[33]

Two months had passed…

Vidhi and Ved had finally completed their final exams, and now, they were on a flight, heading back to their respective homes. The stress of exams was behind them, but an unfamiliar weight lingered in their hearts—one they weren’t quite ready to acknowledge.

Vidhan, on the other hand, remained in Bangalore, caught up in his office work.

Vidhi sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the endless expanse of white clouds outside. A deep sigh escaped her lips as her thoughts drifted to Vidhan. The ache of distance settled in, making her long for his presence even more.

A few seats away, Ved sat in silence, his eyes also lost in the view beyond the window. Yet, his mind was far from the scenery before him. Instead, it was consumed by thoughts of her—Aarohi.

"I don't know why, but this feeling is something new, something I have never experienced before. I never imagined that I would feel something like this… for her… for Aarohi." His fingers clenched slightly against the armrest as realization weighed down on him.

The soft hum of the engines did little to distract him from the unfamiliar emotions swirling within. The mere thought of leaving her behind felt unsettling, an ache blooming in his chest—a sensation he had never encountered before.

"Tumse dur jaana… it's, it's aching my heart," Ved mused, his expression clouded with unspoken sorrow.

He exhaled sharply, frustration creeping in as he struggled to understand the storm of emotions raging inside him.

"What is this? Why am I feeling like this?" he questioned himself, yet no answer came.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t piece together the depth of this connection, couldn’t put into words the emotions entangling his heart. Everything felt overwhelming, confusing, and utterly unfamiliar.

Lost in this turmoil, time slipped by unnoticed. Before he knew it, the plane had landed. The moment their feet touched the ground, reality settled in once more. Without exchanging a word, both Vidhi and Ved walked away, each taking their own path, carrying with them emotions they weren’t yet ready to confront.

*******************

Two Weeks Later…

Rishit sat in his office cabin, focused on the documents before him, when his phone suddenly rang. His eyes flickered to the screen, and he noticed the caller ID—Maa.

A slight crease formed between his brows as he picked up the call. Before he could say anything, a soft yet urgent voice greeted him from the other end.

"Come back, Rishit, as soon as possible," Meera’s voice carried an urgency that immediately put him on alert.

His grip on the phone tightened. "But why, Maa?" he asked, his brows furrowing deeper in confusion.

"Tu aao, then I will tell you," Meera replied, her tone firm yet cryptic. Without giving him a chance to ask more, she disconnected the call.

Rishit stared at his phone for a moment, baffled. What could be so important that she refused to say it over the call?

Meanwhile, Meera sighed, placing the phone aside for a brief moment before picking it up again. She quickly typed a message:

"I told them to come back, but what is it that you want to talk to us about?"

She hit send, directing the message to Vidhan.

Almost immediately, a reply popped up on her screen.

"Rishit aur Vaani aa jaaye, aunty, then I will tell you."

Meera exhaled sharply, a mix of curiosity and concern filling her mind. She typed back a simple "Okay," before setting the phone aside, deciding not to overthink until they were all together.

Meanwhile…

Rishit was still staring at his phone, lost in thought. The sudden urgency of the call, the abrupt disconnection—it all made him uneasy.

Finally, he glanced up at Kartik, who was seated across from him, watching him with mild curiosity.

"We have to go back," Rishit stated, breaking the silence.

Kartik frowned, leaning forward slightly. "Achanak se kyun?" he asked, mirroring Rishit's confusion.

Rishit let out a breath, shaking his head. "Pata nahi," he admitted, rubbing his temple.

Kartik simply nodded, understanding that whatever was going on, they would only get their answers once they returned.

********************

The Same Evening…

The hum of the airplane engines filled the cabin as Rishit, Vaani, and Kartik sat in their seats, their expressions reflecting quiet anticipation. The unexpected call from Meera had stirred curiosity in all of them, but no one had any answers yet.

As the plane soared through the sky, the three of them sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts, wondering what awaited them back home.

Meanwhile…

The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air as Vidhan and Vidhi sat at the beachside. The entire place was beautifully decorated, as if set up for a moment of significance, with flickering candles casting a golden glow and delicate fairy lights twinkling above. It was evident that every detail had been meticulously arranged, as if someone had personally ensured that the ambiance reflected the importance of the evening.

A few feet away from the waves, two elegant chairs were placed, and there sat Vidhan and Vidhi.

Vidhan exuded effortless charm in a perfectly tailored black suit that hugged his frame with precision, his presence commanding attention. Meanwhile, Vidhi, draped in a delicate white mini dress, looked nothing short of ethereal. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the gentle sea breeze. The soft glow of lights accentuated her flawless skin, her minimal makeup enhancing her natural elegance.

As she sat there, her eyes wandered over the breathtaking scenery before her. The romantic setup, the gentle sound of waves, the flickering candles—it was mesmerizing.

"It's so beautiful, Vidhan," Vidhi murmured, her voice laced with wonder as she took in every detail.

Vidhan, who had been watching her intently, leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes searching hers. "You liked it?" he asked, as if seeking reassurance.

A small smile tugged at Vidhi’s lips as she nodded, her gaze still lingering on the surroundings. "I loved it."

Satisfied with her response, Vidhan reached for the dinner that had been specially arranged for them. As he placed the food before her, his tone turned more serious.

