Her Book Man

Chapter 10

Two years had passed since Naina and Kabir had made the decision to wait. The wait wasn’t easy, but their bond had only grown stronger, built on trust, patience, and love. Naina had been focusing on her studies, determined to overcome the challenges of her dissociative disorder, and with Kabir’s unwavering support, she had made great progress.

Kabir, on the other hand, continued to manage his library, cafe, and flower shop in Dehradun, but he had also been preparing for the day when he could officially call Naina his. The days were long, but they wrote letters, shared moments over phone calls, and met whenever they could, making the wait feel less daunting.

As the two years drew to a close, Kabir stood at the entrance of his flower shop, the familiar scent of roses and jasmine filling the air. He had arranged a surprise for Naina—a small but meaningful celebration. It was the day before her birthday, the day she would officially turn 18, the day their long wait would end.

Naina walked into the cafe, her face lighting up as soon as she saw him. She had grown more confident over the past two years, but there was still a quiet vulnerability in her eyes. She had made it. They had made it.

“Happy almost birthday, Naina,” Kabir said, his voice full of affection.

Naina smiled, her heart full of emotion. “I can’t believe it’s finally here, Kabir. It feels like we’ve been waiting forever.”

Kabir took her hand in his, his touch gentle. “The best things are worth waiting for.”

The small celebration was a reflection of their journey—simple yet profound. Friends and family had gathered, sharing laughter and joy as they celebrated Naina’s milestone. Kabir had made sure that the room was filled with her favorite flowers—lilies, roses, and peonies, each bloom symbolizing a promise they had kept over the years.

As the evening drew to a close, Kabir took Naina aside. Beneath the soft glow of the fairy lights, he knelt on one knee, holding out a small velvet box. His heart raced as he looked up at her, knowing that this moment was everything they had dreamed of.

“Naina, I’ve loved you for more than just these two years. I’ve loved you since the moment we met. You make my life better in ways I never thought possible. Will you marry me, Naina?”

Tears welled in Naina’s eyes as she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “Yes, Kabir. Yes.”

The room erupted in cheers, but for Naina and Kabir, the world faded away. The two of them, standing there, finally free to embrace the future they had always wanted together.

From that day on, Naina and Kabir never looked back. They married soon after, surrounded by their loved ones. The library, the cafe, and the flower shop became the backdrop for their new life, a life filled with love, peace, and understanding.

Naina had found her place—not just in Kabir’s heart, but in the world. And with Kabir by her side, she knew that whatever challenges came their way, they would face them together. Their story was far from over; in fact, it had only just begun.

The days after their wedding were a whirlwind of happiness and new beginnings. Naina and Kabir settled into their new life with an easy comfort, learning more about each other with every passing day. Naina often found herself marveling at how different her world felt now that Kabir was beside her, not just in her thoughts, but in every corner of her life.

One evening, as they sat in the cozy nook of their library, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air, Naina looked up from the book she was reading and caught Kabir watching her with a soft smile.

"What's with that smile?" she asked, closing the book and tilting her head.

Kabir’s smile widened. “I just... I’m really happy, Naina. You’ve always been so special to me. But now, it feels like I have all the time in the world to show you just how much you mean to me."