Before you start reading this chapter. Please check out Chapter 39. I don't know why watty is not sending notifications to anyone. I hope you all get notify of this update.

Riddhima's pov :

Vansh is almost healed now. His cast has been removed, his head has completely healed, and his leg is still recovering. He has changed over the past few months—he no longer throws tantrums at me, he doesn't look down on me, and he actually listens when I speak. He doesn't make me feel guilty anymore.

I think he knows the truth, though I don't know how. I should feel relieved that he isn't mistreating me anymore, but instead, I feel... empty. It's as if he's punishing himself more than he ever punished me. As if he wants to apologize but doesn't know how. And that hurts more than anything. I can't see him like this.

He moves around the house like a shadow of the person he once was—silent, distant, burdened. At first, I thought he was giving me space, but now I realize he's distancing himself out of guilt. I see it in his eyes, the way he hesitates before speaking to me, the way his fingers twitch like he wants to reach out but holds himself back.

His birthday is about to start in a few minutes. We planned a surprise party for him. He was asleep in his room, unaware of what was coming.

Without making any noise, we all sneaked into his room, holding our excitement in. The moment the clock struck twelve, everyone screamed, "Happy Birthday!"

He jolted awake, his eyes wide with horror, clearly startled by the sudden commotion. But as he took in our faces, his expression softened with relief.

I placed the cake in front of him, smiling. He hesitated for a moment before picking up the knife. Just as he cut the first slice, Baba popped a party popper, filling the room with confetti and laughter.

For the first time in months, I saw a genuine smile on Vansh's face.

Vansh looked around at everyone, his eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and gratitude. For a moment, he just stood there, taking it all in—the smiling faces, the warmth, the love that surrounded him.

He cleared his throat and said, "Thank you, everyone... for this." His voice was softer than usual, filled with sincerity. "I didn't expect this at all."

Maa stepped forward and cupped his face. "Why wouldn't we celebrate the day our Vansh was born?" she said warmly.

I saw his jaw tighten as if he was trying to hold back emotions. He turned to Baba, who simply patted his shoulder and nodded, silently conveying his support.

Vansh exhaled and looked at me. For a second, something unreadable flashed in his eyes. Then, he spoke again, addressing everyone. "I don't think I've been the best version of myself lately," he admitted. "But... thank you for standing by me, for not giving up on me."

The room fell silent for a moment before Mumma clapped her hands together. "Enough of this serious talk! It's your birthday, Vansh. Enjoy it."

Everyone cheered, and the atmosphere lightened again. Vansh smiled—a small, hesitant smile—but it was real. And that was enough.

When everyone left for their rooms, I put the cake in the refrigerator and then went back to his room. As I entered his bedroom, I found him sitting by the window, staring at the moon. His fingers tapped lightly against his knee, lost in thought.

"Vansh..." I called out softly. He blinked, as if waking from a trance, and looked at me.

I walked closer, sat beside him, and smiled. "Happy Birthday."

He gave me a small nod but didn't say anything. The silence between us was heavy, suffocating.

I hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "This silence... this distance... it's killing me," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I know you regret everything, but keeping yourself locked in this guilt won't change the past."

He sighed, rubbing his temple. "And what else am I supposed to do, Riddhima? Just pretend like nothing happened? Like I didn't hurt you? Every fucking time I hurt you, you forgave me immediately." His voice was laced with frustration, but beneath it, there was pain—raw and unfiltered.

I shook my head. "No, Vansh. But punishing yourself like this isn't the answer either." I placed a hesitant hand over his. "I never wanted to see you like this."

He flinched slightly but didn't pull away. Instead, he let out a bitter chuckle. "I don't deserve to move on so easily. I ruined everything. I failed you."

"You didn't fail me, Vansh," I said firmly. "You made mistakes, yes. But we all do. What matters is that you've realized it, that you're willing to change. Holding onto guilt won't fix what's broken—it will only break you more."

His grip on his knee tightened, his jaw clenched. I could see the inner turmoil in his eyes, the way he struggled to accept my words.

I exhaled softly, my gaze never leaving his. "If you really want to make things right... stop pushing me away."

For the first time in months, his expression wavered. His walls, the ones he'd built so high, cracked just a little. And in that moment, I knew—he was listening. am I supposed to do, Riddhima?" His voice was tired, heavy with emotions he refused to let out. "I ruined everything. I didn't trust you. I hurt you. How do I just... move past that?"

I sat beside him, gathering the courage to place my hand over his. "By forgiving yourself," I said gently. "Because I already have."

Vansh's pov :

"Because I already have."

Listening to her words made my eyes tear up, but I didn't cry. This girl forgave me even when I didn't apologize to her. The guilt that weighed on my chest was unbearable, but her kindness, her patience—it only made it worse. I didn't deserve her forgiveness.

