ON SUNDAY NIGHT.....
Radika got ready, looking excited to go. Rudra sat on the sofa, dressed in a casual outfit, looking ready to step out.
He looked at her and asked, "I'm going out too. Do you want me to drop you?"
Radika hesitated and said softly, "It's okay, sir. I'll go by myself."
Rudra gave a small smile. "I know you're just afraid someone might see us together. Don't worry, as usual, I'll drop you a little before the restaurant. No one will notice."
She finally nodded. "Okay, sir."
On Saturday evening....
Rohan went to the restaurant and talked to the staff about decorating the terrace for his proposal.The staff listened and said, "Okay, sir, we will arrange it."
He explained the decorations he wanted and confirmed everything with them.
When he stepped out of the restaurant, he murmured to himself,
"I hope she likes it…"
On Sunday Night...
Rudra dropped Radika a little away from the restaurant, just like he said, and then left.
Radika walked inside. Sara and Hima were already there, waiting for her."Are you guys waiting for long?" Radika asked.
Hima replied, "No, we just came."
Radika looked around. "Rohan didn't come? Is he going to be late?"
Sara said, "I messaged him. He said he's on the way."
After a few minutes, Rohan arrived. "Sorry, girls. I'm late."
Sara immediately teased him, "What happened, Rohan? Were you busy getting ready or busy practicing lines?"
Rohan sighed. "Sara, stop teasing me. I know I'm late."
Radika frowned a little and whispered to Hima, "What is she talking about?"
Hima hesitated for a second and said, "Hmm… you know Sara, right? She always talks nonsense. Forget her."Then she quickly changed the topic. "Come, let's order food."
They ordered, ate together, and chatted casually while having dinner.
They finished their dinner.
Sara looked around and said, "I think it's still early. I heard this restaurant's terrace view is really good… how about we go up and enjoy it for a while?"
Radika nodded. "Okay, let's go."
Hima quietly followed them.
When they stepped onto the terrace, all three stopped.The whole place was decorated with soft lights and balloons.On the floor, there was a heart shape made with flowers.
The girls were surprised. Rohan walked forward.He is holding a flower bouquet and stepped inside the heart.
Sara touched Radika's back and gently pushed her a little toward the heart.
Radika froze, shocked and confused.
Before she could react,
Rohan took a deep breath.He looked nervous—his hands slightly trembling as he held out the flowers toward her.
"Radika… I'm very nervous. I don't know what to say.I know it's sudden, but it feels like the right time."
He swallowed hard, eyes soft.
"The moment I saw you… I felt you were different.You always stood out to me. You attracted me without even trying.And somewhere, I started believing you might be the one for me."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Radika… I love you."
For a moment, the world went quiet.
Radika blinked, finally coming back to her senses.She unknowingly took a step back.
"I'm sorry, Rohan… but I treat you as a friend."
Rohan shook his head gently.
"I'm not asking you to say yes right now.Just… think about it. Take your time."
Radika's voice turned firm.
"No, Rohan… it's not possible.I'm really not interested in love… and definitely not in you that way.You're just my friend. I'm sorry."
She turned around to leave, her heart heavy and mind spinning.
Sara rushed forward, trying to stop her.But Radika shot her a sharp, hurt look—one Sara wasn't ready for.
"Don't. Don't follow me… and don't talk to me right now," she said, her voice cracking slightly.
She walked away, her footsteps fast and unsteady.
As she went down, her mind overflowed with questions.
"Why did he propose to me…?Did he ever see me as a friend?Didn't he know me at all?Even Sara and Hima—don't they know me? Why would they help him…?"
Her chest felt tight.Nothing made sense.
Still lost in those thoughts, she stepped out of the building.
Radika comes out of the restaurant, still a bit shocked and confused.Rudra is waiting near the parking area, leaning on the car, arms folded, his face calm but his eyes silently searching her expression.
A small breeze.Radika walks toward him slowly.
He doesn't ask anything immediately.He just looks at her and says softly:
"Let's go?"
She nods.
Inside the car, silence.Radika keeps looking outside the window. Rudra holds the steering wheel tightly, trying not to ask, not wanting to interfere.
STAY TUNED....