"Look who's here, their family has arrived!" Reshmi exclaimed, gently placing her hands on Kiara's shoulders. Kiara took a deep breath and turned to Reshmi.
"How do I look?" she asked, her nervousness evident. Reshmi smiled warmly, turning Kiara towards the mirror. "You look like a princess, and I'm sure Dhruv sir will treat you like a queen," she reassured, holding her shoulders.
Reshmi continued, "Remember, Kiara, he's been looking forward to this day as much as you have.”
As Kiara took a deep breath, Reshmi handed her a small mirror. "Hey! Where did that big smile of yours go?" Reshmi teased gently, with a slight frown. She then looked at Kiara, who was now smiling.
"Ye hui na baat! You're stunning, Kiara and your smile is the best accessory...”
Kiara blushed at Reshmi's compliment, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. The doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of Dhruv and his family.
“Chale?”
Kiara quickly held Reshmi's hand, “mera Dil itna kyun dhadak raha hai?” She whispered, taking deep breaths.
Reshmi chuckled, “that's because your heart is excited to meet its soulmate, now shut up and let's go…”
As Kiara made her way down the stairs, she noticed Dhruv engaged in a conversation with her father. His face lit up with a small smile, but when the soft jingling of anklets and bangles reached his ears, he turned his gaze towards Kiara, who was now standing in front of them.
Kiara gently bent down to touch Dhruv's mother's feet, but she lovingly intervened, "No, dear. Daughters don't touch feets.”
Instead, Dhruv's mother extended her arms, inviting Kiara into a warm embrace. "We share a bond of love, not formality, my dear. Come, let me hug my new daughter." Kiara, touched by the gesture, embraced Dhruv's mother with a small smile. Dhruv couldn't help but smile at them.
"Kiara, sit next to Dhruv on the left side?" Dhruv's sister-in-law said with a warm smile. Kiara, parting from the hug, nodded and took the seat beside Dhruv, their knees gently touching.
Dhruv took a deep breath and softly complimented, "You look beautiful," his words meant only for her ears. Kiara blushed, biting her lower lip, and lowered her head to hide her face.
Dhruv slowly leaned towards her and gently whispered, "I can't believe I'm officially getting to call you mine. By the way, how do I look?”
Kiara glanced at him, her eyes sparkling, "You're not so bad yourself, Dr. Sehgal."
Dhruv teased, "Just 'not so bad'? I was expecting something grander..." He leaned even closer, "You have no idea how much I've missed you these past few days."
Kiara blushed again, "I missed you too…"
“Main nahi manta, dikhao kitna miss Kiya mujhe?”
“Kaise dikhaun?”
“I want a kiss—”
“Nahi milegi—”
“Kya khusur pusur chal Rahi hai? Hume bhi batao!” Dhruv's sister-in-law teased, earning a laugh from everyone.
Dhruv immediately looked away as a blush crept on his neck and face. The roka ceremony started, the families exchange gifts and sweets before the priest conduct blessings to both Kiara and Dhruv for a prosperous and harmonious future.
“Exchange the rings now,” the priest said, Dhruv's nephew started wiggling to get out of his father's hold, Kiara's eyes widened in surprise as Dhruv's nephew ran towards her, resting his head on her lap. Kiara smiled, gently patting the little boy's head.
"He's such a sweetheart. What's his name?" she asked, looking at Dhruv.
"Priyansh," he replied, grinning. Dhruv's nephew looked up at Kiara with innocent eyes, his small hands reaching out towards her.
Kiara picked him up, holding him in her arms. "Hello, Priyansh, I'm Kiara—”
“Your chachi” Dhruv interjected, making everyone laugh.
“Chichi,” Dhruv's nephew whispered, oblivious to the ceremony and started playing with Kiara's dupatta.
“Let me take him…”
“Rehne dijiye na bhabhi—”
“Abhi bhabhi nahi bolna, didi bolna…” everyone laughed again. Kiara smiled softly before lowering her head, shyly. The priest, trying to continue with the rituals, couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming sight.
Dhruv slipped the engagement ring onto Kiara's finger, their eyes locked with promises of a beautiful future. Kiara, still holding Priyansh, reciprocated by placing the ring on Dhruv's finger, sealing their commitment.
