(P.S.- Don't miss the author's note at end... You have a surprise there 🙏🙏😉)

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Dhruv's POV

"So you want to marry my sister??" Atharva said in a stern tone.

I gulped nervously and looked down as i was getting intimidated by the continuous glaring of the two men sitting in front of me.

Here I was sitting in the front of my soon to be in-laws. I was here to ask Dhriti's hand for marriage. It was a surprise for her which i had planned
with the help of our friends and my family.

When i told my family the plan about surprise, they were over the moon.
But permission of her family was also required. Today i am going to activate my plan and props her but before that i want her family's permission.

Dhriti has been busy with an important project since a few days.
So it gave me a plenty of time to plan this proposal without her knowledge. 

After Dhriti went to her work along with Stella, i rushed to her sister's apartment. When i told my plan to her family, her sister and her sister's mother in law were enchanted. But the men of the house were giving me constant glares.

I have met her family 3-4 times after we got committed.
They have always been welcoming . Though her dear brother in law and his father didn't like me much. They just behave cordially. 

I wonder why they behave indifferent with me 🙄

I got out of my thoughts when i heard a stern voice again.

"Are you sure you love her?? If yes, then how can you be so sure ??" Atharva asked again.

"I love her.... You also know that." I tried to sound confident in which i am sure i failed miserably.

"Why do think that we will give our precious daughter's hand in yours...Give us a strong reason??" This time Atharva's father asked.

"You can trust me... I will give all the happiness.. to your daughter.." I spoke.

They give me a hard look.

I was getting nervous by their intimidating looks. I was looking here and there for some help but this father-son duo had sent both the ladies to the kitchen.

"What you guys are talking about??" Dhriti's sister came with a tray in her hands making me sigh in relief.

"Nothing love.. Just some basic stuff" Atharva said smiling at me and giving me a hard look like warning me not to spill the beans. 😓

I was sitting there like a scared lamb.

"I know your basic stuff my boy.." Atharva's mother came and took a seat beside me.

Pheww.. I sighed in relief .

"Why are you scaring the poor child??" She asked sternly.

The father-son duo gulped.

"Nothing dear.. We were just having a casual talk.. Isn't it son??"
Atharva's father looked at his wife and the gestured me to nod in assurance.

"Shut up.. you old man" She scolded him.🙊😂

"Dhruv.. You don't worry about these two.. You carry on with your surprise..." Atharva's mom said and patted my cheeks lovingly.

"Yes.. Dhruv all the best..." Dhriti's sister Swati hugged me 🤗

The two men pouted in annoyance and glared at me.

I giggled and drove to the destination of my surprise.

____________________________

I was checking all the arrangements and a stupid smile was adoring my face. it has been a year of our relation. And it has been nothing but pure bliss. ❤❤

We spent the whole year going to random dates, late night ice cream dates, long drives, outings and few kisses here and there. 😉🙈😘

The blush on her cheeks when ever i am close to her always makes me go weak in my knees. The effect of her closeness and presence is clearly evident in me too 🙈.

I can't wait to make her my wife. I want to see her face first and last thing before I wake up and when I go to bed.
I can't wait to start this phase of our relation where I would have her by my side always and vice versa.

I got Stella's message that they will be reaching here within an hour.

I looked around to make final check on all the arrangements and rushed towards my car and changed into fresh pair of clothes.

I checked the ring in my pocket and kept it back carefully. 
I will be lying if I tell you that I am not nervous. My heart started beating at high pace. I started looking forward for her arrival.

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Third person's POV

Dhriti was pretty busy in her work since few days.
She noticed that Stella was behaving really weird today. 

Also Dhruv's behavior was strange since a week. At first she wanted to confront him but then she got busy in her work.

Coming back to present, she noticed Stella was looking at her phone again and again. She was not focusing on her work. Time to time she was typing something on phone.

Dhriti shoved her thoughts away and get back to her work.

It was post lunch when Stella came to her. 

Stella: "Mam, ahh.. actually we have to go for on sight project today."

Dhriti: "Today?? Which project ?? I don't remember as such."

Stella gulped nervously and she started looking here and there for answers making Dhriti raise her eyebrow in confusion.

Dhriti: "Are you alright Stella??" she continued.

Stella: "Mam.. It's... it's that.. Malhotra project.. Yes mam it's Malhotra's project. You asked me to book an appointment for them and today is the date."

