Annahita sat in the room with Nandini, attempting to persuade her against inviting Veeransh and his family for their marriage alliance.

"Nandu, please reconsider. Marrying someone you don't love won't lead to happiness. A marriage without love can't flourish," Annahita urged.

Nandini's frustration was palpable as she retorted, "Then what should I do? How much should I beg Shivaay to accept me? He's ready to marry someone else despite loving me, so why can't I?"

"Let's talk to him and understand his reasons. I'm sure he'll listen to us," Annahita suggested, trying to calm Nandini.

"He won't. Otherwise, he would've agreed long ago. Just let it be. Veeransh is a good guy, and we are friends," Nandini concluded, shutting down the discussion due to her frustration.

Before Annahita could say anything else, Nandini shifted the conversation. "Forget about my problems. Tell me, what have you decided?"

"About what?" Annahita feigned innocence.

"About Adi Bhai's proposal," Nandini clarified.

Annahita's cheeks warmed at the mention of Adhiraj, but she maintained her composure. "I want to be with him, but..." She trailed off, unsure of how to express her concerns.

"But what?" Nandini pressed.

"But he might be upset after I said no. What should I do?" Annahita admitted her worry.

"Bhai upset with you? Impossible," Nandini scoffed, dismissing Annahita's concern.

"But you should make some effort too," Nandini advised.

"Effort?" Annahita questioned.

Nandini leaned in closer and whispered, "Yes, you should propose Bhai. Properly."

Annahita blushed at Nandini's suggestion. "But how can I propose to him?"

"Don't act timid in front of me," Nandini teased, rolling her eyes. "Sometimes, a girl should take the first step in love if she truly feels for the man."

Annahita pondered over Nandini's words, realizing the truth in them. "Then what should I do? How should I propose to him?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

As they delved into planning and plotting, time flew by quickly.

"Okay, let me arrange everything in one hour. Let's go, I'm so excited," said Nandini, urging Annahita to move quickly.

Annahita rolled her eyes at Nandini's excitement and retorted, "I'm going to propose to him. What are you so excited about?"

"You won't understand. Now, let's go quickly," replied Nandini, and they both hurried off to prepare for the surprise.

____________

Evening came and Annahita got ready in a beautiful black saree. She did minimal makeup and saw herself in the mirror for the last time.

She went into the garden to find Adhiraj and saw him sitting near the fountain lost in thought. She approached him slowly, her anklets making sound in the quiet environment.

Adhiraj turned to see her and got stunned seeing her in front of him. She was looking breathtaking, and he really forgot to take a breath.

Annahita stood in front of him, and Adhiraj released the breath he was holding and said, "Kyu aayi ho Anu? Kya chahiye?"
(Why have you come, Anu? What do you want?)

"Mujhe aap chahiye sarkaar," said Annahita.
(I want you sarkaar)

Adhiraj looked at her with raised eyebrows in a questioning manner.

She gently held his hands in hers and made him stand up, starting to walk towards Anuvarta Kutir with his hand in hers.

He didn't even question her, just followed her quietly. They both reached the balcony of their room, beautifully decorated with flowers, candles, and lights.

He made her step halt by pulling her hand, causing her to stumble a little, and he held her shoulder, making her balance. She turned to see him and said, "What happened?"

"That's what I'm asking jaana, what's all this?" asked Adhiraj.

She smiled at him and again dragged him towards the swing, making him sit on it. She slowly sat on her knees in front of him, and he immediately sat with her on his knees on the ground. "Kya kar rahi Rahi ho Anu?" asked Adhiraj, trying to make her stand up.
(What are you doing Anu?)

She didn't budge and held his hands while saying, "Kitne bolte hai aap, mujhe bhi toh bolne ka mauka dijiye."
(You speak so much, let me speak too)

This made him shut his mouth immediately, and he gestured her to continue whatever she is saying.

"Ab interrupt mat kariyega, bolne dijiyega mujhe," said Annahita, and Adhiraj nodded his head in agreement.
(Now don't interrupt me anymore, let me speak)

"I'm confessing today because I know I'll never get this courage again, so I wanted to tell you that I didn't fall in love with you, I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step ahead. Because at the end of the day, you're the only person I want to come home to. You will always be my favourite destination, my home, and my whole heart. I love to be in love with you," said Annahita in one beat.

"Jaana breathe first, say slowly," said Adhiraj while his eyes are a little moist, the evidence that he heard everything clearly.

"Main aapse bohot pyaar karne lagi hu, jabse aapko dekha hai bas aapke baare mein hi socha hai. I'll love you forever and I'll love you in the only way I know how, with my whole heart, with everything inside my being. For as long as I exist, you'll always be loved unconditionally. Itni mohabbat krungi aapse ki log hasrat karenge aap jaisi qismat paane ki. I'm not perfect but together we both will make a beautiful life, the life that people couldn't even imagine even in their dream," said Annahita, tears flowing down a little.

Adhiraj cupped her face in his hands and slowly wiped out the tears gently.

"Adhiraj mujhse shaadi karoge?" asked Annahita.
(Adhiraj will you marry me?)

"Haa chalo mandir abhi kar lete hai," said Adhiraj, making her chuckle at his reaction.
(Yes, let's go to the temple and marry right now)

"Kya, hass kyu rhi ho? I'm serious," said Adhiraj.
(What, why are you laughing? I'm serious)

"I want to attend Every function of my wedding," said Annahita.

