The small guest room was dimly lit, its modest decor creating an intimate ambiance. Kartik was sprawled out on the floor mattress, arms behind his head, a playful smirk on his face. Naira was sitting cross-legged on the bed, folding her dupatta neatly, but her eyes kept darting toward Kartik's smug expression.

"Tum itne relaxed kaise ho, haan(How are you so relaxed?)" Naira asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yeh tumhare liye ek adventure hai kya? Yeh room toh chhota hai, aur tum yahan maze le rahe ho(Is this an adventure for you? This room is so small, and you are having fun here?)"

Kartik grinned, turning his head to face her. "Chhoti cheezon mein maze lena toh tumse seekha hai, Mrs. Kohli(I have learned from you to enjoy the little things, Mrs. Kohli)," he teased. "Aur waise bhi, tumhare saath hoon, toh duniya ka sabse bada palace lagta hai yeh(And anyway, I am with you, so it seems like the biggest palace in the world.)" 

Esha: Awww! Unake jaisa pati kaun nahi chaahata(Who does not want a husband like him!)😍

Naira rolled her eyes, though her cheeks turned slightly pink. "Achha? Bahut bade shayar ban gaye ho. Pehle yeh batao, tum bed pe kyun nahi ho(Really? You have become a great poet. First tell me, why are you not on the bed?)" 

"Kyuki mujhe laga ki tum mujhe neeche sone ke liye bhejogi(Cause I thought you'd send me down to sleep)," Kartik replied with mock seriousness. "Toh pehle hi surrender kar diya. Dekho, kitna samajhdar pati hoon main(So I already surrendered. Look, what an understanding husband I am.)" 

Naira threw a pillow at him, laughing. "Drama mat karo, Kartik! Tumne khud hi decide kar liya ki neeche soyoge? Main toh soch rahi thi ki tum bed pe so sakte ho(Don't do drama, Kartik! You yourself decided that you will sleep down? I thought you were so good in bed!)" 

Kartik caught the pillow and clutched it to his chest dramatically. "Arre, sach? Tum mujhe bed pe sone dogi? Matlab, sach mein pyar karti ho mujhse, Naira(Hey, really? Will you let me sleep on the bed? Meaning, you really love me, Naira!)" 

Naira shook her head, getting off the bed and sitting beside him on the mattress. "Tum pagal ho, Kartik. Agar koi sun lega na, toh samjhega ki Kohli pariwar ke sabse bade business tycoon ki biwi unse ladai kar rahi hai ek mattress ke liye(You are crazy, Kartik. If anyone listens, they will understand that the wife of the biggest business tycoon of the Kohli family is fighting with him for a mattress!)" 

Kartik leaned closer, his teasing tone softening. "Woh samajh jayenge ki  sabse bade business tycoon apni patni se pehle apana sir jhukaata hai (They will understand that the biggest business tycoon bows His head before his wife.)" 

Naira laughed, pushing him lightly. "Bas karo, Kartik. Tum toh bas shuru ho jaate ho(Stop it, Kartik. You just start and keep going.)" 

But Kartik caught her hand, his playful smile fading into something more tender. "Shuru toh tab hota hoon, jab tum mere paas hoti ho(I start when you are with me)," he said softly. "Naira, har din tumhare saath ek nayi kahani lagti hai(Naira, every day seems to be a new story with you.)" 

Naira's laughter died on her lips as she met his gaze. For a moment, the world outside the small room faded. Kartik reached out, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.

Esha: Hayeee! Finally Kaira romance!😏

"Tumhe pata hai(You know)," Kartik murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Jab tum haste ho na, toh lagta hai poora room roshni se bhar gaya(When you smile, the whole room seems to be filled with light.)"

Naira looked down, her heart racing. "Kartik, tum itne filmy kyun ho(Kartik, why are you so filmy?)" she asked, her voice barely audible. 

"Main filmy nahi hoon(I am not a filmy person)," Kartik replied, leaning closer. "Main sirf tumhara hoon(I'm only yours.)" 

Before she could respond, Kairav's sleepy voice called from Namrata's room next door. "Mumma! Papa! Aap ab tak soye nahi(Mother! Father! You haven't slept yet?)"

Esha: Kairav! Yah samay kyon(Why this timing!)😲

Naira and Kartik burst into soft laughter, their moment interrupted but not ruined. Naira stood up, pulling Kartik to his feet. "Chalo, so jao. Drama baad mein karna(Let's go sleep. Do drama later)," she said, smiling. 

Kartik sighed theatrically. "Thik hai, Mrs. Kohli. Lekin ek shart pe(Okay, Mrs. Kohli. But on one condition.)" 

"Ab kya(Now what?)" Naira asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Kya main bed pe so sakta hoon(Can I sleep on the bed?)" he asked with a wink and then his puts his arms around her. 

