The next day in Amritsar began with a quiet stillness. The early morning light fell gently over the city, washing everything in a warm golden hue. Birds chirped softly outside the hotel windows as the families slowly began to wake up.

It was their third day in Amritsar. The days before had been special-the visit to the Golden Temple had left everyone's hearts full. And now, they had something softer planned. A riverside visit. Somewhere peaceful. Somewhere calming.

Shreya had suggested it during breakfast. "Let's go to the river today. It's peaceful there," she said with a smile. Everyone agreed instantly. The idea of a quiet day away from crowds sounded perfect.

By late morning, the families were dressed and ready. They split into three cars. Reyansh and Ishani were again in the same car. As they drove through the city and then beyond it, the roads changed. The traffic faded. Fields opened up on either side. Trees lined the road like gentle guides.

Ishani sat by the window, watching everything pass by. Her chin rested on her hand, her dupatta soft against her shoulder. Reyansh sat beside her, silently watching her more than the view.

"Aap thak gayi hain?" he asked, his voice soft.

Ishani shook her head with a small smile. "Nahi. Bas... sab kuch bahut sukoon wala lag raha hai."

Reyansh nodded, still looking at her. "Haan. It's a rare feeling. This calmness."

Soon, they reached the riverbank. It wasn't crowded. The Sutlej flowed quietly, its water glimmering under the sun. Tall trees lined the edge, and birds danced in the sky. The families got down slowly, taking in the scene. Everyone removed their shoes and stepped into the soft sand.

Dadi found a shady spot under a tree and settled there. Sunidhi spread out a mat nearby, unpacking the thermos and small snacks. Abhay and Kirti helped arrange things as Avyansh and Yuvaan started walking closer to the water, laughing like children.Ashirit and Ekanshi wandered off a little, taking photos and collecting pebbles. Shreya joined them, teasing and laughing along.

Reyansh walked beside Ishani, both barefoot now. The coolness of the sand tickled their feet. Ishani's dupatta fluttered lightly with the wind. They didn't speak much, just walked quietly.

He bent down once, picking up a smooth flat stone. "Want to try skipping stones?" he asked.

"I don't know how to," she said, giggling.

He showed her. One flick of the wrist. The stone skipped once, twice, then disappeared.

She tried. Her stone just plopped in. They both laughed.

"Thoda Aage Tak chalengi,Walk par?" Reyansh asked.

She nodded.

They walked further, a little away from the group. The sound of the river filled the silence between them. Not uncomfortable, Just peaceful.

Then, the families called them back. Shreya had brought some yellow marigolds. "Let's offer these to the river. For our prayers," she said.

One by one, everyone picked petals and dropped them into the flowing water. Dadi prayed with her eyes closed. Sunidhi and Abhay stood beside each other, hands folded. Ishani held a few petals and looked at the water. She closed her eyes and silently prayed.

"Thank you... for everything. For him. For this family. For love that feels so safe."

When she opened her eyes, Reyansh was watching her. He said nothing. Just smiled. She smiled back.They sat down together on a blanket as snacks were passed around-makhane, samosas, and jalebis. Ishani handed him a piece of jalebi, their fingers brushing. He took it with a look so gentle that it made her heart beat a little faster.

"You're glowing today," he said softly, leaning closer.

"It's the sun," she tried to joke.

"No," he whispered, "It's you."

After a while, the sun climbed higher, and the day grew warmer. Some family members dozed off, others chatted. Ishani took a short walk near the trees. Reyansh followed a little while later, catching up to her slowly.

They stood near the edge, looking at the river again. Her hair flew lightly. He brushed a strand behind her ear. She looked at him, her cheeks warm.

"There is a calmness here," she said.

He nodded. "A beautiful one."

They didn't speak much after that. But the silence was full of feelings. Of comfort. Of something growing deep between them.As the sun began to dip, the families gathered again. It was time to head back.Before leaving, Reyansh looked at the river once more. "Thank you," he whispered to himself. "For her. For this life."

