Then, taking the box along with her she began climbing the steps. As before, diya's were placed on each step here too.
Finally, full of love, curiosity and excitement Neha reached the pool area.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was decorated beautifully, with pink fairy lights strung all over the place and silver balloons- some tied to the banisters and the furniture, others floating across the floor and in the swimming pool. The decorations matched the colors of her dress- colors which were her favorite.
Neha, however, took little notice of the decorations as her eyes went straight to the bridge above the pool. That was the exact place where Vicky and Neha had made their love confessions.
Neha had guessed that this would be the place where she would find him and sure enough Vicky was standing on the bridge, waiting for her. When he saw her, he smiled. His smile gave her butterflies in her stomach and she wondered if she would ever learn to be immune to it.
Probably not.
Neha hurried to the stairs leading to the bridge. There was a table nearby and a box was placed on it. She assumed that it was her birthday cake and keeping her gift box next to it, she climbed the stairs quickly and ran across the bridge, right into Vicky's arms.
She wished she could stay in his arms forever. It was where she belonged. It was perfect.
Perfect.
After some time Vicky stepped back, reluctantly letting go. Neha looked up questioningly. He was still smiling, but he looked nervous.
Why nervous?
There was so much to talk about, so much to ask, but before she could say a word he gently placed a finger on her lips.
'There's something I have to say... something very, very important.'
Neha was puzzled but she nodded for him to continue.
Looking deep into her eyes, he said 'There's no one else who can make me feel the way you do. Every problem, big or small, becomes insignificant when you are with me because the truth is nothing in my life matters to me more than you do... Your one loving glance makes me feel like I'm falling into a pool... yes, even after all this time and I just know it's always going to be that way. And every time you praise SRK or RDX sir or anyone else for that matter, like that guy on the radio whose voice you liked so much, you make me feel insanely jealous of them...'
There were tears in her eyes, but she laughed softly.
He had actually written down a speech, but he no longer remembered what he had written. Instead, he was just saying everything that was in his heart.
'Your filmy ada's and nakhre's, your innocence, the way you get angry and keep glaring at me but then forgive me so easily, the way you dance- like a total diva, the way you're friendly to everyone, the way you laugh at little things, the adorable way you speak- your broken English, all of this is what makes you perfect, it's why I love you. I love you... so much.'
At this point, Vicky took out the box that held the ring and got down on one knee. Neha's eyes widened as realization dawned on her.
'...today is that special day.' The words from the 1st letter came back to her mind. Did that mean... was he going to... yes he was! He was going to propose to her!
She should have felt elated. She should have wanted to sing and dance in joy! And she did feel that way. It was what she had wanted for so long. But there was something, something that she had tried to force out of her mind for this special night and she could no longer do that. She had to face it. She had to tell him.
But Vicky wasn't done yet.
'I'll watch every movie with you that you want to watch and I'll remember all your favorite lines from all your favorite movies. I'll remember all the birthdays and anniversaries and if I ever forget or if I ever do something to make you angry I'll do whatever it takes to make up to you and cheer you up. I won't complain if you've cooked only vegetables and I'll always compliment you when you prepare something new or special. I promise I won't mess up the bathroom. I'll learn to keep my clothes in the cupboards and my socks... wherever they're meant to be kept. I'll never leave the towel on the bed. I'll do anything for you! If you ever have tears in your eyes, they'll only be khushi-ke-aansoon. I always have and always will love you.'
He stopped and took a deep breath. He opened the box of ring and extended it towards her.
'Neha, will you marry me?'
Neha stood there, tears rolling down her cheeks. What was she going to say?
For a moment Vicky thought Neha was just surprised. But as his eyes sought hers, she looked away. All this time he had been nervous, nervous that something would go wrong or that he or someone else would goof up. Now he was scared.
***********************************************************
Bharat turned to his friends. All of them had gathered in the pool area. He shook his head, looking annoyed when he noticed that Kriya, Rinni and Sharon had tears. Even Vishaka looked teary eyed.
Okay fine, he was touched by the sight in front of him too. But they dint have to cry!
'Yeh Neha itna bhaav kyun khaa rahi hai?' he asked impatiently.
'Seriously, what's wrong with her? Time waste karr rahi hai!' Nilesh said looking irritated.
'She must be surprised... that's all.' Vishaka said, but she sounded unsure.
'I hope nothing's wrong.' Kriya said, biting her lower lip nervously.
***********************************************************
Vicky couldn't imagine what was wrong. Had he done something wrong? Had he said something wrong? What was she thinking?
'Neha?' He called out her name again, very softly.
Bracing herself, she met his gaze. The hurt was evident in his eyes and she hated herself for causing it. She made her decision then.
She loved him, nothing could change that. The problem- they could deal with it later.
Vicky knew she had made up her mind. He saw it in her eyes. He held his breath as he waited for her answer.
'Yes. Yes, of course I will!'
They are no words for how happy, how relieved Vicky felt. He would've been extremely happy if she had agreed straight away... but what he felt now, it was different. It was like his life had been given back to him.
He stood up and Neha hugged him. He held her tight, like he would never let go.
Suddenly they heard whoops of joy and claps and Neha stepped back a little with Vicky's arms still around her to see her friends smiling up at them.
They shouted their congratulations to the couple.
'Vicky! Ring pehnaao!' Kriya reminded him of the ring, still in its box.
Vicky looked at Neha and she was smiling at him. Vicky wanted to know why she had hesitated before, but he decided to ask later.
Now he took out the ring and taking her hand in his, he slipped the ring onto her finger.
Everything was fine now. Everyone was happy. Neha could no longer keep silent. She decided it was time to tell.
'Vicky, Mujhe tumse kuch kehna hai. Something important it is.'
Vicky looked worried.
'Marry you, I will... but we have to run away.'
Everyone present there was shocked. Had she lost her mind? Or was this some filmy, childhood dream of hers- to run away and get married.
'Neha, kya bol rahi ho... why?' Vicky finally found his voice and asked.
Neha looked nervous and upset as she said 'Because Ma and Papa have chosen someone else... mujhse shaadi karne ke liye!'
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edited by HPmaniac - 13 years ago