5| Mukhtalif

🤍 Tu mile to silsile ho woh shuru

Jo hai khuda ki raza 🤍

"Ye aankhon par bandh lo." Kabir said handing Kiara a piece of cloth.

Tie this on your eyes.

"Hain? Kyu?" Kiara asked in astonishment.

What? Why?

"Sab pata chal jayega. Abhi bandh lo ye." He replied still not letting her know anything.

You'll know everything eventually. For now, tie this.

"Ek to mujhe taiyaar hone ko kaha tumne jabki hum kahi jaa bhi nahi rahe aur ab ye. Chal kya raha hai?" Kiara asked as she put her hands on her waist.

You've already asked me to get dressed although we aren't even going anywhere and now this. What's going on?

"Surprise hai. Abhi palto." Kabir replied and turned her around. He himself tied the cloth around her eyes.

It's a surprise. Now turn.

"Now start walking." He said taking her hand in his.

"Mai gir jaungi." She said as she clutched his hand tightly.

I'll fall.

"Haan, jaise mai girne dunga." He sarcastically said. She smiled at his response but kept walking nonetheless.

As if I'll let you fall.

"Kya kar rahe ho Kabir?" Kaira questioned as she kept a hand on her blindfolded eyes.

What are you doing Kabir?

"Patience, baby." Kabir whispered in her ears. She could feel his heavy breath near her ears and goosebumps appeared on her arms. Kabir placed a light kiss on her neck and grabbed her by her shoulders.

It has been almost a week since Kabir and Kiara landed in Delhi. Kiara has officially been introduced to Kabir's close family members and almost all of them have internally accepted her as their to-be bahu.

Daughter-in-law.

Kiara celebrated Diwali with them and it has been an eventful week to say the least. Their parents have been introduced to each other via FaceTime and they've sort of gelled well together. Luckily none of them are putting any kind of pressure on Kabir or Kiara to officiate the relationship or anything but they are internally expecting something concrete from both of them soon.

"There's a step down ahead." Kabir warned as he guided Kiara towards the place he's taking her to.

After walking a couple of steps, Kabir said, "Ruko. Ruko."

Stop. Stop.

"Ab patti uttar du?" Kiara asked getting slightly impatient now.

Now can I take the blindfold off?

"Yes, baby." Kiara heard him answer.

Kiara carefully took off her blindfold and opened her eyes with furrowed eyebrows. The view in front of her eyes was going to be tattooed in her brain for a life time. Her eyes widened at bit and her lips stretched into a big smile. She gasped for a second and her hands flew to her mouth.

"Yes, of course yes." She exclaimed in joy.

"Can I at least ask first?" Kabir said after a chuckle.

He was on his knee with a box of ring in his hand. The diamond ring sat beautifully in a jade blue box. Shining just a little less brightly than Kiara's eyes.

They were currently standing in the garden at the Malhotra mansion. Kabir couldn't think of a better place for the occasion than this. The place where they first confessed their love for each other, their first rain dance, their deep conversations, their playful banter, their tranquil evenings, this part of the house has been a witness to all of these special moments for the couple and hence it should also be the witness for the moment when these two souls decide to solidify their relationship and officiate their feelings and commitment for each other and this connection between them.

"Okay sorry." Kiara said with a chuckle.

"Kiara Ahuja, you're the most real and grounded person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. If I were to find someone like me, it wouldn't be anyone but you. You are my whole heart, the love of my life and I want to live each of my day proving this to you. Now, if you allow me to, I'd happily spend the rest of my life being called 'your man'. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?" Kabir completed the small speech he had prepared. Only he knows how nervous he was when penning this down.

Kiara's eyes welled at this and she nodded her head in 'yes', enthusiastically.

Kabir took the ring out of the box and grabbed Kiara's hand. He delicately slid the ring onto her finger and placed a kiss on top of her hand.

He got up and Kiara immediately pulled him into a hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head into his chest. To be honest, she wasn't expecting the proposal today at all. This was one of the most happiest surprises of her life. She is hopelessly in love with this man right here. His nature, his patience, his simplicity, his passion, everything she would've ever wanted in a partner is him and even more. She couldn't fathom a life without him by his side and to think that he wants the same is such a delightful feeling. Him wanting to officiate this relationship is what swells her heart with utter joy.