Back in the car, Ishani leaned against the window again. Reyansh looked at her and slowly asked,"Ishani ...will you stay by my side like this, in every journey ...forever?."

She turned slightly, shy, but didn't look away. "Always ...If you are beside me ...like now." she whispered.Reyansh smiled listening this.

And the car moved forward, carrying hearts that were no longer strangers to love.

It was almost 4 PM when they all reached back to the hotel. The warmth of the sun had softened into a golden calm, and everyone decided to take some rest in their rooms. The peaceful outing by the riverside had left everyone feeling full-hearted and light.

Reyansh entered his room, but he couldn't rest. His heart was still holding onto Ishani's soft smile from earlier, the way her dupatta had danced in the breeze, and the way her fingers had clutched the bench edge while watching the water. Something about that moment had stayed with him.

He made up his mind. He wanted to do something for her-something just for her.

So, instead of relaxing, he headed to his and her parent's room. There, he asked Sunidhi and Abhay politely, "Main Ishani ko shaam ko thodi der ke liye le jaa sakta hoon?Bas thodi der ke liye."Sunidhi smiled knowingly, "Bilkul beta. Bas time pe wapas aa jaana."

He nodded with gratitude and then walked toward Dadi's room.

Dadi listened quietly and then patted his hand. "Le jaa beta,kabhi kabhi akele waqt bitana bhi zaroori hota hai."

Reyansh now needed one last ally to make the plan work-Ekanshi.

He called her and asked her to come in the hotels's garden.As soon as she arrived ,He told her everything and asked her to help him.

"Aap tension mat lijiye bhaiya mai bhabhi to kisi trh se ready krwa lungi wager unhe kuch bataye.."She replied.

"Haan... Thank you Ekanshi."Reyansh said smiling widely.

Around 5 PM, Ishani was in her room, tying her hair into a bun when Ekanshi entered excitedly.

"Bhabhi!"

"Haan?"

"Kya aap mere sath thodi shopping Karne chalengi .....Shreya mana kar rahi hai ...isliye aap chaliye na mere sath please...."Ishani looked a little tired but couldn't say no. "OK Ekanshi mai chalungi aapke sath.."

" Or Simple nahi! Achhe se tayyar ho jaiye! Aaj mujhe full outfit inspiration chahiye."

Ishani narrowed her eyes, a little suspicious, but smiled. "Acha baba, thik hai."

An hour later, she walked out of her room in a off white suit, with soft curls falling on her shoulder, small jhumkas, and subtle makeup. Ekanshi had done a little extra effort to make sure she looked beautiful but still like herself.

When she stepped outside the hotel lobby, she was surprised to see Reyansh waiting near the car.

She turned to Ekanshi, "I thought we were going for shopping?"

Ekanshi giggled, "Plans change. Aap shopping baad mein kar lena. Enjoy the evening, Bhabhi."

Before Ishani could ask more, Reyansh walked up. He opened the car door for her and said softly, "Aaj ke liye, bas mere sath chaliye.Please.....or isse pehle aap kuch puche mai pehle is sb bado ki permission le chuka aapko sath le jaane ki or aapke sath Jane ki.."

They drove through small streets and quiet roads. Ishani didn't ask where they were going, but the calmness on Reyansh's face made her trust him fully.

The car came to a soft halt near a quiet hilltop on the edge of the city. The road behind them was silent now. Ahead, the sun was slowly sinking into the horizon, painting the sky in gold, rose, and a faint violet glow. A light wind moved through the trees, brushing softly against their skin, like the evening itself was welcoming them.

Ishani stepped out first. Her dupatta fluttered lightly in the wind as she looked around, confused yet calm.
"This doesn't look like a market, Reyansh..." she said, her voice gentle but questioning.

Reyansh stepped out after her, locking the car with a quiet click.
"I know," he said, walking closer. "But I didn't want shops or noise. I wanted to take you somewhere quiet... somewhere we could just be."

Ishani's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than usual. She didn't reply - she just started walking alongside him, up the narrow path leading to the hilltop.

