Dushyant presents a diamond ring to Priyanka, leaving her too stunned to react. She looks at the ring, running her finger over the entangled initials. A smile appears on her lips, and tears well up in her eyes. The next words flow out of his mouth, surprising her yet again.

“It might be too quick to say. Aisa bhi ho sakta hai ki tumhare doston ko ya tumhari family ko ye jaldi lage, but I want to ask you, will you marry me, Pri?” Dushyant asks, his tone soft, his eyes fixed on her face, while she is at a loss for words.

“Ooh, a confession without us? What’s going on here?” Naman’s voice cuts through the silence hanging in the room.

“Pri, what are you thinking? You should say ‘Yes,’” Ishika says, rooting for her friend.

“Haan, aur ye kya secret hai? Spill it, aaj toh birthday hai na, Pri, bata do,” Naman adds, his tone playful yet soothing.

“Pri, answer me, then you can spill the whole mocha on them,” Dushyant asserts, while Priyanka looks at her beloved, pecking a kiss on his forehead before whispering a yes. Dushyant smiles, slipping the diamond ring onto her finger, accompanied by cheers from her friends.

Priyanka feels her cheeks warm, turning a deep shade of red. She immediately hugs Dushyant, and he kisses the top of her head, sealing the sweet moment they just shared. Naman and Ishika cheer for them, but then Naman’s voice cuts through the prevailing silence in the room.

“Okay, now spill the secret! How and when did this happen?” Naman asks, his curiosity piqued.

“Haan, Pri, you didn’t even tell me! That’s unfair!” Ishika says, pouting.

“Ishu, I told you she was hiding something, lekin tum ne hi nahi maana!” Naman says playfully.

“Guys, guys, I’m sorry! Actually, main pehle bata sakti thi lekin batana nahi chahti thi, aur uski ek wajah bhi hai,” Priyanka says, searching for hope and understanding in her friends’ eyes.

“Haan, aur maine bhi usay mana kia tha,” Dushyant adds earnestly.

“Lekin kyun? Aur ye sab…?” Ishika asks, eager to learn the full story.

Priyanka takes a deep breath before starting to tell her friends the whole story. They deserve to know it; after all, everything that happened was because of them. She turns to look at both her friends and elaborates that after their tie-up with Dushyant’s media agency, they started meeting frequently. Then, she opens up about the trip to Kerala that she went on with Dushyant. She reveals that she didn’t go alone with the team. At that time, Kerala University had asked for a music show, and Serenity Academy was selected. She further reveals that Dushyant supported her and that she also performed amidst the business conference. Ishika and Naman are stunned as Priyanka delves further into the past.

Amidst the beautiful valleys of Kerala, Priyanka finds herself lost in the natural beauty. After the three-day conference and the performance at Kolkata University, Priyanka finally has time to go sightseeing with her team, and Dushyant also offers to accompany her. As per the demands of her students, they visit Kovalam Beach near Thiruvananthapuram.

There are three crescent-shaped beaches—Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach, and Samudra Beach. They visit Lighthouse Beach and begin to stroll along the shore. The sound of the waves washing onto the beach is soothing to the soul. The children decide to play along the shore while Priyanka stands by the water, watching it flow. Dushyant comes by her side and stands silently.

“What are you thinking?” he asks, his tone amused.

“Nothing, it’s so soothing, right?” Priyanka smiles, her tone light and filled with emotion.

“Yeah, such places are very soothing, Priyanka! I’m glad to know you love such places.” He smiles, and she feels herself drawn toward him.

“I do! Beaches are my favorite go-to places, and Ishika’s too! Ishika, my friend—you’ve met her, right?” She reminds him of Naman and Ishika, and he nods.

“Yeah, how could I forget them? After all, it’s because of them that I met you...” He murmurs the last part, and she glances at him.

“Kuch kaha tumne?” she asks, but he shakes his head.

“Actually, there’s something I wanted to say. Would you like to have some coffee?” he asks, pointing at a coffee shop near the beach.

Priyanka agrees hesitantly and informs her students to play along the beach and find her in the café later. The team of ten students agrees and continues playing on the beach, eager to try swimming and water skating. Meanwhile, Priyanka and Dushyant sit in the warm confines of the café. They sit opposite each other, and she glances at him, curious about what he wants to talk about.

“It’s a bit sudden, but I have something for you, Priya! I hope you don’t mind me calling you that?” he asks, his tone soft and earnest.

“Only special people call me by my short name, and you’re one of them, Dushyant.” She smiles at him.

“I’m honored, Priyanka! Here, I have something for you.” Saying so, he passes her a medium-sized box, wrapped in shiny golden paper.

“Ye kya hai?” she asks, her curiosity piqued.

“Khol ke dekho, I hope you like it.” Dushyant smiles, hoping she’ll like his gift.

Priyanka eagerly unwraps the gift and finds a handmade diary and a customized pen. Along with it, there’s a miniature version of a piano, and the interesting thing about it is that pressing the keys automatically plays songs. She chuckles, as she’s a piano fan, and she’s grateful to him for bringing her such a thoughtful gift. She reaches out to hold his hands on the table.

“This is so thoughtful, Dushyant! Thank you so much!” she says, genuinely elated by his thoughtfulness.

