“H-hi! I'm Abhishek!”

He said dumbly and she giggled. She took his hand, that he had forwarded and shook it gently.

“Mai jaanti hu Abhishek.”

(I know Abhishek.)

“Of course! Right! Tum jaanti ho? Tum jaanti ho! Kya keh raha hu mai?”

(You know? You know! What am I saying?)

He muttered the last sentence under his breath and she giggled again.

“Please have a seat.”

He said after taking a deep breath. They settled in their places and Abhishek looked at her with an embarrassed and sheepish expression.

“Sorry about…earlier. You look so breathtaking, mai bas ek step away tha behosh hone se. I can't believe tum finally mere saamne ho. I-I can't describe what I am feeling.”

(You look so breathtaking, I was just a step away from fainting. I can’t believe you’re finally in front of me.)

She smiled softly and held his hand, caressing it softly, making him almost have a heart attack.

He was touching her. She was real and he wasn't dreaming. His breath hitched and she blushed seeing his reaction.

“You-I-food-order-we-”

He stopped and huffed.

“I'm glitching. Just because you touched me. Tum kiss kr dogi toh marr hi na jaau.”

(I might die if you kiss me.)

He mumbled but she heard it and giggled again. He was just too cute.

They had their food, laughing, giggling and flirting all throughout.

Abhishek was walking Praunuti back to her car when her phone rang. She chuckled, showing him the caller ID. It was Anwesha.

“Babe! How's the date going? Was he a gentleman? Did he try something indecent? Do I need to kill him?”

Praunuti smiled and Abhishek raised his hands in mock surrender. 

“Nhi Anu! He did not try anything. And he's a very good man. In fact, he's still here. With me. And you're on speaker.”

(No Anu!)

“Oh! Hi, jiju!”

She chirped, making both of them laugh at her shift in mood.

“Hi Anwesha! Abhi jiju hua nhi hu by the way. Your friend didn't say yes to marry me.”

(I am not jiju yet by the way.)

He teased Praunuti who raised her eyebrow at him.

“You'll have to propose for me to say yes. Aisi hi thodi na haa bol dungi.”

(I cannot say yes like that.)

She countered and he nodded.

“Next time jab milenge toh prepared rehna. To say yes and tell our parents about us.”

(Be prepared when we meet next time.)

He said, looking into her eyes and she blushed at the intensity of his’.

“Guys! Mai abhi bhi line pr hi hu. And I can hear every word.”

(I am still on line.)

Anwesha quipped, making Abhishek laugh out loud and Praunuti looked away with a shy smile.

The next few weeks were too busy for both of them. The time schedule was so tight that some days they didn't get time to even text each other.

After a week, they finally got some time and Abhishek immediately suggested a video call.

“I missed you so fucking much!”

He whispered as soon as she came into view. She smiled and whispered an ‘I missed you too’ back.

They talked for over two hours, sharing their week to each other.

It had been a month since they met for the first time. Praunuti and Abhishek were sitting across from each other in the restaurant. 

Praunuti could feel that Abhishek was tense about something. He had this worried look on his face since the time she had entered the place.

“Abhishek? Sab thik hai na? Aap bhut pareshaan lag rhe ho. Is everything good at work, at home?”

(Is everything ok? You look tensed.)

His eyes met hers and he smiled.

“Everything’s good.”

She still wasn't convinced but let it go for the time being. She'd ask him once they got out of the restaurant.

Abhishek was still deep in thought as he walked her to her car and she couldn't resist anymore. They stopped in front of her car and she turned to face him.

“Kya baat hai? You've not smiled properly even once since we've come here. Sab thik hai na Abhishek?”

(What is it?...Is everything fine, Abhishek?)

He smiled. This time a genuine one.

“Sab thik hai. Bas kuch soch raha tha.”

(Everything’s fine. I was just thinking something.)

She frowned and prompted him further.

“Aisa kya soch rhe the jo itna tense baithe the pure time?”

(What were you thinking that made you so tensed the whole time?)

“Ye soch raha tha ki kya tum sach mai haan krogi if I propose or will I have to take the ring I am carrying back along with my broken heart.”

(I was thinking whether you’ll say yes if I propose or will I have to take the ring I am carrying back along with my broken heart.)

She blinked in surprise. His words from their first date came back to her and her breath hitched. Did he mean what she thought he meant?

“Wh-what do you-”

She gasped. She couldn't even get the question out completely and he bent on his knee while holding the ring out. His lips were curled into a soft smile but there was a slight fear in them.

“I don't want to stay away from you anymore Praunuti. And I don't want to keep hiding this from our families. Sahi tareeke se karna chahta hu sab. Serious hu tumhare liye. I love you. I love you so much, Praunuti. Will you marry me?”

(I want to do everything the right way. I am serious for you.)

She released a wavered breath. Her hands shook and heart beat wildly due to nervousness.

“I-”

When she didn't speak any further, he felt that she wasn't ready and he had rushed everything.

“It's ok if you say no right now. Just give me an answer. Haan ya na. If you say no, it's fine, I'll wait. And if you say yes, I'll bring my family home, tumhe apna banane ke liye aa jaaunga.”

(Yes or no….to make you mine.)

A smile slowly formed on her face. She bent down and cupped his face.

“Toh aa jaao. Apna banane. I'll marry you.”

(Then come. To make me yours.)

She whispered and he felt like he could die at the moment and not regret.

She held his hand and pulled him up and he looked into her eyes, confirming that he wasn't dreaming and he'd heard what he thought he heard.

“You'll marry me? Like now and not in the far away future?”

She smiled and nodded, repeating the words for his confirmation. He didn't waste another moment and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tight and twirling her around.

She giggled and held him tightly, closing her eyes in happiness.

“I love you, Praunuti! I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

She whispered and a beautiful tint covered her cheeks as he slipped the ring into her finger and placed a kiss on it while looking into her eyes.