[62]AN CUTE PROPOSAL
The wash area at the end of the dining room was quiet, the sound of running water and clinking plates the only noise.
Amisha and Abhiraj stood side by side at the long marble counter, washing their hands in silence.
The tension between them was thick (hot, unspoken).
Amisha rinsed her hands slowly, pallu still slipped, blouse hook open from her earlier teasing.
Abhiraj washed his hands beside her, eyes dark, jaw tight.
She finished first, turned to leave.
He caught her wrist (firm, sudden).
Pulled her gently to the side (out of direct view of the dining room).
Before she could protest, his fingers were at her blouse (hooking the open clip closed, one by one).
Then he adjusted her pallu (carefully, possessively, covering everything-her curves, her chest, what he had silently called "Abhiraj and Aviraj's food").
His hands smoothed the fabric over her shoulder, then gathered her loose hair, pulling it forward to cover her neck (hiding the skin he had been staring at all dinner).
All in complete silence.
Amisha looked up at him (eyes wide, cheeks flushed, lips parted).
He met her gaze (calm, intense, a little warning in his eyes).
No words.
Just correction.
Just claim.
When he finished, she looked perfect again (modest, covered, the teasing game over).
He released her wrist.
She turned and walked out (chin high, but heart racing).
He followed a step behind.
As they entered the corridor toward the living room, a small tug came at her saree hem.
Amisha looked down.
A little boy (about 7, from the village, son of one of the guest) stood there, looking up at her with big eyes and a shy smile.
He tugged again.
"Hello..."
Amisha crouched down to his level, smiling softly.
"Hello beta... kya naam hai?"
The boy grinned wider.
"RANVIJAY THAKUR.Aap bohot sundar ho."
Amisha's eyes crinkled.
"OOO...Thank you... tum bhi handsome ho."
The boy beamed, then asked seriously,
"Mujhse shaadi karogi?"
Amisha blinked, shocked.
Before she could answer, Abhiraj's voice came from behind (calm but firm).
"Nahi. Yeh already taken hai."
The boy looked up at Abhiraj, then back at Amisha with even cuter eyes (puppy face activated).
Amisha laughed softly.
"Par main toh shaadi-shuda hoon, beta."
The boy looked sad.
Amisha, to cheer him, asked,
"Kitni umar hai tumhari?"
"Seven."
She smiled.
"Okay good."
The boy brightened.
"Aapki behen hai?"
Amisha nodded.
"Haan, hai toh... par mujhse badi hai aur shaadi-shuda."
The boy thought.
"Beti?"
Amisha shook her head, laughing.teasing boy.
"Haan, beti hai."
The boy's eyes lit up.
"Toh main usse shaadi karunga jab woh aayegi!"
Abhiraj's face darkened instantly.
"Nahi. Woh out of stock hai."
The boy frowned.
"Kon le gaya?"
Abhiraj pointed at Amisha, then himself.
"Main.
Meri hai yeh... aur uski beti bhi."
The boy crossed his arms, stubborn.
"Nahi! Main shaadi karunga!"
Abhiraj leaned down slightly, voice low but playful-scary.
"Par main dunga nahi usko tumhe."
The boy puffed his cheeks.
"Toh ghar se chori kar lunga!"
Abhiraj's eyes narrowed (half amused, half genuinely protective over a daughter who wasn't even conceived yet).
Amisha burst out laughing, covering her mouth.
The little boy looked between them, confused but determined.
Abhiraj straightened, hand on Amisha's shoulder.
"Chalo beta... jaao.
Badi ho jayegi tab sochna."
The boy walked away, muttering,
"Chori karunga..."
Amisha looked at Abhiraj, eyes dancing.
"Aapki beti ko already proposal mil gaya."
Abhiraj's face was pure frown.
"Over my dead body."
She laughed harder, leaning into him.
The naming ceremony night continued.
But Abhiraj had already started planning his future daughter's security.
Very, very seriously.