(Warning: It's lengthy....Also I am writing here after a longggg time so all suggestions and corrections are welcome🙈Hope you have a great time reading this one❤️)

***

"Looks like every person in this city planned to go for outing today. From the last thirty minutes we are in the same lane. We are going to be late for sure. Why nothing is going in my way today? Is this some signal from God? Should we postpone today's plan?"

      Dhruv who was sitting on the passenger seat enjoying old songs playing on the radio looked at Dev, his best friend and soon getting promotion as his brother-in-law who was getting frustrated over city's traffic which is very rare site to see.

"One of the famous love story of Pune is not Bajirao Mastani's story but it's the story about a traffic and this road.  And you are fully aware about it. I know you are not in correct state of mind right now. People act crazy when in love. But chill it's just ten O'clock and we have two more hours."

      Dhruv said showing Dev his wristwatch and continued,

"The look on your face right now... I want to take your picture and save it. The way you are acting right now is totally apposite of the real you. Well I am not complaining infact it's good to see you like this."

    Dhruv winked and again started humming the song with the singer whose song playing on radio.

"Now you don't start....finally."

     He almost screamed last part as he saw traffic lights changing its colour from yellow to green.

"I think they built more signals on this route, what do you think?"

      Dev said looking on the road and speeding up the car.

"Yeah you are right. Municipality got to know that the great Dev Mehta is going to propose his lady love today so let's make it more difficult for him,  right?"

     Dhruv chuckled but kept his index finger on his mouth as soon as Dev glared at him. Then removed his finger when Dev averted his gaze.

"You are acting as if she is going to reject you. We all know how much our Naina loves n adores you."

       Dev put the breaks as they stopped on another traffic signal.

"But still I am nervous. I feel like I am going for most difficult exam of my life. I was never even scared of exams before but today I am going through all tension, nervousness, stress and what not. But why I am telling you this? To the person who never gone through these emotions and as far as I know you I think it's impossible in future too."

      Dev said, his eyes were fixed on the traffic signal light praying it to turn green soon. He didn't realised Dhruv stopped laughing...he only noticed it when again light turns to green n he changed lane.

"Why serious face all of a sudden? Are you upset? Come on man, I was just kidding. You confessing your love to any girl is I can't even picture it in my mind. Yeah if it's apposite then it's acceptable. The girl asking you out is possible."

      Dev said and Dhruv just smiled and looked out of the window. Dev speed up the car and moved forward but Dhruv's mind went backward to that day of the last year.

***

"Yeah that's the adress..correct...you can go n start the decorations at six. I want everything to be ready till eight. Yeah thank you so much."

     Dhruv ended the call and looked at the notepad on his phone.

"Decor done, cake done, chocolates done...great I am doing all these things for the first time and still I am so perfect in it. Well done Dhruv."

     He patted his own back and start the car but stopped on the next second .

"I forgot the most important thing that's needed to propose someone. Dhruv you are just stupid."

    He said and drove back towards the main town road. He stopped in front of the jwellery shop.

"Sir, this is our new collection. All designs are different and unique. Girls now a days love designs like this the most."

   The sales girl said in her sugar coated voice.

"Thank you. But I want something normal, do you have some typical, traditional type designs?"

    Dhruv said looking around.

"Sir but today's girls like new designs... something like customised. Everyone wants to have unique ring from others."

    Sales girl again tried to sale their most unique rings... according to them ofcourse.

"No but my girl loves simple things only. So if you have something like that show me those."

"Okay."

   Disappointed sales girl closed the box and brought another one where all simple rings were neatly placed in small square boxes.

"Ha this one is perfect."

   Dhruv took one ring in hand. It was so simple just one diamond on a silver belt without any design.

"Okay sir. Actually someone bought the same one in morning only. I think girls are bored by new designs again. We will keep more such rings from now on. "

    Sales girl said packing the ring for Dhruv. Dhruv thanked her and came out of the shop. He was about to go to his car when his phone rang. And smiled appeared on his face as he read letters 'Ms Tiwari ji.'

