2026

It was their one of the Sunday dates where they were returning from the river front line bike. Krit had requested him to bring a bike to make it more romantic. And it was indeed Romantic as the dawn had settled making gentle breezes flow.

Out of the blue rain started, not the gentle rain but downpour. Both of them were drenched to their bones. Due to heavy rain Aarav wasn't able to drive properly so they stopped the bike under a tree nearby.

Kriti's white top became translucent, making her look more enticing, the gentle curve of her breasts making him want to lose control. Self control at its peak, he gave her his hoodie.

They stood quietly for a while then Kriti said, " I want to say something ".

"Go ahead", Aarav said.

She didn't mean to say it but the words just escaped and she said in a whispered voice, "I love you". Her voice held vulnerability and fear. She was afraid of his reaction.

A sudden silence followed , then he said, " I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time too. You are the person I have loved since my childhood. You are the air that I wish to breathe and without you I can't live. I love you". He drew her into him. His arms encircled her waist. A world unfolded between their eyes.

Kriti stood on her toes and her lips met his. They had kissed numerous times but this one held profound sense of sweetness and new beginnings for them. It might not be the start of their stor story but it did set a benchmark in their journey. They hesitantly broke apart. They were appeased with their confessions.

"Mujhse shaadi karogi?", he asked nonchalantly.

(Will you marry me?)

"Aache se pucchega toh karungi", she replied.

(If you ask nicely then I might say yes)

He got down on one knee, holding her hand he said, "Tujhse bahut pyar karta hu main. Tere bina zindagi mein koi maza nahi hai, jeene ki asha nahi hai, mein ye keh sakta hu kyuki mein raha ho teen saal tere bina. Ab aur doori bardaasht nahi hogi, please mere se shaadi karle, meri Dobi" .

By the time he completed it, she was a crying mess, but his mess nonetheless.

( I love you . Without you my life isn't worth living, I can say that because I've survived thre ears without you and I can not tolerate this distance anymore, please say yes)

"Karungi mein tujhse shaadi", she said.

(I'll marry you)

They decided that the next day they'd tell their parents about their relationship. On an early

Monday morning Aarav sat down for breakfast with his parents when without giving a warning he said, "I am in a relationship ".

His Mom, Roopali said, " Who is this? What does she do? Is she Gujarati? What is gotra?"

Her questions came to a stop when his Dad, Hiten, said, " When are we meeting her?" He knew his son wouldn't talk about some girl unless he was serious about her.

"I'll ask her and let you know", Aarav said. Relief flashing.

Meanwhile at Patels place Kriti was as nervous as a cat on a hot tin. At the dining table while the whole family arrived for breakfast where Kriti was already present, setting the table. Everyone took their respective seats. Her behavior seemed utterly suspicious to her parents but they let her be.

After some time when the conversation was floating around politics she abruptly said, "I want to hare something ".

"What is it that you want to share?", her dad, Kalpesh asked.

She was fidgety with her hands, eyes cast low when she said, " I have a boyfriend ".

Two minutes of silence followed. Her uncle, Kaushal asked, "What is his name?"

Before she could answer Siya left the table and ran across the living room in the direction of th athroom. Krunal with everyone followed her. She came out of the bathroom after a few minutes.

"Are you okay?", Krunal asked.

"It's probably the pani puri from last night", she said, dismissing his doubts.

"Come on, let's have breakfast ", Kriti's mom, Palak said.

"Beta tu theek che ne?", Kriti's chachi, Sangita added concerningly.

(Are you really okay?)

"Haa mummy barobar che", Siya replied.

(It's okay)

As everyone sat down once again her dad said, " I want to meet that boy".

"I'll tell him and let you know but when you'll meet him you'll not interrogate him", she sternly said.

"Why should I not interrogate? If he likes my daughter then why can't he answer a few questions", Kalpesh said.

Kriti didn't reply and let it be known that if she took Aarav's side her dad would start a lecture on how boys mistreat girls and it would go on and on for quite a while and she wouldn't win over him.

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