16.

Mira's POV

"Why didn’t he come today?" I murmur to myself, unable to focus on my work. Abhiraj didn’t come to the office today and I don’t know why. I’m sitting at my desk, flipping through some files but my mind keeps going back to him.

The way he proposed to me last night... It still feels unreal. I never expected something like that from him. It’s hard to believe that ASR....a man like him...would propose to an ordinary girl like me.

To be honest I’m scared. We come from completely different worlds. Will I be able to give him the love he deserves? And will he be able to love me the way I need?

"Ouch!" I hiss as something hard hits my back. I turn to find Jiya glaring at me arms crossed.

"What?" I ask rubbing the sore spot while frowning at her.

"You’re always lost in your thoughts!" she complains pouting. "I called you so many times but you never pay attention!"

I chuckle and pinch her cheek. "I’m sorry babe."

She doesn't look convinced as she zips up her bag. My brows furrow in confusion. "Why are you packing your bag?"

Jiya gives me a deadpan look. "Miss Rao look at the time."

I glance at the clock and....oh. Our work hours are over. I grin sheepishly and quickly start gathering my things.

As we walk out of the office building, she sighs dramatically. "You know I was thinking… where will I live when you get married?"

"You’ll live with me obviously" I reply without hesitation. "And besides, you’re also getting married to Dev Malhotra in the future aren’t you?"

She gives me a doubtful look.

"Be positive, yaar" I nudge her playfully. "I know he feels something for you."

She nods but I know she doesn’t believe me.

We continue chatting, making weekend plans and soon reach our apartment building. Just as we’re about to enter, a group of society ladies step in our way, blocking our path.

"Where do you both work?" one of them asks looking at us with clear disapproval.

"In RAJVANSH Empire" I reply confidently.

Their eyes widen slightly but they quickly mask their reaction, pretending to act normal.

"Oh I see" another woman smirks. "So that’s why you girls are trapping rich men huh?"

My blood boils. Trapping rich men? What does she mean by that?!

"Excuse me?" Jiya snaps her jaw clenched as she struggles to control her anger. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"We’re not talking nonsense" the woman says smugly. "We saw you and your friend last night in that alley, talking to some men. We couldn’t see their faces but judging by their clothes, they were obviously rich."

I stare at her in disgust.

"So what? Who we talk to or what we do is our business. It’s our life!" I say loudly my hands balling into fists.

They glare at us but their expressions turn even nastier.

"Oh right. You girls are orphans, after all." The woman’s tone is dripping with fake sympathy. "No wonder you trap wealthy men to pay your expenses. Who knows what else you two do? No one has seen what happens behind closed doors."

My vision turns red with fury.

"Mind your tongue!" I snap my voice sharp with anger. My heart pounds in my chest as I glare at the woman. "And you say we trap rich men? Have you ever looked at your own daughter? She throws herself at every guy in the street! Did we ever say anything about that huh?" I shout my rage boiling over.

The woman grits her teeth, her eyes burning with fury.

"And as for what we do with those men, that’s for us to decide! But your son? He takes money from cheap girls wastes your money in fancy clubs, and oh let’s not forget your husband is just as much of a flirt!" Jiya shouts

Their mouths snap shut. They have no reply now.

"You both have messed with the wrong people. Just wait and see what we do to you" one of the women threatens, giving us a final glare before they turn and leave.

Jiya and I exchange glances and the moment we step inside our apartment, we burst out laughing. The tension from earlier vanishes in an instant.

"They are always like this" Jiya says between her laughs holding her stomach. "They have nothing better to do than poke their noses into other people’s business!"

I shake my head still chuckling. "No one says anything to them because they are so called ‘rich people’"

"Their expressions were priceless!" Jiya laughs harder. "That woman needed a lesson like this!"

But something clicks inside my mind and my smile fades.

"But Jiya… this is what everyone will think when they find out about my relationship with Abhiraj" I say my voice quieter now.

Jiya's expression turns serious in an instant.

"Are you kidding me Mira?" she says folding her arms. "Yes we are orphans but we are not gold diggers! We earned everything we have with our own hard work. You met Abhiraj just a month ago. Before that, weren’t we managing everything on our own?"

I nod slowly knowing she’s right but my heart still feels heavy.

"And if you dare overthink this nonsense society talk, I swear I will kill you!" she threatens her eyes narrowing.

I gulp and nod quickly, scared of her anger.

"Good! Now go freshen up" she says flipping her hair. "And you are making dinner today because I’m too tired"

I sigh. "Fine"

She grins and lazily nods. I shake my head with a small smile and walk into my bedroom...only to freeze in shock.

