Hi love 💖

Kese ho sab?

So, here I am back with a new chapter, and guess what whose POV it is...

Yes it's Sarthak.

Also again I want to request something from all of you, please leave your reviews on the chapter. Like it or Comment on it or do both, it will really mean alot to me.

As it will really help me to know if you are liking the chapter or not, or if I have something to improve or not.

And please don't be a silent reader, if you can't comment then just hit the like button.

Its a request please 💗

Have a happy reading..

__

Sarthak’s POV

I’ve never been the kind of man who talks a lot.

I listen more than I speak.

And when I do speak, I like to mean it.

So when Papa told me we were visiting Simran’s family again - this time to talk about the engagement - I wasn’t nervous, but I wasn’t calm either.

It was that strange space in between, where everything feels quiet on the outside but restless within.

---

When we reached Karnal that evening, her house already felt familiar.

Warm lights, the faint smell of incense, the sound of her mother’s bangles - all of it had the same comfort as before.

And then Simran walked in, carrying a tray of chai like last time.

Simple yellow kurta, hair loosely tied back, the same gentle smile that always reached her eyes.

She greeted everyone politely, but her gaze lingered just a second when it met mine - and it was enough to make me forget whatever I was pretending to focus on.

I’ve met many people in my life - through work, travel, family - but no one has ever had a presence like hers.

It’s the kind that makes you slow down just to notice her being there.

--

Papa and her father started talking about dates.

“Dus tarikh agle mahine ki sahi lagta hai,” her father said.

{“The 10th of next month sounds about right,”}

Papa agreed instantly. “Perfect. Jodhpur mein kar lete hain engagement. Shaadi Karnal mein, dono taraf se aasani rahegi.”

{“Perfect. Let's do the engagement in Jodhpur. The wedding in Karnal, it'll be easier on both sides.”}

Everyone nodded, laughter followed, and I caught a small moment - Simran looking toward her mother, her expression unsure but soft.

And when her mother smiled back, Simran exhaled slightly.

It was such a small gesture, but I noticed it.

She wasn’t saying yes with words - her eyes had done it already.

And in that moment, I silently promised myself - Whatever pace she needs, I’ll match it.

---

The following weeks passed faster than I expected.

Between work at the construction sites and helping my mother with the engagement arrangements, there wasn’t much time to stop and think.

But every time my phone buzzed with her name, the day somehow felt lighter.

Her messages weren’t long, but they had a rhythm.

The kind that made me feel like I could be myself.

I’d never been the kind of person who texted late into the night, but with her, time felt different.

One night, after she said she was nervous about the upcoming engagement, I found myself saying “You don’t need to be. I’ll make sure it feels right.”

Then deleted it. It felt too much.

Instead, I sent, “It’ll be fine. Promise.”

She replied, “I know.”

Funny how two words could calm me down too.

---

The day they arrived in Jodhpur, Maa made sure everything was perfect - flowers, food, welcome gifts.

I was in the courtyard when their car stopped outside.

And then I saw her - stepping out in a red pinkish suit, her dupatta blowing slightly with the light breeze.

She looked around, smiling shyly as Maa rushed forward to hug her.

Something in my chest fluttered in a softer, grounding way.

Like the feeling of finally seeing something you didn’t know you were waiting for.

Maa cupped her face and said, “Tumhare aane se ghar mein rounak aa gayi, Simran.”

{“Your arrival has brought joy to the house, Simran.”}

And I thought, Maa’s right. It really has.

---

The next day was a blur - decorators, family jokes, my brothers teasing me non-stop.

Aryan said, “Bhai, jitna serious aap site pe lagte ho, usse jyada romantic yahan lag rahe ho.”

{“Brother, you look more romantic here than you look serious on the site.”}

I laughed it off. “Bas chup reh, nahi toh tujhe hi stage pe bitha dunga.”

{ “Just keep quiet, otherwise I will make you sit on the stage.”}

But inside, I was nervous.

Not because of the crowd or ceremony but because it was the first time I didn’t know how to hide what I was feeling.

---

During the ceremony When she walked in wearing that dark green lehenga, I forgot what I was supposed to do. My breath got stuck for a moment making me forget everything else but her.

I had seen many beautiful things in my life - buildings, sunsets, cities but none of them made time stop like this moment did.

She looked calm but I could tell her hands were slightly trembling as she adjusted her dupatta.

It’s strange - the way you start noticing the smallest things once you begin to care.

Papa nudged me softly, “Beta, Simran ko dekh kar lagta hai tujhse hi milne ke liye bani hai.”

{“Son, looking at Simran it seems she was made to meet you only.”}

I smiled, because for the first time, I believed that he was right.

---

When we stood together for the ring exchange, I could feel the warmth of her presence even without touching her.

Her eyes met mine - hesitant, searching and for a moment I forgot how to breathe and in that moment I wanted to tell her, You don’t have to be afraid. I’ll never rush you.

Instead, I just asked quietly, “Ready?”

She smiled nervously, “Just a little nervous.”

“Me too,” I said, and meant it.

The ring slipped on so easily that the quiet realisation hit me that my life had changed in that second. It's no longer just me; I now have someone who trusts me, and I will make sure that I never fail her.

---

Later, when she laughed with my brothers, teasing Aryan about his dance steps, I stood at a distance, watching.

And looking at her feels so peaceful.

Like watching someone slowly become a part of your world.

Maa came and stood beside me. “Khoobsurat lag rahi hai na?”

{ “Isn't she looking beautiful?”}

“Haan,” I said softly. “Bahut.”

{“Yes, very beautiful.”}

“Achha ladka mil gaya use,” she said with a smile.

{“She found a good guy.”}

I smiled back. “Nahi Maa, mujhe achhi ladki mili hai.”

{“No mom, I have found a nice girl.”}

She patted my shoulder and walked away, but that sentence stayed with me and I meant it.

---

When the music started, I didn’t plan to dance.

But then Simran looked at me, laughing as Aarav and my brothers pulled her to the floor.

“Come on, Mr. Serious,” Aryan shouted.

She looked at me again, challenging softly. “You don’t dance?”

“Not usually,” I admitted, walking toward her.

“Then why now?”

“Maybe I just needed the right reason.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Which is?”

“You.”

Her laugh filled the hall and it was light, pure, unguarded.

And something inside me again flutters.

We danced - awkwardly at first, then naturally, like our rhythm had been waiting for this moment.

---

That night, after everyone went to sleep, I stepped out to the terrace.

The air was cool, and the faint sound of distant laughter still echoed through the house.

Looking up at the stars, I thought about her - the way she listened when people spoke, the way she respected silence, the way she never tried too hard to be liked.

And somewhere deep inside, I made another quiet promise -

I’ll give her a life where she never feels like she needs to prove anything. Where love grows slowly, and will always feel safe.

Because for me, love isn’t fireworks. It’s the kind of warmth that stays - even when the music ends.