Three Days Later

It was the naamkaran ceremony of little princess Luthra. Everyone was sitting for the puja and then it was the time to announce her name.

"So what's the name of our little princess?" Karan asked excitedly.

Ananya and Rishabh shared a smile.

"So we decided to name her Radhika. Radhika Anya Luthra." Rishabh announced. 

Everyone smiled and praised the name. Rakhi and Sarla shared a look and nodded. They passed something to the priest. 

"Paditji, these are the kundalis of our children. We would like you to tell us an auspicious date for the engagement and marriage." Rakhi said.

Karan bumped his shoulder with Preeta while the latter looked down and blushed. 

"3 days later is perfect for engagement and for the wedding there are 2 dates; in one month or 1 year." 

"One month is good!" Karan quickly said. 

His siblings passed him teasing stares. Preeta face-palmed herself. 

"Yes, one month is better. Chalo, it's fixed, have some sweets." Rakhi said, passing the sweets around.

Karan took one and bite in it. He then forwarded it to Preeta who bit where Karan ate.

"Can you believe it? We are getting married in one month." Karan whispered in her ears.

"I can't wait for it!" Preeta whispered back, interlocking her fingers with his. 

"We have so many preparations to do! First of all shopping! Will you guys buy new rings or use the one you have on currently?" Sarla asked, pointing to Preeta's ring.

"No, we will use the same rings. I already have bought Karan's ring." Preeta said.

"I will make a list of items to be bought for the engagement first. You guys go and buy your clothes." Rakhi said to the youngsters.

"Ananya, you go too. Don't worry we will take care of Radhika." 

After some minutes, all the youngsters plus Arhaan and KV, left to the shopping mall.

The girls were taking all their times looking around, discussing and rejecting. The boys were already bored.

"Papa, why do girls take so much time to choose clothes?" KV whispered to his father.

"Trust me buddy, till now, no-one knows." Karan whispered back.

"Mumma, I need clothes too!" KV complained.

"Karan, go and choose one for him. I'm busy right now." Preeta replied, still searching for the perfect dress. 

"Rishabh, take Arhaan with you and go with Karan. Look for the children's clothes before then choose one sherwani for you too."

"Why can't I wear those I got for Sameer's wedding?" Ananya glared at him. He raised his hand in surrender. Sameer giggled.

"Oye Shorty, stop giggling and go and find some clothes for you also. You guys are just wasting our times." The trio girls left from there to join Roo and Kritika.

"As if we know something about clothes!" Sameer muttered.

Karan wrapped his hands around his brothers' shoulder, "Why fear when The Karan Luthra is here! Com'on, I bet we will finish shopping before them."

Karan walked forward with Arhaan and KV following him. Rishabh and Sameer shared a look.

"He does realises that he is the greatest diva when it comes to choosing clothes, right?" Sameer asked aloud.

"Well get ready for a tiring shopping spree." Rishabh said, sighing tiredly already.

Two hours later, they managed to select the children's clothes and those of Rishabh and Sameer, after much difficulty. Karan, being the fashionista, rejected a lot of clothes until they found the best. He was currently finding for his.

"If I knew, I would have stick with mumma." KV said to Arhaan. The latter nodded.

Poor boys were already tired and their shopping was yet to be finished. Rishabh and Sameer sighed in relief when Preeta came there.

"Thank god you are here! Please handle your fiance, he is making us mad!" Sameer complained.

Preeta chuckled and nodded. Sameer and Rishabh left from there, taking the children with them. Preeta sighed seeing him examining two suits closely.

"Rish-Babydoll? Where are the others?" Karan asked seeing her.

"You made them run away. I swear, coming to clothes, you are worst than girls." Preeta said, shaking her head.

"I'm The Karan Luthra, babydoll. I have an image to maintain. Since you are, help me to choose between these two." Preeta looked at them surprised.

"How...?I chose a dress of the same colour!" Karan winked.

"Dil se dil connection, babydoll. Now, tell me!" He whined. 

"Okay, this one," Preeta pointed to the one in his left hand, "You already found Veer's clothes?" 

"Yes, we can go and pay. You guys finish with your shopping?" 

"Since a long time back. We took less time than you, boys." Karan rolled his eyes.

They paid the clothes and went to join the others. Karan, being the gentleman, carried Preeta's bags. Preeta smiled widely and wrapped his hands around his arm. They were on their way back to Luthra House when Preeta spoke up.

"Karan," Karan looked at her, "I want ice-cream."

"No." Preeta glared at him.

"Please I want to eat ice-cream."

"No babydoll, you just eat lunch. Moreover, it's winter."