Dhriti: "Are you sure?? You never told anything about this appointment earlier."

Stella: "Mam it just skipped from my mind."

Dhriti: "Okay.. We will leave after 2 hrs." 

Stella: "No mam.. You cannot".  she said in loudly.

Dhriti looked at her in confusion. She was behaving too weirdly.

Stella: "Mam.. That place is far from here so we have to leave now" she said in one go.

Dhriti nodded.
.

.

They reached the parking lot. Dhriti was about to go to driving seat when Stella stood in front of her.

Stella: "Mam, Can I please drive today??"

Dhriti: "You know driving??" 

Stella: "Yes mam.. Aman taught me" she blushed.

Dhriti: "Okay.. but now since we are outside, call me Dhriti." 

Dhriti handed over the keys to her.

.

.

Dhriti closed her eyes enjoying the weather. She didn't know when she dozed off.

She woke up when Stella shook her after reaching the destination.

It was late evening .

Dhriti: "Oh sorry.. i didn't know when i dozed off"

Stella: "It's alright.. You move towards there, i will come after parking the car." She smiled.

Dhriti moved towards the direction Stella asked her to. The place was looking familiar to her.
.
.
.

She was looking aroud curiously when a hand covered her eyes.

She became worried and put all her strength to remove that hold.

Dhriti: "What the hell is this?? Who are you??" 

She started panicking.

"SShh.. Calm down.. It's me" A voice came which she can recognize anytime.

"Dhruvv..." She said and touched his fingers to make sure that it's him.

Dhruv: "Yes.. 'Mi Amor' (Mi= my, Amor= love).. It's me"

Dhriti: "But we were here for project. Where is Stella??"

She said trying to connect the dots.

Dhruv: "She went back with Aman."

Dhriti: "so all this?? This project, Stella's weird behavior... it was all done by you..."

Dhruv: "Yes..Yes.." 

She was about to say something when got cut by Dhruv.

Dhruv: "Now.. Shh.. Come with me"

Dhriti: "But remove your hands first.." She tried to remove his hands.

Dhruv: "There is something in this world known as surprise"

Dhriti: "Dhruv.. It is so kiddish" She whined.

Dhruv: "Like I care...now silence" He said in 'duh' tone.

He took her to the place.

Dhriti: "Aree baba at least tell me, where are we going??"

Dhruv: "Ek dum chup.. Kitna bolti ho yaar (Silence.. How much do you talk).."

Dhriti: "Accha, Main zyada bolti hu (Oh, I talk much??) ?? Just remove your hand, i will tell you"

Dhruv chuckled.

Dhruv: " Shh.. We are here.."

Dhriti: "Haath to hatao (remove your hand)"

She blinked her eyes to adjust the lights and was awestruck looking at the view in front.

Dhriti: "This...." 

No words left her mouth. she was looking at the decorations with a smile.

There was table set up for two and was covered with white curtains along with fairy lights and flowers.

They path to the table was decorated by fairy lights and candles. 

She was looking at the decorations with mouth widened in shock.

Dhruv hugged her from behind and kept his chin on her shoulder.

Dhruv: "Close your mouth love.."

She closed her mouth in embarrassment and Dhruv chuckled at her expressions.

Dhruv: "So how is it??" He continued.

Dhriti: "Dhruv.. This is too  beautiful"

She leaned more on his chest and kept her hands on his which were wrapped on her waist.

Dhriti: "This is wrong... You are always making it too difficult for me to reach at your level of planning, with every arrangement of yours..." she whined.

Dhruv chuckled and kissed her cheek.

Dhruv: "I will take it as a compliment. Come on, Let's eat."

He took Dhriti towards the table. There were 2 dishes kept covered.

He made Dhriti sit on a chair and placed a plate in front of her. He asked her to remove the lid. 

Dhriti: "Pastaa...." she shouted in excitement.

Dhruv grinned and gestured her to remove the another lid.

Dhriti: "Manchurian.. Fried rice..." She shouted again.

She got up from her seat and hugged Dhruv making him stumble on his steps. He somehow managed himself and her.

Dhriti: "You know that I love you.. Right??"

Dhruv: "Easy there... my girl.. Easy.."

Dhriti  get out of his hug and sat on her seat. Dhruv served her the meal and then sat on his seat.

