome, it really makes me feel like if I want something enough and I'm willing to..."

Nice review, Nikita. Even I wasn't a huge fan of Kulti basically uprooting life because Sal was the best players he had known. Or than coincidentally her letter was something that had motivated him. It was quite a cliche, and makes Kulti a less stronger personality.

[J]

marcela wrote: "hiii! I read last year three of her books, which was From Lukov with Love (my fav!!! Ivan is everything I want), The Wall of Winning and Me (my fav too) and Under Locke (I didn't like this one so m..."

Yeah, I think we can give amazing credits for the author creating female-characters who are fighters.

[Aiswrya]

Jans wrote: "As to the things I didn't like.

It is, at best, my personal musing, but there was literally a time I felt something was wrong in the duo. And this started right after the 19+ chapters when their '..."

I actually disagree with that. I think both Kulti and Sal have always been aware of how anything more than friendship would be highly negatively impact Sal’s career. Kulti mentions it numerous times when he says he hasn’t forgotten that he’s her coach or he wants to wait until after the season before they have a true relationship. Sal also says over and over how she could die tomorrow knowing she did nothing wrong. The gossip was just gossip at that point. People will always think what they want, and we need to pick and choose who we let influence/ affect us. Sal does a fantastic job of ignoring the gossip even though she’s mildly hurt by it. It would have been infinitely worse for her justify her friendship to her teammates.

I also disagree when you say Kulti was trying to hold on to Sal by making all those forever comments. Instead, I’d look at it as someone who has never been in a committed, monogamous relationship, letting Sal know he would never stray. That she would be his forever! I think it takes Sal a while to believe him due to all those reasons she mentions to her Dad after the semi finals. It’s just her being in denial and then accepting the truth and taking the plunge rather than resigning herself to be with Kulti due to lack of options.

Thoughts?