Locke and Key

13

"I need your help."

Shruti looked up from where ten-month-old Aryan was sleeping in his crib to see Shivam standing at the doorway of the nursery. She backed away from the sleeping baby and led him downstairs.

"What's up?" she finally asked.

He took a deep breath. "I want to ask Ananya to marry me."

Shruti lit up. "Are you serious, Shivam? Really?"

"Yeah," he smiled, looking more vulnerable than she'd ever seen in the nearly ten years she'd known him. "True to form, I'd like to do it big. I've uhh, actually been working with Arjun on a song I'd like him to sing, but I want to get everyone involved."

She threw her arms around him. "I'm so excited, Shivam! And I'm so, so happy for you."

"Thanks, Shruti," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "She'll be back in Mumbai tomorrow, so I would like to plan for Friday evening."

Shruti sat down on the leather sofa and motioned for him to do the same. "You know what would be really amazing? If we can fly Akshara over. Ananya is going to say yes no matter what, but if you really want to stalk the deck in your favor, having Akshara here would do it."

"You think?" he mused. "Could you call her, see if that's possible? I'll fly her out."

"Sure," she agreed. "Where do you want to propose?"

"Well, we had our first date as an actual couple at Cecconi's, Soho House in Juhu

," he explained, "so I was thinking there."

"That's lovely," Shruti agreed. "Well, do you have any ideas about what you'd like to do, or do you want my input on that?"

Shivam sighed. "I don't know. I feel like I'd like to give some sort of speech, because you know I like to grandstand, but I'd feel so awkward giving it in front of everyone. I just know I want you all there."

"Hmm," Shruti considered. "Can I think about it? I desperately need to shower because Aryan slept on me a little earlier, and he sweats like crazy, but I will plan some stuff and get back to you. And I'll speak to Akshara." She hugged him again. "I'm so proud of you, Shivam. This is a huge step, and it shows real maturity."

"Thanks, Shruti," he accepted. I love you, bhabhi."

"I love you, too," she told him as they stood and walked to the front door. "I'll call you later."

Once he was gone, and she'd checked in on Aryan, Shruti took a quick shower. When she finished, she went down to the recording studio in the basement and found her husband sitting at the soundboard, playing around with the controls.

"Hi," she smiled, going to sit in his lap. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to decide if I want to record the song Shivam and I wrote for his proposal," he answered, pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder. "It isn't finished yet, but it's good, and I quite like it. He gave me permission."

"Can I hear it?" she requested.

"I would love to play it for you," he began, "but Shivam has sworn me to secrecy, so I cannot. It's definitely a song from Shivam to Ananya, and it fits them."

"I'm so excited for them," she whispered as he ran his hands soothingly through his damp hair. "Selfishly, I like that it would mean Ananya settles down here in Mumbai."

He chuckled. "She's already here during much of her downtime as it is."

"Yes, but his place would become her permanent address," she reasoned. "Then only Akshara would still be in Manali."