WAJHA TUM HO

7. || Masked Affection ||

Dev extended the bouquet of roses towards Ananya, who stood before him in the softly lit ambiance of the café. Her heart fluttered nervously as she took in the sight of Dev, his eyes reflecting a mixture of anticipation and deep affection.

Ananya accepted the flowers with a gentle smile, the fragrance of the roses mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee around them. Dev, sensing her hesitation despite her smile, reached out his hand towards hers, silently asking for her hand in a lifetime commitment.

"Ananya," Dev began softly, his voice carrying the weight of his emotions, "today, I stand here hoping for the privilege to walk alongside you. Just a word from you, and I'm ready to immerse myself in the journey with you."

Ananya's heart skipped a beat at his words, her eyes meeting his with a mix of surprise and admiration. She felt a rush of warmth as she realized how deeply he cared for her.

Dev smiled warmly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Thank you for coming today, and I apologize for the suddenness of it all. I never intended for things to rush like this. Your comfort and your wishes mean everything to me. I won't ever force you into anything."

Ananya listened intently, touched by his sincerity. She felt a pang of guilt as she recalled Ray's manipulative words earlier. Here was Dev, someone who barely knew her yet cared so deeply about her happiness.

"Do you really love me, Dev?" Ananya asked tentatively, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability.

Dev chuckled softly, his gaze softening even more. "I won't joke about this, Ananya," he replied, his tone gentle yet assured.

Ananya playfully hit her forehead with her hand, feeling a mix of emotions swirl within her. "Sorry," she murmured softly.

Dev leaned forward, his expression serious yet filled with warmth. "So, what is your heart telling you, Ananya? What is your decision about us?"

Ananya hesitated for a moment, her thoughts swirling. She looked down briefly, then met Dev's gaze with renewed determination. "If I had any problem with this, I wouldn't have come here," she replied softly yet firmly.

Surprised and relieved, Dev stood up abruptly, his eyes shining with hope. He took a small box out of his pocket, revealing a delicate diamond ring inside. Kneeling in front of Ananya, he held the ring delicately between his fingers.

"Will you marry me, Ananya? Will you become Mrs. Dev Ananya Joshi, and walk with me for the rest of our lives?" Dev asked, his voice tinged with eagerness and love.

Ananya's hands trembled slightly as she felt the weight of his words and the ring in his hand. Memories of Ray's manipulative words flashed through her mind, but she pushed them aside. She looked into Dev's eyes, seeing only sincerity and love.

Taking a deep breath, Ananya nodded slowly. A tear escaped her eye as she extended her hand towards him. Dev's face lit up with joy as he gently slipped the ring onto her finger, his hands shaking slightly with emotion.

"Thank you, Ananya, thank you so much for accepting me," Dev said gratefully, holding her hands tightly. "You don't know how happy you've made me today. You are my first and last love. Thank you for giving me this happiness."

Ananya smiled through her tears, overwhelmed by Dev's genuine affection. "Who wouldn't accept you, Dev?" she replied softly, her voice filled with warmth.

Dev grinned broadly, relief washing over him. "Great! Now, let's celebrate. But first," he said, gesturing towards the untouched coffee on the table, "ignoring this coffee wouldn't be nice, right?"

Ananya laughed softly, her heart lighter than it had been in days. They both settled down for their coffee, the café around them buzzing with muted conversations and the occasional clink of cutlery.