Aditi's eyes widened as her brother Yash, walked into her office.

"Bhaiya! Ap achanak yaha kaise?" Aditi asked, putting up a smile.

Yash grinned. "Kyun, apni bhena se milne nhi aa sakta?"

Aditi rolled her eyes playfully. "Aa sakte ho but main thodhi der mein ghar aane hi wali thi."

Yash chuckled and said. "Acha chodh woh sab. Mujhe phele yeh batao, tum bhul gayi naa?"

Aditi expression turned clueless and the next moment she started panicking.

"Kyaa? Mere orders pending hain? Koi customer ne koi feedback diya jo main dekhna bhul gayi? Oh no, kya ho gaya?"

Yash sighed and grasped her shoulders. "Arey, sun toh lo."

Aditi calmed down and raised her eyebrows.

"Tumhari brand ka third anniversary!" Yash exclaimed. "Next week."

Aditi's face lit up. "Ohh haan! Main kaise bhul gayi?"

Yash chuckled. "Tum toh busy thi naa isliye. Celebration toh banta hain!"

Aditi agreed and asks Yash who would be invited.

"Tumhari party hain, tumhe jise bulana hain bulao."

Aditi smiled widely and after sometime, they shut their store and headed home.

-

Aditi dialed Ishan's number, her heart racing.

"Hey!" Ishan answered.

"Ishan, busy toh nhi the naa?" Aditi asked.

"Nhi, thodhi der phele practice khatam huyi." He replied.

"Oohoo. By the way, guess what?" Aditi said, her excitement growing.

Ishan's voice filled the line. "Kya hua? Koi good news hain naa?"

Aditi paused, creating suspense.

Ishan said. "Batana."

"Ishan, mere brand ke third anniversary hain kuch dino baad."

"Sach mein?" He asked, excitement in his voice.

Aditi giggled. "Haan!"

"Congratulations!" Ishan chuckled.

Her voice then turned serious. "Suno na, maine naa uss din ek party rakhi hain, choti si celebration party. Tum mere supporter aur bhot acche dost ho. Please aana naa."

Ishan's tone softened. "Theek hain. Aaunga naa, aise kaise miss kar dunga."

Aditi's excitement returned. "Hehehe. Aur waise, uss din practice skip kar sakte ho?"

Ishan's tone turned contemplative. "Par main-"

"Please. Mere liye." she requested and Ishan sensed she really looked forward to his appearance on that day.

He couldn't say no to her. It was a big day after all! She has been running her clothing brand since 3 years now and he couldn't be more prouder.

"Theek hain," Ishan laughed. "Swami bhi aayega chalega naa?"

Aditi smiled. "Bilkul. Mujhe acha lagega."

Their conversation ended with mutual excitement.

As Ishan hung up, he couldn't shake off the feeling.

Maybe this celebration party would be the start of something more between them.

-

After a conversation with Ishan, Aditi smiled, lost in thoughts.

"Ishan kitna supportive raha hai, hamesha mere liye rehta hain. I am so lucky to have him in my life."

Just then, Yash barged into her room and she got up.

"Aise kisi ke room mein nhi ghuste hain!" she playfully complained.

Yash chuckled, hitting her on her back. "Arey ruk na tu, bata phele socha kitne log aa rahe hain kul mila ke?" he asked.

Aditi thought for a while. "Meri friends ko ek din phele bhi bolungi toh chalega. Maine just Ishan ko invitation diya-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Yash started shouting "ooohhhh."

Aditi narrowed her eyes and asked. "Yeh kya tha?"

"Ishan bhi aayega, I knew it!" Yash said, dramatically covering his mouth.

Aditi rolled her eyes. "Toh kya, mera dost hain woh ap bhi toh usse jaante ho naa, yeh kya tha pehle woh bataye."

Yash just laughed. "Dost? Hahaha."