Dhriti put spoon of Manchurian fried rice in her mouth and smiled. 

Dhriti: "This is made by bhabhi right?? God i love munchurian made by her" 

Dhruv: "Can you please taste the pasta first??" he requested.

Dhriti: "Don't tell me you made it??"

Dhruv: "You never know.." he grinned.

Dhriti: "You suck at cooking."

Dhruv: "I might have asked bhabhi to assist me in cooking this." he smirked.😏

Dhriti tasted it. She smiled and looked at Dhruv.

Dhruv looked at her with raised eyebrow. She gave him a 'thumbs up'.

They both enjoyed their meal.

.

.

.

.

They were walking hand in hand enjoying their time. Dhriti was speaking all the time where as our lover boy, Dhruv was pretty nervous.

Dhruv stopped all of sudden making Dhriti stop in her tracks.

Dhriti: "Heyy?? What happened??"

She asked turning aroud.

Dhruv caresses her knuckles softly and smiled at her. Dhriti looked at him in confusion.

Dhriti: "Come on let's go.. It's late already." 

Dhriti tried to drag him but he didn't move an inch.

Dhruv: "Dhriti..." 

Dhriti: "What happened??"

Dhruv: "Dhriti.. You know. You are a very special part of my life.."

Dhriti chuckled not sensing his emotions. She thought that he was just saying it as usual.

Dhriti: "I know that....chalein ab??"

Dhruv: "No Dhriti.." 

Dhriti looked at him confused.

Dhruv: "I.. I love you..."

Dhriti: " I know that already Dhruv... I love you too.  But I think it's too late.. It will take approximately 2 hours to reach home.. We should leave.. I don't know what have got into you today...." 

Dhriti started ranting and Dhruv looked at her helplessly. He was already nervous about this confession and now she is making it more difficult for him.

He placed his lips on her making her stop her rant. He pecked her lips and moved away.

Dhruv: "Shut up.. and now just listen to me okayy??" He said in a low tone.

She nodded and looked downwards shyly not able to meet his eyes after their sudden peck. He held her chin making her look into his eyes.

Dhruv: "Dhriti... You are a very special part of my life... I love you.. I have been in love with you since the first time I met you and will be still in love with you at the time of our old age..
I want to enjoy the each and every moment of my life but with you in it... I don't want to even live that moment where you are not in it......"

Dhriti had tears in her eyes. She look at him with all the love.

Dhriti: "Dhruv.. all this...?" she started.

She was not able to complete. Dhruv cut her in between. He put his finger on her lips.

Dhruv: "Shh.. Let me complete. I want to look at your face first and last thing before going to sleep and after waking up...
I want to stand by you in every moment of your life...
I want to love and cherish you for my whole life...I want to start the new phase of our life... I want to rise in your love.."

He bend down on his one knee holding her one hand and took out a box from his pocket.

She covered her face with her free hand in surprise, not believing the scene in front of her. Tears of happiness were rolling down her eyes.

Dhruv: "So, Miss Dhriti will you make me the happiest person alive and give me the opportunity to be Life partner and soulmate of your life?? Will you marry me??" 

He opened the box which was carrying a beautiful ring in it.

Dhriti was looking at him with all the love. She was not believing that this is happening in real. She was not able to reply anything. She was overwhelmed by all this. She didn't reply anything for sometime.

Dhruv: "As much as I am ready to be like this, bowing down on my knee in front of you for our whole life, but Dhriti my knees have started to pain now, Love....." He said. 

Dhriti came out of her trance.
She looked at him and pulled him from his sitting position. He looked at her in daze. She didn't answer anything.

Dhruv: "Dhriti.. it's alright if you don't want to.. We can wait.." He replied trying hard to control his emotions.

Dhriti looked at him and then realised that she hadn't replied anything. She took the first step and pecked his lips.

Dhriti: "Yes.. I am ready to marry you.. I will be lucky to have you as my life partner." She smiled and her eyes shining with tears.

Dhruv: "Are you sure??" He said not believing her reply.

Dhriti: "Of course you idiot... If you are not sure, should I change my decision already??" She asked amusingly.

Dhruv: "Hell NOO.." He shouted making her chuckle.

He pulled out the ring from box and made her wear it on her left hand's ring-finger.