“You deserve all of it, Priya. And this is a thank-you gift for you. You believed in me and came here with me. Not everyone does that, Priya,” he says.

“Dushyant, koi nahi karta hai lekin kabhi kabhi kam waqt mein bhi bahut khubsurat rishtey ban jaate hain. Aur mujhe lagta hai ki hamara rishta bhi waisa hi hai.” She smiles.

“I’m glad I met you. I must thank Naman for it. If I hadn’t met you, if we hadn’t worked together, I wouldn’t have gained such a beautiful friendship,” she says, and he knows she’s being honest.

“Tumne toh mere mann ki baat keh di, Priya. Aur tumhari baat sun kar mujhe lagta hai ki jo main soch raha hoon, wo mujhe keh dena chahiye.” He says, creating suspense, and she’s curious.

“What is it? I’m eager to know,” Priyanka says, her infectious energy lingering in the air between them.

Dushyant glances at the lady in front of him. She’s a beacon of light and hope in his life. She’s an energetic soul, and she has only brought joy into his life. Whenever he’s with her, time just flies. It’s been four months since they’ve known each other, and there are multiple feelings they hold for each other. However, they’re both oblivious to what the other feels.

“Dushyant, bolo na, kya hua?” Priyanka insists.

“Tumne kaha na ki kuch rishtey instantly ban jaate hain. Humein pata bhi nahi chalta aur hum uss rishtey ko jeene lagte hain, mujhe lagta hai ki mere sath bhi wahi ho raha hai.” He peers at her, trying to read the expressions on her face.

“Tumhare sath waqt ka pata hi nahi chalta, Priya! Tum mein ek passion hai, and it inspires me to do more in my life. Tumne mujh par bharosa kiya, and it makes me feel that there are people who still believe in humanity,” he says, each word making an impact on Priyanka’s heart.

“It might be too quick, Priya, but spending time with you, seeing your passion and kindness, has made me realize how special you are to me. You’ve become someone I can’t imagine my life without,” he says, his tone earnest and honest.

Priyanka looks at him in awe. The warmth of his hands radiates a comfort that envelops her heart; it all feels so surreal. Indeed, he’s like peace in her chaotic life. She looks at him, absorbing all his words, while he continues to speak.

“I’ll not force you to make a decision, Priyanka. But I felt I needed to tell you. Kehte hai na ki jab pyar sachcha hota hai toh waqt ka pata nahi chalta, aur kayi baar lambe waqt ke baad bhi sachcha pyar nahi milta. I think I’ve found my true love in you,” Dushyant says, his tone soft and convincing.

“I love you, this is something I couldn’t keep to myself. But you don’t need to rush. It’s okay if you don’t feel the same,” he says as he watches her, taking in her silence.

Feeling his gaze on her, Priyanka feels a blush spreading across her face. She peers into his eyes, searching for the right words. She takes his hands in hers and begins to speak.

“I didn’t see this coming, Dushyant. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki I’d find a partner for life in you. Indeed, you’ve brought joy and peace into my life, and it matters. And yes, I’ve been going through the same turmoil, so it’s a yes—I love you too, Dushyant!”

“I’m eager to find out what life has in store for us,” Priyanka says, her cheeks turning crimson.

Dushyant’s heart warms at her confession. He shifts closer to her and kisses her forehead, sealing the promise of love they’ve made. However, they promise to keep it a secret until the right time.

Ishika and Naman are stunned and pleased. Ishika rises from her seat to hug Priyanka, extending her wishes to the couple.

“That’s so sweet. Sach kehte hain, agar log achche ho na, toh rishtey bhi khubsurat hote hain, hai na, Naman?” Ishika turns to her husband.

“You’re right! Dushyant, you’re lucky. Priya ne jaldi confess kar diya; meri wali ne poora ek hafta lagaya tha ‘haan’ kehne ko,” Naman says, his tone teasing and his glance directed towards Ishika.

“Hey, it was your birthday, Naman. I wanted to say yes on your birthday, yaar!” Ishika says.

“Okay, fine, main hi maan jaata hoon,” he says, pulling Ishika into a hug.

“You guys are adorable. Anyway, we’re here to celebrate her birthday. It’s almost time, let’s cut the cake, Pri?” Dushyant looks at Priyanka, Ishika, and Naman.

“Yeah, of course, not one but two! My precious two,” Ishika chuckles as she places two cakes on the center table.

“Naman, it’s your birthday, we’ve been friends, and I didn’t know about it…Happy birthday!” Dushyant hugs him and wishes him for the day.

“Naman’s birthday ends and Priya’s birthday starts, that’s how it goes. So we celebrate on the 14th night; we celebrate both days,” Ishika says, her excitement palpable.

Soon, both Naman and Priyanka cut their respective cakes, feeding their respective partners. It’s the craziest time, where they take chances to eat cake and paint cheeks with cream. All they can hear is their laughter and fun.

Soon after, they go for dinner as Dushyant offers to treat the other two, making some beautiful memories.

***THE END***

Preetx appiieeee bulday againnnnn!!!! ❤️❤️
I hope this makes your day a little better 😘😘😘😘i love you😘😘