"What… is this?" I whisper stepping inside.

The room feels different. My eyes land on a beautiful dress placed on a mannequin, the soft fabric shimmering under the lights.

"Jiya… who…?" I turn around my voice barely above a whisper, only to find Jiya standing at the door with a huge smile on her face. Her eyes shine with happiness...for me.

"My jiju did this!" she announces proudly. "Now go and get ready fast!"

I blink at her in shock. "How…?"

Jiya sighs dramatically. "Uff Mira! He arranged everything while we were at the office!" she explains rolling her eyes.

I nod still in disbelief. My fingers lightly touch the fabric of the dress. It’s so elegant… so beautiful… so perfect.

"But… where are we going?" I ask turning to her.

Jiya smirks and raises her fist. "Get ready fast or....."

I sprint into the bathroom before she can finish her sentence.

As I stand under the warm water, my heart races. Is he going to propose to me? Will he ask me to be his girlfriend or… his wife?

I don’t care. As long as it’s him, I’m ready for anything. Because… someday or another I have to get married. So why not now?

Wait. Mira aren’t you thinking too much? I shake my head groaning. Ugh! I’ll die from this suspense!

After getting dressed I step out of my room and find Jiya staring at me with her mouth wide open.

"Oh. My. Goodness!" she exclaims dramatically. "Where is my Mira and who are you?!"

I laugh, shaking my head.

She rushes toward me and gently runs her hands around my face, taking off the evil eye.

"I hope you get all the happiness in this world" she says softly, her voice filled with emotion.

I smile and silently pray the same for her.

"Let's go, or we will get late" Jiya says already stepping forward.

I grab her hand, stopping her. "You'll wear this?" I ask looking at her dress.

She cups my cheeks gently, her eyes soft. "I already changed, Mira. Tonight is your night. I want you to look the best. Forget about me" she says with a small smile.

I feel tears sting my eyes but I blink them away and nod.

She holds my hand and we step out of the apartment together. The cool night air greets us as soon as we exit the building. A sleek black car is parked outside, waiting for us.

The driver immediately steps out and opens the door. We slide inside.

"Where are we going?" I ask turning to Jiya. She ignores me completely.

"Just a few minutes ma'am. We will reach soon" the driver says politely. I nod.

"Stop asking again and again and just enjoy the princess treatment babe" Jiya teases nudging me.

I sigh but nod again resting my hands on my lap. The car moves smoothly through the streets. My heart is racing, excitement bubbling inside me. Where are we going? What is happening tonight?

After a few minutes Jiya suddenly takes something out of her bag. I turn to her and freeze.

A blindfold.

"What?!" I say my eyes widening.

She hushes me with a finger on her lips. "No questions"

Before I can protest she carefully ties the blindfold over my eyes. I sigh knowing there’s no use arguing with her.

The car stops.

"Did we reach?" I ask gripping Jiya’s hand.

"Yes we did" she says. "Now sit still. I’ll take you out. And don't remove the blindfold!"

I nod my fingers twitching in anticipation. My side door opens and I feel it.

A strong hand slips under mine holding me gently but firmly. A familiar touch. A touch that makes my breath hitch.

"Abhiraj" I whisper my heart racing.

"Yes my queen" he replies his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

Oh. My. God.

I can die right now. He called me his queen! He carefully helps me step out of the car his grip secure on my hand.

"Where are we?" I ask my voice coming out softer than I intend.

His grip tightens slightly. "Just wait a little sweetheart" he murmurs.

Sweetheart.

The way he says it... I'm melting.

I walk beside him feeling his warmth so close to me. The night air is cool but my skin feels warm...because of him.

"Why didn’t you come to the office today?" I ask trying to sound casual. He doesn’t answer immediately. His fingers twitch slightly in mine.

"you missed me?" he asks his voice low.

I shake my head quickly. "No I was missing my baby Zar" I say teasing him.

I hear him scoff. "Hmph" I grin.

"Okay now you can remove the blindfold" he finally says.

I don’t waste a second. My fingers quickly pull the fabric away from my eyes.

Wow.

The word falls from my lips before I can stop it. I am standing outside his mansion.

But not just like that. The entire place is decorated with fairy lights.

The warm golden glow makes everything look magical. Simple. Beautiful. Exactly how I love things.

I take a step forward, my eyes scanning the scene. To the side, I see over 200 of his mafia men standing in a perfect line, completely still.