As they walked, the sounds of the world faded behind them. Their footsteps were soft on the path, the wind carried the scent of distant flowers, and above them - birds flew home in slow, wide circles.

At the top, a stone bench sat under a wide old tree. The branches swayed, leaves rustling like whispered blessings. From up there, the city looked far away, almost - its lights slowly turning on, twinkling like stars scattered below.

Ishani sat down first, her eyes quietly observing the view. Reyansh sat beside her, closer than before - but not too close. Close enough that she could feel his presence even when he didn't speak.

For a few moments, neither of them said a word.

It wasn't uncomfortable - it was full. Full of emotion, of meaning, of things that didn't need to be said aloud.

Reyansh turned slightly, his eyes focused on her face, not the view.
"Ishani," he said quietly, "aapko pata hai... jab aap pass hoti hain, to bas sukoon milta hai, bina kuch bole bhi..."

Ishani blinked slowly, her heart tightening a little. She didn't look at him. Her fingers quietly fidgeted with her dupatta, the wind lifting it now and then.

He noticed.

"Aur jab aap khamosh hoti ho na... tab bhi lagta hai kuch keh rahi ho. Aap khud ek feeling ban gyi ho."

Ishani finally turned to look at him. The sky's colors danced in her eyes, and there was something raw in the way she looked back - surprised, shy, but affected.

"Reyansh..." she whispered, but couldn't say more.

He reached out slowly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering at her cheek for just a moment more than they should have.
"I just wanted to bring you here," he said softly, "to sit beside you and thank you. For being in my life. For choosing me. For staying."

Her throat tightened. She didn't know what to say. The quiet between them turned deeper - like an ocean held in stillness.

"Ishani," he said again, voice low, "when I see you like this - calm, real, close - I feel like I don't have to look for happiness anymore. It's already here."

Ishani didn't answer. Instead, after a long pause, she moved her hand toward him - gently, slowly - and placed it over his. It wasn't bold. It was quiet... like a trust that didn't need announcement.

Reyansh looked at their hands - her small one resting over his - and then looked at her again. She was already looking away, her cheeks warming.

"Ishani," he whispered, "When I was in college I always thought of having someone beside me in every phase of my life but couldn't find one....and now I know why and I am thankful that I didn't found any because you were already written in my destiny ."

She looked down, a soft, helpless smile forming on her lips.

"I don't know why," she said after a pause, "but being here, with you... it makes me feel like I'm finally home."

Reyansh's gaze didn't leave her face.

He leaned in slowly and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead - not rushed, not light - just enough to stay for a few seconds and mean something.

When he pulled back, he didn't say anything. Neither did she.

But she closed her eyes for a second longer, and in that moment - in the still air, with the sky darkening around them - something shifted.

Something grew deeper between them.They sat there until the evening turned to twilight. The stars started to peek through the sky above, and below, the city lights flickered like the heartbeat of a world they had paused from.

When Reyansh finally stood, he offered her his hand.
"Chalein?" he asked.

She nodded. As the sky deepened into dusky shades, Reyansh stood first, offering his hand to Ishani. She took it softly, and they both started walking down the slope slowly, as if they didn't want to disturb the peace that had wrapped itself around them.

But just a few steps ahead, Ishani paused.

She turned halfway and looked up at Reyansh - his silhouette lit faintly by the setting sun. Something moved in her - not sudden, not loud - just a feeling that had grown quietly all evening.

Without saying anything, she took one step closer... and wrapped her arms around him. A soft, heartfelt hug. Reyansh was slightly taken aback, but he instantly relaxed, holding her gently in return.

Then, still in the embrace, Ishani slowly lifted herself a little and pressed a soft, lingering kiss just at the side of his neck - not rushed, not bold, but warm and quiet... like a secret.

Reyansh froze.

His arms, still around her, tightened slightly. Her lips had barely moved away, but his breath had already hitched. Ishani lowered her eyes immediately, feeling her own heartbeat rise.

Without looking back at him, she started walking toward the car - cheeks flushed, steps a little faster than usual.

