CROWNED WITH LOVE : A JOURNEY OF TRADITION AND TEMPTATION

CHAPTER 11 : Unexpected Proposal

HAPPY READING

After they both relaxed, Aadhyant couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, "How did you know I was here?"

Arjun replied, "Your mother told me about your secret spot." Aadhyant further inquired, "And why did you call my mother in the middle of the night?"

Suddenly, Arjun remembered that he also needed to inform Vihanna, as she had requested. "It was Vihanna," he said. "She called me and said something seemed off with you. Ah, I need to let her know I found you."

Aadhyant was puzzled. "How would she know?" Arjun explained, "You dialed her number, and I'm guessing you couldn't bring yourself to talk to her, so you threw your phone away. Just look at the state of it—it's shattered. It's your third iPhone this year, dude."

Aadhyant shrugged at his friend's dramatics. "Give me your phone. I need to talk to her. Maybe she's still waiting."

Arjun tried to tease him. "She didn't ask to speak to you; she asked me to inform her. I'll tell her."

Aadhyant looked irritated at his best friend. "Okay, fine. Take it," Arjun said, handing over his phone from his pocket to Aadhyant.

Aadhyant called Vihanna, and after only two rings, she picked up the call, as she had been waiting for his call. "Hello, Arjun. Did you find him? Is he alright?" she asked as soon as she answered.

"Hi, I'm Aadhyant. Yes, he found me, and I'm completely fine," Aadhyant replied.

Vihanna let out a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness," she murmured. Then she continued, "Where were you? And why was your phone switched off? You called me and then suddenly disconnected the call, and since then, your phone has been continuously off."

Aadhyant was slightly happy knowing that she was worried about him, but he cut her off and asked in a serious voice, "Were you worried about me?"

Out of instinct, she was about to say, "Obviously," but then she stopped mid-word, thinking about his question herself. Was she really worried about him? And why was she so stressed and tense at the thought of something wrong happening to him? She didn't know the answer herself, so how could she answer him? The best she could do at that time was to change the topic.

She cleared her throat and asked him, "Um, why did you call me so late?" Aadhyant didn't know what to tell her, so he said, "Actually, the call was connected by mistake, and after that, my phone broke down. So sorry for disturbing you at this hour."

"It's okay. Good night," Vihanna replied, and she disconnected the call after receiving his good night wish.

After putting the phone down, Vihanna thought about her rising feelings towards this stranger. She had never felt something like this for anyone before. The way he had consoled her in the hospital really touched her heart. She felt warmth and comfort near him. She couldn't name the feeling she felt, but she knew that it was getting deeper and deeper with every interaction with him.

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It had been more than a week since Aadhyant learned about his father's health. He had somehow accepted the situation, but since that day, he had been working rigorously. He wanted to make his father proud, knowing time was limited.

Despite it being the weekend, he was ready to head to the office. His mother asked, "Aadhyant, today is Sunday. Where are you going?"

"Mom, I have an important meeting today. I have to go," he replied.

"But beta, today is your aunt's birthday. We should all be here at home with her," she insisted.

He wasn't in the mood to stay, as he wasn't very fond of his aunt and her son. However, after his mother and siblings insisted, he agreed to stay.

He called Arjun and worked from home. In the evening, Aadhyant and his whole family gathered in the hall. His aunt and Ajeet also arrived. The hall was decorated, and the cake was set.

Excitedly, Alisha said, "Ajeet bhai, let's cut the cake! Everyone is here already."

Ajeet replied, "Yes, Alisha, we will cut the cake soon. Please wait for a while, as there is someone special coming today." Everyone wondered who this special guest could be.

Aadhyant didn't care about Ajeet and his special friend. He sat on the sofa with Arjun and his laptop, completely immersed in his work.

Ajeet received a call and went to the gate to receive his special guest. He returned with Vihanna, who was wearing a simple suit and holding a bouquet. He announced to everyone, "Everyone, this is my special friend, Vihanna." As the words left his mouth, Aadhyant snapped his head toward the door, shocked beyond words at the sight of her.

Vihanna greeted all the elders respectfully with a joined hands namaste. Aadhyant placed his laptop on the table and stood up in shock, with Arjun following suit. She looked at him, mouthed a "Hi," and waved her hand, but he was too stunned to respond. Arjun waved back. Alisha welcomed Vihanna with a warm hug.

Ajeet announced, "Come on, everyone, let's cut the cake." Everyone gathered around, and the cake was cut. They all fed each other cake. Alisha offered cake to Vihanna, and she accepted it.

Aadhyant was looking for a chance to talk to Vihanna alone, so he could ask her the questions that were constantly running through his mind. But amidst all the party noise and music, he couldn't find the opportunity.

The party was going well when suddenly, the soundtrack changed to romantic music. Ajeet knelt down in front of Vihanna and asked, "Vihanna, will you marry me?"

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