Aman:

“Roshni… are you listening to me?”

Roshni:

“Hm…”

Her voice was barely audible.

Aman:

“You know today is our engagement, right?”

Roshni (nervously):

“Y-yes…”

There was a pause.

Aman’s tone turned serious—firm, controlled, yet gentle.

Aman:

“I know our parents have fixed this marriage.”

“But I need your answer.”

“Are you happy with this engagement?”

“Do you really want to marry me?”

Silence. Complete silence.

Roshni held the phone tightly. Her throat felt dry.

Her heart raced.

She was scared—not of Aman himself, but of the authority in his voice…

the same authority her father carried.

Aman:

“Roshni… I need your answer.”

Roshni (slowly):

“We… we are getting ready for the engagement…”

Aman:

“But are you happy?”

“If you don’t want this, the engagement won’t happen.”

“I’ll talk to your father.”

Tears filled Roshni’s eyes. 🥺

Roshni (honestly, breaking):

“No… I’m not happy.”

“But Papa wants me to marry you.”

“And he’s right.”

“I already made a huge mistake trusting a stranger.”

“So this time… I want to follow what my father says.”

Her voice trembled.

Aman:

“So that means… you’re okay with the marriage?”

Roshni:

“Hm…”

Aman (stern):

“You’re telling the truth, right?”

“Because after marriage, I won’t tolerate drama.”

Roshni closed her eyes.

Roshni:

“Hm…”

Aman:

“Okay.”

“Get ready.”

“I’m coming.”

The call disconnected.

Roshni wiped her tears. 😭

Roshni (thought):

Why did I say this?

I don’t love him.

How will I carry this relationship forward?

He has expectations… can I ever fulfill them?

How will this new journey even begin?

---

The Engagement

Aman arrived with his family. The Srivastava house was beautifully decorated.

Only close relatives were present. Soft music played—signaling the beginning of the ceremony.

Aman stood on the stage. His eyes were fixed on the staircase.

Waiting.

Searching.

And then—

Roshni appeared.

Walking slowly with Sunita.

Aman’s eyes softened instantly.

A smile bloomed on his face—pure, unguarded happiness.

Roshni wore a simple golden lehenga.

Her hair flowed freely.

Minimal makeup.

Red lips—quietly striking.

She looked breathtaking.

Sunita brought her to the stage and stepped back.

Roshni kept her gaze lowered.

Her heart pounded.

Aman couldn’t stop looking at her.

Her silence.

Her innocence.

Her vulnerability.

And those red lips…

He lost himself for a moment.

Reva (teasing):

“Aman… how long will you keep staring?”

“Put the ring on her finger.”

Aman snapped back to reality.

He stepped forward.

Roshni stood still—expressionless.

No smile.

No excitement.

Aman gently took her hand.

The moment his fingers touched her skin—

A sudden shiver ran through Roshni.

She looked up instinctively.

Their eyes met.

His gaze was intense… unreadable.

Aman slipped the ring onto her finger.

Then he leaned closer.

So close that only she could hear him.

Aman (whispering):

“I give you this ring…”

“Not as a formality…”

“But as a promise.”

“To love you… support you…”

“Today, tomorrow… always.”

“Forever.”

Goosebumps spread across Roshni’s body.

Her breath hitched.

She lowered her eyes.

With trembling hands, she placed the ring on his finger.

Aman smiled—satisfied, calm, certain.

Applause filled the room.

Ahana stepped forward with sweets.

Aman fed Roshni gently.

She took a small bite.

Then Roshni fed Aman.

He ate the entire piece.

Everyone laughed.

Sweety:

“Mamu! You hate sweets!”

“Then why did you eat all of it?”

Aman smiled silently.

Everyone knew the answer.

On the Terrace

As conversations continued inside, Roshni quietly walked to the terrace.

Aman noticed.

He followed her. She stood alone, gripping the railing.

Aman stopped behind her.

Aman:

“Roshni…”

She turned.

Adjusted her dupatta nervously.

They stood facing each other.

Silence stretched.

Aman watched every small movement.

Roshni gathered courage.

Roshni (softly, guilty):

“I’m… sorry.”

Aman looked at her, puzzled.

Roshni (tears forming):

“I hurt you…”

“You still saved me.”

“I don’t even love you… yet you—”

Aman (interrupting gently):

“I know.”

“I know you don’t love me.”

He paused.

Then smiled faintly.

Aman:

“But how do I explain this heart…”

“That wants only you?”

“Today, the truth became official.”

“Our engagement happened.”

“Soon we’ll be married.”

“And you’ll be mine… forever.”

Roshni’s heart raced.

Aman stepped closer.

So close that she could feel his presence.

He leaned in.

Aman (whispering, deep and husky):

“You’ll always be important to me…”

“Whether you love me or not.”

“I love you.”

And before she could react—

Before she could answer—

He walked away.

Leaving her frozen.

Her eyes widened.

Her mind went blank.

The function ended.

Guests left.

Aman left with his family.

He was satisfied.

Because now—

Roshni would think of him.

Only him.

And nothing else.

---