The room echoed with claps and cheers as the exchange of rings marked the official beginning of their journey together. Kiara's mother, looking at the happy couple, couldn't help but wipe away a tear of joy.
Kiara and Dhruv after having lunch ended up in a peaceful garden. As the sky was darkening, the twinkling fairy lights made the place feel like a magical haven.
Dhruv intertwined their hands as they walked in the garden. "Finally, some quiet moments," Dhruv sighed with a content smile.
"It feels like a dream, doesn't it? I can't believe we're officially engaged. I can't wait for our future together."
“Me too…”
“Oh! I have something for you, love…" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a delicate silver anklet with tiny bells.
Kiara's eyes lit up, "It's so beautiful!”
Dhruv held the delicate anklet in his hands, the tiny bells softly chiming with each movement. He looked into Kiara's eyes, a tender smile playing on his lips.
"Close your eyes," he whispered, his voice carrying a warm anticipation.
Kiara, intrigued and excited, closed her eyes, a soft smile on her lips. Dhruv gently knelt down, bringing himself closer to her. He took her left ankle delicately in his hands and placed them in his thigh, his touch sending a gentle shiver through her.
The soft sound of the bells intensified as he carefully fastened the anklet around her ankle. The cool touch of the silver against her skin made Kiara's heart flutter. Dhruv lingered for a moment, tracing light patterns on her skin with his fingertips, creating an intimate connection.
As he finished securing the anklets, Dhruv pressed a soft kiss on her calf. A sensation of warmth and affection enveloped her, and she felt a soft sigh escape her lips.
"Open your eyes," Dhruv whispered, his eyes filled with love and admiration.
Kiara slowly opened her eyes, and as she looked down, she was greeted by the sight of the delicate anklet adorned with tiny bells. The soft glow of the fairy lights around them mirrored the sparkle in her eyes.
"It's perfect," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. Dhruv rose to his feet, his hands gently cupping her face.
"Just like you," he replied, his lips meeting hers in a sweet and lingering kiss. The garden around them seemed to fade away as they shared this intimate moment, sealing their engagement with the promise of love and a future together.
🌷
"Are you planning to come or not? If you don't make it, you won't be my best friend from today!" Kiara was talking to Shanvi on Skype.
"I'll come on the wedding day—"
"No! Make it here by tomorrow evening; otherwise, nothing will upset me more!" Kiara exclaimed, while fervently applying body lotion to her legs. The way Dhruv kissed her calf earlier made her a little self conscious, and now she wanted everything to be perfect for him.
Kiara continued, "Shanvi, you know how much I value your presence. I can't imagine my big day without my partner in crime!"
Shanvi laughed, "Partner in crime, huh? I better start packing my bags then..."
Kiara grinned, "hurry! And no crying. We practiced our poker faces for this, remember?"
Shanvi replied, "I make no promises. I might shed a tear or two seeing you all dolled up and officially becoming an adult."
Kiara laughed, "Oh please, I need you to be the rock, not the waterfall!"
Shanvi chuckled, "Alright, alright. I'll try to keep it together. But seriously, how are you feeling about everything?"
Kiara paused, a soft smile on her face, "Honestly, Shanvi, I'm on cloud nine. The engagement, the family blessings, and now planning the wedding – it's all so surreal. I can't believe I'm getting married!"
Shanvi sighed, "I can't wait to be there. It sounds like a fairytale in the making. By the way, have you decided on your wedding song yet?"
Kiara pondered, "Not yet. Dhruv ji and I are thinking of something romantic, but we haven't settled on a specific song. Any suggestions?"
“Don't ask me, I have a bad taste in music.”
“Alright! Alright!”
Shanvi chuckled, "Now, spill the details – what's the dress like?"
Kiara whispered, "I can't reveal too much, but let's just say it's a mix of elegance and tradition. You'll have to wait for the grand reveal!"
Shanvi pouted, "You're killing me with suspense! Fine, I'll wait!"
Kiara blew a virtual kiss, "See you soon, Shanvi. Kal Tak aa jana!"
“Aye aye captain! Chal bye!”
“Bye!”