It was a quiet evening at the café, and the air felt different—charged with anticipation. The usual hum of the place was softened by the dim lights, and Khushi was just finishing up her shift. She'd been distracted all day, her heart fluttering with excitement and nervousness. Little did she know, today would be the day.

Shubman had been acting a little more distant than usual, but she chalked it up to the pressures of his cricket matches. Yet, there was something about the way he'd been looking at her recently, like there was a secret simmering just beneath the surface.

As she tidied up the counter, Anjali and Kunal, who had stayed behind for a late-night coffee, exchanged knowing looks. They could tell something big was about to happen.

Just then, Shubman walked in. But instead of his usual casual demeanor, he was dressed in something a bit more formal—like he had just come from a big event. His eyes locked with hers immediately. His heart raced, but there was a calmness to him, a determination that Khushi didn't quite understand.

"Hey, future wife," he said with a grin, his tone playful but there was an unmistakable hint of sincerity behind the words.

Khushi raised an eyebrow, smiling as she leaned against the counter. "Hey, Shubs. What's going on?"

Shubman took a deep breath, glancing quickly at Anjali and Kunal, who were giving him an encouraging nod. His nerves were palpable, but he was ready. He had planned this moment for so long, and it was finally here.

"Can I take you out for a walk?" he asked, his voice soft, yet there was a quiet confidence to it. "I need to talk to you about something important."

Khushi felt a flutter in her chest. She nodded, curious, and followed him outside. The evening was cool, the streets quiet, with only the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. They walked in silence for a while, side by side, the soft streetlight casting a gentle glow over them.

Finally, Shubman stopped in front of a small park, and turned to her, his heart pounding in his chest.

"I've been thinking," he started, his voice shaky with emotion, "about how lucky I am to have you in my life. About how every moment we spend together just feels right. You make me feel at home in ways I've never felt before." He paused, swallowing his nerves. "And I don't ever want to lose that."

Khushi's eyes softened, a warm smile spreading across her face, but she stayed quiet, her heart racing.

Shubman took a step closer, pulling something from his pocket—a small, elegant box. The sight of it made Khushi's breath catch in her throat. She had an inkling of what was about to happen, but still, her heart skipped.

"Khushi," he said, his voice steady now, "I asked your parents, like, a hundred times, and they finally said yes. So... I'm asking you now."

He opened the box to reveal a sparkling engagement ring, the diamond catching the light. "Will you marry me?" he asked, his eyes full of love, vulnerability, and hope.

Tears welled up in Khushi's eyes as she looked at the ring, then back at him. Her heart was full, her mind racing, but the only thing that mattered was him. The man who had stolen her heart and who was now standing in front of her, asking her to be his forever.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. "Yes, I'll marry you."

Shubman let out a relieved laugh, his face lighting up as he slid the ring onto her finger. He wrapped her in a warm hug, lifting her off the ground as they both laughed, the world around them fading away.

"I love you so much, Khushi," he murmured against her hair, holding her close.

"I love you too," she whispered back, her voice thick with emotion. "Always."

As they stood there, in the soft glow of the streetlights, everything felt right. It wasn't just the proposal or the ring—it was the way they fit together, the way they made each other feel like home. Their love had been growing for so long, and now, they were taking the next step into forever.

And just as the world seemed to quiet around them, Khushi smiled, looking up at Shubman. "So... when's the wedding?" she teased.

Shubman grinned, kissing her forehead. "Whenever you're ready, future wife," he said. "But I'm never letting you go."

It was a new chapter, a beautiful one, and they couldn't wait to write it together.

The air was buzzing with excitement as the wedding preparations kicked off. Khushi's house was a whirlwind of activity—family members bustling around with decorations, invitations being finalized, and the scent of fresh flowers filling the air. The bride-to-be, Khushi, was glowing, her happiness radiating like sunshine.

Shubman, on the other hand, was trying to keep his cool, though his goofy grins and stolen glances at Khushi gave him away. Every time their eyes met, the world seemed to pause for a moment, and both couldn't help but smile like lovestruck teenagers.

Anjali and Kunal were another story entirely.

"Why do we have to organize the seating chart?" Kunal grumbled, scratching his head as he stared at the massive guest list. "This is like solving a puzzle with no edges."

"Because you're the groom's best friend, and I'm the bride's best friend," Anjali replied, rolling her eyes dramatically. "And because if we don't do it, Khushi will freak out, and no one wants to see that."

Kunal sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Fine. But only because it's for them."

