Jia's POV:
I am such a devil; she lost her project partner, and here I am being happy. Now, I am happy.
"Umm, Someone talked, maybe a lot," Ama teased as I entered the home.
"Yes, not a lot, but quite a good talk," I said, blushing hard at reminiscing about the conversation.
"Now, get aside, we need to get ready for the dinner," I ran towards my room, without waiting for more teasing.
Amara's POV:
We reached the venue quite early, as neither Vihaan nor Adrian was seen here.
"Let's wait for a bit," Jia told me, sitting on the reserved seat.
Just then, I saw Vihaan coming, looking absolutely fine in his navy blue shirt and white pants, holding a bouquet of lily flowers as he always does whenever we meet.
"Here comes your Mr. Mickelson", Jia teased me, nudging me over the shoulder.
He came and gave me the bouquet, then kissed me. "How long have you been waiting?" he asked, sitting beside me.
"Not much longer, just got here," I said, smiling, though my pulse had already betrayed me.
Soon, Adrian also arrived, and we all began our conversation, where Jia would sometimes taunt Adrian, and he would smile.
"You are lost somewhere. Wondering if the reason is me or something else?" Vihaan noticed my mood behind the smile.
"Maybe you or maybe not," I said, smiling.
"Fine, you just hurt my feelings. Ouch, now, I need a kiss or else it would hurt me till the next time we meet," he said with an innocent face.
"Don't be dramatic," I said, glaring at him.
Jia's POV:
The table glowed under warm, soft lights, the clink of glasses and gentle murmur of conversations around us fading into a comforting hum. Across the table, Ama and Vihaan exchanged one of their quiet smiles, and my chest twisted with a mix of envy and longing—so effortless, so certain.
Adrian leaned back slightly, one elbow resting casually on the table, but his gaze never left me. That smirk, playful and unreadable, made my stomach flip and my pulse quicken.
"You're unusually quiet today," he said, voice low, tinged with concern. "Still thinking about it?"
I shook my head, trying to sound casual, but my hands betrayed me, fidgeting slightly. "No… I forgot. And I'm… enjoying the front view," I said, nodding toward Ama and Vihaan, the cutest couple alive.
A glint sparked in his eyes, and his grin widened. "Maybe we could be the ones too… if you want."
My breath hitched. He leaned just a fraction closer, the faint scent of his cologne drifting toward me, grounding and thrilling all at once. "I'm serious, Jia. I know it's sudden… but I've felt this for a long time. I was hesitant before, but now—college is ending. I can't miss this last chance. I don't expect an answer… I just needed you to hear it."
A shiver ran down my spine. My heart pounded, the words swirling in the quiet corners of my mind, daring me to hope.
He leaned closer still, his hand brushing lightly near mine, and in a voice that was both steady and soft, he asked, "Miss Jia Morgan… can I call you mine for the rest of my life?"
Time seemed to pause. The soft hum of the restaurant, the golden glow of the lights, even the murmurs of other diners—all faded. It was just us, and the quiet, dazzling possibility of everything he was offering in that one question. My chest tightened with butterflies, my hands tingling, and I realized… this was the moment my heart had been waiting for.
Ama and Vihaan left the table for some reason, and now, I feel even more nervous and hesitant.
"You don't need to answer it. I will-" he started, but I cut him off.
"Yes, Umm, I think I can give you a chance to prove yourself. Then, we will see if I can also call you mine or not." I said while looking straight into his eyes, who were confused but curious.
For a few seconds, he didn't react at all. He just looked at me, then around, and then again at me. Maybe he never thought I could be in a hurry. Did I mess it all up? He hugged me tight for a little longer, then spoke;
"Thank you," He said,
"Believe me or not, I will never let you regret your decision, and yes, I am all yours," he said, smiling as if a stress was being unloaded.
"Then it's final, you are mine, my Adrian," I said with a playful smirk.
"Yes, only if you promise not to back out," he said, slightly leaning back.
The calm glow of the restaurant, the gentle clink of glasses, the muted conversations around us—it all faded into the background. Right here, right now, we were ours, and I let myself float in that dizzying, magical certainty.
Amara's POV:
We came to the rooftop, as they needed some privacy as well as us.
"It's quiet here," I said, looking around.
"Quiet enough to make you share your stress," Vihaan murmured behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I leaned back against him, the steady warmth of his body easing some of the tension knotting my chest.
I hesitated. "It's… the placements. I'm scared, Vihaan. What if I make the wrong choice?"
"Two years," I murmured, resting my head on his chest. "It feels… so long."
"Two years?" he echoed, tilting my chin up to meet his eyes. "Ama… in two years, you'll be unstoppable. And I… I'll just keep counting the days I get to see you."
I chuckled softly. "You make it sound like a vacation."
"Maybe it is," he said, leaning closer, lips brushing my ear. "A vacation with the best company in the world."
I shivered, the soft warmth of his breath sending goosebumps down my spine. "Vihaan…"
He smirked, playful now, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of my head. "I can make a deal with you."
I raised an eyebrow. "A deal?"
"Yes," he whispered, tilting my chin so our eyes locked. "You take the offer, promise to grow and shine… and I get to spoil you every single time I see you. Weekends, surprise visits, late-night calls—your choice, but only if you say yes."
I laughed, the tension melting. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"And you love it," he teased, nudging me gently. "So… still thinking?"
I bit my lip, heart fluttering like crazy. "Maybe… but knowing you'll be there… makes it… easier."
He grinned, leaning in to brush his lips softly against mine, slow and teasing, that lasted a little longer. Pulling back just enough to make me breathless, he whispered, "See? Nothing to fear. Two years, a thousand little moments, and me… all for you."
I let out a shaky laugh, feeling the butterflies multiply. "Alright… I'll take it."
He scooped me up into a gentle hug, spinning me slightly as I laughed into his chest. "Best decision ever," he murmured, pressing a quick kiss to my temple.
"And don't think I'll let you get away with spoiling me too much," I teased, nipping at his shoulder.
He chuckled, holding me tighter. "Try me, Ama. Try me."
I know if it's hard for me to get separated, it's way harder for him to wait. He is supportive, loving, and always respects my decisions, no matter how wrong they are. Sometimes, I think, I don't deserve such a gentleman. He is way too good. My Vihaan. And I kissed him on the cheek.
"Vihaan, but still, there is one problem," I said, looking at him innocently.
"What?" he asked, looking at me curiously.
"What if again a lady attacked you after you won the case against her, who would grab her by her hair?" I said, playfully holding my smile.
We both laughed for a while, and I never want this to go.
I pulled back slightly, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "But… you better not come visit too often. I might get spoiled."
Vihaan laughed softly, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze. "Spoiled? Me? Never. But… maybe I'll visit just enough to remind you who's really in charge here."
I rolled my eyes, pretending to scold him, but my heart raced. "Hm. I'll have to keep an eye on you then."
He leaned closer, whispering against my ear, "Good luck with that. You know I never lose."
I shivered, half from the thrill of his words, half from the warmth of his closeness. "You're impossible," I murmured, a smile tugging at my lips.
"And you… are hopelessly mine," he replied, stealing a quick, gentle kiss on my temple before letting me go, just enough to make me ache for more.
The night air felt lighter, charged with laughter, warmth, and the kind of love that made even the thought of distance feel like a challenge worth taking.