"Mujhe aaj tumse bahut hi important baat karni hai, Vidhi," he said, his voice carrying a weight that made her pause.

Vidhi, intrigued, tilted her head slightly. "Kaunsi baat?" she asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes, a playful grin dancing on her lips.

Vidhan let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Pehle dinner, then I’ll tell you," he said, his lips curling into a knowing smile.

Vidhi laughed lightly and nodded, deciding to indulge him for now. The two of them began their meal, the conversation flowing effortlessly between them, but beneath it all, an unspoken anticipation hung in the air.

Once they had finished eating, Vidhan stood up and extended his hand toward her. Without hesitation, Vidhi placed her hand in his, allowing him to guide her closer to the water. The soft sand crunched beneath their feet as they strolled toward the shore, the cool breeze caressing their faces.

For a few moments, silence stretched between them—comfortable, yet filled with unspoken emotions. Then, Vidhan broke the silence, his gaze lifting toward the vast night sky.

"The water is shining because of the twinkling stars and the bright moon that adorns the sky," he said, his voice deep and contemplative.

Then, shifting his gaze to her, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

"Just the way you adorned my life."

His words hung in the air, carrying a depth of emotion that needed no further explanation. In that moment, surrounded by the vast ocean and the endless sky, it was just the two of them—lost in a world of their own.

Vidhi’s lips curved into a radiant smile as she listened to Vidhan’s heartfelt words. A warmth spread through her chest, a feeling so profound that she found herself silently thanking the universe for bringing him into her life.

"And you completed me, Vidhan," she whispered, her voice steady yet overflowing with emotion. "You are that missing piece I never knew I needed to truly live."

Her eyes locked with his, reflecting the depth of her feelings. At that moment, nothing else existed—just the two of them, standing in the cool ocean waves, their bare feet sinking into the wet sand, completely lost in each other’s gaze.

Then, breaking the silence, Vidhan inhaled deeply, his expression turning serious, his voice filled with raw emotion.

"Then be mine… forever."

Before Vidhi could process his words, Vidhan slowly dropped to one knee, the soft waves lapping at his legs. He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket and, with careful hands, opened it in front of her.

Nestled inside was a breathtaking diamond ring, its design forming an infinity symbol—an unspoken promise of eternity.

Vidhi’s eyes widened, her breath hitching. Shock, joy, and overwhelming love surged through her all at once. A lone tear escaped her eye as she let out a soft gasp, her gaze shifting between the exquisite ring and the man holding it.

She didn’t need to think. She didn’t need words.

Overcome with emotions, she immediately dropped to her knees in front of him, nodding aggressively, her vision blurred by tears of happiness.

Vidhan’s lips curved into a soft smile as he carefully slipped the ring onto her delicate finger. Then, without hesitation, he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a tender kiss onto the spot where the ring rested, sealing his promise.

The next moment, he pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a firm yet gentle embrace, as if shielding her from the world itself.

Tears of happiness streamed down their cheeks, but neither cared. They simply held each other, basking in the moment, in the love that now bound them even tighter.

After a few moments of silence, Vidhan tightened his embrace around her, his jaw clenching slightly.

"I will always protect you from this truth of ours, Vidhi," he thought to himself, his grip instinctively tightening.

Vidhi didn’t ask anything. She just held onto him, trusting him with all her heart.

They stayed like that for minutes, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the waves continuing their rhythmic dance around them.

Finally, they pulled back, their hands still intertwined, and walked along the shore, the cool water brushing against their ankles.

And then, as the night deepened, Vidhan dropped Vidhi home, pressing a lingering kiss on her forehead before watching her disappear inside.

With one last glance at her retreating figure, he turned and headed back to his own home, carrying with him the weight of love, promises, and an unspoken truth that only he knew.

********************

The trio—Rishit, Vaani, and Kartik—arrived late at night at the Oberoi Mansion.

Not wanting to disturb anyone at such an hour, they quietly entered the mansion using the spare key. The silence of the house was comforting yet carried an air of anticipation, making Rishit’s mind wander back to the urgency in Meera’s voice earlier.

As they stepped inside, Rishit glanced at Kartik.

"Kartik, tu aaj yahi rukh ja, bahut raat ho gayi hai," Rishit suggested, his tone firm yet considerate.

Kartik, who was already exhausted from the journey, nodded without protest and headed toward one of the guest rooms in Oberoi Mansion.

Meanwhile, Rishit turned toward Vaani, who was standing quietly beside him.

"Let's go to our room," he murmured, reaching for her hand.

Vaani gave a small nod, intertwining her fingers with his, and together, they walked toward their bedroom.

As soon as they stepped inside, Rishit let out a deep sigh, his mind still clouded with confusion.

"Pata nahi Maa ne itni jaldi mein kyun bulaya humein," he muttered, his brows furrowing as he sat on the bed, deep in thought.

Vaani, who had already changed into something comfortable, turned to him with a soft smile.

"Woh toh kal hi pata chalega," she said simply, placing a reassuring hand on his.

Rishit exhaled, nodding in agreement.

"Hmm, ab toh bas kal ka intezar hai," he murmured, pulling Vaani into his embrace as they lay down on the bed.

Wrapped in each other’s warmth, the two soon drifted into sleep, waiting for the answers that tomorrow would bring.

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