He glanced over at Anjali, who was biting the end of her pen thoughtfully, and his heart did a little flip. She was so cute when she was focused, even if she was bossy.

Meanwhile, little Arora was bouncing around the house like a ball of energy. "Khushi Di! Shubman Bhaiya!" she squealed every time she saw either of them. "Is it time to eat cake yet? Can I wear my sparkly dress now? Will there be balloons?"

Khushi laughed, scooping the little girl up in her arms. "Not yet, baby. But soon! And yes, there will be cake, and you'll get to wear your sparkly dress."

Arora clapped her hands in glee. "Best wedding ever!" she declared, making everyone around her laugh.

Shubman couldn't resist ruffling Arora's hair every time she passed by. "You're the real star of this wedding," he teased. "Not me or Khushi."

"Obviously," Arora replied with a serious nod, making everyone laugh even harder.

Khushi, meanwhile, was on cloud nine. The sight of Shubman helping her dad with the lighting arrangements or joking around with her cousins made her heart swell with love. He wasn't just her fiancé—he was becoming part of her family, and that meant everything to her.

When Khushi caught a quiet moment with Anjali later, she couldn't help but gush. "I can't believe this is all happening," she said, twirling in her living room, her face lit up with joy. "I'm getting married, Anj!"

Anjali grinned, though her eyes softened with emotion. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, Khushi," she said sincerely. "And Shubman... he's perfect for you."

"You think so?" Khushi asked, though her cheeks were already pink with happiness.

"I know so," Anjali replied, pulling her into a hug. "Now, stop being all mushy and help me figure out what to wear!"

The house was alive with laughter, love, and the promise of a beautiful future. Shubman and Khushi were surrounded by people who adored them, and as they moved closer to their big day, one thing was clear—this wedding wasn't just about them. It was a celebration of their love and the family and friends who had been part of their journey.

And if the preps were this much fun, the wedding itself was bound to be unforgettable.

The Haldi ceremony was in full swing, with laughter and teasing echoing through the air. Friends and family surrounded Khushi and Shubman, smearing turmeric paste on their faces, arms, and feet, marking the start of their wedding rituals. Both looked radiant, their joy evident in their glowing smiles.

But when Shubman and Khushi finally got within arm's reach of each other, chaos ensued.

"You look like a mango!" Shubman teased, grinning mischievously as he held a handful of turmeric paste.

"Oh, really?" Khushi retorted, grabbing an even bigger handful. "Let me fix your face, Mr. Cricketer."

Before anyone could stop them, the two launched into a playful battle, flinging turmeric at each other like kids on Holi. Shubman dodged Khushi's attempts with quick reflexes, laughing, but she wasn't far behind, managing to swipe her turmeric-covered hand across his cheek when he least expected it.

"You're going to regret that!" he said, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Oh, bring it on, future husband!" she shot back, her giggles contagious.

Their parents, initially amused, quickly realized this was spiraling out of control.

"Khushi, stop it! You'll ruin your outfit!" her mom cried, though she couldn't hide her smile.

"Shubman, behave!" his mom scolded, though she was laughing just as much as everyone else.

But Khushi and Shubman were too far gone, acting less like an engaged couple and more like the best friends they'd always been. Shubman grabbed a big chunk of turmeric paste and smeared it on Khushi's forehead, leaving her spluttering in mock outrage. She retaliated by smearing his hair, turning his dark locks a vibrant yellow.

"Enough, you two!" Khushi's dad finally intervened, trying to pull them apart, though it was like separating two whirlwinds. "You're supposed to be getting married, not having a wrestling match!"

"But this is more fun!" Khushi said, her cheeks hurting from laughing so hard.

"Much more fun," Shubman agreed, reaching out to flick a tiny dab of turmeric on her nose, making her scrunch it up adorably.

Eventually, their families managed to separate them, though not without difficulty. Both were covered head to toe in turmeric, their outfits a mess, but neither cared. The joy and love they shared were evident to everyone watching, and their laughter lit up the entire event.

As they were being dragged away by their respective sides, Shubman called out, "Hey, Khushi!"

She turned, her face still glowing with laughter. "What?"

"You missed a spot!" he said, pointing to his chin, grinning like a fool.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help laughing. "You're impossible!"

"And you're perfect," he replied, loud enough for her to hear, making her blush despite herself.

The Haldi ceremony might not have gone exactly as planned, but it was undeniably them—full of laughter, love, and the kind of chaos only best friends could create.