CROWNED WITH LOVE : A JOURNEY OF TRADITION AND TEMPTATION

CHAPTER 33 : THE PROPOSAL

HAPPY READING

"Get ready, I want to take you somewhere," Aadhyant said with a mysterious glint in his eyes. Vihanna, intrigued, replied, "At least tell me where, so I can dress accordingly."

"It's a surprise," he teased, his smile hinting at the excitement to come, "and wear anything comfortable. There will be no one other than us."

After meticulously preparing, they stepped out together. Aadhyant took the driver's seat, his anticipation palpable, while Vihanna's curiosity bubbled over, prompting her to inquire repeatedly, "Tell me, Aadi, where are we going?"

He glanced at her with a playful admonishment, "Don't call me that when I'm driving."

Vihanna couldn't help but smile at his flirtatious banter, her anticipation mingling with amusement as they ventured into the unknown.

They arrived at the familiar old garden, a place steeped in memories for Aadhyant. A small table adorned with flickering candlelight awaited them, casting a soft, romantic glow over the surroundings. Hand in hand, they ventured into the garden's embrace.

"Do you remember this place?" Aadhyant inquired, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

Confusion clouded Vihanna's expression as she shook her head in denial. Aadhyant gently jogged her memory, "We met here for the first time."

Surprise flickered in her eyes at the revelation. Aadhyant elaborated, his words carrying a weight of significance, "I came here on my birthday. My car broke down on the way back to the palace, and it was here that a beautiful girl offered me a lift."

Recollection dawned on her, and she chuckled softly, "Oh, yes, I remember now."

A somber tone replaced Aadhyant's usual playfulness as he continued, "This place holds immense importance in my life. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, it has been witness to every major decision I've made. As a child, I used to come here with my father and elder brother to watch the airplanes."

Shock registered on Vihanna's face at the revelation of this new information. Sensing her questioning gaze, Aadhyant added, "Yes, I have an elder brother. He doesn't live with us; he's in the US."

The weight of his words hung in the air, mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft glow of candlelight.

He gestured towards the distant runway, his gaze fixed on a point beyond the garden"See that? Behind this serene garden is an airport. I used to come here, sit on this very bench, and watch planes taking off and landing for hours. Remember when you asked me about my fascination with airplanes? I can't explain it, but it brings me immense peace".

"His voice trembled with emotion as he revealed his aspirations, "So, I made it my mission, my dream, to become an Air Force pilot. As the youngest son, the burden of the crown and the throne never weighed on my shoulders. It was always meant for my elder brother. After completing my graduation, I returned to India and appeared for the AFCAT exam, securing the top position nationwide. It was a moment of sheer elation."

A shadow passed over his features as he continued, his words heavy with sorrow, "But fate had other plans. On that very day, my brother dropped the bombshell—he wanted to abdicate the throne and relocate to the US permanently. My father was left reeling from the news Hearing this, my aunt insisted her son, Ajeet, should rule the throne. But my father knew deep down that Ajeet was not the rightful heir."

A heavy sigh escaped him, his eyes betraying the turmoil within. With tears threatening to spill, he forged ahead, his resolve unyielding despite the emotional turmoil.

He lets out a heavy sigh, tears welling in his eyes, then continues, "And right here, at this very place, my father told me that I had to take over his legacy. My dreams, ambitions, everything shattered in an instant. With no other option, I had to let it all go. My life changed completely after that. I was trained to become a king." As he recounts his somber tale, her eyes also fill with tears. Wiping them away, he adds, "You mentioned Alisha's dream, right? I talked to baba sa about letting her pursue it, and he agreed." Suddenly, she recalls her past words and guilt washes over her conscience. She embraces him tightly, whispering against his chest, "I am so sorry for saying those things to you. You are the best brother she could have." Rubbing her back gently, he replies, "Don't be. Because of you, I found the courage to fight for her dreams. I only wish you had come into my life sooner."

Stepping out of the hug, he remarks, "And the biggest irony of life is I found my everything at the same place where once I lost it." Confusion clouds her expression as she looks at him, and he meets her gaze directly, stating, "You. I found you here."

Pulling out a box from his pocket, he kneels down in front of her. She gasps, taken aback by his unexpected gesture. With a chuckle, he reassures her, "Don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to marry me again. Last time I did, you burst out on me." Recalling the moment, she chuckles too, replying, "Yeah, because you said you wanted to marry me for the throne. Not my fault."

Laughing at her playful protest, he speaks sincerely, "Never. I never wanted to marry you for the throne. I married you for me." His words dispel all her doubts and insecurities, perhaps what she had always longed to hear from him

He gulped, his throat dry, and took a deep breath. It was evident that he was nervous. He continued, "Vihanna, since the day you walked into my life, I've felt alive again. It was as if I had been drowning in a sea of sadness, and you came as a fresh breath of air, reviving me once more. You healed something in me that you didn't even break. I fell in love with your eyes, your smile, your strength, your intelligence, and compassion. Even your stubbornness and hardheadedness. Hell, I even love your weird food combinations. You are everything I never knew I needed. Vihanna, you are the best thing that ever happened to me."

Taking another deep breath, he retrieved the huge diamond ring and said, "I LOVE YOU, VIHANNA KASHYAP RAGHUVANSHI". Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me?" She had been sobbing throughout his entire speech. The question hadn't fully left his mouth before Vihanna threw her arms around him and kissed him. She exclaimed, "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!"

He slipped the ring onto her finger, and it fit perfectly.

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