Noon sunlight filtered softly into the room where Kiara sat curled on the couch, her eyes swollen with the weight of everything she had learned — her mother's sacrifice, her destiny, her awakening.
Yuvaan walked in quietly, but the moment he saw her tear-filled eyes, he dramatically placed a hand on his forehead.
"Oh no," he sighed playfully, "these tears… they really don't suit my wife."
Kiara looked up, sniffling.
Yuvaan tilted his head, pretending to inspect her like an antique vase.
"Hmm… who would've thought my weak, fragile little wife was actually Jishwa?"
Kiara's jaw dropped. "Weak? Fragile? Excuse me! I have a black belt in karate!"
Yuvaan widened his eyes in mock shock. "Oh? Really?"
"And," Kiara continued, puffing up proudly, "I lifted the Jishwa Trishul — which no one could lift, not even you. You have no idea how strong I am."
Yuvaan folded his arms. "Okay then… prove it."
Kiara jumped up instantly.
"Fine. Watch."
She pointed her palm at the air with great seriousness, her face scrunched in concentration.
Nothing happened.
Yuvaan hummed, "Hmm…"
Kiara glared. "Wait. I wasn't ready."
She tried again — raising her hand, closing one eye, flicking her wrist dramatically.
Still nothing.
But then — out of the corner of her eye — she saw something.
A flower pot by the window… its petals slowly blooming, unfolding like soft whispers of color.
Kiara gasped and pointed. "See! Look! I made that happen!"
Yuvaan leaned in, examining the flowers.
Then he burst into laughter.
"So you'll be the best gardener in the world."
Kiara's mouth fell open in offence.
"Yuvaan! Soon I'll get full control of my powers and then I'll show you! I'll pull your legs so much you'll beg for mercy!"
Yuvaan just grinned, stepping forward and brushing a tear from her cheek with a thumb.
"Good," he murmured. "My only motive was to make you smile again."
Kiara's breath hitched softly, and even though she tried to hide it, a small smile curved on her lips.
The flowers continued blooming quietly in the background — as if the universe itself was relieved to see the light between them return.
Yuvaan's grin softened into something warmer — something that fluttered right under Kiara's ribs.
Before she could tease him back, he reached behind him and pulled out a folded bundle of scarlet.
A red saree.
Rich, vibrant… almost shimmering with warmth.
Kiara blinked. "What is this?"
Yuvaan stepped closer, closing the already small distance between them. His fingers brushed her hand as he placed the saree in her palms.
"Wear this," he said gently.
Kiara looked from the saree to his face. "Why?"
He exhaled, his voice dropping to a quiet, earnest note that melted her annoyance instantly.
"Please," he whispered. "Just… get ready in this."
Something in his eyes told her it wasn't a prank, wasn't a tease.
There was a tenderness there… as if he had waited days for this moment.
Kiara felt her throat tighten.
"…Okay."
She held the saree carefully, almost reverently, and turned toward the room.
Yuvaan watched her with a soft, unreadable expression — one that held relief, fear, love, and something old, ancient, and devoted.
And as she disappeared behind the door, he exhaled shakily, running a hand through his hair.
"Today," he murmured to himself, "I'll tell her what I've been wanting to tell her… since the day she slept in my arms."
Behind the closed door, Kiara traced her fingertips over the fabric, suddenly nervous.
Whatever was about to happen… her heart already knew it mattered.
A soft breeze swept across the terrace as Kiara stepped out, her red saree catching the sunlight like a flame. Yuvaan guided her gently, his palms warm on her shoulders as he tied the blindfold.
Kiara folded her arms.
"Yuvaan… the last time you — or should I say Kaal — blindfolded me, you dumped me on a stage and made me dance in front of people. I'm still traumatized."
Yuvaan clicked his tongue dramatically.
"Uff, biwi… trust issues. I promise you'll like this one."
She grumbled under her breath, but let him guide her up the stairs.
He brought her to the terrace, stopped her right at the center, took a slow breath… and pulled the blindfold away.
Kiara gasped.
The terrace was transformed — roses everywhere, balloons drifting lazily in the air, the ground covered in rose petals arranged beautifully:
WILL YOU MARRY ME AGAIN?
Kiara turned sharply.
Yuvaan was already dropping to one knee.
Not dramatic.
Not mischievous.
Just… sincere. And hopelessly, undeniably in love.
He looked up at her, his voice warm and steady.
"Kiara Shetty… will you marry the dethroned king of Kaalvansh…
Yuvaan Pratap Singh?"
Kiara blinked — stunned, emotional, overwhelmed — but then…
She stepped back.
"You?"
Kiara crossed her arms, lifting her chin.
"I won't marry someone who belongs to the Kaal Vansh."
Yuvaan's smile froze.
"…What?"
The balloons rustled.
The petals fluttered.
The entire world seemed to stop.
Kiara stared at him — unreadable.
Yuvaan, still on his knees, felt his heart skip in panic.
To be continued…