The Gills were staying with the Advanis, and the two families mingled so well that it felt as if they had known each other forever. Laughter and conversations filled the house, creating an atmosphere of warmth and joy.

Shubman, standing in the balcony, was deeply engrossed in messaging his ICT team, his fingers flying over the keys of his phone.

Suddenly, he felt a familiar warmth envelop him from behind. Kiara had hugged him tightly, resting her head on his back. "What are you doing, Shub?" she asked, her voice a soft whisper.

Shubman turned slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "I was just informing everyone about our engagement," he replied, his tone casual yet filled with excitement.

Kiara hummed softly, a sound of contentment, and Shubman put his phone away, turning fully to face her. He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her as if to never let go. "Finally, our family accepted us," Kiara murmured, her voice tinged with relief.

"Yeah, I am so happy," Shubman said, but Kiara sensed something was amiss. She pulled back slightly, looking up into his eyes.

"Shub, what's wrong? Aren't you happy with this?" she asked, her brows furrowing in concern.

"Of course, I am happy, Kiki," Shubman assured her, but the worry in his eyes betrayed his words.

Kiara cupped his face gently, her thumbs brushing over his cheeks. "I don't see that happiness in your eyes, Shub," she said softly. "What's really going on?"

Shubman sighed heavily, turning his gaze away from her. "I am scared, Kiki," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Scared that you might leave me like Ananya did."

Understanding dawned on Kiara. She pulled him closer, pressing her forehead against his. "I promise you, Shub, nothing like that will ever happen. I will be with you forever," she vowed, her voice firm and reassuring.

Shubman nodded, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. Kiara kissed his forehead tenderly and said, "Now, let's get some sleep. Tomorrow, the panditji is coming to fix the date for our engagement."

Shubman smiled and kissed her gently before heading to his room. Kiara watched him go, then looked up at the night sky, her heart full. "I know what you're feeling, Shub. After everything you've been through, it's natural to have these fears. But I promise you, you'll never be sad because of me," she whispered, her words carried away by the gentle breeze.

She changed into her pajamas and slipped into bed, a sense of peace settling over her.

The next morning, Shubman woke up feeling refreshed. He brushed his teeth and took a long, hot shower. When he stepped out, he found a deep red kurta laid out on his bed, courtesy of his sister Shahneel. He put it on, appreciating the simple yet elegant design. The matching red pants fit perfectly, and the dark-colored loafers added a modern touch to his traditional outfit.

As he admired his reflection, Shahneel walked in, her eyes lighting up. "Wow, Kaka, you look amazing!" she exclaimed.

Shubman smiled. "Thanks, di. You look beautiful too," he replied, taking in her peach-colored salwar kameez, which was intricately embroidered and paired with beige juttis. Her hair, left open, framed her face perfectly, adding to her graceful appearance.

They headed downstairs together, where Jagdeep greeted Shubman with a warm smile. "Looking good, young man," he said.

"Thanks, uncle," Shubman replied, his nerves starting to settle.

Soon, the pandit arrived, and Geneieve went to fetch Kiara. Jagdeep nodded approvingly as Shubman sat down next to Shahneel, the excitement palpable.

Kiara descended the stairs, looking radiant in a rich, deep red saree adorned with intricate gold embroidery. Her blouse matched perfectly, with its contemporary neckline and detailed sleeves. Gold jhumkas dangled from her ears, and a set of gold bangles jingled on her wrists. A small red bindi completed her look, and her hair was neatly pulled back into a sophisticated bun.

She took her place next to Shubman, who couldn't take his eyes off her. The pandit began speaking, and soon, he announced, "We have two dates for the engagement. One is two days later, and the other is six months later."

Jagdeep turned to Lakhwinder, asking, "What do you think, Lakhwinderji?"

"I guess we can do the engagement in two days," Lakhwinder suggested, and everyone nodded in agreement.

Shubman and Kiara shared a smile, their hearts beating in unison. The pandit continued, "Then we can fix the wedding one month later?"

Keart and Geneieve nodded, and with that, the date was set. Shahneel nudged Shubman, "Shub, upload this on Instagram."

He nodded, and they headed out to the beautiful lawn for a photo shoot. The families posed for pictures, capturing moments of joy and love. Shubman uploaded a picture on his Instagram, announcing their engagement to the world.

Two hearts locked in love, now and always. @kiaraaliaadvani❤️❤️

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Later, they changed into comfortable clothes and gathered to choose the venue for the engagement. The house buzzed with excitement and plans, the Gills and the Advanis bonding over their shared happiness.

It was an amazing family time, filled with laughter, love, and the promise of a beautiful future together.