"Ohh, tab to postpone karna padega plan thoda sa," said Adhiraj, standing up and making her stand up too, and they both sat on the swing.
(Then we have to postpone the plan a bit)

"Ek baar phir se kaho," said Adhiraj.
(Say it one more time)

"Kya?" asked Annahita.
(What?)

"That you love me," said Adhiraj, gazing into her eyes.

"Main aapse bohot pyaar karti hu Sarkaar," said Annahita.
(I love you a lot sarkaar)

"Achha, Zara validation de do," said Adhiraj while forwarding his cheeks to her for a kiss.
(Really, then give some validation)

"Aap itne besharam kyu hai?" said Annahita.
(Why are you so shameless?)

"Are, abhi toh Maine kuch Kiya bhi nhi or main besharam ban gya?" said Adhiraj while making her chuckle.
(But I haven't done anything till now and I've become shameless?)

"Let's get married quickly jaana," said Adhiraj.

"Aapko bohot jaldi hai," said Annahita.
(You're in so much hurry)

"You can't even imagine how I'm stopping myself. My intention towards you isn't pure, it's corrupted and evil in every way," said Adhiraj.

"I never stopped you," said Annahita.

"I'm stopping myself. You don't deserve this date and fling type of thing. You are my whole world, and I'll give you the respect the way you deserve," said Adhiraj.

"Achha chaliye bohot cheesy lines bol rhe hai aap, ab bass kariye," said Annahita.
(Enough with the cheesy lines, stop it now)

"Anu, I'm really serious," said Adhiraj.

She didn't say anything in return, just looked into his eyes.

"Hug me for once. Mere Dil ko sukoon mil jayega," said Adhiraj.
(My heart will be in peace)

Annahita shifted closer to him and slowly hugged his torso while he tightened his hug, releasing the heavy breath he was holding, as if all his worries have vanished in just a second.

After being in each other's embrace for no one knows how long, Annahita moved away and said, "Bhook lagi hai, maine itni mehnat se khana banaya thanda ho gaya hoga," while pouting in displeasure.
(I'm hungry. I've worked hard to make dinner, and now it's probably cold)

Adhiraj just smiled at her antics, and they both moved towards the dining area to have their dinner when they both saw Nandini sitting there and having the food.

Annahita rushed towards the table and saw Nandini emptying the whole pot of Biryani that she made with so much effort and time. She hit her head and said, "Sara khaa gayi bhukkad. Tere liye nhi banaya tha."
(You ate everything glutton. It wasn't made for you)

Nandini rubbed her head and said, "Toh kya hua, jo Bhai ka hai vo mera hai. Or vaise bhi tu meri dost hai, toh Biryani pe pehla haq mera Banta hai."
(So what, whatever is brother's is also mine. And you're my friend so I've the first right on this Biryani)

Annahita whined at her response and said, "Ab main kya khaaungi, mujhe bhook lagi hai. Or tujhe yahan aane ko kisne bola."
(Now what will I eat, I'm hungry. And who told you to come here?)

"Arey waah, maine itni mehnat ki decoration mein or mujhe hi bhaga Rahi hai," said Nandini.
(I did so much work in decoration and you're chasing me away)

Adhiraj interrupted their quarrel and said, "ok enough, sit here for some time. I'll cook."

"Arey aap kaise?" said Annahita.
(But how will you?)

"Waah bhai, mere liye toh nhi bnate khana," said Nandini while pouting.
(Wow Bhai, you don't cook for me like this)

"Beta tu ek minute mein gayab ho jaa yaha se nahi to pitt jayegi mujhse," said Adhiraj.
(Go away from here in one minute or I'll beat you)

"Haa haa jaise mujhe maar hi doge, bss dialogue hai aapke," said Nandini while rolling her eyes at him.
(As if you can beat me, it's just an empty threat)

"Nandu," said Adhiraj while smiling sweetly at Nandini.

"Jii Bhai," said Nandini.

"Get out," said Adhiraj glaring at her.

"Haa haa Jaa rhi hu, main rhungi toh romance kaise karoge. Isliye bhaga rahe ho," said Nandini and went out but not before taking the pot of remaining biryani with her.
(I'm going. If I stay here, how will you romance? That's why you're chasing me away)

Adhiraj shook his head at her antics and went inside the kitchen while saying, "Baithi rehna wahi pe, meri help karne ki zarurat nahi hai."
(Stay where you are, there's no need to help me)

Annahita silently sat at the table waiting for him to come. She started watching a movie on her phone when Adhiraj came with a plate filled with 'Roti and sabzi.'

He sat beside her and made her eat with his hands, and she was so much engrossed in the movie.

She moaned in delight at the taste of the food. "You're really a good cook."

"I know," said Adhiraj.

"Bas bas hawa mein udiye mat," said Annahita.
(Now don't start flying on air)

"Achha thik hai, phone band karo or khana khaa lo pehle achhe se," said Adhiraj.
(Okay, close your phone and eat properly first)

Annahita shut her phone off and saw him staring at her. "You won't eat?" asked her.

"Koi khilane wala hi nahi hai," said Adhiraj with fake sadness.
(There's no one to feed me)

Annahita ignored his comment and made him eat with her hands.

After their dinner, they went into their respective room, not before him saying 'I love you' to her.