~ 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 ~

Chapter 13. Proposal (Riya-Rishabh)

[ I WANT TO SAY THAT I AM NOT GIVING SAD ENDING TO ARCHIT SO WAIT FOR IT YOU'LL SEE HE GET SOMEONE AT THE END TOO] 

[Honestly, I want to re write this book like I don't want Pratha to sound like any cheater.... I was not so adult when I wrote this book but genuinely now, I really wish sometimes that kash I can rewrite it 😭]

Author's POV:

Rishabh had already made up his mind. No matter what happened today, he would confess his feelings to Riya. He had delayed it for too long. Yet, the moment his eyes caught Aryan standing near her, an uneasy feeling rose within him. He tried to calm himself—they are just friends, he reminded himself—but the thought refused to leave his mind. What hurt him more was the fact that Riya laughed so freely with Aryan, a laugh he rarely saw when she was with him.

Jealousy slowly consumed Rishabh. His jaw tightened, his fists clenched, and his eyes turned red with anger. He hated himself for feeling this way, yet he couldn't stop. At the same time, Aryan stood nearby, unaware of the storm brewing around him. Today felt important to him too. He finally wanted to speak his heart out to Riya.

"Riya, actu—" he began, but his words were cut short when his attention shifted elsewhere. At a distance, he noticed a woman in a white saree, sitting alone and crying quietly. A strange fear gripped him. Vaishali once wore a white saree... What if it's her? Concerned, Aryan immediately walked toward that direction.

Riya watched him leave, confusion crossing her face. She then glanced around, her worry shifting toward something else entirely. Pratha and Garv still hadn't arrived. A strange uneasiness settled in her heart. Just then, she felt a sudden grip on her hand. She turned sharply. It was Rishabh.

Before she could react, she noticed his eyes—burning red, filled with emotions she couldn't immediately understand. "Hey, Risha—" she began, but stopped mid-sentence. "Rishabh, what's wrong? Why are you holding my hand like this?" she asked loudly, trying to pull away. "Let go!" She freed her hand and was about to scold him when her gaze shifted around her. The place was breathtaking. Soft lights illuminated the area, roses and tulips beautifully arranged, creating an almost heavenly atmosphere. "Beautiful..." Riya whispered, her anger fading instantly.

Meanwhile, inside the locked store room, tension was rising. Pratha stood near the door, clearly irritated. Garv, instead of helping, seemed unusually relaxed. When she asked him for help, his casual response only annoyed her further. "Sing a song, please," she said sarcastically, forcing a smile.

Garv raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you liked my voice? Nice." "That's not what I meant," she replied quickly. "If someone hears bad singing, they might come here." Garv scoffed. "Excuse me! My voice is the best. Maine tumhe introvert kya bol diya, tum toh mera hi mazaak bana rahi ho."

"Okay, sorry," Pratha sighed. "Now please do something. Call someone." Garv smirked. "Not bad. Spending ten–fifteen minutes locked in a room with me, and you've become smart." Pratha rolled her eyes, clearly done with his teasing.

Elsewhere, Monika stood frozen in shock. Riya was still outside. Her heart skipped a beat as realization struck her. Then who did I lock inside the store room? Panic took over her thoughts. If that waiter opens the door and reveals my name in front of everyone... Fear tightened her chest.

"No," she muttered to herself. "I need to leave. Right now."

Back in the decorated corner, guilt flooded Rishabh's heart. What am I doing? he scolded himself. How could I behave like that with her? Then he looked at Riya again. She was smiling. And this time, she was smiling at him. Something inside him softened instantly. Her smile alone erased his anger, his jealousy, his fear.