VIII

♪♫ Kyun dikhe mujhe tu,

Sirhaane mere

Soch ke teri baatein hum,

Muskurane lage

Dil se nikal ke aanhein,

Lafzon pe aane lage

Kaisi teri khumari hai,

Hum gungunane lage

Channa ve, channa ve,

Kuch to hai tere mere darmiya,

Kyu lage

Channa ve ...♪♫

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Armaan couldn't take his eyes off Rivaah. She was looking ethereal in that maroon saree.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

He didn't realize he was staring at her. He shook his head with a smile. "Like what?"

"Like..." she thought for a second before continuing, "Like you are seeing me for the first time."

"Every time I look at you it's as if I see you for the first time."

She grinned before sticking her hand out for a handshake. "Hi, I'm Rivaah Rajput."

He took her hand in his with a smile. "Nice meeting you, Rivaah Singhania."

"It's Rajput, not Singhania."

"Yet." He grinned when he saw her blushing.

They were done with greeting some business associates along with other people. They had been sitting at their designated table for quite some time.

Rivaah looked back when someone announced that the stage was now open for everyone.

"Let's dance!" Rivaah's eyes were practically twinkling.

He took her hand and lead her toward the dance floor. "Anything you want, Darling."

"Darling, huh?" she teased.

"I can change it if you want." He took her in his arms and they started swaying to the music just the way they did a few days ago in her kitchen.

"No, Darling is good. Darling's great, actually." She smiled at him.

⪡⨳⪢

"Did you dance with her?"

Armaan turned his attention to Sia. "Huh?"

Sia rolled her eyes and sighed as if she was tired of him. "I asked, did you dance with her?"

He had no idea what was the right answer to that question. "Umm...yes."

Sia nodded in appreciation before getting back to her breakfast and he released the breath he didn't know he was holding.

It was the next morning and all of them were having breakfast.

Last night, when they came back to chaos, Sia and his brothers were covered in flour, eggs, milk, and whatnot. Apparently, they were having a food fight and no one remembered who started it. It was already late so, Armaan asked Rivaah to stay the night and thankfully she agreed after seeing Sia's condition.

"Why?" he asked Sia.

"Mumma loves to dance but I've only seen her dancing at night when she thought I was sleeping," Sia said nonchalantly and chewed on a strawberry.

He looked at Rivaah who was sitting in front of him. She was laughing at something Viaan said.

She loved to dance, he had no idea. Her excitement, twinkling of her eyes, her wide smiles—it all made sense.

He smiled looking at her as she threw her head back and laughed with no care in the world.

"You won't leave me, right?" Sia asked and everyone's eyes turned to her but she was looking at Armaan.

"Sia!" came Rivaah's voice but Sia didn't budge and still looked at him expectantly.

He looked into her eyes so she would know he was saying the truth. "I will never leave you," He looked up at Rivaah before adding, "Or your Mom."

"You giving your word?" Sia asked raising her eyebrows, trying to be intimidating.

He smiled. "I'm giving you my word."

And just like that Sia again had a beautiful smile adorning her face as she threw her tiny arms around Armaan's neck and gave him a hug.

He saw Rivaah's small smile before she got up excusing herself from everyone.

⪡⨳⪢

"Are you alright?"

Rivaah turned around at Armaan's voice. "Yes."

He saw her red eyes and nose. "No, you're not. What happened? Did I do something wrong?"

"No. Everything is great. I just—" she sniffled.

"You just?" Armaan asked encouraging her to complete what she was saying.

"I just got overwhelmed by everything."

"Come here." He opened his arms for her and she gladly obeyed.

"It's been so long since I had a big family. Sia doesn't even know what that means. Today, being here with you and your brothers—I felt good; happy."

He tightened his hold on her as if protecting her from the world.

"Marry me!"

"What?" Rivaah looked at him with wide eyes and then started laughing.

He frowned at the woman in his arms. "There is nothing funny."

"Hey, don't go all grumpy on me. Who asks like that? It wasn't even a question, you just stated that."

"Okay fine. Will you marry me, Rivaah?"

"Hmm," she hummed thinking about it while putting her hands around his neck. "I don't know. You have a meeting overseas, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay, ask me again after you come back. I'll have an answer then."

"Seriously? You're going to make me wait?"

"Yes!" she laughed.