Proposal and engagement #5
He left the top two buttons open, exposing a hint of smooth skin and the edge of his collarbone.
A dark charcoal waistcoat followed, fitted perfectly to his frame, accentuating the V-shape of his torso.
He slid on a matching black jacket, the cut sharp and elegant, then fastened a slim silver watch around his wrist.
His dark hair was styled back with a touch of product, revealing his strong jawline and the faint stubble that shadowed his cheeks.
A few strands fell forward, giving him a slightly roguish edge.
He sprayed a light, woody cologne across his neck and chest, the scent subtle yet masculine.
Finally, he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt and checked his reflection once more confident, composed, and devastatingly handsome in his engagement attire
Meanwhile, in her separate room, Devyani stood before a tall mirror as her attendants finished the final touches on her look.
She wore a stunning floor-length gown in deep emerald green, the rich satin fabric shimmering softly under the lights.
The bodice was intricately embroidered with delicate gold thread and tiny crystals that caught the light with every breath she took, tracing elegant floral patterns across her chest and waist.
The neckline dipped just low enough to reveal the gentle swell of her breasts, framed by sheer lace panels that added a touch of sensuality without being overt.
The gown cinched at her narrow waist before flowing out into a full, sweeping skirt that brushed the floor, the layers of fabric moving like liquid when she shifted.
Thin straps rested on her smooth shoulders, leaving her arms bare and highlighting the graceful line of her collarbones.
Her long, dark hair had been styled into soft waves that cascaded down her back, with a few loose strands framing her face.
A thin chain rested against her throat, the pendant nestled between her breasts.
Her makeup was flawless smoky eyes that made her gaze appear deeper and more alluring, long lashes that fluttered when she blinked, and lips painted a soft, inviting rose.
A faint blush colored her cheeks, and her skin glowed with a healthy radiance.
When she turned slightly, the slit along one side of the skirt revealed a flash of toned leg, the fabric parting to show smooth skin up to mid-thigh. She looked breathtaking elegant, radiant, and utterly captivating in her engagement gown, every detail chosen to make her the center of attention.
As the grand doors of the hall opened, conversations gradually faded into silence.
One by one...
Heads turned toward the entrance.
For a heartbeat, the entire room stood still.
Rivan stepped inside first, dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo that seemed to have been stitched exclusively for him. The crisp white shirt beneath contrasted sharply against the dark fabric, while the open collar softened his otherwise commanding appearance.
His watch caught the golden chandelier light with every measured step.
Yet...
His attention wasn't on the guests.
It wasn't on the decorations.
Or the music.
His eyes instinctively searched for only one person.
Across the magnificent hall...
He found her.
Devyani stood beneath an archway woven entirely from fresh white roses, jasmine, and orchids.
And in that instant...
The world ceased to exist.
She looked breathtaking.
The emerald green gown flowed around her like liquid silk, every delicate thread of gold embroidery shimmering beneath the crystal chandeliers as though tiny stars had been woven into the fabric itself.
The fitted bodice highlighted her graceful elegance before cascading into a soft, flowing skirt that moved with every gentle breath of air.
Diamond and emerald earrings caught the light each time she turned her head.
Her hair fell in soft waves over one shoulder, while a few delicate strands framed her glowing face.
Her makeup was subtle.
Elegant.
The faint rosy tint on her lips, the soft shimmer along her eyes, and the quiet confidence in her smile made her look less like a bride-to-be...
...and more like a dream someone had somehow brought to life.
For several long seconds...
Even the orchestra forgot to play.
The musicians themselves found their eyes drifting toward her.
A collective breath escaped the room.
"My God..."
one of the elderly women whispered unconsciously.
"She's beautiful."
"No..."
another guest corrected softly.
"She's ethereal."
Virendra stood quietly near the stage.
The moment his eyes fell upon his daughter...
His chest tightened.
He smiled.
But tears gathered almost instantly.
His little girl...
Was standing before him today...
Radiant.
Confident.
Ready to begin another chapter of her life.
A tear escaped before he could stop it.
Beside him, Yashodha gently slipped her hand into his.
"You were right," she whispered emotionally.
"Our Devu grew into the most beautiful woman."
Virendra couldn't speak.
He simply nodded.
Across the hall...
Reyansh looked toward Devyani.
His stern face softened almost immediately.
A proud smile appeared despite his best efforts to hide it.
He folded his arms and quietly shook his head.
"Our little troublemaker..."
he murmured under his breath.
"...when did she grow up?"
Aru wispered.
"I'm not crying."
"It's the flowers."
Payal laughed.
"You're absolutely crying."
"So are you."
"I am."
Around them, every member of the family watched Devyani with overwhelming affection.
Even the household staff, who had watched her grow up within those very walls, couldn't stop smiling.
Some of them quietly wiped tears from the corners of their eyes.
For them...
She wasn't merely the daughter of the house.
She was their Devyani.
Tonight...
She looked every bit the princess they had always believed she was.
Meanwhile...
Rivan simply stood there.
Completely motionless.
He had negotiated billion-dollar deals without hesitation.
Faced impossible decisions without fear.
Yet now...
Standing only a few steps away from the woman he loved...
He couldn't even remember how to breathe.
His eyes slowly traveled over her.
The emerald gown.
The ring resting delicately on her finger.
The smile meant only for him.
Everything else blurred.
Someone beside him quietly nudged his shoulder.
"You should probably blink."
Rivan didn't.
"I forgot how."
Rudraksh burst into laughter.
"You've been staring for almost a minute."
"I know."
"And?"
He smiled without taking his eyes off her.
"I'm trying to convince myself she's real."
Across the room, Devyani caught him staring.
A faint blush bloomed across her cheeks.
She lowered her eyes for a moment before looking back up.
Their gazes met.
The hall disappeared.
The applause.
The music.
The conversations.
Everything faded away.
There were hundreds of people surrounding them.
Yet somehow...
It felt as though they were the only two souls in the entire world.
And watching them from every corner of the hall, the Thakur family exchanged quiet smiles.