Always, Forever
Author's pov-
The morning sun filtered softly through the drapes of the haveli, bathing everything in gold. The courtyard buzzed with the sound of shehnais, laughter, and the scent of fresh roses dancing in the air.
Today was the day.
Divya sat infront of the mirror, her red lehenga cascading like poetry, jewellery shimmering like memories. But it wasn't the outfit or the flawless makeup that made her glow.
It was the peace in her eyes.
A gentle knock stirred the silence.
Kaashi stepped inside, her pastel pink outfit flowing, her eyes glistening. She took one look at Divya-and froze.
"You look..." Kaashi whispered, placing a hand over her mouth, "like the version of you we always hoped would survive."
Divya blinked back the sudden sting in her eyes. "I wouldn't have survived if you hadn't held me together."
Kaashi walked over and sat beside her. "Do you remember? The night you cried yourself to sleep, swearing you'd never fall in love again?"
Divya nodded slowly. "And you stayed up whispering promises that the pain wouldn't last forever."
A tear rolled down kaashi's cheek as she laughed softly. "It didn't. Look at you now."
Divya turned, reaching for her bestfriend's hand. "I want you to know.. even on the days I felt like disappearing, you were my anchor. You never let me go."
Kaashi clutched her fingers. "Because I knew one day, he'd come back. And when he did-you deserved to be whole. Not broken."
They held eachother in that moment, no words-just years of friendship wrapped in silence.
And then kaashi whispered, voice cracking, "He's waiting for you. This time... he's not going anywhere."
---
Outside, purv stood under the mandap, dressed in an ivory sherwani with subtle gold embroidery. But it wasn't the outfit that made hearts flutter.
It was the look in his eyes as he saw Divya walk toward him.
She looked ethereal.
But to him, she was more than that.
She was home.
Their eyes locked.
No words needed.
No apologies left.
Only promises.
Vows wrapped in every glance.
As they exchanged garlands, the world around them disappeared.
It was just them.
From strangers to soulmates.
From heartbreak to healing.
From silence to forever.
---
Later that evening, after all the rituals, after the laughter and tears, purv pulled Divya aside into the quiet garden.
"Come with me," he whispered.
She raised a brow. "Where?"
He took her hand, leading her to a small canopy of fairy lights. And then he got down on one knee-again.
This time, holding a small velvet box.
Inside it wasn't just a ring.
It was letter.
A letter with every word he never got to say.
"You were never my mistake, Divi. You were my lesson.
My chance. My miracle.
So even though we're already married,
Will you still say yes to loving me everyday?
Will you still say yes to choosing me, even on the hard days?
Because I promise-
I'll never stop choosing you. "
Divya laughed through her tears. "You're a little late for a proposal, don't you think?"
He smiled. "Maybe. But not for a forever."
She kissed his forehead. "Always."
---
As they danced that night under stars and soft music, kaashi leaned against Rudra's shoulder, smiling.
"Next year, huh?" She whispered.
Rudra looked at her and said without hesitation, "Yes. Next year, and every year after."