“Are you thinking about something?” she asked, tilting her head curiously.

Hiten shook his head, trying to smile, though it didn’t fully reach his eyes. “Nothing… just enjoying the rain,” he said, but his voice carried a hint of anticipation.

They walked past the little park where they had first shared laughter, and finally, Hiten led her to the rooftop of his building. The city lights shimmered below, and the drizzle painted everything silver. Aarya’s eyes widened.

“This… is beautiful,” she whispered.

Hiten turned to her, hands slightly trembling. “Aarya… I wanted to bring you here because… this place… it feels like us. All our little moments—the games, the rain, even the fights—we’ve shared everything. And… I realized I can’t imagine my life without you.”

Aarya felt her heart skip. Her cheeks warmed as she looked into his eyes. Then, with a mischievous glint, she nudged him lightly. “You’re being really dramatic, you know?” she teased.

Hiten smirked despite his nerves. “Dramatic? Me? Never.” He cleared his throat and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box. “But this… is serious.”

Aarya’s eyes widened in surprise. “Hiten… what’s this?”

He opened it, revealing a delicate silver ring that shimmered faintly in the rainlight. “I… I went to the shop today. I told myself it was for my sister’s birthday, but… it’s really for you. Aarya… will you be with me… forever?”

For a moment, the world seemed to pause. Aarya’s hands flew to her mouth, then she laughed softly, tears glistening in her eyes.

“You… you planned this secretly, huh? Sneaky!” she said, pretending to scold him, though her voice shook with excitement.

Hiten shrugged, smirking. “I like surprises. Did you like it?”

Aarya couldn’t hold back and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Hiten’s hands went around her, holding her as if letting go would break the world.

“I… yes… I’ll be with you, Hiten,” she whispered against his chest, her voice trembling with happiness.

Hiten rested his chin on her head, closing his eyes. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear that,” he murmured. Inside, he felt a rush of relief, joy, and protectiveness all at once.

Then, teasingly, he whispered into her ear, “You know, I could’ve made this more dramatic… like proposing in the middle of a thunderstorm.”

Aarya laughed, hiding her blushing face against him. “Stop teasing! I already said yes, you goof.”

They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms as the rain continued softly, tapping a gentle rhythm around them, like the universe itself was celebrating.

For the first time, Hiten allowed himself to smile freely, knowing that Aarya would always be by his side, just as he would always be by hers. Their hearts beat in unison, silently promising that this was only the beginning of everything they would share.