Chapter 4: 🦋 Four • Proposal And Paroxysm 🦋

It was the night of full moon. A party was going on in the Agnihotri Mansion to celebrate the newest partnership between Jashn Agnihotri and Sameep Anand.

Miraya was dressed in a sleeveless white dress with a cowl neck and a fishtail hem. The purple pendent dangling around her neck was the highlight. She looked like an angel. Not innocent, but still an angel.

Shashank was staring at her in wonder and curiosity while sipping on the glass of whiskey. He looked down at the amethyst ring in his hand. A shiny purple amethyst gemstone resting proudly on a rose gold ring.

“Is this really a coincidence or Miraya is very much confident that I'll propose her tonight?” He mumbled to himself.

“Shashu Bhai, why would Mira Di wear an amethyst pendent when she is fond of sapphires? Amethyst is your favorite gemstone so you should be wearing it instead.” Ansh expressed his doubt to his cousin. And somehow his words made a lot sense to Shashank.

“She knows.” Shashank smiled.

“She knows what?” Ansh asked in curiosity.

“Just pull out your phone and record the proposal.” Shashank patted his shoulder and walked away.

“Proposal?” Ansh was confused but soon he understood what Shashank meant when he saw him heading towards Miraya. His paternal cousin was going to propose his maternal cousin. He quickly pulled out his phone and began recording the scene.

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Miraya was standing in the centre of the hall, under the golden chandelier. When she saw Shashank walking towards her, she understood that the amethyst pendent did it's job. Amethyst was his favorite gem and she was damn sure the ring will have amethyst too.

He was standing three steps away from her. The crowd of guests looked at them with curiousity. The family members got excited when they saw Shashank bending on his one knee. Miraya couldn't hide her smile.

“Miraya, I know we have been sworn enemies since childhood. I know I annoy you. I know many a times you have murdered me in your head. But something has changed between us. I unknowingly fell in love with you. So, Miraya Yaduvanshi, will you marry me?” He pulled out the ring from his pocket.

Miraya was over the moon. Her bright smile already told her answer to everyone. She was about to say yes but... her attention momentarily distracted to the entrance. Because she felt as if she saw her. Her real mother. The smile on her face began to fade away as she saw her. She had a aged gracefully it seemed. A golden saree, diamond jewelry, and a sleek bun.

Shashank stood up when he saw the sudden change in her demeanor. Her bright smile was replaced by a look full of hatred.

“Miraya, are you alright?” He asked her.

She didn't reply. She was too stunned to react or even comprehend what was happening with her. A tear slipped down her cheek as the nightmare flashed in front of her eyes over and over again. She was not mistaken. She couldn't be. That face was fresh in her memories as if she was abandoned in front of the orphanage just yesterday. That lady was her mother. The woman who abandoned her. The woman she kept hating for last twenty four years. The woman she wanted to destroy.

Her vision became blurry and all she could remember was falling into Shashank's arms before darkness embraced her.

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It was a peaceful afternoon when Miraya's eyes blinked open. Even though she was surrounded by calmness, yet her heart felt heavy with hate. Miraya found this feeling quite strange. Accepting Shashank's love took her a lot of thinking. It was a well-thought action. However, hate came to her before she could even think it over if it was worth digging the old graves. She didn't want to be blinded by hate yet she ended up doing the same.

“Miraya.”

Her trail of thoughts was broken by the voice of her mother.

“Maa.”

Naintara ran to her side and kissed her forehead, “You scared us, Miraya. What happened to you?” She asked.

Miraya smiled softly, hiding her bitter emotions, and replied with a chuckle, “I think my level of excitement exceeded it's limit and messed up my system.”

“Poor Shashank was scared to death. He was shivering.” Naintara grimaced.

“I know, I know, he must be shocked. Maa, can you please invite him and his parents over dinner? I'll help you with cooking.” Miraya suggested with a newfound excitement.

“Hmm, I will.” Naintara agreed.

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Miraya's future mother-in-law Ruhani Agnihotri was a gifted cook. A simple Dal cooked by her could give competition to the food served in Michelin star restaurants. Miraya had made her mind to impress her with her food.

“Mira, do you really think you can beat Ruhani's cooking?” Naintara asked her daughter who was struggling to turn the stove on.

Miraya passed her a sheepish smile, “Every effort counts, Maa. At least, I can try.”

Naintara shook her head and turned on the stove for her daughter whose expertise was limited to laws and lawsuits. Her culinary skills were non-existent. But she hadn't realized it yet. Maybe Miraya will realize that by the evening when she burns down the entire kitchen.