But she didn't get far.Within seconds, she felt his hand wrap around her wrist from behind - gently but firmly.She stopped, breath catching.And then... she felt it.

His presence right behind her - close enough that her back touched his chest, close enough that she could feel his breath against her hair, her shoulder, her neck.

"Ishani..." Reyansh whispered, his voice low, steady - yet full of something she couldn't name.

"Pehle aap aisi cheezein karti hai ... fir turant Jane lagti hai ..aise kyu karti hai aap Ishani ..., Sharmati bhi hai or pyar bhi karti hai" he said softly, so close that his words almost brushed against her skin.Ishani's breath wavered.

"Ye sab karne ke baad... aap jaane ka sochti kaise hain?" he added, his tone teasing, but his hold never crossing a line.

She lowered her head, lips pressing into a shy smile. Her face turned a deeper pink, but she didn't say anything.

Reyansh stayed still for a moment. Then leaned in, just near her ear, and murmured,

"Batayiye... Ishani... pyar karti hain aap ?"

The wind paused with them. The leaves rustled gently around. But she stayed quiet - too shy, too full to answer.

She simply turned her face slightly to the side, just enough to show him her blushing smile - her silence said everything.

And Reyansh... he smiled too.

Ishani didn't reply.

She couldn't.

Her heart was racing too fast, her cheeks too warm. Her eyes stayed low as she stood there, caught in that pause between closeness and silence.

Reyansh didn't push her. He just smiled - the kind of smile that knows the answer even without hearing it.

Slowly, he let go of her wrist. Ishani took a small step forward, adjusting her dupatta, still not daring to meet his gaze. He followed behind, both walking quietly down the hill, their shadows stretching long in the golden light.

The car door clicked open.Reyansh walked around and opened the passenger side for her, waiting like always - gentle, patient.Ishani sat down, and only once she had settled, he closed the door and walked over to his side.

As the car started, the road was quiet. No honks, no noise. Just soft music playing low in the background. The kind that fills silences without disturbing them.For a while, no one said anything.

Ishani was looking out the window, her fingers playing lightly with her dupatta. She wasn't avoiding him anymore - she was just... shy. Lost in what had just happened. Her soft kiss. His whisper. That moment that still echoed in her chest.

Reyansh, on the other hand, kept glancing at her.

Not to tease her now. Just to admire the quiet calm she had - and the way her presence filled the space between them without needing any words.

"You're looking ethereal ," he said, his voice low and real.

That made her turn to look at him - only for a second - and then immediately look away again, biting her lower lip to hide her smile.

They kept driving through the sleepy evening roads of Amritsar, the breeze coming in through the window playing with her hair. Once, a strand flew over her face and she tried tucking it back, but before she could, Reyansh gently reached over and did it for her.

Neither of them said anything.But something softened in the air.His touch was light. Careful. But not unsure.It spoke of comfort.Of belonging.

By the time they reached the hotel, the sky had turned dusky pink and the lights in the city were glowing brighter.

Reyansh parked the car quietly. Neither of them moved for a moment.

There was peace in just sitting there.

"Ishani..." he said softly before opening his door.

She looked at him this time - fully.

And he smiled."Thank you... for being with me today. For being mine."

She said nothing again - just nodded, gently.But her eyes said everything.They both got out of the car. The hotel lobby was quiet, the air a little cooler now. The kind of stillness that follows a perfect day.As they walked towards the lift, they found their families were already in their rooms.No one stopped them.No one asked where they had gone.It was as if the world knew - some moments don't need explanations.They reached Ishani's room first.Reyansh paused at her door. Ishani turned slowly, her hand on the handle, eyes finally meeting his.

"Goodnight," she whispered.

Reyansh looked at her for one long moment. Then said, very softly:

"Sweet dreams, Mrs. Agarwal."

Ishani blushed deeply.

"Goodnight..." she said again, quickly entering and closing the door before her smile gave away too much.

Reyansh stood there for a second longer, then walked down the corridor toward his room - heart full, mind calm.

The night had fallen gently over Amritsar, but in two hearts, the warmth of that hilltop stayed glowing.

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