....................."There's something about your eyes that tells me there's much more to you that meets the eye".
............."I've witnessed her cry with yo...
"But have you seen her smiling standing by my side"...........
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The days following our engagement felt like a blur—like trying to find clarity in a storm that just wouldn't pass. My thoughts were a jumble of confusion and the occasional spark of hope. I knew agreeing to this arrangement wasn’t practical, but something about it felt like the inevitable was knocking on my door.
By the time 7 PM rolled around, I was a mess of nerves and second-guessing. I stood in front of my mirror, trying to pull myself together. After a few wardrobe changes, I finally settled on a black dress that was simple yet elegant—something understated, but still made me feel... something.
I glanced at my reflection. The soft shimmer of royal blue fabric under the light matched my mood—deep and tangled....I was ready to face this dinner date.
Just as I was about to head downstairs, my phone buzzed again. It was a reminder from my mom.
“You look beautiful, Shreya,” I said, almost making myself forget what this night was supposed to be about.
“Thanks,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “You look… good too.”
The restaurant was everything I expected from a place that I would choose.
As we approached the grand entrance, The hotel exuded elegance from every corner, with its marble floors, high ceilings, and crystal chandeliers that sparkled in the soft lighting.
I sat across from Shreya by a window, the city lights twinkling like stars in the distance. The waiter handed us menus, and for a moment, we both stared at them, the silence stretching awkwardly between us.
Finally, she broke it, her voice calm, but eyes searching.
“I think we need to talk about how to make this engagement work,” she said, her tone measured, like we were discussing a business deal rather than the most complicated thing in my life.
I let out a small breath, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.” My voice was steady, but my mind was elsewhere, thinking of everything except the engagement.
“ And I know it’s a lot, but if there’s anything specific, just say it. I don’t want this to be… forced. We can figure it out.”
She nodded “I just… need some time to adjust.” she said quietly, avoiding my gaze. “And maybe, just maybe, we should add a few clauses to that agreement of yours. You know… about the other things that aren't exactly... smooth between us.”
Atharva’s expression didn’t change, but I could see his jaw tightening just a fraction. “I understand,” he said softly. “We’ll take it one step at a time.”
The waiter arrived with our food, interrupting the heaviness that seemed to settle between us. For a moment, I let myself relax, focusing on the delicate flavors of the food rather than the storm in my head.