I ran a hand through my hair, my voice cracking as I spoke. "I don't deserve you, Riddhima. I don't deserve your love, your patience. I've done nothing but hurt you."

She shook her head, her fingers gently wiping away the tears that had started to fall. "No, Vansh. You're not perfect, but neither am I. We both have our flaws. But that doesn't mean we can't find a way back to each other."

Her words sank in, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe we could heal, together. Maybe we could fix this, piece by piece.

Her gaze softened, her hand gently resting on mine. "Vansh," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I know we've been through so much, and I know it's not easy. But despite everything, I still believe in us. I still believe in you."

I turned to look at her, confusion and hope mixed in my eyes. "What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath, her words steady but filled with emotion. "Vansh, I don't want to waste any more time. I don't want to keep living in this limbo, with guilt and distance between us. I want to move forward with you. I want us to build something new, something stronger, from everything we've been through."

I felt my heart race as she continued, her eyes locking with mine. "Vansh, will you marry me?" Saying she forwarded a velvet box that had a ring inside it.

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. The weight of it, the depth of her feelings, was overwhelming. She wanted to marry me. After everything, she still wanted to be with me.

I couldn't believe it—it felt like a dream. I looked at her, then at the ring, and back at her again. My vision blurred as my eyes unknowingly started shedding tears. And then I saw her—her eyes glistening, her lips trembling as she, too, cried.

A choked sob escaped me, and I shook my head in disbelief. "Riddhima..." My voice barely came out, thick with emotions I couldn't even name.

She sniffled, smiling through her tears. "Vansh, I love you. I always have. I always will. ALWAYS AND FOREVER."

My chest ached at her words, at the unconditional love she was offering me despite everything. I reached for her hand, my fingers trembling. I wanted to say so much, to apologize, to tell her how much I loved her too, but all that came out was a whispered, "Yes."

A soft gasp left her lips, and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. I nodded, unable to stop myself from crying as well. "Yes, Riddhima. I will marry you."

She let out a breath, one filled with relief, and then, with hands still shaking, she slid the ring onto my finger. I stared at it for a moment before looking up at her, seeing the love, the forgiveness, and the hope in her eyes.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt something deep within me start to heal. I pulled her into a hug, holding her as tightly as I could, afraid that if I let go, this moment would disappear like a dream.

She melted into my embrace, her arms wrapping around me just as fiercely. I could feel her heartbeat against mine, steady and real, grounding me in a way nothing else ever had.

I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, brushing away a tear that clung to her cheek. "I promise I will never let you go again."

A small, watery laugh escaped her. "You better not," she teased, and for the first time in what felt like forever, we both smiled—truly, with teary eyes, a genuine smile.

She slowly closed the gap between us and kissed me passionately. My hands instinctively cupped her face as my eyes fluttered shut, savoring the moment.

Suddenly, I heard the faint sound of a zipper. My eyes snapped open, and I saw her lowering her sleeves, her dress slipping slightly from her shoulders. My heart pounded as realization hit me.

I gently pulled away, my hands gripping her arms to stop her movements.

"Riddhima, what are you doing?" I asked, my voice laced with both surprise and concern.

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with raw emotion. "I want to be yours, Vansh. Completely," she whispered.

I swallowed hard, my mind torn between desire and the overwhelming need to protect her. I lifted her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. "You already are, Riddhima. You don't have to prove anything to me."

Her lips trembled, and I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close.

"Not like this," I murmured. "When the time is right, when we both know it's out of love and not guilt or desperation... then, and only then."

She stared at me, her breath hitching, her eyes searching mine for answers. I could see the vulnerability, the love, and the desperation in them—as if she was trying to give me all of herself, afraid I'd slip away if she didn't.

I cupped her face gently, brushing away a stray tear with my thumb. "Riddhima," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I love you. Truly, deeply, with everything I have."

"I was stupid back then to question your love, but now I know the real meaning of it."

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

I smiled softly, pressing my forehead against hers. "But love isn't about this. It's not about rushing or proving anything. You don't need to do this just because you think it'll make me stay. I'm already yours."

A soft sob escaped her, and she clutched my hands tightly.

"I can wait for you forever," I assured her. "Whenever you're ready, whenever it feels right—it'll be your choice, not something you feel you have to do."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she nodded, burying her face in my chest. I held her close, my heart swelling with a love so pure, so unbreakable, that I knew—no matter what happened—we would always find our way back to each other.

I stroked her hair gently, knowing that tonight, all we needed was each other's presence—nothing more.

The past had hurt us, but the future was ours to write. And this time, I would make sure it was filled with love, trust, and happiness.

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I'm going to write "smut"🌶️ scene of our Favourite Riddhima and Vansh in the upcoming episode. So stay tuned, book is about to end. Thankyou

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Till then Happy Reading......