Aditi sighed and said. "Apko nhi samajh paayungi main. Paglate rahte ho." She then walked out of her room to prepare the return gifts.

Yash thought. "Mujhe pata hain naa kitna ache DOST ho tum dono. Har jagah viral ho tum dono, maina dekha naa tum kitna admire karti ho usse door se."

-

It was few hours before the party. Yash was helping with arrangements while Aditi was finalizing the guest list.

Ishan's presence would make the day unforgettable. As the celebration approached, both of their anticipation grew.

Aditi's boutique shined with glamour as she celebrated its third anniversary. The party started in full swing with friends, family and her team dancing to music.

Ishan, dressed in a sleek black jacket and pants, arrived at the party holding a gift.

Amidst the laughter and chatter, he caught Aditi's eye.

Their friendship had blossomed over cricket matches and laughter filled moments. But Aditi sensed a deeper connection, though none of them acknowledged it. Recently, when Ishan was struggling with his mental health, Aditi became his rock and that's how everything was feeling unusually beautiful each day.

Today, Ishan decided to seize the moment.

"Ishan!" Aditi waved to him.

He smiled and approached her. "Congratulations! So proud of you."

"Thank you." Aditi said.

Then they hugged, and they felt like they are having this moment after an eternity.

Ishan handed her a beautifully wrapped gift box after they parted.

Aditi's eyes sparkled. "Thank you. Tum bahut supportive ho."

Inside the box, there was a stunning necklace with her name's initials.

"Kitna pyara!" Aditi exclaimed.

Ishan smiled. "Mujhe pta tha tumne pasand aayega."

As they chatted, Ishan's eyes scanned the room filled with people. He asked her. "Yash bhaiya kidhar hain?"

Aditi looked around and upon spotting him, said. "Woh dekho waha, jao mil lo unse. Tumhare bare mein baar baar puch rahe hai."

Ishan laughed. "Accha. Aata hoon." saying that, he left, leaving Aditi and Swami at the spot.

He too congratulated her. In his mind, he was actually planning on how Ishan should confess his feelings to her.

Ishan made his way to Yash, who was on his phone.

"Bhaiya." he called out.

Yash looked up and a smile spread across his face. "Ish!"

They both shared a hug. "Congratulations!" Ishan said.

Yash parted and thanked him.

After some talks, Ishan excused himself and came back, where Swami was, sipping on his drink.

He noticed Ishan coming and gestured him to sit beside him. Swami noticed his distress look.

"Kya hua?" he asked.

Ishan looked around and asked. "Aditi?"

Swami replied. "Woh toh gayi, apne friends ke sath hogi kahi."

Ishan got up and looked around the room where the atmosphere was buzzing with laughter and music. He then felt his heart racing as he saw Aditi interacting with the guests, the glow of her face lighting up the room.

She looked stunning, wearing a gown from her own label collection and Ishan couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and nervousness.

Swami tapped his shoulder, slightly startling him. Ishan turned his gaze towards him and sighed.

"Jaa naa. Kar dena usse confess." Swami said, wrapping his arm around his shoulder.

Ishan nodded and hesitantly took out a rose from his pocket, just then doubts crept in.

"Kya pata woh naa feel karti ho mere liye? Mujhe toh bas woh accha dost hi maanti hain."

He took a deep breath, glancing at Swami. He offered him encouraging words. "Jaa. Ishu, kuch nhi hoga." he whispered, sensing his inner turmoil.

With a surge of determination, Ishan stepped forward but hesitated, moving backwards for a moment as anxiety crept up. Swami, seeing the struggle, gently held his shoulders, urging him to move forward.

"Nhi, mujhe nervous feel ho raha hain." Ishan expressed.

Swami smiled. "Koi baat nahi, hota hai. Confident ho ke jao. I am sure woh bhi same feel karti hain."

Finally, he called out her name, his voice barely above the music. Aditi turned, her eyes sparkling as she approached.

"Gosh, his voice, music to my ears!" she thought.

