The evening of the proposal felt like a dream. The resort staff had prepared a special candlelit dinner on the beach for Ria and Arun, complete with twinkling lights strung along the palm trees and the soft sound of waves crashing in the background.
"You really thought of everything, didn't you?" Ria asked, marveling at the setup.
"Well," Arun replied, pouring her a glass of champagne, "if you're going to propose to the woman of your dreams, you've got to do it right."
Ria laughed softly, still staring at the ring on her finger. It glinted in the candlelight, a tangible symbol of their commitment.
"So," she began, raising her glass, "what's next for us, Mr. Planner?"
Arun smiled, tapping his glass against hers. "Next? We figure out how to build a life together—one adventure at a time."
The next morning, they woke early to catch their flight back home. Ria stared out of the plane window, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The trip had been transformative, bringing clarity to her feelings and solidifying her bond with Arun.
As they landed, real life greeted them with its familiar bustle. Arun hailed a cab, and they returned to their respective apartments, both knowing the whirlwind of work, wedding planning, and life adjustments awaited them.
That evening, Ria sat at her desk, staring at the list of tasks she'd already started for the wedding. Invitations, venues, catering—her head spun just thinking about it. Her phone buzzed, and Arun's name flashed on the screen.
"Hey," she answered, her voice instantly softening.
"How's my fiancée doing?" Arun asked, his voice warm and teasing.
"Staring at a mountain of wedding to-dos," Ria admitted.
Arun chuckled. "We'll handle it together, Ria. Remember, we're a team now."
His reassurance grounded her, and for the first time that evening, she smiled. "You're right. One thing at a time."
The weeks that followed were a blur of planning, family visits, and work deadlines. Ria's parents were overjoyed at the news, showering her with blessings and advice. Arun's family, equally thrilled, immediately began throwing out suggestions for venues and themes.
But amidst the chaos, Ria and Arun made a pact: every weekend, they'd carve out time just for themselves. No planning, no family obligations—just the two of them.
One Saturday, they found themselves at a cozy café near Ria's apartment, sipping coffee and flipping through an old photo album Arun had brought along.
"Look at this one," Ria said, pointing to a picture of a much younger Arun, his hair a mess and a wide grin on his face. "You were adorable."
"Were?" Arun feigned offense. "I still am!"
Ria laughed, leaning into him. "Okay, fine. You're still adorable."
They spent hours reminiscing about their childhoods, sharing stories they'd never told each other before. It was during moments like these that Ria felt a deep sense of comfort—a feeling that no matter how chaotic life got, Arun was her anchor.
One evening, as they sat together reviewing a list of potential wedding venues, Arun looked up suddenly.
"Ria, what do you want our life to look like after the wedding?" he asked.
She paused, caught off guard by the question. "I guess I haven't thought much about it yet. I've been so focused on the wedding itself."
Arun leaned back, his gaze thoughtful. "I want us to dream beyond the wedding. The kind of home we'll build, the things we'll do together, the adventures we'll chase."
Ria smiled, touched by his sincerity. "I want us to have a life full of experiences—travel, learning, maybe even starting something of our own one day. I don't want us to lose ourselves in routine."
"Then let's promise each other that we won't," Arun said, reaching for her hand.
"Deal," Ria replied, squeezing his hand.
As the weeks turned into months, the wedding day drew closer. Ria and Arun found themselves navigating not just the joys of planning but also the inevitable challenges—clashing opinions, unexpected setbacks, and the stress of balancing everything.
But through it all, they leaned on each other, their bond growing stronger with each hurdle.
On one particularly hectic day, after a long meeting with the wedding planner, Ria slumped onto the couch and groaned. "Why didn't anyone warn me this would be so exhausting?"
Arun sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Because no one wanted to scare you off."
She looked at him, her frustration melting into laughter. "Good thing I've got you to keep me sane."
He smiled, kissing her forehead. "Always."