"See whenever I am upto something she always calls n asks me what I am doing. I think we really are soulmates."

    He thought answering the call.

"Yes Nidhi...bolo what's going on?"

"Where are you? I went to your house you were not there. Kaha ho kaha?"

     He stretched his hand which was holding phone to save his ear from her loud voice.

"I was busy in something. Coming home right now. Say what happened?"

   Dhruv said as he sat in the car.

"Okay. Come as soon as possible and directly come to the backyard of my house. I have something important to tell you. And I am so excited."

"Ek minute, she also has something to tell me? What it may be?"

    He thought to himself and listened her continuing her talk.

"Today is the most memorable day for me...for us...and I want to tell you today only. So come fast I am waiting. And ha drive safely."

    She ended the call and Dhruv was confused.

"Today is the most memorable day? Yeah right today's date is so special for me. Before twenty years me and Nidhi met for the first time on this date only. But wait she remembers this? She forgets almost every year then why today.....wait wait wait is she??"

    He almost screamed the last part.

"What if she is going to tell me the same thing? Is she going to confess her feelings for me? Girls are bolder than boys now and my Nidhi is always one step ahead in everything. Maybe she waited for me to confess but I was not doing so she decided to do it by herself...hmm that's possible."

    He scratched his head in confusion.

"So what should I do now? If she is really going to confess and I show up with all arrangements she will feel weird. She was sounding so excited about her surprise. I have to cancel everything and wait for her to confess. I will do all this some other time. Afterall she is going to have upper hand in our relationship. I will cancel everything for today. Let her propose first. I can do it later."

    He said and cancelled all bookings he made and drove towards her house.

      He parked his car in the parking lot of his small bunglow and crossed the road and entered into small beautiful villa. He and Nidhi living next to each other from last twenty years.

    He directly went to the backyard and saw the whole area was decorated with red roses and white lights.

"Not bad. Her preparations are beautiful than mine."

   He said walking slowly and he saw Nidhi coming towards him. She was wearing white saree and he just stopped in his tracks. She ran towards him and snapped her fingers in front of him and he came back to his senses hearing her bangles melodious sound.

"Where are you lost? And where were  you? I was waiting for so long you know."

    She said smilingly and he thought his life is really perfect and he don't want anything more from life now.

"Stucked in traffic..sorry."

    He said looking at her lovingly.

"Okay forget it. Let's go. The surprise is waiting for you."

    She said taking his hand in hers and he smiled walking with her. They came to the beautifully decorated table where one man was sitting in black three piece suit.

"Rajiv??"

   Dhruv said looking at the back of the man who was sitting on one chair near the table. And the man turned and smiled getting up from the chair.

"Hello Dhruv. How are you?"

    He said shaking his hand with Dhruv's.

"I am fine. You...here?"

    Dhruv asked looking around as he was little bit confused about why he was there.

"I am here to give you both a big surprise."

    Said Rajiv and Dhruv smiled. Nidhi works in Rajiv's office from last two years and he is a great boss as Nidhi always says and a great friend of Nidhi and now Dhruv too.

"Okay so now the big announcement. Don't be shocked okay?"

      Nidhi said removing her hand from Dhruv's and went to where Rajiv was standing. Dhruv was excited and nervous at the same time.

"Surprise..."

      Said Nidhi showing her left hand where her ring finger was adored with the similar type of ring which Dhruv brought for her two hours back.

"Rajiv just proposed me and I said Yess...I am so happy."

      Nidhi said hugging Rajiv's arm.

***

"Dhruv....Dhruv...where are you lost?"

    Dhruv came out of his thoughts by Dev's loud voice.

"Huh??"

"Where are you lost? I am calling out your name from last two minutes."

"N... nothing. What happened?" Dhruv said coming out of his thoughts.

"Are you sure you are okay? We have reached."

   Dhruv looked around and saw car has stopped.

"Y...yeah..let's go." Dhruv said with a small smile.

"Ha let's go... Take the cake from back seat. I will just take this call."

