A'ja was ready to take the next step. She wanted to ask Serayah to marry her, to make a commitment she knew was real, strong, and rooted in everything they'd built together. And she wanted it to be perfect—a moment that was just for them, private and intimate, where Serayah could feel the depth of her love.
The first step was finding the perfect ring. A'ja visited an upscale jewelry store, scanning rows of diamonds and other precious stones, envisioning which one would capture Serayah's personality best. After an hour of consideration and chatting with the jeweler, her eyes landed on a stunning, simple yet elegant solitaire diamond in a platinum setting. The stone sparkled brilliantly, reminding her of the light in Serayah's eyes whenever she talked about her dreams.
Once she secured the ring, A'ja knew she had to reach out to someone very important in Serayah's life—her mother, Kanika. Although nervous, A'ja felt it was the right thing to do, knowing how close Serayah was to her mom. They met at a cozy cafe, and A'ja wasted no time, getting right to the point.
"Kanika, I wanted to come to you personally because I love your daughter deeply, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I'd be honored to have your blessing to propose to her."
Kanika's eyes softened with emotion, and she reached out, placing her hand on A'ja's. "I've seen how happy you make her, A'ja. She deserves that happiness after everything she's been through. You absolutely have my blessing."
A'ja felt a rush of relief and gratitude as Kanika squeezed her hand with a smile. "Take care of her, A'ja. That's all I ask."
"I promise," A'ja said earnestly, feeling even more sure of her decision.
The next stop was her parents' house. A'ja's mom, Eva, greeted her warmly, and her dad, Roscoe, looked up from his newspaper with a proud smile. They all sat down in the living room, where A'ja shared her plans to propose, letting them in on her vision of a romantic, private moment between her and Serayah.
Roscoe was supportive right away, clapping A'ja on the back. "I knew this day would come. You've always been wise in following your heart, and it sounds like Serayah is a good match for you."
Eva's smile was warm, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes. "A'ja, I know how deeply you care about her, and we trust your judgment. But I need to say this. Serayah's background, her past... it's something to consider."
A'ja took a deep breath, meeting her mother's concerned gaze. "Mom, I know her past, and I know who she is today. I love her for who she is now. Serayah has been nothing but honest with me, and we've both fought hard to build a life we're proud of."
Eva nodded, her eyes softening as she listened. "Then if you believe in her, A'ja, that's enough for me. I trust you. Just make sure you both keep each other strong."
With her parents' and Kanika's blessings, A'ja felt her heart swell with determination and excitement. She wanted the proposal to be a moment Serayah would cherish forever, one that captured the depth of her love and their journey together. But to make it unforgettable, A'ja knew she'd need to put in the work. She started by listing everything she'd need for the perfect proposal: a meaningful setting, thoughtful details, and, of course, a way to make Serayah feel cherished and safe.
After some consideration, A'ja decided on a secluded lakeside location she had discovered during their cabin getaway. Serayah had fallen in love with the peacefulness of the spot, and A'ja knew it would be the ideal backdrop. She reached out to the cabin's owner, who was happy to accommodate and even offered to help set up.
A'ja drove back to the lake one afternoon to plan the layout. She paced the area, envisioning how it would look in the evening glow, with candles lining the pathway and fairy lights strung from the nearby trees. The lake would reflect the twinkling lights, creating an intimate, magical scene. She spent hours mapping out where everything would go, her heart racing with excitement.
