It was a breezy evening, and the Kohli mansion had fallen into a tranquil rhythm. Most of the family was either resting or busy with their own tasks after returning from the trip. But Ranbir's mind was elsewhere—focused entirely on Prachi.

He had been planning this for days, something simple but heartfelt, to convey the depth of his feelings. He wanted to take the next step, to let her know that she was the one he wanted to spend his life with.

Ranbir had chosen the garden behind the house for his proposal. It was where they often spent time together, and tonight, it was transformed with his subtle touch. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the trees, casting a warm, golden glow. A small table was set with her favorite flowers—roses and lilies—and a single candle flickered softly in the center.

He stood there, nervously adjusting the collar of his shirt. In his hand, he held a delicate velvet box, but it wasn't just about the ring—it was about pouring his heart out to her.

Ranbir (calling her on the phone):

"Prachi, terrace pe aajao. Nahi, wait—garden mein aana. Mujhe tumse baat karni hai. Zaroori hai(Prachi, come to the terrace. No, wait-come to the garden. I want to talk to you. It is necessary.)"

Prachi (puzzled):

"Garden? Aise achanak? Tum teek ho na(Garden? Suddenly like this? Are you okay?)"

Ranbir (smiling to himself):

"Zyada questions mat pucho. Bas aajao. Please(Don't ask too many questions. Just come. Please.)"

Prachi arrived at the garden, her confusion evident as she took in the sight before her. Her gaze fell on Ranbir who was holding a guitar, looking unusually nervous.

Prachi (playfully):

"Kya hai, Ranbir? Yeh sab kya hai? Tumhe kisi function ka theme party lag raha hai kya(What is it, Ranbir? What is all this? Are you feeling like a theme party for any function?)"

Ranbir (grinning):

"Function nahi, Prachi. Yeh moment sirf tumhare liye hai. Sirf tumhare aur mere liye(Not a function, Prachi. This moment is only for you. Just for you and me.)"

She fell silent, sensing the seriousness in his tone. He gestured for her to sit, pulling out the chair for her. As she sat down, she noticed the flickering candlelight reflecting in his eyes, which were filled with emotions she couldn't ignore.

Ranbir (kneeling beside her):

"Prachi, tumhe pata hai, tumhari life mein kab aaye, yeh mujhe khud yaad nahi. Shuru mein, tum bas ek annoying si ladki thi jo meri har baat ka jawab dene aa jaati thi. Lekin phir pata chala ki... tumhari baatein meri zindagi ka sabse zaroori hissa ban gayi thi(Prachi, you know, I don't remember when I came into your life. In the beginning, you were just an annoying girl who tried to answer everything I said. But then I came to know that... you had become the most important part of my life.)"

Her breath hitched as he continued, his voice steady but soft.

Ranbir:

"Tumhare saath har moment special lagta hai. Tumhare bina sab kuch... adhoora lagta hai. Prachi, mujhe lagta hai ki zindagi ka har raasta mujhe tum tak leke aaya hai. Main bas ek sawaal poochna chahta hoon(Every moment with you feels special. Without you everything seems meaningless. Prachi, I feel that every path of life has led me to you. I just want to ask one question.)"

He took out the small velvet box, revealing a simple but elegant diamond ring.

Ranbir:

"Kya tum apni zindagi mere saath bitane ke liye tayaar ho? Will you marry me, Prachi(Are you ready to spend your life with me? Will you marry me, Prachi?)"

Her eyes widened, her heart racing. She looked at him, kneeling there with so much love in his eyes that it made her want to cry.

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Ranbir watched her expectantly, but there was a flicker of doubt in her expression.

Prachi (whispering):

"Ranbir, main(Ranbir, I...)"

She hesitated, looking away as her thoughts spiraled back to Kunal—the betrayal, the pain. She wasn't sure if she could step into something new while those memories lingered.

Prachi:

"Main kal iska jawab dungi. Mujhe time chahiye, Ranbir(I will answer this tomorrow. I need time, Ranbir.)"