I keep walking, my heart pounding. My eyes land on Zar. My lips immediately curl into a smile.

"You are looking so cute" I say bending down slightly to kiss the tip of his nose. My adorable baby.

Zar lets out a small happy sound and I grin, patting his head. A familiar voice calls my name.

"Mira"

I turn around. And freeze. Abhiraj is on his knee. My heartbeat is thundering.

Abhiraj looks deep into my eyes, his gaze filled with emotions I can’t even describe. Then, in a voice so raw and real he speaks....

"Mira Rao this Abhiraj Singh Rajvansh is crazy for you. I want you to give me a chance to be your partner.

I hold my breath, my heart pounding.

"I don’t know how to propose in a way that you’ll accept me. I had no one to teach me these things. I want to learn everything from you. I want you to teach me how to live life. I want to feel how blessed it is to be loved by someone.

His voice trembles slightly but his grip on the ring box remains firm.

"Please accept me and make me the luckiest man in the universe."

Tears well up in my eyes. I can’t believe this is happening.

Abhiraj takes a deep breath and speaks again, his voice filled with longing.

"I don’t know when or how but I started craving you. I want you close to me....closer than my own soul. And now, I know one thing for sure.....I will never let you go. Please Mira Rao, accept me and be mine. Will you become Zar's mother?"

His words hit straight to my heart. How can a man so powerful, so fearless, speak with so much sincerity?

I don’t even get the chance to reply when suddenly....

"Say yes Bhabhi!"

The deep voices of his mafia men erupt like thunder, echoing through the night sky. The sound is so loud, so strong that I feel the air vibrate around me. I look around at them. their faces serious yet hopeful.

I chuckle feeling overwhelmed by the love they have for their boss.

I turn back to Abhiraj. His eyes are locked on mine, waiting. So many emotions swirl in those dark eyes hope, nervousness, desperation, love.

I take a deep breath, controlling my tears.

"Yes. I’ll be yours, Abhiraj Singh Rajvansh." The moment I say those words I see it.

Relief.

It washes over his face, his eyes softening as he carefully slides a beautiful ring onto my finger.

His hands slightly shake as if he still can’t believe this is real.

Before he can react, I pull him up and throw my arms around him, holding him as tightly as I can.

"I love you, Abhiraj" I whisper my voice shaky with emotions.

His arms immediately wrap around me pulling me closer.

"I’m yours" he murmurs, his voice deep, firm and full of promise.

We hold onto each other, lost in the moment, until we hear familiar voices.

"Congratulations!"

Jiya and Dev.

We break the hug and Jiya immediately pulls me into her arms, hugging me so tightly that I can’t help but laugh.

"Congratulations, my soon-to-be Bhabhi" Dev teases winking at me. I smile at him.

Then Dev looks down at Zar, smirking. "And congratulations Zar! You got your mother!"

Zar immediately jumps around, wagging his tail excitedly before rushing to me. He looks up at me with his big, happy eyes, as if asking for confirmation.

I kneel down and pet his head. "Yes baby. You have me now" I whisper kissing his forehead.

Zar lets out a happy sound and snuggles closer to me.

"Let’s celebrate our new couple!" Dev suddenly shouts.

The mafia men cheer loudly, their voices filling the air. They start moving towards the garden area, where everything is already set up for the celebration.

Abhiraj grabs my hand, holding it tightly, like he never wants to let go.

I look up at him, my heart still racing. This man. This moment. It all feels unreal.

"Thank you so much for all this" I whisper, squeezing his hand.

He shakes his head, his eyes soft. "No, Mira. Thank you for accepting me. I know this proposal was too simple… I don’t know any other way. Please forgive me if it wasn’t enough."

I look at him my heart aching. He really thinks this wasn’t enough?

I shake my head smiling. "Abhiraj this proposal is something I couldn’t even imagine. Our loved ones are here. The way your men stood by you supporting you… I can’t express how beautiful that was. This proposal is out of this world. Because you’re here. And they’re here. That’s all that matters"

His lips curl into a smile, his fingers gently brushing over my knuckles.

"I have many things to talk to you about,m" he says his voice low. "But after dinner."

I nod and we start walking towards the dining area.

The tables are already set decorated beautifully. The mafia men are seated, eating, looking… normal. Like a big family.

Abhiraj pulls out a chair for me. I sit down, murmuring a small "Thank you."

Just as we are about to start dinner......A car screeches to a stop in front of the mansion.

The doors swing open and A woman steps out......

Second update at 11 PM ❤️🌎.