'Wowie...' Irum says wide eyes as she looks at me through the computer screen. Yesterday night I and Arham had come back to Delhi. We didn't interact much in office, I was really tried but being the workaholic that I am; I didn't skip work. Again tonight I am off to his place, I prepared a special surprise for him.

I am on video call with Nooren and Irum, I want everything to be perfect tonight. I twirled around showing off my sleeveless long black gown.

'Oooo...' Nooren says as I show my back, the dress has an open cowl back exposing my entire back.

I turn around, Irum is giggling covering her eyes 'Zee...your dress is missing cloth on your back' she says in between her giggles. Nooren laugh too. I blush.

Kids, they are so naïve...so innocent, they are stress busters for all. Their laughter, their smile can bring happiness to anyone. They make them forget all their worries, a child is truly a blessing. Irum is very naughty kid yet innocent and she very special to me.

'I have planned something' I say taking my seat, I take a small box placed on the table.

'Oh my god!' Nooren exclaims, I smile brightly at her. I have just shown her a beautiful silver ring, my father's engagement ring.

'I am going to ask Arham to marry me' I say

Nooren looks at me wide eyed, she takes few seconds to comprehend what I had just said.

She smirks 'Not bad, fatso! Oops...' Nooren says

Irum slaps her hand 'Don't call Zee fatso...' Irum says glaring at her mother, she turns towards me 'what is fatso?' Irum then asks me. I simply smile

'All the best' Nooren says showing me a thumbs up, Irum copies her mother 'All the best' she says flashing a toothy smile at me.

I applied blood red glossy lipstick, it makes my lips look fuller, I applied dark black kohl but I took time with the eyeliner, I wanted smoky eyes but that will be really over the top, so I applied a simple one. I wore a small pearl studs and my watch. I slip into high pencil heels. I wrap a black shawl around me and left my apartment carrying the tiffin that I prepared for Arham.

I feel nervous as I ring the bell, am I too fast in proposing? Such stupid thoughts start to clog my mind. Few minutes later he opens the door. I gulp, he is wearing a black vest and grey track pants. He also has an apron around his waist. He is looking so cute having dough on his cheeks and nose, and some in his hair. I pinched back of my palm to suppress my giggle.

He looks at me 'Good you came' he says moving aside and letting me come in. As I enter I could smell burned food, I shake my head.

Arham was trying to cook again.

'I knew you would come and I wanted to surprise you' he says sounding disappointed. I look at him, he looks at me pouting. I place the tiffin on the table and pinch his cheeks

'Don't worry...I have got food for you' I say happily. He smiles.

Arham arranges the plate while I plate the food. Tonight I have made schezwan chicken and fried rice. Arham is amazed seeing the perfection of the food.

'Wow! You should start a restaurant' he says eyeing the plate, hungrily. I felt my chest swell with pride as he compliments me.

We ate in silence; I am still to show him the real surprise. As the time come close for the big surprise my heart begins to thump rapidly inside my ribcage, it's like it will tear open my ribcage and leap out.

Arham unlocks the bathroom door and comes out, he had gone in for washing his hands. He is taken aback as he looks at me, I had removed my shawl and am sitting at the edge of his bed.

'Zahra...'he says

I stand up, I gulp feeling extremely nervous now. I begin to feel my palms getting sweaty as I clench the red velvet box tightly.

He looks at my clenched fist and frowns. I don't know if what I am doing is right? is it the right time? I extend my hand and held his hand and bring him to the centre of the room. I try to keep a confident face but in reality I am panicking inside.

I look directly into his eyes; he is looking at me confused. I held his hand tightly and without breaking the eye contact I kneel down on one knee, I bring forward the small box. I let go of his hand and slowly opens the box. Arham is really very surprised looking the silver ring glistening in the box.

I gulp, he looks up at me. I maintain the eye contact.

'I love you...always had and always will...So, Syed Arham Hooda will you marry me?' I pop the question, directly without beating around the bush or sugar coating my proposal.

I watch Arham's expressions change from being confused to surprised and now his expressions soften. He bends down and holds my shoulder making me stand. He looks into my eyes lovingly. I stare back at him holding my breath. Arham cups my face.

'I love you too...' he whispers

Huh! I blink at him unable to believe what my ears just heard. Wait, he is going to add, "just as friends"

He admires me for few seconds before continuing 'I can't tell you how much I love you...how much I have craved for you...that night when we kissed again... that moment I knew it...I just knew it...that there was more than just guilt that didn't let me move on from you...it was love.... I loved you when we were kids and I love you now.... I love you so much' he confesses hugging me tight. Now it's my turn to be shocked.

Am I dreaming? I wonder.

Arham separates our frames and kissed my forehead 'I love you' he mummers. I push him gently, he is stunned. I close my eyes and pinch my arm, then I peek through my one eye. He is still standing there smiling at me. My Gosh! Oh my Gosh! I am hyperventilating.... I am going to faint.

Oh God! Oh God! What do I do...? Oh ring...ring...I take the ring from box and look at him.

What if this is a dream and I wake up sleeping in my room? Arham, he so easily confessed?

Arham looks at the ring and then at me, 'I love you Zahra...but I can't marry you' he says and I, who was flying in air, came crashing down. My dreams and hope dying a premature death.