      Dev said looking at his ringing phone. Dhruv nodded coming out of the car and opened the back door of the car to take out the cake. He stood there waiting for Dev to finish his call looking here and there to distract his mind.

      He was surprised rather disappointed at himself as he recalled that day today. After a long time he thought about Nidhi in that way. Maybe today Dev is constantly talking about his proposal surprise for Naina from the morning that's why he remembered all those moments. From last two three months he didn't remember any of the past moments with Nidhi. This change happened for good or bad Dhruv himself was not sure. There are two possibilities about this change one is what's going on with Nidhi and second...he knew it's the second one only but he don't want to accept or more correct he don't ready to accept his new feelings towards her...Her...his current best friend or we can say his first true best friend. The role he was playing in Nidhi and his friendship is now played by her. Dhruv is trying hard to control what he feels about her but Dil hai ke maanta nahi.....

 "Let's go." Dev said coming to Dhruv and again Dhruv found excuse to run away from his thoughts.

***

"Bhaiya...bhaiya...What are you doing?It's not like this...look at me...It should be in heart shape. Okay if not atleast try to put in triangle. Whatever you are doing is looks like square...No no no...again it's wrong. Bhaiya you leave it. I will attach it myself. You go n check other things.

      Aadya gave instructions to one of the employee of event management company she herself booked for today. That man came down and said,

"Madam it was looking okay too... No one notices such small things."

"But I did, right? Everything should be perfect from every angle. You go I will do it."

"You know so much about it .You also works in event management?"

"You should thank god that I am not."

     Aadya winked at him.

"I know Bhaiya it's work for you. But for someone it's the most special day of their life. Toh everything needs to be perfect right? Go now n see other things. Only half n hour is left."

    Aadya said climbing on the small stool to attach flowers in perfect heart shape at the center of terrace.

"It's perfect. Well done Aadya.  Someone might think it's done by country's best event planner. Great so if I get bored of my current job I can open my own event management company."

     She said patting her own back and jumped down when she heard her phone ringing. She ran towards her bag.

"Yes Akash... what happened?"

    She said as soon as she answered the phone.

"Nothing happened mam. I just want to ask something."

"Bolo...."

       Before she continued one man came to her to ask about some arrangements. She instructed him and again asked Akash what happened.

"What are you doing right now? You said you need rest that's why took leave, right?" Came a voice from other side.

"Me?? I am busy. Doing something different n for something special."

"What are you upto now? You always find new new things to do."

"Never say no to new experiences. So I am doing some experience."

"What experience?"

"Right now I am decorating one place. To make it perfect for proposal."

"Proposal? As in marriage proposal?"

"Yeah what else? Business?ohh I want to learn all things but business and me no way."

"Leave that...You...you are going to propose someone? Who is he? What he does for living? How much he earns? Does he owns house? What about his looks?"

"Akash Akash Akash...take a breath. You just sounded like a young girl's father who found out that his daughter has male friend."

"Not dad but I am like your little brother so I have right to ask about the man who is in relationship with you. Tell me who is he? And you are proposing him without discussing with me? Uncle aunty knows about him? Hello....are you there?"

"You done? You seriously have to change your this habit. Always cut others while they are talking. Let me speak first. See I am helping my friend to propose his girlfriend. Got it? Now any more questions?"

"Ohh friend...aise bolo na phir. You should have said it first."

     Aadya rolled her eyes.

"Great then. You love to learn new things right? So learn from your this friend about how to confess your feelings. So when you meet your type of man it's easy for you."

"Hmm I already have someone."

      Aadya muttered under her breath.

"What did you say?"

"What I said?N... nothing."

"I heard it mam. So you already met your ideal one?"

"Akash stop...you are overthinking."

"The way you sound right now. I know it's true only. Who is he?"

"Akash....."

"If he is nice man go n confess him your feelings. What are you waiting for? You want him to confess first? Why? You can take first step right?"

"I don't think it's right for me to say anything about my feelings to him. I don't want to give him more things to worry. Whatever we have right now is more than enough for me."

