Siddharth was on the terrace of the hotel that they were staying in, dressed in a beautiful Black sherwaani. The terrace was beautifully decorated with flowers and fairy lights. The whole terrace was lit up with a soft silver glow, giving the area a false illusion of moonlight. His parents stood at a little distance from him, smiling through teary eyes. 

It was one of the most special moments in their son and daughter's life and they couldn't have been happier. The couple looked at each other, contentment shining in their eyes. 

"How long is it going to take?" Siddharth whined softly, eyeing the terrace doors restlessly. 

Rita Shukla chuckled.

"Give her a minute, Siddharth. You got off the phone with her minutes ago. She's the bride and she isn't even aware of what's going on!" She chided her son gently. 

Siddharth pouted. 

He was about to look away from the door, when his gaze froze. 

Shehnaaz was a miracle. He knew that for a while now but today in the beautiful silver outfit that he had picked out for her, for the special day she looked like a dream. A dream descending from the heavens, just for him. 

The rest of the world melted away leaving him gazing at her beautiful form clad in her engagement attire, looking ethereal. Her cheeks were painted in tinges of red, giving her a different kind of glow. Her hair were styled straight, held together by a pin, left to flow down her waist like a waterfall. 

She looked at him, their eyes met. 

She smiled. 

"Siddharth.." He saw her lips moving, her voice was soft, soothing, nervous, confused. 

Siddharth smiled too, "You're looking beautiful, little star." His voice was laced with wonder. It was as if he was looking at her for the first time. 

Shehnaaz blushed, unable to meet his gaze. 

"You look beautiful, mere bacche. Bilkul pari lag rahi hai tu!" Rita Shukla cupped her face affectionately. 

"Thank you Maa." Shehnaaz said quietly. She looked around herself, the whole family was assembled around them, wide smiles twinkling eyes. 

"I know you're very confused right now, but in a matter of minutes, Daddy's birthday is going to start. I wanted to make that day a little more special than it already is. Look, I know that I'm horrible at this. I am probably going to mess this up like a freaking professional but I.. hope that you'll ignore that. We've been together for months now, I should know how to do this-- by now. Trust me I've spent hours practicing this but.."

Shehnaaz laughed softly, he looked so cute in that moment, like a child trying hard not to mess up a speech for the morning assembly. 

"You don't have to be formal." She whispered to him soothingly. "Just say what you want."

"I never thought I would find someone like you, someone who knew me-- like someone who really did. The person that.. just saw through every tough exterior I put forth, every smile I fake. Someone who could calm the fiercest storms inside me, brave my demons with me, love me like you did. I found you, in the unlikeliest of places, and you made your way to my heart, made it into this beautiful place filled with happiness and hope and contentment. You have always loved me so selflessly, so unconditionally, so innocently. I don't know if I could ever make you feel, the way that you do. I hope I do, because if I don't.. it's my fault that you are kept from feeling some of the most beautiful emotions in this world." Siddharth said sincerely. 

Every one of their family stood in awe of Siddharth as he laid his heart bare in front of his soulmate. 

"You do. Siddharth." She whispered.

They smiled at the purity and innocence with which the two confessed their deepest emotions to one another.

Siddharth cupped her face, "I am horrible with words Shehnaaz but then you've never really needed my words. I love you, with everything that I have. I always will, till my very last breath. A few months ago, I had promised you that I'll ask for your hand from your parents and I was looking for the right time. Aaj ke dinn se accha koi waqt nahi ho sakta. Aaj Daddy ka birthday hai, humaari family ke liye ek bahut important aur khushi waala dinn hai.. toh mein aaj ke dinn ko thora sa aur important banana chahta hoon, thoda sa aur yaad-gar." Siddharth said softly. 

Shehnaaz smiled. 

"Will you do me the honor of accepting me the way I am? Will you do me the honor of growing old with me, call my family yours, become my wife, accept me as your other half, your soulmate? Will you marry me, Shehnaaz and light my life up with your presence for this lifetime and a thousand others?" Siddharth asked hopefully. 

Shehnaaz bit her lip, trying not to sob witnessing the sheer intensity of his emotions.

"Yes. Yes! Oh-- Yes Siddharth. A thousand times yes!!" She threw herself into his waiting arms. Siddharth almost crushed her with the force that he hugged her. He chuckled.

"I love you." Siddharth said quietly, kissing her hair. 

"I love you" Came a muffled response from Shehnaaz as she in turn kissed his heart. 

The family erupted in loud cheers, clapping for the two lovebirds.

A few minutes later, Shehnaaz broke the hug. She looked up at Siddharth, her eyes filled to the brim with pure affection. 

"The proposal was for us, but I do have other plans too." Siddharth told her.

Shehnaaz nodded, of course she knew what he was thinking. 

"I called your uncle, told him about my plan and asked him if he could join us. Mumma aur Papa hain, Shehnaaz and they're going to be there forever but I.. thought you'd want a part of your family here as well." Siddharth started to speak.

"They made up an excuse, didn't they?" Shehnaaz asked. "--Said they wanted to, but couldn't be there because of some stupid reason." 

Siddharth nodded.

"Then I thought you don't need them. You have your own parents and you have them." He gestured to his own parents. "I also remembered how you believed that your parents have turned into stars."

Shehnaaz sighed, "You remember?"

"Of course." Siddharth smiled. "Look up there. Our parents are watching us from the heavens."

Shehnaaz looked at the clear, starry sky. The whole of the sky seemed to be twinkling brightly. "They're happy for us." Shehnaaz said, with an enchanting smile on her face. 

Siddharth nodded. "In all of our family's witness. I want to be engaged to you today." He said.

Shehnaaz nodded eagerly.

Nitu, Preeti and Rita Ma walked upto Shehnaaz kissing her forehead one by one.

"Officially, Welcome to the family mera baccha!" Rita Shukla said lovingly. 

Shehnaaz smiled widely.

Neetu and Preeti held out two boxes of rings in front of the couple. 

Siddharth took the ring, held her hand gently in his palms and slid the ring in her finger. 

Mine.

Shehnaaz repeated the same actions, sliding a beautiful diamond band in his ring finger, marking him as hers.

Once done. The family clapped for the couple. 

"Congratulations bhai! Welcome to the family Shehnaaz!" His sisters said cheerfully, pulling them into a hug.

I hope you enjoy!

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