Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love

33 ~ The Proposal

"I love you for all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will be."

Ruhanika

I stared at him in disbelief. Did I hear him correctly? Was he actually proposing marriage? My heart raced as I tried to process his words. I couldn’t believe it—he intends to marry me. The thought alone sent waves of astonishment and joy through me.

Without thinking, I pushed him back, and he stumbled before settling down on the bed with a surprised look on his face. I sat beside him, still reeling. How could he possibly propose like this? Of all the ways to ask someone to marry you, he’d chosen one of the most unimaginative proposals in history. Where was the romance? Where was the passion? I’d dreamed of a night under the stars, a heartfelt confession, something out of a fairytale. Instead, he’d left my romantic dreams completely shattered.

“Dev,” I whined, falling back onto the bed dramatically. “How could you propose to me like this? Who proposes marriage this way? My dreams of romance have been dashed.” I pouted, clutching my chest as though in despair. He looked at me, a little taken aback but undeniably confused.

“Isn’t this…how you ask?” he stammered, looking somewhat deflated. “Do you… not want to marry me?” His expression softened into something sad, and he looked away. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” he murmured, his voice quiet. There was a vulnerability in his words that tugged at my heart, but he continued, his head still bowed. “Maybe you think we’re incompatible because of my thoughts on relationships. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I was just… saying what I felt.”

“Shh, you speak too much,” I said, gently interrupting him. “When did I say I didn’t want to marry you? Or that I felt bad?” He looked at me, shaking his head in silent confusion.

“Then stop letting your thoughts run wild, Janeman,” I said, laughing softly. “Do you really think I’m so difficult that I’d be upset over a silly thing like this? I understand that we see the world differently; it’s what makes us compatible. I’m ready to learn new things for you, just like you’re willing to change for me. We both get each other, even if we don’t always say it.” I nudged him with a playful grin. “And for the record, I am no Queen Takshila, scowling at people every time they speak.”

He laughed, and that playful spark returned to his eyes, easing my heart.

“Oh, don’t you smile at me like that!” I scolded, rolling my eyes in mock exasperation. “I’m still furious with you. My romantic dreams are in ruins! I never expected my Dev to do this to me.” With exaggerated drama, I let myself fall back onto the bed, hand over my heart. “How will I ever recover?” I wailed, wriggling about, throwing myself into my melodramatic act. He watched, half-amused, half-bemused, clearly at a loss.

Before I knew it, he leaned down and scooped me up, drawing me close against him. He settled back against the headboard with me nestled in his arms, cradling me as if I were something delicate and precious. I snuggled into his warmth, still whining, and he laughed, his hand gently stroking my hair. It was comforting and intimate, our little world of quiet affection.

“Stop petting me, Dev,” I muttered with mock annoyance. “I’m not Amrit.”

He laughed, a sound that sent warmth through me, and I couldn’t help but smile. His laughter was so rare, his joy so guarded; seeing him like this was a treasure. I reached up and poked at his dimple, making him grin wider before he kissed my forehead, a soft, tender touch that made my heart skip.

“Of course, Darling. How could you be Amrit?” He smirked, his tone teasing. “He’s clever. And you, on the other hand…” He trailed off with a playful glint in his eye. I gave him an indignant pinch, his grin only widening.