I stared at the message again and again, as my mind went blank thinking about what had gone wrong. The message "we can't be engaged", clearly indicating he does not want a marriage with me, made me upset. But I wasn't going to be sad, for he too has his freedom- to choose, to take his life's decisions.
I decided to head home with ice-cream and an upset mind, just to give myself some time to overcome this sudden turn of events in my life. Mumma opened the door, and I was too busy to notice guests in our home. While handing ice-cream to her, I said with a heavy heart "Vishal Madan said no to engagement". My confused mother just exclaimed "So? You brought ice cream? ". "Yes Mumma, I said disinterested and turned towards the right to see Vishal Madan and his parents sitting in the living room in our house looking amused at me.
I took a deep breath, trying to hide my surprise and confusion as I looked at Vishal Madan and his parents in our living room. The awkward silence hung in the air, and the floor seemed more interesting and anything.
Vishal cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "I think there might be some misunderstanding," he said, looking at me with a hint of amusement, "I never said no to engagement."
I felt a mix of emotions- confusion, relief, and a twinge of embarrassment. "But your- your message," I stammered, gesturing vaguely to the imaginary weight of the rejection that still lingered in my mind.
I kept staring blankly at him as his hand reached into his pocket and he pulled out his phone. "Let me show you the message I sent."
As he scrolled through his messages, I braced myself for what I thought would be a confirmation of his refusal. Instead, he handed me the phone, and I read the message: "We can't be engaged yet. Let's take things slow and enjoy the journey."
A rush of relief flooded over me, and I couldn't help but smile. It turned out there was a misinterpretation, a mix-up of words that had sent my emotions on a rollercoaster. Vishal's parents chuckled, sensing the confusion, while my mother looked at me with a done face.
I was embarrassed was an understatement.
Apologizing for the misunderstanding, Vishal and I stepped aside to have a private conversation. He explained that he meant to convey a desire for a slower, more deliberate approach to our relationship, not a rejection of the idea altogether.
With the air cleared, we joined our families in the living room. Laughter and warmth filled the space as we enjoyed ice cream and engaged in friendly banter. Vishal's parents, seemingly amused by the unexpected turn of events, welcomed the ice cream treat as a sweet gesture.
The ice-cream which was supposed to be my companion in crying over a rejection turned to be a witness of my life changing decisions.
Over the next few weeks, Vishal and I navigated the delicate phase of a budding relationship. We spent time getting to know each other, exploring shared interests, and building a foundation of trust. The initial misunderstanding became a humorous anecdote, a story we will laugh about in the future.
As our connection deepened, Vishal and I found ourselves growing in love with each other. It became clear that the initial miscommunication had strengthened our bond. We learned to communicate openly and honestly, avoiding assumptions that could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.
One evening, under the soft glow of fairy lights in our favourite garden, we were taking a walk, hand in hand, enjoying the cool breeze and our intimacy. Only few weeks left for our engagement and I becoming to-be Mrs. Vishal Madan. The thought made my cheeks warm.
Oh! To be in love with my would be husband. Oh! to be loved the same way, as his wife.
As if reading my thoughts, Vishal took my other hand in his, and looked into my eyes. "I've never been surer of anything in my life," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I want to spend my life with you, through all the ups and downs."
Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I nodded, and repeated the same, to convey my feelings, too overwhelmed by the love and happiness that surrounded us. Vishal then presented a beautiful ring, symbolizing a commitment for life. It sparkled in the moonlight as he gently slipped it onto my finger.
Soon, our engagement took place, bringing joy and celebration in our families. Our mothers, once bewildered by the ice cream arrival, now enthusiastically planned the upcoming festivities. The unexpected twist in our story became the foundation of a love that was resilient and unyielding.
In the months that followed, Vishal and I prepared for our wedding day. The news and invitation of our wedding spread through our families and friends like wildfire, bringing joy and celebration. Our wedding ceremony was a testament to the strength of our connection and the unwavering support from both our families.
As we exchanged vows, surrounded by the warmth of our loved ones, I couldn't help but reflect on the unpredictable path that led us to this moment. Life, it seemed, had a way of weaving beautiful tales out of unexpected beginnings.
And so, with the exchange of rings and the promise of a shared future, Vishal and I embarked on a new chapter of our lives chapter filled with love, laughter, and the sweet memories of that fateful day when ice cream and a misunderstood message set the stage for our happily ever after.
The End
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Short StoryCollection of Short Stories Every chapter is a standalone story Scenarios after the couple says 'Qubool Hain!'