The soft drizzle painted the streets with reflections of yellow streetlights, making the city feel calm yet alive. Hiten walked beside Aarya, each step measured yet slightly hurried, as if he was balancing nerves and excitement all at once. Aarya noticed his small hesitations—the subtle glances to the sky, the way his fingers fidgeted with his jacket—but didn't say anything, sensing that today something was different.
"Are you thinking about something?" she finally asked, tilting her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Hiten shook his head, forcing a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Nothing… just enjoying the rain," he murmured, though his heart raced with anticipation.
The streets glistened under the rain, each puddle reflecting the soft glow of the city lights. Hiten led her past familiar corners—the park where they had shared quiet conversations, the small café where she had laughed uncontrollably at his silly jokes—and finally, they reached the rooftop of his building. From up here, the city stretched endlessly, a mosaic of lights shimmering through the mist.
Aarya's eyes widened. "This… is beautiful," she whispered. The cool breeze played with her hair, and the faint scent of rain mingled with the warm glow of streetlights below, creating a moment suspended in time.
Hiten took a deep breath, gathering courage. "Aarya… I wanted to bring you here because this place… it feels like us. All our little moments—the laughter, the fights, the games we play, even the rain… I've realized I can't imagine my life without you."
Her heart skipped a beat. She studied his expression, noticing the vulnerability beneath his usual calm demeanor. The gentle sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten.
She nudged him playfully, hiding the rapid thump of her heart. "You're being dramatic, you know?" she teased, but there was a softness in her voice, a warmth that even she didn't fully understand.
Hiten chuckled, though it was tinged with nervousness. "Dramatic? Me? Never," he replied, brushing a hand through his hair. Then, taking a decisive breath, he reached into his pocket and produced a small, neatly wrapped box.
Aarya's eyes widened, her curiosity peaking. "Hiten… what's this?"
He held it out toward her, his hands slightly trembling. "I… I went to the shop today. I told myself it was for my sister's birthday, but… it's really for you." His voice dropped to a whisper, yet each word carried the weight of his feelings. "Aarya… will you be with me… forever?"
For a long moment, silence wrapped around them, the rain outside the only sound. Aarya's hands flew to her mouth, her heart pounding uncontrollably. Tears pricked her eyes, but she laughed softly, a mixture of surprise, joy, and disbelief.
"You… you planned this secretly, huh? Sneaky!" she said, though her voice trembled with excitement.
Hiten shrugged, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "I like surprises. Did you like it?"
Her laughter echoed across the rooftop, and for the first time in weeks, Hiten allowed himself to breathe freely, feeling the tension dissolve.
Aarya's gaze softened. She reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. "Yes… I'll be with you, Hiten," she whispered, leaning slightly toward him, feeling the warmth and security in his presence.
Hiten rested his chin gently on her head, closing his eyes. "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear that," he murmured. The rain tapped a steady rhythm around them, like the universe itself celebrating this moment.
Even as the drizzle continued, the city lights below, and the wind playing around them, the world seemed to pause just for them, holding a quiet, perfect moment that would live in their hearts forever.
To be continued…
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