Proposal Without Love
The room was dim, filled only with the soft hum of silence after the storm. The weight of grief still hung thick in the air, but slowly, the sobs had died down. Shivansh's breathing evened out, though his arms remained wound tightly around Dhriti, as if letting go meant losing his last thread of hope.
Dhriti sat frozen in his lap, her hand gently brushing through his hair, soothing him like she had imagined so many times in the past—quietly, selflessly. But nothing could have prepared her for the moment that followed.
“Marry me,” Shivansh whispered, almost inaudibly.
Dhriti’s hand stilled.
“What…?” she breathed, pulling slightly back to look into his eyes.
Shivansh raised his head, his eyes still red but determined. “Please marry me, Dhriti,” he repeated, voice cracking. “Become a mother to my Ansh.”
Her breath hitched. Her lips parted to speak, but no words came. Her heart raced, and her world tilted slightly on its axis. This wasn’t how she had ever imagined hearing those words from him.
“Shivansh,” she finally managed, her throat dry, “you’re emotional right now. This… you’ll regret this later.”
He shook his head instantly. “No. I won’t.” His hands found her waist, gripping it tighter, his eyes pleading. “I will never regret letting you into my life. I know this is sudden. But you’re the only one who can take that place in our lives, Dhriti.”
Her lips trembled as he continued, every word both soothing and shattering.
“You’re the only woman I’m allowing into my world after everything I’ve lost. I know I’m not capable of loving again. That woman—she broke me, Dhriti. She broke me beyond repair.”
His fingers curled around her wrist, holding on as if she was the lifeline holding him from sinking again.
“But I can give you everything else—respect, security, loyalty. Everything in the world… except love. Please,” he whispered. “Tell me, Dhriti. Can you do this? For me? For Ansh?”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at the man who had unknowingly owned her heart since she was eighteen. Shivansh had been her first love—her impossible dream. She had admired him from a distance, loved him quietly, endured watching his world revolve around others.
First, her mother left her.
Then Hitesh… betrayed her trust.
And now Shivansh… offering a lifetime, but not love.
Was this her karma? To keep giving without ever receiving in return?
But then… Ansh’s face flashed before her eyes. His innocent voice saying, “I love you, Dhiti Aunty,” echoing in her ears. The way he hugged her, the way his smile lit up when she entered the room, the way his tiny arms clung to her during nightmares.
Maybe this wasn’t about her.
Maybe this was a chance to give love, even if she didn’t receive it back.
Maybe… she could live her life for Ansh.
“I…” she choked, voice barely a whisper, “Yes, Shivansh. I will marry you.”
A stunned silence followed.
Then, without another word, Shivansh pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. His relief poured out in a shuddered exhale. “Thank you… thank you, Dhriti…” he whispered over and over again.
Dhriti closed her eyes, her face buried in his shoulder.
Maybe love wasn’t always about being chosen. Maybe, sometimes, it was about choosing to stay even when no one asks you to.
And tonight, she chose to stay.
Will Shivansh love Dhriti?
Or her selfless love remained one sided?
Write a comment ...