Dhriti: "It's.. It's so beautiful" She caressed the ring making him smile.

She hugged Dhruv and kissed his cheek. 

She closed her eyes capturing the moment. He also wrapped his arms around her waist. They both keep standing there enjoying the moment.

Dhruv kissed the crown of her head and they both moved apart after few minutes.

He took her to the mattress kept just beside their proposal set up near the lake shore. 

He sat on the it and pulled Dhriti along with him. Dhriti leaned on his chest. 

They both were looking at the stars filled sky. Dhruv was playing with Dhriti's hair.

Dhriti: "Dhruv.." she called her without turning around.

Dhruv: "Hmm.." he replied.

Dhriti: "Those gifts and bouquets were sent by you in our initial days.. Right??"

Dhruv: "What do you think??"

 Dhriti smiled but didn't say anything.

Dhriti: "Everytime i threw that flowers in front of your eyes.. You didn't ever feel bad or give up.. Why??"

Dhruv: "Yes.. I did feel bad.. But give up?? No ways...  I know you better than you know yourself..."

Dhriti: "Hmm.. But when I asked you said you didn't send them.. You lied to me." she asked and made an angry face.

Dhruv: "Love... I never lied to you... do you remember what i had said??" 

Dhriti turned and looked at him in confusion.

Dhruv: "My exact words were, 'No.. Ms. Dhriti i haven't sent any file or folder as of today...'  I never said that i hadn't sent any bouquet " he winked . 😝😉

Dhriti made an 'ohh' face and then realizing what he said, she started slapping him.

Dhruv laughed at her. 

Dhruv: "okayy.. okay... fine. Come on let's go. We have to reach somewhere"

Dhriti: "One more surprise??  Now what is left?? Don't tell me you today have arranged our wedding too" She mocked him.

Dhruv: "As much as i would love to marry you right now...  But it is not our wedding 'yet'.." 

She missed his 'yet' and got up along with him.

They both drove away and Dhriti didn't ask anything as she knew she was not going to get any answer.

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.

.

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.

They both reached a place which was again decorated with fairy lights all over.

Dhriti: "As much i want to praise the beauty of this place... But I want to know first, Now what is this??" She asked in annoyance.

Before Dhruv could answer they heard  loud voices...

"SURPRISE....." 

Dhriti shivered a bit at sudden noise and turned around to see her family (her sister's family), Dhruv's family , her two friends, Stella, Aman and a couple whom she remembered as Dhruv's friends standing there..

Her smile widened looking at them.

Dhriti: "You all... What a pleasant surprise"

She looked back at Dhruv and he bowed a little .

They all came and hugged both of them one by one and congratulated them. 

"It's celebration time..." Dhruv's brother said and everyone hooted.

Dhruv and Dhriti cut the cake and enjoyed the dinner with their family.

.

.

.

"Now since you both are ready , we will contact our priest and ask him to look for good dates.." Dhruv's mother, Sakshi said.

"You are right.. Sakshi ji... I am really happy. I can't believe that my daughter is getting married." Atharva's mother said and kissed Dhriti's forehead.

.

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Ufff.. 3062 words 

Hello everyone..😊

How are you all??

How was marriage proposal?? I hope I had explained and showed each and every emotion clearly.

Hope you guys like it.. Tell about your views on this chapter.

I will be waiting for your response.🙃

And...

I hope i am forgiven for the delay. I know it is super late. I am really sorry. 
I was bit occupied with some work so couldn't update.. 🙏

I have made invitations for you on the behalf of Dhruv and Dhriti, inviting you all to their wedding.😁🥰

So you all are welcomed to attend the wedding rituals of Dhriti and Dhruv which will be covered in the upcoming 2 chapters.💃💃💍

I have tried my best to make these invitation look beautiful, classy as well as real. Hope you like them.💕

I will be expecting your review and comments on them..🥺❤

Come on yaar.. Bahut mehnat aur pyaar se bnaye hain.
Reply de dena ... PLEASEEE🙏🙏🥺🥺 (with puppy eyes)

Can anyone suggest some name shipment of them(Dhruv-Dhriti)??
I am not able to guess any. 🤔🤔

You have got the invitations as well as the dates of next update now. 😉❤ 

See you at their wedding..

Till then bye-bye.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Stay Happy. Stay Safe.

-Pratima :)