The day after Ananya's wedding brought a sense of calm. The whirlwind of excitement had settled, and the houses, now fully updated, stood as testaments to the shared journey of the two families. The wedding had been a beautiful reminder of love's ability to bring people together, and in its aftermath, it was clear that something had shifted for Aditi and Rohit.
That morning, as the sun streamed through the windows, Aditi sat by her window, looking out over the newly renovated backyard that seamlessly connected the two houses. The transformation wasn't just physical; it had brought with it a sense of unity, not only between their families but also within herself. It was as if all the pieces of her life were finally falling into place.
A knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. "Aditi, may I come in?" It was Rohit's voice, gentle but familiar.
Aditi smiled, turning to open the door. "Of course. What's up?"
Rohit entered the room, his eyes scanning the space before settling on her. "I was thinking we should take a walk—just the two of us. There's something I want to talk to you about."
Curiosity piqued, Aditi agreed, and soon they found themselves walking through the quiet streets of Panipat, the air cool and refreshing after the storm of festivities. As they strolled through familiar lanes, they found themselves revisiting old memories—the parks they used to play in as kids, the quiet corners where they'd share secrets.
But this time, the atmosphere was different. The playful, carefree air of their childhood had been replaced with something deeper, more serious.
"You've been quiet since the wedding," Aditi finally said, breaking the silence.
Rohit glanced at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "I've just been thinking. About us, about the future. Seeing Ananya and Arjun tie the knot made me realize how much I want that for us."
Aditi's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her voice steady. "You mean…marriage?"
Rohit nodded, stopping and turning to face her fully. "Yes, Aditi. I know we've only just started this new chapter of our relationship, but I've loved you for a long time. And now, being back here, working on our families' homes, seeing everything fall into place…it feels like we're meant to build something lasting together. I don't want to wait anymore. I want us to be together, always."
Aditi felt her pulse quicken, emotions swirling in her chest. "Rohit, this is all happening so fast. We've only just admitted our feelings for each other. Are you sure?"
Rohit reached for her hands, his eyes earnest. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life. We've known each other since we were kids, and even when we were apart, I always thought about you. Being here with you again feels like coming home. I don't want to waste any more time, Aditi."
Aditi's heart swelled with emotion, her mind racing through everything that had brought them to this point. Their childhood memories, the years spent apart, the time they'd spent rebuilding their connection—it all led to this moment. "I feel the same way," she whispered. "I don't want to be apart from you anymore."
Rohit smiled, relief and happiness flooding his features. "Then let's not. Let's start planning our future together, right here, right now."
Aditi's smile widened, her heart brimming with love. "Okay," she said softly, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "Let's do it."
They continued their walk, hand in hand, the weight of the conversation lifting as they shared quiet, comfortable moments of laughter and companionship. The future, once uncertain, now felt full of promise. It wasn't just about the houses or the shared family history—it was about the life they were going to build together, one step at a time.
Later that evening, back at the Kapoor household, the families gathered for what had become their usual evening chai session. Rohit's parents and Aditi's parents had grown accustomed to spending time together, and the camaraderie between them was as natural as it had been years ago when they were raising their children side by side.
"I've been thinking," Meera Kapoor said, looking around the table. "With the houses finally done and the wedding behind us, it might be time to think about another big celebration."
Everyone looked at her, curious.
"What do you mean, Meera?" Kavita Sharma asked, raising an eyebrow.
Meera smiled, glancing at Rohit and Aditi. "Well, with the way things have been going lately, I wouldn't be surprised if we're celebrating another wedding soon."
Aditi and Rohit exchanged glances, and before they could respond, Arvind Kapoor chimed in, grinning. "She's right. You two have been inseparable these past few weeks. Maybe it's time we start planning another family function."
Rohit chuckled, but there was a glint of seriousness in his eyes as he looked at Aditi. "Actually, we were going to talk to you all about that."
The room fell quiet, the air suddenly charged with anticipation.
Aditi took a deep breath, squeezing Rohit's hand for support. "We've decided…we want to be together. For good. We've talked about it, and we're ready to take the next step."
Vikram Sharma's eyes softened, a proud smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Rohit nodded, his voice steady. "Yes, Uncle. We want to get married."
The room erupted in smiles and exclamations, with both families immediately launching into excited discussions about potential dates, venues, and guest lists. The energy was infectious, the joy palpable.
As the conversation continued, Aditi and Rohit sat back, their hands still intertwined. The path ahead of them was clear now, and it was one they were eager to walk together.
Later that night, as they sat together in the garden, watching the stars twinkle above them, Rohit pulled Aditi close. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you," he whispered.
Aditi smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "Neither can I."
They sat there in peaceful silence, knowing that this was just the beginning of their story—a story that had been years in the making, but was now finally ready to be written.