"There is no rule which said that you can't eat ice-cream during winter!" Preeta said cutely.

"You will fall sick and I don't want this. So no ice-cream." Karan said sternly.

"Karan please... Bajarbattu, can't you do this single thing for me?" Preeta gave him the puppy-eyes.

"Ugh okay fine. Inform Rishabh and Sameer." Preeta smiled widely and pecked his cheek.

Karan shook her head at her antics and drove to the ice-cream parlor.

Arriving there, Preeta got down quickly from the car. KV, who was with Rishabh, also ran towards Preeta and held her hand. Both mother-son ran inside leaving the others behind.

"These two I tell you, UGH PREETA, KARTHIK WAIT!" Karan also ran behind them.

Everyone chuckled and walked towards the ice-cream shop. They found Karan shaking his head in disbelief as Preeta and Karthik were currently arguing about which flavors were the best.  

"Oyee Veeru, I'm telling you, chocolate is the best!" 

"No mumma, vanilla and strawberry are the best!" 

"Vanilla is basic!"

"Mumma, don't say that vanilla is basic! Chocolate is overrated!"

"Not a word against chocolate KV Luthra!" 

"SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!" Karan shouted, "who even fights because of ice-cream! Not a word both of you!"

Preeta and KV looked down, but stare at each other discreetly and started giggling.

"Oh com'on, you gotta be kidding me! Why are you laughing!" Karan asked, exasperated.

"You look funny when you are scolding us, Bajarbattu." Preeta replied, giggling.

"Yes papa, very funny, just like a clown." KV said back.

Sameer burst out laughing in the background. Karan glared at him and turned his attention back to his childish fiance and troublemaker child.

"One more word, no ice-cream for you two!" Karan warned. Both Preeta and KV pouted. 

Karan and Sameer went towards the counter after taking everyone's order and asked them to wait outside. After sometimes, they come back with the ice-creams.

"You have some ice-cream on the corner of your lips." Karan tell Preeta.

"Oh, wipe it for me." Preeta said innocently but mischief can be seen in her eyes. 

Karan smirked. Making sure no-one was watching them, Karan leant closer to her and kissed spot, licking the ice-cream. He quickly pecked her lips and pulled away.

"You are lucky we are in public else I would have done much more."

"Aww what a shame! I would have like to see." Preeta teased back.

Karan blushed a little and snatched Preeta's ice-cream from her, taking a bite. Preeta glared at him.

"What, don't you know, sharing is caring." Karan winked at her.

"I don't like to share, especially my ice-cream." Preeta pouted, looking sadly at her ice-cream

"I swear you are such a drama queen! Here!" Karan rolled his eyes and fed her the rest.

Finishing their ice-creams, they returned back to Luthra House.

Engagement Day

"That's what you were talking about? This nervousness." Karan said to Sameer.

They were currently in Karan's room. Karan was admiring himself in the mirror but he was feeling very nervous. Sameer chuckled.

"Exactly. What you told me 'You have been dating Shrishti for 7 years', Bhain no matter how long you have known your person, you will always be nervous when you are taking this step in your life." 

"Hmm, am I looking good?" Karan asked again.

"Offo chucks, this is the 7th time you are asking us. Yes, you are looking as handsome as always." Arhaan replied, concentrating in his game.  

"Sunshine, you are not lying to make me feel good, right?" Arhaan sighed.

"Why did V go back with Chaasi? I miss him." Karan narrowed his eyes at him.

"You didn't answer me little boy." Arhaan glared cutely at him.

"I'm not a little boy! And you know what, I'm going to see my sister. Huh, such a big boy but behaving as a child." Arhaan said leaving the room.

Karan looked at Sameer who raised his hands.

"Don't look at me like this, you are the one who made him like you and he's right. Karan, you are looking good. Even if you were looking ugly, Preeta would still be in love with you. So take a deep breath and relax, you are The Karan Luthra!"

"Thanks Sameer. Thank you for always be there for me, for handling me in these 5 years. I trouble you a lot, didn't I?" Sameer smiled.

"Yeah but I don't mind. You are my elder brother, my best-friend. This is the least I can do. I will always be there for you." Karan hugged him.

"This is not fair, a bro hug without me, I'm hurt." They broke the hug and saw Rishabh by the door. 

"You can join us." Karan said, chuckling.

Rishabh entered the room and cupped Karan's face.

"I'm so happy that you find your happiness again. My Karan is growing up; I know you will be the best husband to my saali. You are already a perfect father. I'm so proud of you. You deserve all of this."

"Thank you Rishabh bhai." Karan hugged him and Sameer joined them.