“Okay, what do you want to cook?” Naintara asked Miraya.

“Umm... Fish Curry, Rice, and Fish Croquettes.”

“Miraya, do you even know how to cook fish curry and fish croquettes?” Her mother asked her. Because she definitely she didn't know how to cook them.

“No, I don't. But we have YouTube. I'll learn it immediately. You send someone to get fish.” Miraya smiled cheekily. She knew she was taking trouble for no reason but she wanted to do it. Maybe to distract herself for some time.

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Miraya's mouth watered at the sight of the food she didn't cook. Well, she was determined to cook the food. But the sizzling oil in the deep frying fan scared her. She was afraid she will ended up burning her hand if she continued. So she let her mother take the reins, I mean, the ladle.

“Maa, can I eat a little bit of everything before guests arrive?” Miraya requested with a puppy face.

“No, you can't. Go to your room and change into something decent.”

Miraya left the kitchen with a pout on her face.

She entered her closet and began looking for a decent outfit for the dinner. A dress would be considered too much for a normal dinner. But wearing her regular pajamas will make her look like an idiot. So she chose a peach tracksuit that she never felt like wearing before. It was comfortable but elegant.

After changing into the tracksuit, she freed her hair from the messy bun and tied them in a neat ponytail. Miraya looked at her reflection in the mirror with a satisfied grin before heading downstairs.

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The dining room was adorned with the warm glow of candlelight. Miraya took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of excitement within her. As the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of Shashank and his parents, she greeted them with a composed smile.

Ruhani shared a hug with Miraya and Nainatara while while Shashank and Jodhbir shook hands with Rudraksh.

The guests were taken to the dining table. The table was set with a variety of dishes, a mix of Naintara's culinary expertise and Miraya's attempt at contributing. Shashank couldn't help but notice Miraya's choice of outfit, refreshingly different from her usual attire.

As dinner began, the room filled with laughter as the parents began gossiping about their relatives. Miraya's heart, however, was playing a different tune as she sat across from Shashank, stealing glances that didn't go unnoticed by him.

The menu had a delightful array of dishes — aromatic Fish Curry, perfectly cooked Rice, and crispy Fish Croquettes. Shashank being a foodie didn't shy away from taking the second serving. Miraya found the scene very cute.

"Miraya, this Fish Curry is exceptional. Did you cook this?" Shashank inquired, genuinely impressed.

Miraya shot a quick glance towards her mother, who subtly nodded with a proud smile. "Well, I might have had a little help," Miraya admitted, earning a chuckle from the guests.

As the evening progressed, their parents sat down in the living room to chat while having Gulab Jamuns in dessert. Miraya was waiting when Shashank will finish the desert. But that idiot was currently on his third bowl. She couldn't wait anymore.

“Mom, Dad, Uncle, Aunty, can we go upstairs for a while?” She asked, making Shashank raise his eyes in surprise. He wanted to eat more Gulab Jamuns. But before he could word that out, Miraya already held his arm and took him upstairs.

As soon as they entered her bedroom, she let out her frustration.

“You are such a glutton.”

“Did you bring me here to taunt me?” He frowned.

“No, I want that ring. The amethyst one.” She told him, more like ordered him.

“But I don't want to give you that ring anymore. I-” It took her just a second to grab his collar.

“What do you mean you don't want to give me the ring? You proposed me with that ring before I fainted. It belongs to me now.” She told him in a threatening tone.

“Miraya, sweetheart, let me complete my sentence. I want to give you that ring on our engagement.”

All of a sudden, her menacing avatar faded away and she again smiled at him softly. Though she already terrified him with her possessiveness.

“Oh! I'm sorry, Shashank.” She apologized with a sheepish smile while adjusting his collar.

“I'll take my leave.” He mumbled while walking away. But she held his wrist, “I'm sorry, Shashank.” And she apologized again thinking he was angry.

“Miraya, I'm going downstairs to eat more Gulab Jamuns.” He clarified.

Miraya couldn't help but have second thoughts on her decision to accept his proposal. She let go of his wrist.

Looking at her face, Shashank asked, “Do you want Gulab Jamuns too?”

She sighed. His mind couldn't move further from Gulab Jamuns. How could he look this muscular when he ate like a pig. Does he take pills to stay fit?

She shook her head and declined the offer. Shashank quietly walked out of the room.

Miraya muttered under her breath, “I'll have to compete with Gulab Jamuns to get his attention. I hate Gulab Jamuns from today onwards!”

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Miraya's look on the party

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