“I can’t believe this is real,” she whispers.
I stare at her for a moment. Then set my coffee down. “Come with me.” She narrows her eyes immediately.
“That tone concerns me.”
“Trust me.”
“Those words concern me more.” I laugh quietly and hold my hand out anyway.
After a second, she takes it. Always does now. I lead her toward the small terrace upstairs that overlooks the city. The lights are already on. Warm fairy lights wrapped around the railing. Candles flickering softly against the night breeze. Flowers everywhere.
She stops walking. Slowly turns toward me. “Aryan…” Her voice changes. Enough to make my chest tighten. I suddenly feel nervous for the first time tonight. Which is ridiculous because I literally got shot for this woman and somehow this feels scarier. She looks around once more before staring back at me suspiciously.
“What did you do?”
“I am trying to be romantic.”
“You’re terrifyingly good at it.”
I grin softly. Then reach into my pocket. And the moment her eyes widen my entire body forgets how to function normally. I take a slow breath before kneeling in front of her. Immediately she looks scandalized.
“Oh my god,” she whisper-yells. “Get up, people will see.”
“Let them.”
“Aryan.”
“Sunshine,” I counter gently.
Her hands flutter uselessly at her sides while panic and emotion and disbelief fight across her face all at once. God she’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling wrecked by her. “I had this whole speech planned,” I admit honestly. “It was very good. Siddhant helped.”
“That’s concerning already.”
“But now I’m looking at you and my brain is gone.”
A watery laugh escapes her. “One year ago,” I say quietly, “you could barely stand in the same room as me without trying to fight me.”
“That’s not true.”
“You insulted me within three minutes of meeting me.”
“You were being annoying.”
“I was flirting.”
“You were failing.”
I laugh softly. Then my expression settles again. More serious this time. “You changed my life, Ishika.”
Her breathing stills. “I thought love would feel dramatic,” I continue. “Big. Loud. But with you…” I shake my head slightly. “It feels like coming home after being tired for a very long time.”
Her eyes glisten immediately. “And I know loving people scares you sometimes,” I say softly. “I know trust didn’t come easy for you. But every day you still chose me.” My throat tightens slightly. “And I swear to you, Sunshine, I will spend the rest of my life being worthy of that choice.”
She presses her lips together hard. Crying already. I smile helplessly. “I don’t want perfect days,” I whisper. “I want you. Your terrible mood swings. Your emotional support insults. Your stealing fries after saying you weren’t hungry.” Her laugh breaks through tears. “I want every version of you.”
I pull the ring box open carefully. Her hand flies to her mouth instantly.
“Ishika Vyas,” I say quietly, my heart pounding so hard it hurts, “will you marry me?”