"You are scared? Seriously you?? That means you are damn serious about him. Woww...Mam so please go and tell him. What if he also feels same about you."

"It's impossible"

"But..."

"Akash please stop now. And don't ask me anything about him again. Please."

"Okay I am sorry. But whenever you feel you can share your story with me."

"Leave it. Why you called by the way?"

"Ohh ha...You took Nidhi Tiwari's file from me yesterday, right? You gave it back or not? I am not able to find it in my cabin."

"Ohh sorry I forgot to give it back. It's on my desk. Go n take by yourself. But why you want that right now at this time? Is everything okay?"

"No no...I just want to add records in my system. You don't worry. I promised you right that I will tell you first if something happens with this case."

"Yes please Akash if you find any information report me immediately."

"Yes mam...but why this case is important for you?"

"Huh?...Akash every case is important for me, okay? Now go n take file I have something to do."

     She ended the call to avoid further questions by Akash, her junior at work.

"Because it's important to someone who is most important to me."

     Nidhi said looking at her phone and shook off her head and went to see final arrangements.

"OMG.....it's more than perfect."

    Aadya turned to door hearing Dev's loud voice and saw Dev and Dhruv at the door. She smiled walking towards the terrace door.

"See I told you it will be perfect."

    She said raising her imaginary collor.

"Aadya Aadya Aadya you are great. I feel like I am on some movie set. It looks so dreamy. More beautiful than I ever imagined.

     Dev said side hugging Aadya.

"No need to over reacting Dev. You explained everything so well I just executed it."

    Aadya said looking at the decorated terrace.

"It looks nice and dreamy like Dev said. But why you always try to do each and everything by yourself? As if things can't happen if you are not doing them."

      Dhruv said looking at all the decorations and then at Aadya.

"For experience. I love to learn and experience new things." Aadya said looking back at him.

"You already have enough experiences from enough things. Now you should stop trying to do new things. Are you going to try each and every skill that's present on this planet?"

     Dhruv answered back.

"Yesss. I want to learn as many things as possible. And why you have problem with me trying to learn something new?"

"But why? What's the need? Already you have stable job, good income, you are independent girl. Why you want to try everything by yourself. Are you planning to make other people jobless?"

    Dhruv said folding his hands to his chest. He was a little bit angry looking at her all exhausted from all the work she is doing from last many hours.

"It's not like that. I just want to learn something new. So if I lose one job I can easily get another one. Paise nahi rukne chahiye."

   Aadya said and Dhruv rolled his eyes.

"Totally money minded."

"Excuse me.. I was just being sarcastic. You know that.  Why you have problem with everything I am doing and everything I say?"

"When I said I have problem? I was just saying you have enough money and....."

   She cutted him in between.

"Same like that you also have enough money to spend on things. But still you bargain for each n everything you buy right? You bargain in restaurants also. I feel so embarrassed when you does that."

"You are embarrassed because of me? Okay then don't hang out with me from today onwards."

"Great. What a relief. Now I can give my precious time to other friends of mine."

"Friends? You don't even have friends other than me, Naina & Dev."

"Excuse me. I have many good friends who support me and don't stop me from trying new things. They knows me better than you.."

"I...No one knows better than me what you....."

     Dhruv's voice got loud and Dev who was just enjoying their cute Tom n Jerry fight came in between.

"Guys guys guys stop it."

"What are you doing? We are here for something else remember?"

    He said asking them to look at decorations.

"Sorry Dev but it's not me it's him."

    Aadya said pointing at Dhruv.

"Excuse me. You...."

    Dev again have to come in between.

"Guys please for god's sake stop it. You two can argue on each and everything. But right now give me some break. We have to check everything before she comes."

       Dev said and Aadya nodded.

"You asking us to stop fighting as if you and Naina are silent couple. You fight more than us."

       Dhruv said and Dev who was about to leave stop.

"But we are couple and you two..."

    Dev said raising his eyebrows and Dhruv and Aadya's eyes met for a second and they looked away.

"One thing I am noticing between you two. You were well mannered with each other at first. But now whenever you guys come together you always argue about one thing or another. What's going on?"

