Warning: Not Edited

Aaradhya's POV

"Yes I do. A lot." He smiled.

"From the first day, I started feeling attracted towards you. But, I thought it was just an infatuation since we were just teenagers. I.. I.. pushed my feelings away and started concentrating on other things. I tried to chuck away my thoughts. But I couldn't." He smiled.

"Finally, I realised it was more than just an infatuation. Whenever you are sad, I feel like wiping your tears away and taking away all your sadness. Whenever you are happy, I wish that the smile stays forever. We haven't talked properly since a long time. And I started feeling ignored. I wanted your attention. But I didn't want to sound desperate." As he said that, tears made way through my eyes.

"You are with Vihaan sir a lot, now a days. And somewhere, that makes me sad. Maybe jealous" he chuckled and looked at me.

"I know this is not a very fancy proposal, but I really love you sweetheart" he said

Tears formed in my eyes as I looked at him. What do I tell him now?

I sighed "Sharan... This.. this is not..I.."

He smiled and cupped my cheek "You are still the same. Shy and nervous."

He caressed my cheek and I shifted uncomfortably. I removed his hand gently. "Sharan, I don't know what to say. I never thought that you..."

He chuckled "Thay I would love you. But I do." He said with a smile.

I gulped "Listen Sharan, I am sorry. I don't love you. I.. I.. have no such feelings for you...I.."

"Aaradhya.. take your time. I am not forcing you." He smiled

"No no Sharan. It's not like that. I might never have such feelings for you, ever." I sighed and went to the vendor.

Handing the vendor, the coffee cup, I paid for it and went back to Sharan. "I am sorry. Please don't wait for me."

I walked ahead as I saw him looking at me with pain. I sighed. It pained me too, for hurting him. But I couldn't just keep on leading him by asking for time.

Slowly walking down the lane, I came to an auto stand and took auto to Vihaan's house.

Sharan's POV

I felt hurt. Rejected. But what hurt me more was, she rejected me.

Why? I don't know. I felt so heartbroken. I don't know where to go, whom to share my feelings with. The friendship we had, was also at stake now. I don't know if she will ever talk to me like before.

If she will ever share her feelings with me like before. I wiped my tears and paid for my cup of coffee. She had paid hers, clearly indicating that she didn't want something beyond this.

I cried as I realised I lost a good person in my life. I don't know how to react, what to say. I felt so sad.

Suddenly I remembered Niharika, and called her immediately.

"Niharika, I.. I.. lost it. I lost my chance" I cried over the phone.

"Sharan.. Sharan.. relax. What happened?" She said calming me down.

"Niharika, I proposed Aaradhya. But she..." I cried more. I can't even process her words in my mind again.

"Shhh.. it's fine. Maybe she needs time. She'll come around Sharan. Relax" she tried consoling me but my tears didn't stop.

"No Niharika. She said not to wait for her." Maybe I know the reason. She.. she loves someone else. I realised it. Now everything makes sense.

She already loves Vihaan sir. She.. that's why, she said not to wait for her. I should have known it.

I lost her! Shit! If I knew it earlier I would have never proposed her. I lost the friendship we had!

"Sharan, relax. I'll try talking to her. Okay?" Niharika said and I smiled "Thanks Niharika. But don't talk to her about this. It's a request."

"But Sharan, you.. you love her right?"

"I do Niharika. But please don't talk to her about this. I don't want her to be uncomfortable every time we all meet. Let's just leave the topic." I smiled

"Are you sure about it? If you want, main baat Karu? (If you want, should I talk to her?)"

"No Niharika. Please don't. It will create more problems."

"Okay as you say. But you please take care okay?" She said and I cut the call with an "okay"

Aaradhya, I let you go, for the sake of your love.

Aaradhya's POV

I entered Vihaan's huge mansion wiping my tears. I rushed towards the stairs to go to the room, he said, was mine from now.

But a voice stopped me "Aaradhya?" I stood rooted at my place and turned around.

