CHAPTER TWENTY TWO : A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Priya and Mini were talking animatedly, their laughter mingling with the soft background hum of the café. The air was light, filled with the warmth of their reunion after so long. But suddenly, Priya felt a gentle tap on her shoulder, a familiar touch that made her heart skip a beat.
She turned around, and the world seemed to pause. Standing before her was a face she had only seen in memories and dreams lately. Her lips trembled as she whispered, “Mom…”
As Mrs. Oberoi heard her voice, tears welled up in her eyes, glistening like unfallen pearls. Without a word, she pulled Priya into a tight embrace, her hands trembling as if afraid that letting go would make her daughter disappear again. “Priya… my love,” she murmured, her voice breaking as years of longing poured out in that single phrase.
The dam inside Priya broke too. She clung to her mother, tears streaming down her face, the emotions she had buried for years finally finding release.
After a long moment, Mrs. Oberoi gently cupped her daughter’s face, her thumbs brushing away the tears. “Are you okay?” she asked softly, her eyes scanning Priya’s face as though reassuring herself she was truly there.
“Yes, Mom, I am… What about you?” Priya replied, her voice shaking, trying to smile through her tears.
“Fine,” Mrs. Oberoi said simply, though her voice carried the fatigue of sleepless nights and unspoken worry.
“Are you angry with me?” Priya asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Why, shouldn’t I be?” Mrs. Oberoi replied, arching an eyebrow, though her tone held more affection than anger.
“I know I shouldn’t have done that. I know I shouldn’t have run away, but I had no other option that day,” Priya explained, her voice quivering with guilt.
“What, do you think I’m angry with you because of that?” Mrs. Oberoi asked, her expression softening.
“Then?” Priya asked, confused.
“I am angry with you because you gave your information to Mini before me,” Mrs. Oberoi said, a mock pout crossing her face.
Priya blinked, then laughed softly through her tears. “I’m sorry, Mom, about that. I thought you would be angry with me, that’s why.”
“It’s okay,” Mrs. Oberoi said with a gentle smile, pulling her daughter close again.
“Mom, what about Dad, is he still angry with me?” Priya asked in a sad voice, her eyes downcast.
“I don’t know, because he doesn’t talk to me about you anymore,” Mrs. Oberoi said quietly, her voice tinged with pain.
“That means he is,” Priya murmured sadly. “By the way, where is he now? Didn’t he come with you?”
“He has come, but now he’s in the hotel because we did not tell him that you are here,” her mother admitted, her tone cautious.
“Thanks, Mom,” Priya said softly, taking a deep breath of relief.
“By the way, how’s your life going here?” Mrs. Oberoi asked, a tender curiosity in her voice.
Before Priya could respond, Mini, who had been standing quietly till now, blurted, “Aunty, didn’t I tell you th—”
Before Mini could finish, Priya quickly grabbed her hand and dragged her a few steps away. “What were you going to tell her?” Priya whispered sharply, her eyes wide.
“About your series, what do you think about your marriage?” Mini said, frowning slightly as if confused by Priya’s panic.
Priya sighed and nodded. “Hmm,” she said, acknowledging the truth.
“It’s your job, you can tell them when you want to,” Mini said gently. Her words calmed Priya a little, and Priya took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing.
Just then, a young man approached them nervously, his phone clutched in his hand. “If I’m not wrong, you are Mrs. Riya Khanna?” he asked, his voice tinged with awe.
“Yes, I’m,” Priya replied politely, a small smile forming on her lips.
“I saw your series yesterday. It was outstanding. I’m really excited about the next episode. In the very first episode, I became your fan,” he said enthusiastically.
“Thank you,” Priya said, her smile widening as warmth filled her chest.
“Can I take a picture with you?” he asked, almost shyly.
“Sure,” she said, leaning closer as they took a selfie together. The fan beamed with joy and thanked her before walking away.
Mini chuckled, nudging Priya playfully. “Oho… fan following,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Priya just smiled, shaking her head with mock exasperation. “Now come on, Mom will be waiting for us,” she said, trying to redirect the moment.
When they returned, Mrs. Oberoi looked at them expectantly. “Is everything okay?” she asked, her tone soft but probing.
“Yes, Mom,” Priya replied with a reassuring smile.
After chatting for a few more minutes laughter, stolen glances, and quiet tears woven together Priya finally stood up. “Mom, I have to go,” she said gently.
“Why?” Mrs. Oberoi asked, disappointment flickering across her face.
“I have a meeting,” Priya replied, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.
“Okay,” Mrs. Oberoi said softly, masking her sadness with a smile.
“Then see you,” Priya said, leaning down.
“See you, love,” Mrs. Oberoi whispered, pulling her into one last hug, her embrace warm and full of unspoken words.
“Bye,” Priya said as she walked away, glancing back once more before disappearing into the crowd leaving behind a mother whose heart was both full and aching.
Priya reached home, her heart still warm from the unexpected reunion with her mother. The emotions of the day lingered a mix of joy, nostalgia, and a quiet sense of peace she hadn’t felt in years.
Wanting to shake off the heaviness, she walked to her wardrobe and pulled out one of her favorite looks, a chic cream pencil skirt paired with a dark chocolate-brown shawl draped gracefully over her shoulders. She secured it with a gold YSL brooch that caught the light with every movement. A slim brown belt cinched her waist perfectly, complementing the polished leather boots she slid her feet into.
Her accessories were minimal yet refined gold hoop earrings, a classic gold watch, and a rich brown Hermès handbag that completed the look. It was elegant, understated, yet powerful. The kind of outfit that made her feel both grounded and confident.