     Dev asked. Little bit he knew what's going on between his two best friends.

"Dev, Naina arriving in next thirty minutes. Go and see if anything is missing."

     Aadya said to save Dhruv n herself from Dev's further questions. After Dev left Aadya n Dhruv looked at each other n then looked away. Dhruv broke silence after few seconds.

"He is acting like crazy person from morning.."

"Hmm it's normal. Anyone who is going to confess their love to their loved one can feel this. You already experienced this feeling right?"

    Addya realised what she said and bite her tongue.

"I am sorry I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay Aadya. No need to say sorry."

"No I am..."

"Stop saying sorry. Let's talk about something else. Do you think Naina will get impressed by all this?"

     Dhruv said trying to change the topic so she doesn't blame herself more.

"I am sure she will love it."

"But..."

      Dhruv stopped as he saw her trembling lips and then noticed she was standing there hugging herself with her hands. She was wearing green sleeveless kurta.

"Why you chosed this dress for today? You know it gets chilly at night here."

     He said removing his jacket and covering her shoulders with it. He then held her hand and walked with her to the bench at corner.

"Sit here."

    He made her sit and sat in front of her on his knees and held her hands.

"You are working in this weather from last two hours. You just don't care about yourself when you are engrossed in something."

    He said blowing on her hands and rubbing them. She smiled at his angry but caring voice.

"Sit here I will be back in two minutes."

    He said holding her hands in between his for few seconds and then ran outside the door. She tried to stop but he was gone.

"Don't know where he went."

    She said hugging his jacket and she smiled when smelled familiar scent.

"From the day I gifted him this scent he wear this one only."

    She said recalling his last birthday which she celebrated with him.

    Dhruv came in exact two minutes with two plastic cups in his hands.

"Take this. Have it while it's hot."

     He said giving one cup in her hands. She saw inside. It was coffee.. her favourite. She smiled as he sat beside her.

"Drink. I didn't give it to just look at it "

    She averted her gaze taking a sip from the cup.

"Feeling better?"

    She nodded in yes.

"What were you saying about Naina?"

       She asked him holding cup tightly in hand to feel warm.

" what I am saying is very often she sees such decorations n witness proposal scenes in her almost all shows. Are you sure she will like this one? I am sure she is bored of all those cliche proposals in her TV shows."

   Dhruv said looking at Dev who was praying to God for everything to go in his favour.

"There is a big difference Dhruv. All those are reel n this one is real. It's like first time in her life."

"But still she will find everything familiar only. What's new here?"

   Dhruv asked looking at Aadya.

"Hero and his confession. Here hero is Dev...her real life prince charming and confession is not from script it's from heart...It's from Dev's true feelings not any writers imagination."

    Aadya said and Dhruv nodded thinking about it.

"Hmm you and your deep thinking. But seriously still it looks so over for me."

"What? These decorations? What's problem in that? It looks so dreamy. Girls fall in love with their partner more if he does dreamy things for her."

    Aadya said looking at the decorations with smile and Dhruv was looking at her.

"So basically all girls love such grand proposals. Even if they already experienced it or watched in almost all romcom movies still they get impressed with such things."

"Umm it's not fully true. What matters most is the feelings of the person you love. All these things are just complementary. I agree many girls like such things. But it doesn't mean they don't care about their man's feelings if he propose only with his actions and words. I know some girls who didn't get grand proposals but who are as happy as the ones who get such proposals. It's just about perspective. In the end every girl just want someone who stays by their side in every moment of their life. Who share her happiness and pain and allows her to do same with him."

    Dhruv was silently listening her talk.

"What's your choice then?"

    He asked looking into her eyes as she looked at him.

"What choice?"

"You like grand proposals or just simple ones like you described now...?"

"I...me? Why are you asking me that? I just..."

    Aadya just took another sip of coffee as she didn't know what to say.
Dhruv waited for her answer but she didn't said anything after that.

"What about me? Where is my coffee?"

    They looked up as Dev came there.

"Why you need coffee? Are you also cold?"

