Rishi opened his eyes as soon as he realised what he had said. An equally shocked Ayesha was staring back at him.

He couldn't frame any sentence, he took Sahana's name because her picture came to his mind as soon as he said Love.

"Sorry Ayesha, I... I didn't mean to. I am so sorry. We can try again!" Rishi took a step towards Ayesha but she stepped back.

"You spoke whatever was in your mind... It's not your fault. Don't worry. Go and tell this to Sahana." Ayesha said calmly.

"What?" Rishi looked at her confused. He had expected her to slap him but instead she looked calm.

"Yes, you heard right. Go. Or else she will leave." Ayesha gave a small smile in the midst of her moist eyes and Rishi ran away thanking her.

"I love you Rishi... But i guess this is fair enough. Sahana is a nice girl. I wish you guys will be happy together." Ayesha spoke to herself and turned towards the pool as tears started flowing from her eyes.

Once out of the hotel, Rishi hysterically searched for a cab but none was available. After all it was 2 am of night. All the cars had gone to drop off the relatives.

There were still four hours left for Sahana's flight. If Rishi ran all the way to the hotel, he would reach in almost one and a half hour.

Thinking this, he started running when his eyes went to a gifts shop. He forced the shopkeeper to open the shop and bought a ring from there. Leaving the shopkeeper muttering profanities behind his back, he started running again.

Today he was thankful for everyday his mother forced him to attend the gym.

Finally the tall building of the hotel Sahana was residing in was visible.

This close to Sahana!!!

Rishi stopped to catch a breath and then ran again towards the building.

In the hotel, Sahana was busy packing her clothes. She felt a weird void in her heart but she blamed it on the night and the fact that she was alone.
It was almost 3:30 when there was a knock at the door.

Thinking it was Ayesha, Sahana opened the door but was surprised to see Rishi holding his knees and panting.

"Rishi... Here? Wha...?" Sahana was startled by this sudden scene.

"Sa... Sa... Saha... Sahana... I... Oh God... I... Am... Going... To... D... Die...!" Rishi couldn't form his sentences as he was out of breath.

"Get in first. Let me bring you some water." Sahana helped hum inside and made him sit on the bed as she poured a glass of water.

She sat in front of him on a chair and waited for him to calm down his breathing.

After drinking water and taking a few deep breaths, Rishi looked at Sahana who was looking at him worried.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. Better than before!"

"How come you are here? And that too at this time? Moreover, why did you come all the way running? You could have taken a cab or even called me if it was that urgent." Sahana turned away from him as she kept her passport in her bag.

Getting no answer, she turned back towards Rishi and her eyes widened when she saw him sitting on his one knee with a ring in his hand.

"I love you Sahana!" Rishi spoke in a very genuine voice.

Sahana looked at his face to trace any mischievous look but found none. Still, she wasn't sure. Rishi was a pro at pranks.

"Are you crazy?" Sahana asked crossing her arms over her chest.

"Yes, crazy for you." Rishi said looking in her brown eyes.

"The ring is fake." Sahana said glancing at the ring and then looking back at him.

The hopeful look vanished from Rishi's face and he looked surprised. This was the last thing he had expected to hear from Sahana.

"But my love for you is real." He tried to cover up but then looked at her serious face and got up,"Sorry, Didn't get time to buy one for you. I had come to attend my friend's wedding... How would I know that there was a chance of me getting married too."

Hearing this, Sahana raised one eyebrow, but her stoic expression didn't change. Rishi was disappointed, of course why would she love a guy like him? She was such a nice girl, she would never date a player like him. Awkwardly he scratched the back of his neck and then cleared his throat.

"I guess, I have made enough fool of myself. I should go. Sorry to disturb you. Happy journey. Goodnight." With this, he turned towards the door and opened it to step out. His eyes looked moist but he respected Sahana's decision.

As soon as he was about to step out of the door he heard Sahana's voice in background.

"For now, I will manage with this ring... But I want a real one for the ring ceremony."

Rishi froze for a moment and turned towards her not believing his ears.

"Does that mean a yes?" Rishi asked hesitantly.

"That's your wish... Of course it's a yes dumbo!! Will you keep gaping at me or hand me the ring too?" Rishi immediately closed his mouth and shook his head as if to get out of a dream.

He pinched himself but still everything was ok. He was not on his bed with his mom shouting on his head. Sahana was still there smiling at him. He looked at the ring in his hand and took slow steps towards her as if to live in the moment as long as possible. He was scared that if he would rush everything would vanish.

Sahana took a few steps towards him and held up her left hand. Rishi slowly held her hand and tingles rose on his body. Very slowly, he slid the ring in her finger and looked at her.

Everything was fine. This was not a dream. Sahana actually said yes. Sahana... Sahana said yes. I am engaged to Sahana... That hot headed girl who I had never thought of being together with.

Rishi had tears in his eyes as he looked in Sahana's eyes.

