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He reached for her hand again, trailing kisses along her fingers. “I wish we could stay over at my house. Just us. You and me!”

Nandini’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she moved closer and murmured, “I know exactly when that’s going to happen.”

Shaurya’s curiosity flared. “When?”

She leaned in even closer, her breath warm against his skin. “After we get married.”

She pulled back laughing just as he groaned and dragged her into his arms.

“Then let’s get married,” he murmured, nuzzling her cheek before his lips trailed to her jaw. Her breath caught, her body reacting to the intimacy, the heat, and the intensity of his touch. She was dangerously close to forgetting where they were when Priya cleared her throat.

“Okay, okay, break it up, you two,” she teased, rising from her seat with Varun beside her. “We’re leaving you lovebirds alone. Varun and I are going for a drive.”

They broke apart instantly, turning to see Priya and Varun standing with mischievous grins on their faces.

Nandini raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. “Wait a second. You’re leaving us alone foroursake… or foryourown privacy?”

Priya smirked. “Hmm, let’s say it’s mutually beneficial. A win-win.”

Varun chuckled, slipping an arm around Priya’s waist. “I’ll drop her home by 11. That’s the time Nandini told Grandpa she’d be home, right?”

“Perfect,” Nandini said, giving him a thumbs-up. “And Priya’s supposed to be back at her place around the same time, so it works.”

They waved the pair off as they disappeared into the crowd, hands entwined and laughter echoing behind them.

Then, Shaurya turned back to her again. “So,” he said with a slow smile, “now that we’re finally alone... how should we use the time?”

Nandini grinned. “That depends, Mr. Ahuja... just how romantic can you get in a room full of roses, music, and no one to interrupt us?”

He leaned in closer, his eyes locked on hers.

“Challenge accepted.”

Nandini giggled as she looked up at him, her eyebrows raised with curiosity. “You were saying something when we were interrupted. What was that?”

Shaurya didn’t respond right away. Instead, he reached into the pocket of his trousers and pulled out something. Then, gently, he took her hand in his. She looked at him, puzzled at first, until she saw it.

A solitaire ring.Delicate, elegant, and absolutely breathtaking, as it caught the ambient light, sparkling like it had been waiting for this moment all along.

Her smile faded into something tender, her heart hammering in her chest.

Shaurya didn’t break eye contact. He smiled calmly. “Will you marry me, Nandini Raichand?”

Nandini blinked, her lips parting in disbelief. But of course, in true Nandini style, she didn’t make it easy for him.

“Hmm,” she murmured, mischief flickering in her eyes. “And why, exactly, should I say yes?”

He let out a laugh, then pulled her gently into him, his arms settling around her waist.

“Because,” he began, “I’m in love with your mango tree. And I want to spend the rest of my life kissing you under it… just like in fairy tales.”

She stared at him, her heart melting with every word.

“I want to water that tree with you every morning. I want to eat those sweet mangoes your grandpa swore never to let me touch. I want to grow old loving your grandpa like my own. And I want to stand beside you, always. I want to give you every bit of my strength and support so you can build the business you’ve dreamed of.”

He held her even tighter, his voice full of emotion. “I want to celebrate every milestone of your business. Whether it’s the very first order or the millionth. I want to be by your side through it all.”

Nandini didn’t let him finish. She couldn’t.