"Are you crying Shona?" I wiped my tears and nodded in a no immediately.

"You are crying. Tell me what happened?" She rushed to my side and made me sit on the sofa.

"Maa, I.." I choked because of the tears. I sat down and rested my head on her lap. She caressed my hairs and rubbed my back. Indeed, a mother's embrace is the most soothing one.

I sobbed more and hid my face in her lap. I didn't intend to tell her about me and Raghav, but I guess, now I should.

"Maa, if I tell you something, will you be angry?" I asked looking up at her.

"First relax dear. Tell me what is it" she said and I cried more.

"Maa, I don't know how to start.. I.. I am sorry first of all..." I said and she gave me a confused look.

"For what dear?" She asked

"Maa, I.. I love someone.." I cried and hid my face in her lap again not wanting to meet her eyes.

Few minutes later when she didn't respond I looked up to see her smiling. "Raghav isn't it?" I was shocked.

"Maa how do..you..?"

She chuckled "I can see it. He's trying so hard, talking to me always, wanting to know about us. Trying to help Ishita, trying to impress me and above all, his concern for you is so evident." I smiled as she spoke about him.

"And there is nothing to be sorry about beta. If not anyone else, I know we can trust Vihaan. He will not take any wrong decisions for us. And I am sure, he knows about you two." I blushed at it.

"And if he is okay, I am sure, we can be too. And you don't have to be sorry for this. It's love. It can happen anytime, with anyone. Don't worry, everything will be fine." I smiled and snuggled closer to her.

I.. I love you Aaradhya.

Sharan's voice rang in my ears and I cried "Nothing will be fine maa"

"Aray aray, what happened" she asked concerned.

I told her everything about Sharan and his proposal. I cried as I remembered him telling all this to me.

She sighed. "Aaradhya, it's good that you didn't lead him on. But be normal friends with him. Don't cut off your friendship. Okay?" I nodded.

"But Raghav? How do I tell him? I don't even know should I tell him or not.." I trailed off.

"It's upto you beta. If you think it will create problems, then leave it. But remember, any relationship should not be based on lies. If by chance, later on he comes to know from someone else, then it should not create misunderstandings" I nodded and gave her a weak smile.

"What's happening?" We heard a voice and I immediately wiped my tears recognising the voice.

I stood up and didn't turn around.

"Princess?" Vihaan said and I turned around slowly and gasped looking at Raghav there.

"Were you crying? Is everything okay? What happened?" He asked worried and looked at maa who blinked her eyes in assurance.

"She told me something that you were hiding." Maa told Vihaan and he looked at her confused.

All the time I could feel Raghav's intense gaze on me.

Maa walked to Raghav. "God bless you beta. You don't know how much you mean to me. You have given Aaradhya, the love she has craved for" she cried at the end.

Raghav smiled and hugged her "No, No aunty, in fact Aaradhya has given me the love I have craved for my entire life" he said looking deep into my eyes.

Withdrawing from the hug, maa asked them to relax.

"I need to talk" Raghav said looking at me and I nodded.

"I'll send you coffee" maa said but Raghav politely refused and signalled me indicating me to come.

As we reached my room he closed the door and locked it. I frowned looking at him.

He looked at me with dark eyes. "So? How did you reach home?" I gulped.

Did he see me with Sharan? Did he hear us? Did he see us at the stall? Did he hear Sharan's proposal?

So many questions were running through my mind.

"Raghav...I..I.." I stammered. God! He'll know. Stop stammering.

"Auto" I said and gulped looking down.

He chuckled "Did you come alone?" I saw him clenching his fist and gritting his teeth.

"Raghav.. I...I.. was.. go..ing to tell you." I said as I cried looking at him.

His eyes that usually had love, now were covered with anger and hatred.

He pushed me to the wall pinning my hands above my head, pressing his body to mine.

"When? After you elope with him?" He asked looking deep into my eyes.

"Raghav.. I.. I didn't want to go with him. I just came by auto after he took me to have coffee" I said crying.

