"The most beautiful journeys are those that lead us to places we never expected, with people we never imagined, and a love we never thought possible."

The café was alive with the hum of soft chatter, and the golden light of the afternoon streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the table where Vivaan and Roohi sat. Their conversation had moved from art to more personal topics, and Vivaan found himself sharing more than he had intended. Roohi, feeling the natural flow of their exchange, smiled at the ease with which they spoke.

"You know," Roohi began, taking a sip of her coffee, "I never really learned how to cook. I only know two dishes, and honestly, that was enough to get me by."

Vivaan chuckled, his eyes softening with understanding. "It doesn't matter to me," he said simply, his voice warm. "Whatever dishes you’d like to eat, I’ll make them for you. It’s not a problem at all. We can figure it out together."

Roohi blinked in surprise, her eyes widening. She hadn't expected such a response. "You’d really do that?" she asked, a hint of admiration in her voice.

Vivaan nodded, his tone unwavering. "Of course. Cooking is something I learned when I was away from home a few years back. I’ll cook for you, and I promise, you won’t have to worry about it. There’s no need for you to change your lifestyle or feel guilty about not knowing how to cook."

Roohi felt a warmth in her chest, her heart swelling at his words. For the first time, a man was telling her she didn’t need to be perfect. In every other proposal she’d been part of, there had always been the question of whether she knew how to cook, whether she would quit her job to take care of the family. People had taunted her, trying to mold her into a traditional role. But here, Vivaan was telling her that none of that mattered.

"You’re the first person who’s ever said that," she said softly, almost in awe. "Everyone else, they either taunted me for not knowing how to cook or expected me to quit my job and take care of the family. But you... you’re telling me that none of that matters, and you’d support me no matter what."

Vivaan’s expression softened as he met her gaze, his voice sincere. "Roohi, your dreams and your work are just as important as mine. I’d never ask you to quit or give up on what you love. If anything, I want to support you in whatever you choose. And if that means cooking for us, then I’ll do it without hesitation."

Roohi smiled, a sense of peace washing over her. For once, she felt seen, not just as someone who had to fulfill a role, but as a person with aspirations, dreams, and the freedom to choose.

Vivaan noticed the way her eyes softened, and for the first time, he realized how comfortable he was talking to her. There was something about Roohi that made everything feel natural, like they could share their thoughts without fear of judgment.

"Thank you," Roohi whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "I’ve never heard anyone say that to me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this understood."

Vivaan smiled, a quiet warmth spreading through him. "You don’t need to thank me. We’re partners in this, and partners support each other."

The conversation drifted gently, and after a pause, Roohi looked at Vivaan, her voice steady but full of sincerity. She had been wondering about this moment, the decision that had quietly been forming in her heart. Her words were soft but certain, as if a new chapter was beginning to unfold in front of them.

"Vivaan," she began, her voice full of emotion, "I’ve been thinking about us… about everything we’ve talked about today. I feel like we’ve shared something real, something genuine. And I know we’re still figuring things out, but… I want to move forward with you. I’m willing to marry you."

Vivaan was quiet for a moment, his gaze falling to the table as he processed her words. His mind whirred, weighing the significance of the decision before him. The idea of moving forward, of truly opening his heart, wasn’t something he took lightly. He looked up at Roohi, seeing the sincerity in her eyes, and his own heart stirred with the same sense of calm certainty that had been building within him since they began talking.

After a few heartbeats of silence, Vivaan spoke, his voice steady and filled with warmth. "Roohi, I’ve been thinking about this too... about what we’ve shared and how comfortable and real it feels. I’m ready. I want to move forward with you. Let’s talk to our families, share this with them. I’m certain about us."

Roohi’s heart fluttered in her chest, the weight of his words filling her with warmth and joy. This was the moment they were both waiting for, the moment where everything fell into place.

Vivaan’s smile deepened, and he gently squeezed her hand. "Let me drop you home. We’ll take it one step at a time, together."

Roohi nodded, a bright smile tugging at her lips. As they stood up and made their way out of the café, side by side, a sense of peace enveloped them. Whatever came next, they would face it together, with unwavering support and shared dreams.