Kabir enclosed her in his arms and tightened his hold on her. Hearing a happy sob escape from her mouth, he chuckled and caressed her hair. He couldn't put in words just how happy he was with Kiara's acceptance of the proposal. He was madly in love with her. Ever since they met eyes with each other, he knew there was something special about her. All of their conversations, their small moments, the silly laughs, the thoughtful gestures and what not. Everything about her screamed home to him. She was his home. Wherever he is in the world, he couldn't wait to return to these pair of arms and to think he gets to be in them for all of the coming years of his life filled his heart with pure sense of contentment.

Both of them pulled away at the same time but still stayed in each other's arms. With their eyes shining and lips smiling, both of them took a quiet peaceful moment to savor what was happening currently. They just got engaged. They just made a commitment to spend the rest of their lives with each other. That's a big step. Scary momentarily but beautiful all the time.

"Congratulations, you guys." Kabir's parents said as they came out of a tree they were previously hiding behind.

"Thank you." The newly engaged couple said in unison. Kiara's voice had a surprised tone. She didn't expect them to be there.

"Welcome to the family Kiara." Mrs. Malhotra said as she walked towards her and gave her a hug.

"Thank you." She said with a shy smile.

"Congratulations darling." Mr. Malhotra side hugged Kiara.

"Thank you uncle." She replied.

"Uncle? Mummy pappa bolne ki aadat aaj se hi daal lo." Mr. Malhotra said with a wide smile. Kiara simply nodded at that.

Uncle? Get into the habit of calling us mom and dad from today itself.

"Mai bhi hu yahan. Thodi mubarakein mujhe bhi de dijeye." Kabir said with his hands on his waist.

I'm here too. Congratulate me as well.

"Congratulations beta." Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra said as both of them hugged their son.

"We even took pretty pictures of both of you." Mrs. Malhotra said as she pulled out her phone and started showing the photos she clicked of Kabir on his knee, him making her wear the ring and the couple hugging.

Memories for a life time.

.

.

.

"Ab sab ready ho to ladka ladki ko bulalein?" Mrs. Malhotra said once everyone in the living room took their respective seats.

Now if everything is ready, shall we call the couple?

It was the day for the couple to officially get engaged.

Kabir and Kiara flew back to Mumbai the very next day of the proposal. They visited Kiara's parents and let them know about the happy news. Both the families decided to have the ceremony as soon as possible and once they talked to the family pandit, they locked in a date. The nearest one fell on the following month and so now both the families and just immediate relatives are gathered in the Malhotra mansion for the engagement ceremony.

Priest

It was a low-key ceremony with just 45-50 people in attendance, just how both of them wanted it to be. Everyone was so happy for the couple. They were surprised at first when they got the news. Their relationship was private and hence no one had any hint about it.

"Kabir, Kiara, aa bhi jao." Mrs. Ahuja said and finally both of them entered the room hand-in-hand.

Come on now.

They were made to be seated on the central couch. Kabir's cousin was clicking pictures of the couple and the ceremony.

Both the mothers handed them their respective rings. Kiara didn't want a new one so she asked Kabir to make her wear the same ring he proposed her with. It was Tiffany and Co. oval shaped diamond which was seated on a slim diamond band. It suited her so much which was the reason Kabir chose this particular design in the first place.

"Ladka pehle ring pehnata hai." Mrs. Malhotra instructed her son.

The groom goes first.

Kabir extended his hand for Kiara. She softly placed hers in his and gave him a smile. Kabir slid the ring on her finger without breaking their eye contact. Once done, he kissed her hand and all the relatives hooted for them. Kiara looked down as a layer of blush quoted her cheeks. She was wearing minimal makeup and her natural skin was quite visible. Everyone noticed her blush like a quintessential sharmili dulhan to-be.

Coy bride

"Ab tumhari bari." Mrs. Ahuja said to her daughter.

Now it's your turn.

Kiara held his hand in hers and slid the ring onto his finger. Kabir intertwined their fingers and kissed the back of her hand once again. Everyone clapped for the couple.

"Bhaiya, bhabi, smile for the photos." Kabir's cousin said.

Brother, sister-in-law.

He stood in front of the couple and clicked loads of photos. After the photo shoot which lasted for good 20 minutes was done, everyone sat down for dinner.

"Here's to Kabir and Kiara," Mr. Malhotra said as he raised his glass of champagne. Everyone took their glasses of beverages and drank to the couple.

"Kabir and Kiara!"

~ Kiara's ring ~

~ x ~

So, they're engaged!