    Dhruv asked but gave him his own plastic cup.

"Thank you. I am not cold but I am nervous."

   He said gulping all coffee in one go.

"Aadya where is she? When she is coming?"

     He asked giving back empty cup to Dhruv.

"They just finished her last scene. So now her packup time. I guess in twenty minutes she will reach. She asked so many questions when I told her come here. I just managed to convince her saying it's about some work I am doing."

"Great. Twenty minutes. I have only twenty minutes to prepare."

    Dev said walking towards the center of the terrace to practice.

"He is doing this for tenth time now."

   Dhruv said looking at his friend in disbelief.

"Hmm...you have this."

    Aadya said forwarding her cup to him.

"I am fine. You are feeling cold. You drink it."

"You need this more than me now. You gave your jacket to me and also went outside to buy coffee."

     He smiled taking cup from her hand. Their hand brushed against each other she just took away her hand hurriedly and went to Dev to get him ready for his dreamy proposal. Dhruv sat there only thinking about her words about how girl feels about being proposed.

***

      Dhruv was about to clap when his best friend slide ring in his cousin sister's finger but he saw Aadya was holding his hand very tightly looking at Dev and Naina with tears of happiness in her eyes. Dhruv knew her eyes telling him something more.. something very deep than just happiness about her friends...what's that it's some sadness or something else??

***

"Okay. Now we are leaving you love birds alone. Enjoy."

     Aadya said hugging Dev and Naina and sat in the car with Dhruv. They waved at Dev and Naina who were standing there in each other's arms.

"Where to house or...?"

"I have morning shift."

    Aadya said tucking her open hairs in a clutch.

"Good. I wish you never have to work in night shifts."

    Dhruv said speeding up the car.

"That's impossible...wait let's go here."

    She stopped Dhruv who was just changing location on GPS to her house but she changed it to some restaurant.
He looked at her raising his eyebrows.

"You need to eat something. I know you haven't eaten anything after lunch."

    Aadya said sitting comfortably on the seat and closed her eyes. Dhruv looked at her calm face and drove towards the nearby restaurant.

***

"Aadya.... I can ask you about anything... about my problems, my work, my responsibilities, my fears...I can share my secrets my feelings with you ...but how can I ask you about this problem? When it's related to you. I don't know what's happening with me. You knows me more than myself. How can you manage to find out about what I am thinking at that moment?I can't say what good deeds I did that you came to my life... but I don't know what you did that you are falling for someone like me? Yess I know what you feel about me. One look at your eyes and I know what's going on in your mind about me and our relationship. Honestly speaking I feel so happy whenever I read your eyes but...but what if it's just my assumptions... I know it's not...your feelings are true but what about mine? I am confused right now and like other times you can't help me with this. So I have to solve it on my own. Hushh...too much pressure. See now I can't even solve something without your help. I can't even do some small things without your help now a days. I always think about what would be your solution to something and always follow that. But right now
...I can't even do that...The feelings Dev was talking about while we driving today I am feeling same like that. So if it's the same as Dev and Naina then yes I like you."

      Dhruv was saying all this looking at Aadya who was fallen asleep after they are at the restaurant. After Dev's proposal don't know why but Dhruv started thinking that he has to tell Aadya about his feelings as soon as possible. He can't keep it secret from her anymore. Dhruv looked away instantly as he saw Aadya opening her eyes

"We reached?"

    She asked looking around.

"Y...yeah...just now. You were sleeping so..."

     Dhruv said without looking at her.

"Ohh it's 1 am. I have to reach at 7 in the morning. Bye bye Dhruv. Good night. Drive safely."

     Aadya said all things in one go and opening the car door she ran towards her house. She opened the gate and waved at him hurriedly before running inside and slamming the door behind. She took a deep breath as she rested her head on the door.
Her phone beeps. She looked at it.

"I know you already heard what I wanted to say. So I am waiting for your response to that. Good night❤️"

                ***The End***

Hope you liked it...I am planning to write a new book and this shot was a part of it😀Have a great day take care😊