1 year later:

True to his words, Aryan had helped in every way he could. He was behind her as a pillar through thick and thin, always motivating her. For her part, Shahana too had strived hard day and night. Due to their joint efforts, Shahana was now one of the prominent rising singers in the industry. She had also progressed from being the best friend to the girl friend of Aryan. Yes, they had confessed their love for each other.

"Where is he? What's taking him so long?" Shahana muttered to herself. He had  her to wait for him at their favourite spot, but he himself had not arrived.

"Sorry for the delay. I was stuck in some work." he came running with a smile.

"No problem at all. Anything special? Why did you call me here?" she asked.

"Let's sit down for a while." he suggested.

Both of them sat down on the grassy banks of the river and dipped their feet in the cold, rippling water. Sitting there in silence on the soft grass, with the music of the gurgling waves gave them peace and refreshed their souls.

"I have a gift for you." he said handing her a packet. "Go on, open it." he urged after she thanked him.

Shahana opened her gift, only to find a box containing some cut outs.

"A puzzle?" she looked up at him in confusion. Why on earth did he suddenly want to gift a set of children's puzzle?

"Would you mind solving it now?" he requested.

Shahana could never refuse him, so started solving it. Soon enough, she was done. She smiled looking at the picture in front of her. When the small pieces of the puzzle were put together, they formed a picture of them smiling at each other.

"It's so beautiful!" Shahana exclaimed happily.

"I think you would like to flip it backwards." Aryan said sounding somewhat unusual.

Though confused, she did as he told and was surprised to the words that greeted her.

On the back of the puzzle was written words, 'WILL YOU MARRY ME?' 

Shahana turned her head to find Aryan seated on his knee. "I love you Shahana and want to be by your side forever. Will you marry me?" he asked holding a ring in his hand.

She was too overwhelmed to reply. Words failed her and she nodded her head in a yes vigorously. 

Aryan slid the ring on her finger and got up. They hugged each other happily.

When they broke the hug, Shahana looked worried for some reason.

"Is there any problem? If you need some time, I have no problem." he offered.

"No. I was just wondering if your family, specially your father would accept me or not. They must have hoped to get you married to someone of your status." she shared her worry.

"I'll talk to dad tomorrow itself. I don't think he will have any problem. He has always supported me in all my decisions." he assured. 

*****

"Dad, I want to tell you something." Aryan mustered all his courage and asked this question to Purab over the breakfast the next day.

"Hmm......Go on, I'm listening." Purab said with his eyes still fixed on the file he was reading.

"Dad, I love a girl and want to marry her." he said in one go.

Purab stopped reading the file and stared at him. "Who's this girl whom you are interested in?" he asked after composing himself.

"Shahana. We were friends in high school." he informed.

"Is she beautiful?"  Disha interrupted.

Aryan showed her Shahana's picture from his mobile. 

"She is good looking......" Disha declared after examining her picture for few minutes.

"In which profession is she engaged in?" Purab asked.

"She is one of the rising singers." he said proudly.

"Call her over to our house. I want to meet her in person." Purab ordered.

"Ok dad. I'll ask her to visit us today in the evening." he said with excitement evident in his words.

"Who's coming?" Sunny asked joining them.

"A girl, whom Aryan wants to marry." Disha informed.

"Not bad bro, I never knew you had a girlfriend." he thumped Aryan's back.

Aryan happily informed Shahana about his father's decision. He assumed that his family has accepted Shahana as there was no way they could find any fault in her. She was perfect.

*****

"What if they don't like me?" Shahana said nervously.

"It can never happen that one can not like a sweet person like you. Come on, we don't want to be late." he coaxed her to step inside her home.

They walked into the living room where everyone was waiting for her. Shahana folded her hands and greeted everyone.

Purab was about to say something when Sunny interrupted him.

"Hey, I have seen her somewhere earlier!" he said frowning and thinking hard. "Oh yes! Now I remember! Aren't you the one who was performing at the bar that day?" Sunny exclaimed.

"What! Is this true?" Purab got up and questioned fiercely.

"Dad, I can explain......" Aryan started.

"Answer my question first. Yes or No?" he bellowed.

"Yes" Aryan accepted.

"Have you gone out of your mind? How can you think of marrying such a cheap girl?" he shouted.

"That was a year ago. She has left that job long ago." Aryan offered.

"So what? What she is today won't change her past. Sunny has identified her now, someone else will do it later. I can't let my reputation at stake. You can't marry her." he declared.

"But I love her, dad. Please accept her for me." Aryan pleaded.

"We are the most reputable family in this city, any girl would be glad to marry you. I'll find a better and more beautiful girl than her." Purab's eyes felt on Shahana, who was standing as a mute spectator till then. "Why are you still standing here? Get out of my house and don't try to seduce my son again." he threatened her.

"Uncle......." she tried to explain herself, but for Purab. his reputation mattered the most. He called the guards and threw Shahana out of the house.

"Dad! You shouldn't had insulted her. She was compelled to work there." Aryan tried to make him understand.

"I want no more discussions on this topic. Forget that she ever existed." Purab said and went to his room.