Closer To You

𝙲𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗

A Y A A N 

Heart pounding with a mixture of trepidation and hope, I pushed open the door to our bedroom, the silence enveloping me like a heavy blanket. With each step, I prayed to see my wife's familiar form, to hear her voice dispel the eerie stillness that hung in the air.

But as I entered the room, the emptiness greeted me once more, a stark reminder of her absence. Anxiety twisted in my chest as I scanned the room, searching desperately for any sign of her.

Approaching the closet, I noticed a note tucked among the neatly hung clothes. My heart skipped a beat as I reached for it, my fingers trembling slightly. Unfolding the paper, relief flooded through me as I recognized my wife's handwriting.

Her note was brief but reassuring, apologizing for the silence and explaining that she had left the clothes out for me to get ready. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I read her words, grateful for the simple gesture that put my mind at ease.

With a sense of warmth spreading through my chest, I quickly got dressed, feeling a renewed sense of excitement for whatever surprise my wife had planned for my birthday. As I smoothed down my shirt and straightened my tie, I couldn't help but feel grateful for her thoughtfulness and relieved that I wasn't alone after all.

Leaving the note where it lay, I made my way out of the room, eager to see what the day held in store and grateful to have my wife by my side.

Heart racing with anticipation, I stepped out of the bedroom. As I made my way through the hallway, a trail of rose petals caught my eye, their crimson hue stark against the pale floor. Following the delicate path, each petal seemed to whisper secrets of love and excitement, urging me forward with a sense of wonder. With each step, my anticipation grew, the mystery of what awaited me at the end of the trail heightening the flutter of excitement in my chest.

As I reached the back door, I paused, taking a deep breath before pushing it open. And there, spread out before me like a scene from a fairytale, was a breathtaking sight.

The backyard had been transformed into a garden paradise, adorned with twinkling fairy lights and vibrant decorations. A canopy of flowers stretched overhead, casting a soft, romantic glow over the space. Tables were set with elegant place settings, and the air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of a delicious meal.

My eyes widened in awe, a smile spreading across my face as I took in the scene before me. It was more beautiful and enchanting than I could have ever imagined.

And there, at the center of it all, stood my wife, her eyes sparkling with love and excitement as she greeted me with a birthday cake in her hands. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the garden and the warmth of her embrace, I knew that this would be a birthday to remember—a day filled with love, joy, and the sweetest of surprises.

As the chorus of "Happy Birthday" filled the air, I couldn't tear my gaze away from my wife. She stood before me, radiant and resplendent, a vision of beauty that stole my breath away.

Her smile was like sunshine, warming my soul and filling me with a profound sense of joy. In that moment, surrounded by the love and laughter of our family and friends, all I could see was her—the love of my life, my rock, my everything.

Time seemed to stand still as I drank in the sight of her, every detail etched into my memory like a masterpiece. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and love, her laughter like music to my ears.The world around us faded into the background as I reached out to her, drawing her close into my arms. In that embrace, I felt a sense of completeness, a profound gratitude for the gift of her love.

And as the celebration continued around us, I knew that there was nowhere else I'd rather be than in her arms, surrounded by the beauty of her love and the magic of this moment. This was my birthday wish come true—the simple joy of being with her, now and always.

As my wife led me to the car, a sense of wonder filled me. She had already orchestrated such a beautiful birthday celebration, and now she was treating me to another surprise—a date that promised to be unforgettable.

As we approached the car, she graciously opened the door for me, a gesture that caught me off guard but warmed my heart nonetheless. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a rush of gratitude for her thoughtfulness and love.

Throughout the evening, she continued to shower me with her affection, opening doors and pulling out chairs with a grace and elegance that made me feel like royalty. It was a role reversal, a delightful twist on tradition that filled me with a sense of joy and appreciation.

With each gesture, she seemed to be saying, "You are my prince, and tonight, I want to treat you like one." And in that moment, I felt like the luckiest man in the world, blessed to have such a loving and devoted partner by my side.

As we sat across from each other in the dimly lit restaurant, the soft glow of candlelight casting shadows across her face, I couldn't help but marvel at the woman before me. She was exquisite, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of nerves and determination as she took a deep breath, her fingers playing nervously with the stem of her wine glass.

"Ayaan" she began, her voice barely above a whisper yet filled with an undeniable strength, "there's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time."

My heart skipped a beat as I leaned in closer, hanging on to her every word, my own breath catching in my throat.

"I know our marriage was arranged, and we've never had the chance to truly express our feelings for each other," she continued, her gaze unwavering as she reached across the table to gently grasp my hand in hers.

"But as we've spent these precious moments together, I've come to realize something profound. I love you, with every fiber of my being, with a love that knows no bounds."

Tears glistened in her eyes as she spoke, her vulnerability laid bare before me, and in that moment, I knew that I felt the same way. It was as if the weight of unspoken emotions had been lifted from my shoulders, leaving behind only a deep and abiding love for this extraordinary woman who had captured my heart.

"And so, on this special day, surrounded by the love and warmth of our shared bond, I want to ask you something," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Will you reaffirm your love for me? Will you choose me, over and over again, as your partner in this beautiful journey of life?"

My breath caught in my throat as her words hung in the air, the weight of their meaning settling over us like a comforting embrace. In that moment, I knew without a doubt what my answer would be.

With tears of joy in my eyes, I turned to her, taking her hands in mine as I spoke from the depths of my soul.

"Yes," I said, my voice filled with an unwavering certainty. "Yes, my love. I choose you, today and always. You are my heart, my partner, my everything."

"Should I tell you a secret?" She nodded, her eyes still filled with tears. 

"Your marriage with Verma? His downfall in his business was because i withdraw our partnership. Remember the time you came to my office after the clumsy encounter in the café?" She nodded. She was embarrassed remembering that moment. "Sorry to say, but I unknowingly stalked you for three months until you disappeared and i found you returned to delhi." Her eyes jerked and she looked at me with shock. 

"What? You stalked me?" 

"I mean not completely, i used to roam around your office. It wasn't my choice. I randomly found myself around your house." She smiled. "So you loved me from that moment?" I nodded.