"Wow! Now you had coffee with him too? Niceeee" he said giving an impressive look.

"No no, please try to understand..." Suddenly, within a fraction of second, he was breaking things. I stood there numb.

The lamp was broken. The books scattered, and the photo frames broken too. There were glass pieces everywhere and I flinched.

Shit! I have to stop him. I didn't find any way and hugged him immediately.

"Raghav, I love you!" I said quickly and loudly so that he can hear. He stopped for a moment and then pushed me.

"Go awayyyy! I said just go awayyyy!" He screamed. I heard someone knocking on the door.

"Princess!! Raghav! What happened! Raghav! Open the damn door!! Aaradhya!!!" Vihaan was shouting while Raghav kept messing the room.

My life became such a mess in a moment. I couldn't think anything and fell down on my knees. I cried looking at the mess.

Raghav looked at me and came to me as fast as possible. I looked at him with hope. He pulled me up harshly.

"So? You are going to leave too huh? Going to cheat me?" He asked in his cold voice.

"Raghav!!! Aaradhya! Open the door! What's wrong!!!" Vihaan kept shouting.

"We are fine Vihaan! Just leave us alone!" Raghav shouted back and the knocks subsided down.

I cupped his cheek and caressed it. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths.

"Trust me when I say I love you Raghav. I am not lying. I didn't intend to hurt you. Please try to understand. He just asked me and I couldn't refuse as he is an old friend." I tried making him understand.

"Please relax Raghav. It's fine. I know you will be having these mood swings. But you have to trust me" I said and a lone tear fell off his eye.

"I am sorry, you have to handle my anger all the time." He said and opened his eyes.

"I am so so sorry. It's just.. I.. I.. don't want to loose you." He was crying!

I wiped his tears "you won't"

He kissed my hand exactly where he had pulled me harshly, sometime ago. "Sorry" he mumbled.

"It's fine Raghav. But next time, please listen to me before you conclude anything. Okay? And I am not cheating." I said the last words a bit angrily.

He sighed and kissed my forehead "I know" he mumbled.

"Raghav.. how..did you.." I started unsure whether to ask or not.

"I sent a driver to drop you but he told me you already left with a guy and I guessed it could be Sharan only. Because Vihaan was with me" he replied

"Raghav, I.. he told me something. He.." I cried and he hugged me immediately.

"Shhh... Shhh.. relax I'm here"

I cried in his embrace as he slowly picked me up and took me to the bed, carefully avoiding the glass pieces.

He made me sit on the bed properly. I slowly shifted down to lay on the bed. I needed peace. I needed rest.

He lay down beside me caressing my cheek and kissing my forehead occasionally. "Raghav, Sharan.. he.. he said.. he.." I gulped whether to tell him or not.

"He what? Tell me baby."

"Promise me you won't get angry" I snuggled closer to him and he nodded.

"He said.. he.. he.. loves me"

I cried and hugged him immediately so that he calms down. "Do you love him?" He asked

I glared at him but he was serious. I shook my head in a no while he pulled me closer.

There was complete silence in the room. No words spoken. I sighed as he was calm now.

"Aaradhya, you love me and that's what matters." I smiled and he smiled back.

After a few minutes he whispered "I need to make you mine"

I looked at him shocked. Coming out of his embrace I stared at him.

"Raghav..I.. I..am.. not ready for.." he cut me.

"I need to make you mine doesn't always mean I need to make love sweetheart" he said and I frowned.

"I need to tell the world you're mine, so that they don't lay their eyes on my girl. I need to tell everyone that you are taken. I need to tell them that you belong to me. And I need to tell them that I am the lucky one to have this girl." I cried as he said those words.

"Baby, take as much time you want to become mine, but for now, officially I have to make you mine" I frowned looking at him.

"Raghav? What are you..."

He cut me and suddenly said "Marry me Aaradhya" I gasped and looked at him.

But his eyes held seriousness and love. "Raghav? Marriage?" I said unsure about it.

"Raghav it's a huge responsibility...and you and I.. we.."

