Chapter 17 #3
Marine Drive was where her journey with him had taken a dramatic turn weeks ago, where he had rescued her from Reyansh’s thugs, where he had pulled her against his chest and promised to keep her safe.
Now, bathed in the golden sunset light, the promenade felt like the safest, most beautiful place on earth.
"Why did we come here, Akhil?" Shruti asked softly, holding her chiffon saree skirt as the cool sea breeze blew her dark waves around her face.
Akhil didn't answer right away. He took her small, bandaged hand into his broad palm, lacing his fingers securely through hers, and guided her towards a secluded, high granite ledge overlooking the roaring ocean waves.
They stood side-by-side at the edge of the sea wall, watching the golden sun slowly dip beneath the dark blue horizon, painting the clouds in shimmering light.
"Three weeks ago," Akhil spoke softly, his deep voice carrying a quiet, heavy emotion that made Shruti’s pulse flutter, "I picked you up at the airport.
You walked out of those arrivals doors with a heavy backpack, messy hair, and that stubborn, fearless smile that has owned my heart for eight years. "
Shruti looked up at his sharp profile illuminated by the golden sunset light, a soft smile curving her lips. "And you called me 'Shorty' and complained about my heavy bag."
Akhil chuckled softly, turning his body to face her fully. He took both of her hands into his broad palms, his dark eyes searching her face with an intensity so profound it made her breath catch in her throat.
"I spent eight years lying to myself, Shruti," Akhil confessed rawly, his voice dropping to a low, velvety whisper.
"I told myself I was protecting you by staying away.
I told myself that an eight-years-older billionaire with a dark world had no right to claim a bright, pure girl like you. But I was a fool."
Shruti felt her eyes welling up with warm, happy tears. "Akhil..."
"You taught me that love isn't about building golden cages or hiding behind rules," Akhil continued, his thumbs lightly brushing over her knuckles.
"Love is about standing together in the storm.
You proved to me today that your heart is braver, stronger, and far more courageous than mine could ever be. "
Akhil took a slow, deep breath. His hands were trembling slightly, a rare, beautiful sign of raw vulnerability from a man who commanded corporate empires.
Slowly, deliberately, under the glowing crimson sunset of Marine Drive, Akhil Raheja dropped down onto one knee before her on the concrete promenade.
Shruti gasped softly, her hands flying to her mouth as tears of pure, unadulterated joy spilled over her eyelashes.
Akhil reached into his inner suit pocket and pulled out a small, elegant dark velvet ring box.
He opened the box.
Resting inside on white silk was a breathtaking, custom-designed ring, a massive, flawless oval-cut canary yellow diamond surrounded by a halo of micro-pave emeralds and platinum bands, combining the golden warmth of Mumbai’s sunsets with the deep emerald green of Lake Como’s waters.
Akhil looked up into her tear-glistening eyes, his dark irises burning with a love so massive, so profound, that it filled the universe.
"Shruti Malhotra," Akhil spoke, his deep voice thick with raw, overwhelming emotion. "You are my courage, my joy, my wild adventure, and my safest home. I have loved you since the night you turned nineteen, and I will love you until the stars turn cold."
He held the glowing ring up towards her, his voice trembling with a lifetime of devotion.
"Will you do me the absolute honor of becoming my wife?" Akhil asked softly. "Will you marry me, Shorty?"
Shruti felt her entire chest swell with a love so massive it shattered every remaining piece of fear in her soul.
She looked down at the man kneeling before her, the man who had carried a silent burden for eight years, the man who had built a villa for her dream, the man who had walked into a death trap just to keep her breathing.
"Yes!" Shruti sobbed out with radiant, breathtaking joy, dropping to her knees directly onto the concrete beside him, throwing her arms tightly around his neck! "Yes, Akhil! A thousand times yes!"
Akhil let out a raw, booming laugh of pure, unadulterated triumph!
He wrapped his broad, powerful arms around her waist, lifting her body up off the ground, spinning her around in his arms under the golden sunset sky while the ocean waves crashed wildly against the sea wall below!
When he set her feet back down onto the concrete, Akhil smoothly slid the breathtaking canary diamond and emerald ring onto her finger. It fit her hand flawlessly, sparkling under the evening sun.
Akhil cupped her soft, tear-glistening cheeks with both hands, looking into her dark eyes with pure adoration.
"You are officially mine, Miss Malhotra," Akhil whispered against her lips.
"And you are officially mine, Mr. Dictator," Shruti smiled back, her voice full of pure happiness.
And as Akhil brought his lips down onto hers in a passionate, breathtaking kiss, framed by the glowing crimson sunset over the Arabian Sea, the entire world stood still. The long years of waiting were over, the storm had passed, and two reckless hearts were finally bound together forever.