Ishan smiled nervously. Just then, Swami playfully pushed him and in that moment, Ishan found himself on one knee before her. He held out the rose with trembling hands. Aditi stood still and the room seemed to pause as a wave of shock washed over them.

Ishan spoke, keeping up his radiant smile. "Aditi, I know tum bahut zada surprised ho but I have feelings for you..more than friendship."

Aditi's heart raced, she secretly had the same feelings for him. She looked at his eyes, sparkling with hope and sensed the genuine emotions behind his words.

"Will you be mine?" he asked, his heart pounding.

The unexpected happened.

Aditi gasped, her hands over her mouth, a mix of shock and joy on her face. But then, a playful smirk adorned her face.

"Ruko, yeh sab kya hain? Tum seriously mujhe sirf rose ke saath propose kar rahe ho?"

Ishan stammered, feeling heat rise to his cheeks. "Umm, mujhe..laga ki hum dono.." his smile faltered as he struggled to say further.

The tension hung in the air for a moment and he could see the playful glint in Aditi's eyes.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Aditi leaned down, her laughter ringing like music. Ishan's smile returned, in a hope.

"Okay, i accept your rose and you!" she said, taking the rose from his hand and Ishan's cheeks almost ached due to smiling so much.

He slowly stood up and his eyes searched hers.

"Haan, actually I feel the same. Jab se hum dono IPL days se milte aa rahe hain I feel some kind of connection with you which I couldn't deny. I'm glad you made this move." Aditi said, trying hard to hide the blush.

The room erupted in cheers and applause, their friends rushing to celebrate the sweet, dramatic moment.

"Ohhh, our new love birds!" everyone teased.

"What a love story!"

Aditi blushed and asked everyone to stop while Ishan just laughed.

Yash watched everything from a distance with a knowing smile. He knew this day would come. And finally, it arrived.

He came forward, clapping his hands. "Couple dance toh banta hai!" his voice enthusiastic.

Aditi stared at him with an annoying look which was replaced by a blush. She agreed.

Yash patted Ishan. "Chalo, aur haan, take care of her. Don't hurt her."

He nodded. "Chinta mat karo."

Ishan approached Aditi, his eyes locked on hers. He took her hands and said. "Thank you, mera world light up karne ke liye."

Aditi smiled. "Koi baat nahi. Forever with you now."

Just then, 'Zara sa' filled the air, with a familiar tune and Aditi's eyes widened.

Zara Si Dil Mein De Jagah Tu

Zara Sa Apna Le Bana

"Yeh kya..?" she said.

"Yash bhaiya kar rahe hai." Ishan said, pointing at him.

Zara Sa Khawbon Mein Saja Tu

Zara Sa Yaadhon Mein Basa

Mein Chahun Tujhko

Meri Jaan Bepanah

He then emerged from the back, a sly grin spreading.

"Mohoul bana diya." he said, winking.

Everyone chuckled.

Fida Hoon Tujhpe

Meri Jaan Bepanah

Wooooo Hooo Ooohhhh Hooo

-

As night fell, Ishan and Aditi settled into his car, with Swami driving and Yash seated beside him. Everyone was exhausted but happy.

"Mujhe roses bahut pasand hai." Aditi said, playfully.

Ishan smiled. "Pata hain mujhe. Isliye socha rose se propose karne ka."

Aditi smiled and turned to Ishan, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke. "Pata hain, kisi ne mujhe itna loved, safe feel nhi karaya. Tumhare sath bilkul ghar jaisa lagta hai."

She rested her head on his shoulder, clutching his arm and sighing contentedly.

For the first time.

For the first time in their lives, they both felt truly comforted, loved and seen.

Ishan wrapped his arm around her, holding her close.

"Mujhe bhi mera safe place mil gaya tum me." he whispered.

They sat in a comfortable silence as the world outside faded away with only the car's and horns' sound interrupting their moment.