She stood before the mirror for a moment, smoothing the shawl over her shoulders. The reflection staring back at her looked poised and composed, though her heart fluttered with quiet excitement.
Then she got a message from Aryan:
“Are you ready?
If you are, then come down.
I’m waiting for you.”
A smile tugged at her lips as she read it. She quickly checked her reflection one last time. Taking a deep breath, she picked up her handbag and descended the stairs. Each step felt slow and deliberate, her heart fluttering with quiet anticipation. She could already see Aryan waiting near the door, his eyes lifting the moment she appeared and for a second, the world seemed to still.
“Let’s go,” he said, his voice calm yet laced with quiet excitement as he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. His eyes lingered on her for a brief moment, admiration flickering in them before he turned toward the door.
“Are you going somewhere?” Mrs. Khanna asked, her tone curious but affectionate as she looked up from the magazine in her hand.
“On dinner,” Aryan replied with a polite smile. His voice carried both casualness and a hint of eagerness that didn’t go unnoticed.
“Okay… Bye,” Mrs. Khanna said, her lips curving into a knowing smile as she nodded approvingly.
“Bye, Mom,” they both said in unison before stepping out together, their voices blending naturally, their energy light and pleasant.
The evening air was cool and refreshing, brushing softly against Priya’s face as they walked to the car. The city lights shimmered like fallen stars, setting a romantic tone even before they arrived.
—
After some time, they reached their destination ‘Le Très Particulier’, a secluded, elegant restaurant tucked away behind ivy-covered walls.
As soon as they entered, Priya stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened in awe. The entire place was adorned with roses, crimson, white, and soft pink cascading down from chandeliers and scattered across the tables. Candles flickered gently, casting a warm, golden hue that made everything feel dreamlike.
“Wow… it’s so beautiful,” she said, a smile spreading across her lips, her voice filled with genuine wonder. The soft lighting reflected in her eyes, making them sparkle with delight.
“Did you like it?” Aryan asked, his voice low and affectionate, watching her every reaction as if her approval was all that mattered.
“Hmm… Is it for me?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, her tone playful but touched with surprise.
“Yes,” he said simply, his lips curving into a gentle smile. He then took her hand in his, guiding her toward the center of the room where the glow of a single spotlight illuminated a small circle surrounded by rose petals.
Priya’s heart began to race as Aryan suddenly dropped to one knee before her. Her breath hitched when he reached into his pocket and took out a small velvet box. The room fell silent except for the soft music playing in the background.
Opening the box, Aryan looked up at her, his eyes filled with sincerity and love. “Miss Riya,” he said, his voice trembling slightly but full of emotion, “will you marry me? Will you be my wife in real?”
Priya froze, her heart fluttering wildly in her chest. For a few seconds, words failed her. Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink as tears of joy gathered in her eyes. Then, softly, she nodded. “Hmm,” she managed to say, her voice trembling as a shy smile formed on her lips.
Aryan’s face broke into a radiant grin as he slipped the ring onto her finger. The moment felt surreal, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, bound by a love that had silently grown stronger with time.
Later, as they sat at their table, the warm glow of candlelight dancing across their faces, Aryan broke the comfortable silence. “Riya,” he said gently, his voice steady yet serious.
“Hmm?” she responded, looking up at him with soft eyes, her fingers still unconsciously brushing over the ring he had just placed on her hand.
“Today, I am going to tell Mom and Dad the reality of our marriage,” he said, his tone turning thoughtful. “Will you support me in that?”
Priya looked into his eyes, those familiar eyes that now held both courage and vulnerability. She smiled faintly, her voice calm but full of sincerity. “I will always support you,” she said, and in her heart, a quiet realization bloomed. I guess… I also shouldn’t hide my reality from you anymore, she thought, feeling a bittersweet weight settle in her chest.
“You tell me,” Aryan continued, his brows furrowing slightly, “what do you think… should I tell them?”
“Hmm…” she nodded slowly, her voice soft yet firm. “Let’s do it. Let’s clear all misunderstandings today.”
“All?” he asked, confusion flickering across his face as he tried to read the meaning behind her tone.
“Nothing,” she said quickly, forcing a small smile. “Let’s go.”
Aryan nodded, still curious but unwilling to push further. As they stood up to leave, Priya glanced down at her hand the ring glimmering under the candlelight and took a deep breath. Tonight wasn’t just about love. It was about truth, courage, and the beginning of something real.
Priya rang the doorbell, her heart beating a little faster than usual. The sound echoed softly through the hallway inside the Khanna residence.
“They’ve come,” Mr. Khanna said, glancing toward the person sitting comfortably on the sofa opposite him. His tone carried a mix of calm composure and quiet anticipation.
“Your son and daughter-in-law?” the person asked, leaning forward with mild curiosity.
“Hmm,” Mr. Khanna replied with a nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“It means we’ve come at the right time,” the person remarked with a pleased expression, clearly intrigued.
“I know you’ll be happy to meet them,” Mr. Khanna said warmly, his voice carrying genuine hospitality. Then, turning toward his wife, he added, “Open the door.”
Mrs. Khanna stood up and walked toward the main entrance. The moment she turned the handle and pulled the door open, Priya’s smile froze.
She blinked — the warmth that had been on her face just seconds ago vanished. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked past Mrs. Khanna into the living room.
The entire atmosphere inside felt suddenly heavy. And then she saw them.
For a brief moment, she forgot to breathe. Her feet refused to move forward, as though they had been rooted to the ground. The surprise on her face was unmistakable, a mix of disbelief and an emotion far deeper, one that twisted quietly in her chest. The evening that was supposed to bring clarity had just taken an unexpected turn.
❁𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑❁
❀𝕴𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖎𝖙!❀
♡ 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚎 ♡
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