'I love you...you love me...next step is marriage right? Then why can't you marry me?' I ask feeling very disappointed. I didn't expect him to give me high hopes and drop me back on the ground, murdering my expectations and hope.

Arham takes a step towards me and cups my cheek gently 'Zahra, things have messed up a lot.' He says

I jerk his hand and look at him angrily.

'Enough Arham, enough of your rant "I am guilty, I don't deserve this" and blah blah... (I held the collar of his vest and pull him closer) I have forgiven you...now bury the past and marry me' I say shaking him.

Arham sighs and removes my hand and held them tightly in his hands 'It's not that Zahra... (I look at him waiting for him to go on) Zahra I am a divorcee with a two-year-old kid...your parents will never agree... and I don't want you to go against them' he says

He does have a point but then who is going against my parents, I will convince them.

'Arham...they don't have to know about your past...and when they realize how much we love each other and what you have done for me by exposing Aamir, they will accept you.' I say and then lean in wrapping my arms around his neck

'Please...please...please.... Arham...I love you and I can't live without you...please...please...say yes...I love you...I love you...please' I say hugging him tighter, my eyes squeezed shut. I am afraid to let go of him lest he goes away from me.

I felt his comforting hand on my shoulder, he separates our frames and looks at me.

'I love you too' he says, he then kisses my forehead 'I can do anything for your happiness...I too want to marry you but...I don't want any problem between you and your parents because of me...' he says seriously.

I remove his hand 'I will handle them' I say confidently. I know my parents, they might not agree if I tell them about Nooren and Irum, and also if they know about Arham being the guy I was caught kissing then that will be disastrous. But what they don't know won't hurt them, right? I don't want to think about anything negative. I will just say the positives to them about Arham.

'So?' I ask getting excited once again. He looks at me, he has a thoughtful expression on his face. He thinks for what seemed like lifetime before nodding his head and forwarding his hand. I beamed at him before slipping the ring on his ring finger, perfect fit. Arham looks at the ring and smiles, it looks like the ring was made for him, it fits so perfectly.

'It's a beautiful ring...' he compliments. I smile wrapping my hands around his arm.

'Now you are mine.' I say possessively. I am about to go get my shawl when I felt Arham's arm wrap around my waist. I gasp feeling his arm on my bare back, he pulls me closer and I hit his chest.

I gulp looking into his eyes 'and you are mine' he whispers seductively. The tone of his voice gives me Goosebumps. He runs his fingers on my back and I shiver, my gaze stuck on him.

'I love you...'he says and I blush lowering my gaze. He tilts his head and admires me. Suddenly I feel my lashes get heavy, I am not able to look up into his eyes.

'Arey, what happened to bold tigress?' he teases me caressing my face with back of his fingers. I smile shyly trembling with excitement and nervousness.

Arham wraps his other arm around my waist as well, he pulls me even closer, if that was possible.

'I have held myself back for way too long...and now I can't...especially when I have realized my love for you' he says. I just kept staring at his chest unable to look into his eyes. Arham leans and kiss my cheek. I look up at him and he smiles. Gosh! His smile, I love it so much. I move my gaze away from him again.

Arham places his fingers under my chin and tilts my face slightly up, he places his lips over mine and I felt a spark erupt inside me. We smooched gently and slowly. He moves his hand and places his hand on my nape and deepens the kiss. I held his biceps, I feel my heart flutter on feeling his muscles flex.

Arham breaks the kiss and plants a soft kiss on my cheek and then my jawline. I giggle as his stubble tickles my soft skin.

Arham moves his head up and looks at me, slowly I open my eyes and stare into his grey orbs. His eyes mirroring my feelings, feelings of pure love, desire and a tinge of lust.

'I love you' I confess sincerely.

Arham smiles and kissed my forehead 'I love you too'

I kiss his cheek and then look away feeling shy. Arham kisses my forehead again. I frown on feeling his grip around my waist loosen.

'It's getting late; you should be going' he says

I pout 'I don't want to go' I say holding his hand. Arham smiles and places his palm on my cheek.

'Tomorrow we have office na' he says and pecks my lips. I continue to look sad.

'Day after tomorrow is Sunday. Promise we will spend whole day together' he says. My face instantly lights up.

I smile and flung my arms around his neck hugging him.

'You are looking so hot' he whispers in my ears and I smile shyly. We separate, Arham pulls me closer again.

'I think you should leave before I change my mind' he says huskily. I blush and push him gently. He gets me my shawl and drops me till my car.

'Good night' I say kissing his cheek. He pouts, I shake my head smiling realizing what he wanted. So I quickly pecked his lips

'Good night' he says. I sit in my car; I am feeling so reluctant to go. After tonight I want to stay close to him, after all he is my fiancé now. Not willingly I drive away, a huge smile plastered on my face.

Half night I spend in texting Arham, our chat was sweet, cute and romantic. Then I spoke to him for half an hour, and fifteen minutes we spent showering "I loves you" to each other. I felt like I am sixteen-year-old Zahra again only this time our love is much more mature and intense. We hadn't so openly confessed our love for each other back then in school like we are doing now. Rest of the night I spent dancing to "pehla nasha...pehla khumar".