32.
Finally, the moment she had been longing for had arrived. She could hardly believe her ears.
'Did he mean what I thought he did?' she thought.
"You mean... you and I... we?" She struggled to get the words out, her mind racing with disbelief. Reyansh smiled at her, gently releasing her hand and taking a step back, creating a small gap between them.
"Yes, sunshine. Exactly what you're thinking, that's what I'm saying," he confirmed. And this nickname did something to her that she couldn't despise.
Then, to her utter surprise, he did something she never expected. Her breath caught in her throat as he knelt before her, just like in those romantic movies where the guy proposed to the girl.
As he lowered himself, locking his gaze on her, it felt like she was in a dream. He reached out, taking her left hand in his right, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Arya I, Reyansh Shekhawat, wholeheartedly accept you as my wife. I know we're already married, and you're already my wife. But I realize I haven't given you the love and support you deserve."
"I know I haven't been the best husband," Reyansh continued. His voice filled with sincerity.
"I've made mistakes, I've hurt you. I've been so caught up in my darkness, my past, that I haven't fully embraced the beautiful relationship we have."
"But now, standing here before you, I want to change that. I want to be the husband you deserve, the partner you can rely on, the man who will stand by your side through thick and thin." She felt tears welling up in my eyes as she listened to his heartfelt words.
"Reyansh" she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
He smiled, his eyes shining with warmth and sincerity. She couldn't believe what was happening. This was beyond anything she had ever imagined.
She was standing there, frozen, overwhelmed by Reyansh's words and actions. It felt like her heart was going to burst with happiness. Reyansh, the man who had always been so distant and guarded, was now opening up to her in ways she never thought possible.
As he looked up at her, his eyes filled with love and determination, she couldn't help but feel a surge of love for him. He was promising to be the husband she had always dreamed of, to love and support her unconditionally.
"Until now, you've loved me. Now, let me have the chance to love you, Sunshine" he said softly.
"Will you give me a chance to make things right, to make you truly feel like my wife, not just in name, but in every sense of the word?" He said and she couldn't hold back her tears any longer. They streamed down her cheeks.
He wasn't just saying words; he was laying bare his heart, offering it to her freely and completely.
All this while, she had hoped for this moment, for him to open up and express his love for her. And now, it was happening, in the most unexpected yet beautiful way.
She couldn't speak, the emotions overwhelming her. But she nodded vigorously, unable to contain her happiness. Reyansh's smile widened, his eyes shimmering.
"I had no idea my words could affect you so deeply, sunshine", he murmured, standing up and wiping away her tears.
"Oh, baby, please stop crying," he consoled, enfolding her in a warm hug.
She surrended to his comforting hold, both finding solace in each other.
She reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers, silently conveying that they were together in this.
After a few moments, they parted from each other, and Reyansh gently cupped her chin, urging her to look into his eyes, and captured her lips in a gentle, lingering kiss.
The world seemed to melt away as their lips met, a soft and tender connection that held all the words they couldn't say out loud.
His other hand went to hold her by the waist and yanked her further towards himself. They sank deeper into the kiss, their hearts racing in unison.
Arya's surprise melted into warmth, and she found himself responding, his arms sliding around Reyansh's neck, pulling him closer. Their kiss was slow, tender, and filled with an unspoken promise, each touch a reassurance that they were there for each other.
When they finally pulled back, their foreheads pressed together, both breathing softly, Arya's eyes were bright with emotion. "I... I love you, Reyansh" she murmured, his voice barely a whisper, her cheeks tinted pink with a shy smile.
She felt him smile, but he didn't reply. She felt a little disappointed, but she knew there was still a long way to go.
"Let's take baby steps" she whispered.
"Let's take baby steps" he repeated and pecked her lips.
"Why don't we start from starting...so" He paused
"Mrs. Arya Shekhawat, will you go on a date with your husband?" He hesitantly asked, and her lips were drawn into a beautiful smile after listening to the date.
She had never been on a date, and her first date was with the love of her life.
She nodded. "Yes..yes," she said and smiled beautifully, her eyes shining with joy. He smiled looking at her.
"This weekend we will go on our first official date," He said and Arya smiled looking forward to their date.
Reyansh's phone started ringing and he excused himself. As he left, She remained rooted to the spot, still processing what just happened.
She felt a surge of happiness bubbling up inside her ready to burst out.
With joy overflowing. She started jumping around like a kid, twirling, giggling, and dancing without a care.
Then, she headed towards the dressing mirror, standing in front of it. "You, yes you," She said, pointing at her reflection in the mirror. "You won, your love won," she said, gazing at herself.
Her eyes shifted to the photo of Reyansh on the table beside the mirror. She picked it up, meeting his gaze captured in the picture. "My love won, Mr Shekhawat," she said, placing the photo back in its spot.
Then, she resumed happy dance, jumping and twirling around the room like a child. Sathvik and his doings were long forgotten. Sometimes just family support is enough for you to pass from many hard situations. And this time Arya got this. Positive environment around her which made her feel safe.
She has not completely forgotten what had happened but all these people around her can feel that she can heal from this.