His heart sank slightly, but he forced a smile.

Ranbir:

"Mujhe pata hai, tumhe thoda time chahiye. Aur main tumhare decision ka intezaar karunga. Lekin ek baat yaad rakhna, Prachi—tumhe jitna sochna ho, socho. Main yahan hamesha tumhara intezaar karunga(I understand that you need some time. And I will wait for your decision. But remember one thing, Prachi—think as much as you want. I will always wait for you here.)"

She nodded, touched by his understanding, and they shared a quiet moment.

As Prachi walked back to her room, her heart felt heavy with conflicting emotions. She wanted to say yes—she truly did—but her past loomed like a shadow, and she needed to be sure.

Ranbir, meanwhile, stood in the garden, gazing at the ring in his hand. He smiled faintly to himself, determined to win her over, no matter how long it took.

Prachi sat by the window, her heart fluttering with mixed emotions. The moonlight bathed her face as she tried to process the whirlwind of emotions from her conversation with Ranbir. Her phone buzzed on the bedside table. Thinking it might be Naira or Ranbir, she eagerly picked it up, but her smile vanished as she saw the name on the screen: Kunal Agnihotri.

Her fingers hesitated before opening the message.

Kunal's Message:

"Prachi, tumhe kya laga ki tum apni marzi se sach bol dogi aur main kuch nahi karunga? Agar tumne Ranbir ko kuch bataya, to yaad rakhna, Kohli Mansion ek raakh ka dher ban jayega. Maine shuruat mein kaha tha na, mujhe lightly mat lena(Prachi, what made you think that you will speak the truth as per your wish and I will not do anything? If you tell Ranbir too much, remember this, Kohli Mansion will turn into a desert. I said in the beginning, don't take me lightly.)" 

Prachi's hands trembled as she read the message. Her eyes filled with rage and frustration.

She typed back, her anger evident in her swift taps on the screen:

Prachi's Reply:

"Tumhe kya lagta hai Kunal, tum mujhe bar-bar dhamkaoge aur main darr jaungi? Yeh sab tumhari bas ek aur nautanki hai, aur main tumhare words ko seriously lena chhod chuki hoon. Tumhara yeh sab khatam ho gaya hai(What do you think Kunal, you will scold me again and again and I will get afraid again? This is all just another drama of yours, and I have stopped taking your words seriously. It's all over with you!)" 

She hit send and leaned back, trying to calm herself. Almost immediately, another message pinged.

Kunal's Response:

"Yeh meri nautanki nahi hai, Prachi. Tumhare saare sapne, tumhara ghar, tumhara Ranbir... sab jal kar khatam ho jayenge. Tumhare behtare ke liye keh raha hoon. Ranbir ke paas mat jana, warna anjam khud dekh lena(This is not my drama Prachi. All your dreams, your home, your Ranbir... all will be destroyed. I am saying this for your welfare. Don't go to Ranbir and see the results yourself.)" 

Prachi's eyes widened. The mention of fire brought back the vivid memory of the time Kunal had blackmailed her before. He had used similar threats in the past, but this time, it felt darker, more dangerous.

Prachi (to herself, whispering):

"Mujhe kuch karna hoga. Yeh aadmi kisi bhi hadd tak ja sakta hai. Lekin mujhe apni zindagi dobara dar ke saath nahi jeeni(I have to do something. This man can go to any extent. But I don't want to live my life with fear again...)" 

Her determination flared as she decided not to let Kunal control her anymore. She blocked his number but couldn't shake off the uneasiness that settled in her chest. She looked at the clock—it was almost midnight.

Prachi's Thoughts:

"Ranbir ke liye mujhe strong rehna padega. Main yeh nahi hone doongi. Kal ka din bahut zaroori hai(I have to stay strong for Ranbir. I won't let this happen. Tomorrow is a very important day.)" 

She got up, clutching the Kashmiri dupatta Ranbir had once gifted her, finding comfort in its softness. No matter what Kunal planned, she would face it head-on.