Chapter 42

Naina was curled up on her bed, a soft blanket wrapped around her, her head resting against the wall as she stared at Meera and Ananya sitting cross-legged on the floor of her room. The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the walls, but Naina's thoughts were anything but calm.

Meera leaned forward, her tone playful yet serious. "Naina, are you even listening to us? Ayaan practically moved mountains for you yesterday, and you're sitting here pretending like it's no big deal?"

Naina looked away, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. "I know, okay? I know he cares. It's not like I don't see it."

Ananya smirked, nudging Meera. "See? She admits it. Progress!"

"Shut up," Naina muttered, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.

Meera wasn't letting her off the hook. "Naina, come on. The way he rushed you to the hospital, stayed all night, called your mom this morning... If that's not enough proof that he's serious about you, then what is? What more does the guy need to do?"

Naina sighed, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "It's not about him. It's about me. I've just... I've spent so long shutting myself off from people, convincing myself that no one could really like me that way. It's hard to suddenly believe it."

Ananya softened, scooting closer. "But Naina, it's Ayaan. He's not just anyone. He's been proving himself over and over again, hasn't he? Yesterday was just another example."

Before Naina could respond, her mother walked in, holding a glass of water. Her eyes were warm but filled with concern. "What are you three whispering about?" she asked, sitting down on the edge of Naina's bed.

Meera and Ananya exchanged knowing smiles and stayed quiet. Naina sat up straighter, avoiding her mother's gaze.

Her mom didn't miss a beat. She placed the glass on the bedside table and took Naina's hand in hers. "I know what this is about," she said softly.

"Mom, I—" Naina started, but her mom cut her off gently.

"No, let me finish," her mother said, her voice firm but kind. "Naina, I know you've built these walls around yourself, and I understand why. But sometimes, you have to let someone in. And Ayaan... He's not like the others. Yesterday, he risked everything to get you to the hospital. Do you know how fast he drove? He didn't care about anything except getting you help."

Naina's throat tightened, her eyes starting to sting.

Her mom continued, her tone filled with quiet conviction. "He hasn't slept a wink since yesterday. He called me three times this morning just to ask if you were okay. And do you know what else? He asked me to make you chai with ginger because he said that's how you like it. I didn't even know that about you, but he did." She chuckled slightly, with the girls.

Naina's chest tightened, her mother's words hitting her like a tidal wave.

Her mom squeezed her hand. "He's a good man, Naina. If you let him go, you'll regret it. This isn't a phase for him. No boy who thought it was a phase would have stayed all night at the hospital, or brought food for your dad and me. He's serious about you, and I think you know that."

A tear slipped down Naina's cheek, and she quickly wiped it away.

"Think about it, beta," her mom said gently, brushing Naina's hair back. "Don't let fear hold you back from something beautiful."

Her mother stood, giving Naina a comforting pat on the shoulder before leaving the room. Meera and Ananya stayed quiet for a moment, watching Naina process everything.

Meera finally broke the silence. "So, what are you going to do?"

Naina took a deep breath, her voice shaky but resolute. "I don't know... but I can't keep pretending this doesn't mean anything to me. I think I need to talk to him."

~•~

That evening, Naina called Ayaan. Her voice was soft but steady when she asked him to come over. He agreed without hesitation, showing up at her building in record time.

"Where are we going?" he asked as she climbed into his car, dressed in a simple sweatshirt and jeans.

She smiled faintly. "You'll see."

Ayaan raised an eyebrow but didn't push, instead focusing on driving. He noticed she seemed lighter, less burdened, and it made his heart soar.

They ended up at their favorite chai stall, and Ayaan made sure she had something to eat. "Finish all of it," he said, watching her closely. "No arguments."

She laughed softly, her heart warming at his concern. "Yes, sir," she teased, taking another bite.

As they sipped their chai, Naina reached into her bag and pulled out a small box. She placed it on the table in front of him, her fingers trembling slightly.

"What's this?" Ayaan asked, looking at her curiously.

"Open it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He did, revealing a simple masculine bracelet with an "N" pendant. His eyes widened in surprise.

"It came as a set, I got it on Valentine's Day. I didn't have a Valentine but I liked the necklace so I kept the male bracelet away, " she explained, touching the necklace she wore with a matching pendant. "I've been wearing mine for a while, but... I want you to have this. I didn't realize it was meant for you. Because I want you, Ayaan."

Ayaan's breath hitched, his heart racing. "Naina..."

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with emotion. "I've been scared, but I don't want to be anymore. I know you mean it when you say this isn't a phase, and I'm ready to believe you."

Ayaan couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face. "Wait here," he said suddenly, standing up and pulling her along.

"Where are we going?" she asked, laughing as he led her to his car.

"You'll see," he said, echoing her words from earlier.

They ended up at their university auditorium, the place where they'd shared their first kiss. Ayaan led her to the stage, his hands warm against hers.

He got down on one knee, pulling out a small velvet box. "Naina," he began, his voice filled with warmth. "This is where you first kissed me, and it only feels right to ask you this here."

Her breath caught in her throat as he opened the box, revealing a simple silver ring.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of hope and affection.

She laughed, tears streaming down her face. "Will you always make me eat properly?" she asked teasingly.

"Only if you promise to force me to study for exams," he shot back, grinning.

"Deal," she said, smiling through her tears.

Ayaan slipped the ring onto her finger before standing and pulling her into his arms. "You have no idea how happy you've made me," he murmured against her hair.

Naina smiled, holding him close. She admired the ring on her finger, a teasing grin spread across her face. She looked up at Ayaan, raising an eyebrow. "Wait a second... where did you even get this ring? And how long have you had it?"

Ayaan scratched the back of his neck, chuckling nervously. "Well... uh... I may or may not have bought it this morning."

Naina's jaw dropped. "What?!"

"I was going to ask you out today," he admitted, his cheeks slightly flushed. "After seeing you in the hospital yesterday, I got scared, Naina. I realized I couldn't wait anymore. Life's too unpredictable, and I didn't want to waste another second not letting you know how much you mean to me."

Her heart melted at his words, but she couldn't resist teasing him. "So, let me get this straight. You decided to casually propose this huge question right after a chai break?"

Ayaan laughed, pulling her closer by the waist. "Technically, it wasn't casual. I brought you here to make it special. Plus," he added with a wink, "I knew you wouldn't be able to say no after the ginger chai."

She playfully smacked his arm, her laughter filling the empty auditorium. "You're impossible, Ayaan."

"And you're mine now," he said, his voice dropping to a soft, affectionate tone. "That's all that matters."

Naina's teasing expression softened, her heart swelling as she gazed into his warm brown eyes. "Yeah," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I am."

Ayaan leaned in slowly, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Can I kiss you again?" he murmured, his lips curving into a small smile.

"You're so dramatic!" she teased, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"And you're not like anyone else," he whispered, echoing the words he'd said during their first kiss.

She smiled softly, her eyes fluttering shut as their lips met in a slow, tender kiss. It was sweet and unhurried, filled with all the emotions they'd been holding back for so long.

When they finally pulled apart, Ayaan rested his forehead against hers, his smile mirroring hers.

"You know," Naina said breathlessly, "I think I could get used to this."

He chuckled, his voice warm with affection. "Good, because I'm not going anywhere."

Hand in hand, they walked out of the auditorium into the cool night air, the world around them feeling brighter and fuller than ever before. For the first time, Naina felt completely at ease, knowing she had someone who wouldn't just stand by her side but fight to stay there.

And for Ayaan, there was no doubt in his mind—he'd found exactly what he'd been looking for all along.

🩵