"Sorry to disturb you but it's time to go. Your ladylove has arrived." Ananya said, knocking on the door.

Karan's eyes lightened up, "Let's go then!" he said eagerly.

"Bhai, she is not running away, calm down." Sameer said, chuckling. Karan glared at him.

"I don't care, I miss her. I'm going anyways." Karan left the room.

"Lovesick puppy." Sameer muttered and left behind him.

Rishabh and Ananya laughed at them and also left Karan's room.

Karan stopped on top of the stairs when he saw Preeta. He was blown away by his beauty. He caught Preeta's eyes and descended the stairs slowly, not breaking the eye contact. Preeta also walked towards him until they were face to face.

"Are you going to stay silent or compliment me?" Preeta said.

"I don't have words to describe your beauty, my lady." Karan held her hand and placed a kissed on her knuckles.

"My lady? That's new... I must admit, you are looking handsome too."

"Thank you oh dear kind lady." Karan replied in a fake accent. Preeta giggled.

"Okay children, it's time to exchange the rings." Rakhi called them.

Preeran went on the stage. Karan signaled something to Sameer. The latter came and gave him the microphone. Preeta looked at him confused.

"Preeta Arora, you managed to surprise me every time; like our proposal was different but unique. The fact that I, The Karan Luthra, managed to get you, the great Dr Preeta Arora, on her knee, something I feel very proud. Your proposal was the best; I don't think I can manage to do better than yours but I will try." Karan get on his knee.

"You came in my life as fresh air, giving it a new meaning. It's been nearly a decade I know you but still every day, I learn new things about you and this makes me fall in love with you deeper. Like who would thought that The Karan Luthra would fall in love with someone let alone, his enemy at first and then later on his best-friend. But I did and this is the best thing that have ever happened to me. Our first meeting will always be the best moment of my life. Our friendship, relationship, our love, all are very precious to me. I just can't fucking imagine my life without you because you are my life Preeta. Our hearts are connected; my heart is yours just like yours is mine. I have no words to describe my feelings for you because these words won't be enough. You mean the world to me, my queen of heart and I promise you that no-one can separate us because I'm Forever Yours and you're Forever Mine. So, I'm here on my knees in front of you, promising you in front of all our families and friends, that I will always trust you, be by your side, but most importantly, love you immensely, endlessly. I love you so much Preeta Arora, be mine forever and make me the world luckiest person ever by accepting my proposal, will you marry me?" Karan proposed her again with the same ring. 

"YES!! Oh my god, yes yes yes!" Preeta shouted in tears and happiness.

Karan slipped the ring in her finger and stood up. Preeta jumped in his arms and Karan twirled her around, ignoring the hoots and claps of the guests. Karan put her down and Preeta also slipped his ring in his finger, making them officially engaged.

Both of them posed for the photographs, having the biggest smile ever on their face. Their faces were glowing with extreme happiness and love. 

"Okay ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our newly engaged couple for a dance." Roo said and the light dimmed.

Kacchi doriyon, doriyon, doriyon se
Mainu tu baandh le
Pakki yaariyon, yaariyon, yaariyon mein
Honde na faasley

The light focused on Preeran who was standing in the middle. Karan forward his hand and Preeta held it. Karan pulled her closer, wrapping his hand around her waist.

Eh naraazgi kaagzi saari teri
Mere sohneya sunn le meri

They both swayed to the music, looking in each other's eyes. Karan twirled her multiple times before pulling her again in his arms.

Dil diyan gallan
Karaange naal naal beh ke
Akh naale akh nu milaa ke

Karan back-hugged her and raised her up and twirled again before putting her back on her feet. Preeta turned and caressed his cheeks.

Dil diyan gallan haaye...
Karaange roz roz beh ke
Sacchiyan mohabbataan nibha ke

Karan leaned to her touch and intertwined their fingers together, kissing her hand softly. 

Sataaye mainu kyun
Dikhaaye mainu kyun
Aiven jhuthi mutthi russ ke rusaake

Preeta smiled and tried to run away but Karan held her hand and pulled her again, making her resting her hand on his chest. 

Dil diyan gallan haaye
Karaange naal naal beh ke
Akh naale akh nu mila ke
Dil diyan gallan...

Both of them were still staring in each other's eyes. They came back to their senses when they heard clapping and whistling. They smiled at everyone before looking again at each other, unconditional love present in their eyes.

"I love you!" Both of them whispered together and smiled.

************************
2500+ words

Sorry for the small chapter, wasn't getting enough idea. It know it's boring. Will try to do better in the next chapter.

Do vote and leave your reviews and well see you in next chapter.

30/11/2021