Chapter 15: The Proposal

The morning after their heated conversation felt different. The sun shone brighter, but Aradhana felt as though a shadow had been cast over her world. She had spent the night tossing and turning, unable to escape the whirlwind of revelations. The connection between their families, Reyansh’s father’s involvement in shady business dealings, Priya’s cryptic presence—it was all too much. But as much as she wanted to push it all aside and return to the life she knew, the truth had already come to light. There was no going back.

It was midday when Reyansh called her, his voice soft but determined on the other end of the line. "Aradhana, I need to talk to you. In person. Can we meet?"

Her mind immediately raced. What now? Another truth? Another layer to peel back? But despite the unease knotting her stomach, she knew there was no avoiding it. She couldn’t keep running from the situation. So, she agreed to meet him at their favorite café—the one place where everything had felt simple and uncomplicated.

The familiar bell above the café door chimed as Aradhana stepped inside, scanning the room for Reyansh. She spotted him near the window, looking out over the busy street. He was sitting with his back straight, his expression unreadable, but there was something different about him today—more serious, more... resolved.

As she approached, his gaze shifted to her, and he stood up immediately, as though he had been waiting for this moment. His eyes were intense, but there was a vulnerability there that she hadn’t seen before.

"Thank you for coming," Reyansh said, offering her a tentative smile. "I know everything’s been difficult, and I’m sorry for keeping so much from you."

Aradhana nodded, her emotions a mixture of confusion and apprehension. "I don’t even know what to say anymore. There’s so much that doesn’t add up."

Reyansh gestured for her to sit, and she obliged, her hands trembling slightly as she placed them on the table. "I understand. But I need to say this—before everything spirals any further."

Aradhana looked at him, her brow furrowing. "What do you mean? What’s going on now?"

Reyansh took a deep breath, and for a moment, he seemed to gather the courage to say something monumental. "Aradhana, I need you to know that I want to build a life with you. Despite everything that’s come to light, despite our families’ history, I don’t want to let go of what we have. I know I’ve made mistakes, I’ve kept things from you, but I want to make this right."

Her heart skipped a beat, and for a second, she didn’t know how to respond. The weight of his words hung between them like a fragile thread, and she found herself caught in the pull of his sincerity. But was it enough? Could she really trust him again?

"Reyansh, after everything—" she started, but he cut her off, his hand reaching across the table to take hers in his.

"I know," he said quietly, "But I want to prove it to you. I’ve been thinking a lot about what Priya said, about our families’ past. And I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to fight for you. For us. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life."

Aradhana’s heart raced. What was he saying? He wanted to fight for them, but could she really put her faith in him again after everything that had happened?

Reyansh squeezed her hand gently, pulling her from her thoughts. "Aradhana, I’m asking you to trust me. To give me a chance to show you that I’m not like my father. That I’m not like the man who betrayed you or your family. I want to do this together. I want you by my side, through everything."

Aradhana’s mind was spinning. She wanted to believe him—wanted to believe that there could be a future for them, despite the tangled mess of lies and secrets that surrounded them. But was it too soon? Could she truly forgive the man who had kept so many things from her?

Reyansh’s voice softened, and there was an edge of vulnerability to it. "I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need you to make a decision. Not for me, but for us."

Her pulse quickened, her thoughts swirling. Everything she had believed in was shifting under her feet, and the uncertainty of the future stretched out before her like a road she wasn’t sure she was ready to travel.

"I can’t promise you everything," she said finally, her voice thick with emotion. "But I want to believe in us too, Reyansh. I want to try."

Reyansh’s face softened, relief flooding his features. He leaned forward, his eyes bright with something like hope, and took her other hand in his as well. "That’s all I need, Aradhana. A chance. We can figure this out together, step by step."

But as his words hung in the air, Aradhana couldn’t shake the feeling that they were only at the beginning of a long, difficult journey. The truth of their families’ past, the secrets yet to be uncovered—it all loomed large in the background, and she knew that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. But for the first time in a while, there was a glimmer of something—hope, perhaps. Hope that they could rebuild, that they could overcome the obstacles standing between them.

Reyansh squeezed her hands again, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know we’ll face more challenges, Aradhana. But I want to do it with you. Will you marry me?"

The words hit her like a bolt of lightning. Marry him? The shock of the question left her momentarily speechless, but as she looked into his eyes—so earnest, so full of love and regret—she felt something stir within her.

"I... I don’t know if I’m ready," she said, her voice trembling.

Reyansh’s face fell slightly, but then he gave her a small, understanding smile. "I don’t expect an answer right now. But know this, I’m in this with you—no matter what."

As she sat there, her heart racing, the world outside seemed to fade away. For the first time in ages, Aradhana allowed herself to think about the future—about a life with Reyansh, with all its uncertainties and complexities. And despite everything, she wasn’t sure she could say no.

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