"Sahana Verma, I love you!" With this he couldn't help as a few tears rolled down his eyes. Sahana gave him a small smile and stood very close to him with their foreheads touching.

"This is real Rishi. We are together. Now you will have to handle my tantrums your whole life." Hearing this, Rishi chuckled alongwith Sahana.

They hugged for a moment after which they parted. Sahana turned to the other side as Rishi did a small victory dance.

"Ok, now don't dance." Sahana said without looking at him and he stopped with a smile on his face.

He sat on the bed beside Sahana, "I had told you that the turmeric stain won't go away so easily. See, you fell in love with me." Hearing this, Sahana blushed as Rishi smiled at her.

That is when his phone rang. It was Ayesha. Rishi picked up the call.

"Hi Ayesha. Thanks!"

"Ohh... So she agreed. Now I have to go shopping for your wedding too." Ayesha tried her best to cover up her sadness with happiness but Sahana understood the pain behind her smile.
She took the phone from his hand and held it to her ear.

"Ayeshu!"

"Saha!"

Both sisters knew what was the other thinking. They didn't need words to describe their feelings. This much was more than enough.

"Thanks Ayeshu... But..."

"Saha... He loves you a lot. It's visible in his eyes. The bond you two share can never be the bond we would have shared. Thank God, he didn't say I love you to me or else I am sure a lot of mishap must have happened. All the best Saha. And I want a treat soon. Bye." Ayesha stated everything in one breath.

"Bye." Sahana breathed out as the phone hung up.

"Let's decide..." Rishi started speaking but his phone rang again interrupting him. It was Saral this time. Rishi picked up the phone after a lot of pursuance from Sahana.

"Where are you, Rishi?"

"Why do you always interfere in my love story?" Rishi's voice came out annoyed.

"Love story... Your love story... Rishi did you hit your head somewhere?" Saral asked totally confused.

"I am totally fine and if you will excuse me I want to spend some quality time with my girlfriend."

"Who is the girl? I am telling you Rishi if this is a prank..." Saral said his voice  perplexed.

"God... You speak a lot. Here, talk to her yourself!" He handed the phone to Sahana and made an annoyed face at which Sahana giggled.

"Hello... Bodyguard Sahana Verma reporting, sir!" Sahana said trying to control her laugh.

"Oh, it's Sahana... What Sahana... Our Sahana... You and Rishi? Sanaya, hit me with something. I am in a dream... Owww, did you really hit me with that??" Saral shouted as Sanaya actually hit him with her hairbrush and took his phone.

"Hello Saha, how? When? I want every detail." Sanaya enquired.

"How about I tell you everythingthing tomorrow. Promise!"

"Hmm.. ok that sounds good. Tomorrow it is. Take care and I am really happy for you." With this Sanaya hung up.

"So, what were you saying?" Sahana turned to Rishi who smiled.

"So, I was saying... Just a minute... Let me switch this off or somebody will disturb again... So I was saying, let's decide the palace of Jaipur where you want to get married!!" Rishi's smile grew as Sahana's eyes widened.

"How do you know about this?"

"Maybe... Magic." Rishi teased.

"Rishiii!!"

"Sahanaaa...!"

She sighed and hugged him. Rishi was startled by this sudden hug but wrapped his arms around her.

"I know baby, that you love me and I am irresistible but please don't kiss me now." He teased her again and she pushed him away.

"Go away. I hate you."

"I love you too." Rishi pulled her towards himself and kissed her to which she responded eagerly.

They separated after a while and their breathing was uneven. Rishi stood with very close to her, his forehead touching hers.

"God, I am so in love with you....
But you have to go right?" Rishi asked her, gis voice turning serious.

"Yeah... I... Uh... I completely forgot." Sahana stepped back and looked at the clock. It was almost 5:30. She must  go to the airport by now.

That is when her phone rang. It was Sarika.

"Hi mum!"

"Hi Saha... Are you at the airport?"

Sahana looked at Rishi who looked a bit sad. After all Sahana was to leave.

"Mum... Actually... I am not coming today." Hearing this, Rishi jerked his neck towards her suddenly.

"... Mum, I want to stay here for a while. I want to be with Sanaya for a few more days."

"Saha... You are still a bad liar. Now tell me what is it?"

"Mum, I... Uh... I am in love... With Rishi." Sahana said and a huge smile broke on Rishi's face. He hugged her from behind.

After a while, she hung up the phone and turned to Rishi.

"What did aunty say?"

"She said that... I should go back to Ohio..." Rishi's face again dropped with disappointment.

"...but only with you! She agreed... Rishi!" Sahana told him and hugged him back as he dug his face in the crook of her neck.

"God, I love you so much!"

       _____________________________

                 AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey,
Look, who is back??
Yes, finally he proposed and she agreed.
Wait for epilogue. Yes, this is the end.

Love Love ❣️
A.S.