"I know I know sweetheart. But one day we have to take the responsibility. And I am sure if it's ever going to happen, then it's you, for me."

"I want to have our kids running around in the house calling me daddy. I want to make love to you, only after giving you the assurance that we are committed and I won't leave your side." I smiled

"I want to hug you from behind as you would cook in my kitchen, wearing my shirt. I want to sleep with you cuddling close, after having a tired day. I want our kids to ask me 'give me a piggy back ride daddy'. I want to live a normal life Aaradhya." I cried as he stated so much. I didn't know what to say. He himself was crying.

"I want to make you mine, officially" he said finally as I cried in happiness now.

"Please marry me" he said pleading and I couldn't refuse.

I nodded as words stuck in my throat and hugged him. He kissed the top of my head.

"Now you sleep okay? You seem to be tired." He said caressing my hairs.

"And..what about... Sharan?" I asked hesitantly.

His hold on me tightened and his jaw clenched. I sighed and caressed his cheek.

"You don't worry about him. He won't come near you now. And next time, when I say we'll leave together, you have to listen to me okay?" He said and I nodded.

"Raghav"

"Hmm?"

"I love you" I said with a smile

"And I want to marry you" he replied and I chuckled.

"Isn't it too early?" I asked still unsure

"Let's wait for sometime, let's not hurry. But I'm marrying you, that's for sure" he smiled looking at me.

"Raghav, you've messed my room" I said making a bad face and he looked around and sighed.

"I'm sorry." He was improving, for good. And I loved this side of his.

At least, now he used to apologise for things he knew were wrong.

"It's fine" I smiled at him.

"Wait here. I'll come" looking at him with a frown I nodded.

He got up and took a newspaper from the stand and started picking the glass pieces.

I got up immediately. "Raghav.. leave it. I'll clean it. Please don't.."

"You'll get hurt. I have created the mess, let me clear this" he looked at me with tears.

"Raghav, Raghav. Please get up. Let me do this." I tried but he was so hard to convince.

He picked up all the glass pieces and threw it in the dustbin. Picking up the books, he kept them back.

He then arranged the pillows on the couch and came to me.

Looking around at the room he grinned. "Done. See" I chuckled. He behaves like a kid sometimes.

His grin turned into a frown and I noticed him looking at the floor. I looked there confused.

What is he looking at?

He bent down and picked up a veryyy tiny piece of glass and threw it in the dustbin. While coming back he again noticed it I guess, and picked it up again and threw it.

I couldn't even see those. "I'll ask the cleaner to clean the room once. So that there are no small pieces of glass around. Otherwise you'll get hurt" I smiled at his concern.

He came to me and picked me again and made me sleep properly on the bed.

He then lay down beside me. He turned to me and raised his head to look at me, supporting with the help of his elbow.

His other hand rested on my stomach. I smiled and blushed. His gaze was so intense.

"I love you" he said and bent down staring at my lips.

Suddenly we heard someone knocking the door loudly "Are you guys okay!!!??" Vihaan shouted.

Raghav sighed and burried his head in the crook of my neck.

"He's such an enemy to my romance" he muttered and I laughed.

"Are you fine!!? Aaradhya!!! Raghav!!! What's happening!!" He shouted again.

"We were about to kiss! You ruined it! You bl**dy moron!" Raghav shouted and snuggled closer.

I gasped and hit his shoulder with a laugh.

We were happy.

But Sharan? My mind asked.

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Precap: "Let's make a deal, Mr Raghav Malhotra, you let me have her for a night. And we sign the project" he smirked

I heard Aaradhya gasp and she turned to me with pleading eyes.

I smirked "Sure Mr Singh. Why not?"

So hello everyone!

Finally Raghav has asked her out for marriage. And I hope you guys know that we are heading towards the end.

I'm so excited for their marriage! But the precap? 😐

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Last chapter was the longest one I wrote with around 3000+ words. And the response was amazing really amazing! ❤️❤️❤️❤️