Naira laughed, throwing her hands up in defeat. "Fine, Kartik. Lekin snoring mat karna, warna neeche phir se bhej dungi(Fine, Kartik. But don't snoring, otherwise I'll send you down again!)" 

Late Night, Living Room

Ranbir lay on the small sofa, his long frame awkwardly sprawled, a thin blanket pulled up to his chest. The dim light of the living room highlighted his slightly flushed face as Prachi carefully adjusted the edges of the blanket. Namrata lay on the other side of the room, "asleep," though one peek of her curious eye betrayed her true intentions.

Prachi stood beside Ranbir, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. Her heart raced, but her voice was soft and composed. "Ranbir ji, ab aap aram kariye. Achhi neend aayegi.(Ranbir, you rest now. You will sleep well.)" 

Ranbir looked up at her, his eyes searching hers in the quietness of the night. Her voice was like a soothing melody, and for a moment, he forgot he was supposed to reply. "Goodnight, Prachi," he finally managed, his voice softer than usual.

Prachi gave a small, shy smile, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Shubh raatri(Good night)," she whispered before turning to leave.

But just as she reached the doorway, Ranbir's voice stopped her. "Prachi, ek baat puchhun(Prachi, can I ask you something?)"

She turned slowly, her dupatta swaying slightly with the motion. "Haan, poochhiye(Yes, ask)," she replied, her eyes curious but cautious. 

Ranbir sat up a little, resting on one elbow. "Kal... jab sab baat karenge... shaadi ke liye(Tomorrow...when everyone will talk...about marriage)," he started hesitantly, scratching the back of his neck, "kya tum... haan kahogi ya na(Will you say yes or no?)" 

Esha: Finally Ranbir bold ho gaye(Ranbir is finally bold!)🤯

Prachi's eyes widened slightly, and her cheeks flushed a deep pink. She clasped her hands tightly, looking down at the floor, the question catching her off-guard.

"Main? Mujhse kyun puchh rahe hain? Aap toh bade sheher ke, bade ghar ke hain. Aapke liye toh ye faisla bas ek chhoti si baat hogi(Me? Why are you asking me? You are from a big city, from a big house. So this decision will be just a small matter for you)," she said quietly, though her voice trembled just a little. 

Ranbir chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Tumhe lagta hai ki yeh chhoti si baat hai? Meri shaadi ka faisla? Tumhe lagta hai main bas 'haan' ya 'na' bol doonga bina soch samjhe(Do you think this is a small thing? My marriage decision? You think I'll just say 'yes' or 'no' without thinking?)"

Prachi looked at him, surprised by the earnestness in his voice. She stepped closer, her hands clutching the edge of her dupatta nervously. "Aur aap? Aap kya kahenge? Aap taiyyar hain... mujhe apni patni banane ke liye(And you? What will you say? Are you ready... to make me your wife?)" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Esha: Ab meri dil teji se kyon dhadak raha hai(Why is my heart beating fast now!)💞

Ranbir stared at her, momentarily stunned by her straightforwardness. He hadn't expected her to turn the question back on him. "Main(Me?)" he said, stammering slightly, "Main toh... abhi samajhne ki koshish kar raha hoon. Tum toh itni alag ho(I am just trying to understand. You are so different...)"

"Alag(Different?)" Prachi interrupted, her brows furrowing slightly. "Kaise alag, Ranbir ji(How different, Ranbir?)"

Ranbir ran a hand through his hair, struggling to put his thoughts into words. "Tumhara jo tareeka hai baat karne ka, tumhara sab kuch... it's so... pure(Your way of talking, your everything... it's so... pure)," he said, his tone softening. "Mujhse alag, par... achha alag(Different from me, but... good different.)"

Prachi's lips curved into a faint smile at his words. "Toh iska matlab, aap bhi abhi faisla nahi le sake hain(So this means, you too have not been able to take a decision yet)," she teased lightly, her nervousness fading just a little. 

Ranbir chuckled, leaning back against the sofa. "Shaayad. Par tumne abhi tak jawab nahi diya(Perhaps. But you haven't replied yet)," he said, a playful challenge in his tone. 

Prachi hesitated, glancing down at her hands before looking back at him. "Faisla toh subah hoga, Ranbir ji(The decision will be taken in the morning, Ranbir)," she said gently, her voice steady but her eyes betraying a flicker of emotion,slightly smiling. "Par agar aap sach mein... apne dil se faisla lenge, toh mujhe lagta hai... mera jawab usse alag nahi hoga(But if you really... decide from your heart, then I think... my answer will be no different from that.)" 

Esha: So sweet! 😁

Ranbir's breath caught for a moment at her words. As she turned and disappeared into the hallway, he leaned back against the sofa, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Prachi..." he whispered to himself, shaking his head slightly. For the first time, he wasn't thinking about the wedding or his family's expectations. All he could think about was her—the girl who had just unknowingly stolen a piece of his heart.