The morning came sooner than Sneha had desired. They had spent the night in the cottage and in the morning, after a quick breakfast, Viraj drove along with her to the venue of their engagement event.

"No one has come yet?" She asked on seeing the empty lawn and hall. The entire resort was decorated with flowers and lights. The chairs and tables were already placed properly in the hall. Many men and women were still working on the decoration and related arrangements. She glanced at the stage which was yet to be decorated.

"It is an afternoon event. The guests will start coming from 12 pm onwards." He answered as they walked hand in hand towards the elevator.

"So why are we here early?" She asked.

"Are you going to attend your own engagement in jeans?" He asked with an amused smile.

Realization hit her and she understood that they were going upstairs to get ready.

On the second floor, they parted ways to their own separate rooms.

"It is 10 right now. We'll meet at 12. Okay?" He asked while looking at his watch and motioned toward one of the two doors.

She nodded.

"Let me know if you'll need anything. I will be here." He said while pointing at the other door.

She nodded again.

"Use words, Sneha." He asked, not liking that she still preferred gestures over proper words.

She looked at him in surprise. Wasn't a nod enough? She wondered.

"Yes." She nonetheless replied.

She quickly turned around and entered her designated room. Closing the door behind her, she finally examined her new environment.

"Hi, bhabhi ji (sister-in-law)!" Sneha heard Ananya shout as she looked at her with a huge smile. Three girls stood with her in front of a large full-length mirror. Her eyes quickly scanned the table that was crowded with beauty products.

Sneha walked towards Ananya and made a face at the endearment. She noticed that Ananya was ready already in a deep blue gown.

"God, don't call me that." She commented politely as she had never heard herself being addressed as bhabhi!

Ananya too walked towards her and when they almost stood in front of each other, she hugged Sneha in a sisterly manner.

"But you are going to be my bhabhi. And, I am so happy! You are formally getting engaged to my brother!" She exclaimed with a grin.

Sneha faked a smile and hugged her back to not seem rude.

"When did you reach here?" Sneha asked as she nodded to the other three girls in the room in a silent greeting.

"About 30 minutes ago. Bhai (brother) asked me to help you in getting ready for the function since you both were spending the night together." Ananya answered with a hidden glint in her words.

"Oh." Sneha mumbled.

The way she said 'spending the night together' made her feel weird because nothing happened between them. Thinking about it, she realized that he didn't even kiss her since he came back!

'Is he over me? But then, why is he still proceeding with the engagement?' She wondered.

"Sneha!" Ananya called for her attention as she got lost in her thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"Let's get you ready? Do you wanna take a bath before we start?" Ananya asked.

"No, I already had a bath before coming here." She answered.

"Great!" Ananya exclaimed and looked in the direction of the beauticians.

"Ma'am, could you please wear your dress so that we can start doing the make-up?" One of the girls asked to which Sneha nodded.

Ananya brought the bag having the dress and gave it to Sneha.

"When did Viraj give you this?" She asked curiously.

"Yesterday night. He had called his men to get some work done."

"Oh!"

In fifteen minutes, Sneha entered the room again from the restroom.

"Aww! This dress looks so pretty on you!" Ananya chirruped and made her sit on the chair in front of the mirror.

And, instantly, the three girls got on their work revealing beauty products that Sneha was almost not even aware of. Meanwhile, Ananya sat beside Sneha and continued her chatting to not make her feel bored.

"I have invited Tina and Shruti. Did you invite Jyoti?" Ananya asked.

Sneha looked in her direction sheepishly.

"No."

"Why?" Ananya whined.

'Because even I am not sure this engagement will happen!' Sneha thought.

"I...thought she is busy with the scholarship process. And, she once told me that she has to submit the documents on Sunday." She lied.

"Oh! No worries, I will share the photos with her by afternoon. I am sure she'd be very happy."

"More like shocked." She murmured but she heard her anyway.

"Why?" Ananya asked with a chuckle as the girls started working on Sneha's hair.

Sneha took a deep breath before revealing the truth.

"We never thought I would get engaged to your brother. We had only seen him in college a few times and he looked so scary that we always made sure to keep our distance from him." She answered.

"Bhai is not scary!" Ananya said in her brother's defence making everyone in the room look at her as if she was crazy. She gave a sheepish smile to the girls and then to Sneha.

"Uhh...I mean, he is strict with those who don't know him on a personal level. But, he is very polite to you, Sneha. I have seen him!" Ananya said.

"He is very authoritative too...something that I don't want in my partner." Sneha complained.

"I know...That is, sort of, inbuilt in his nature. Thanks to my father." Ananya added and then immediately remembered something.

"Oh, do you know, my parents are attending the function too. I thought they won't because of some issues in Delhi. But, papa somehow managed to board the flight. Ma is coming too. We talked for almost an hour yesterday about you. She wants to meet you too because the last time we all met, she couldn't bond with you much." Ananya informed.

However, her mind stuck on Viraj's father...Dev. The images of the torture made her shiver to the core.

There was a momentary silence as Sneha thought over how she would behave in front of Dev. That man had literally warned her that day.

"You have really nice hair, ma'am. What product do you use?" The beautician working on her hair commented making Sneha come to the moment.

"Uh...Thank you. It's genetic. I don't use any special products." She answered politely.

"Is it?" Ananya interrupted and touched Sneha's hair from the back of her hand.

"Wow, Sneha! They are really so soft. Has bhai ever touched them?" Ananya asked curiously.

She didn't know what to reply. So, she just smiled in response.

Before Ananya could proceed with the unwanted conversation, Sneha interrupted.

"Ananya...How is your father?" She asked.

Ananya was obviously taken aback by the question.

"My father?" She asked to confirm whether she was referring to Viraj's father or her biological father.

"Hmm...The last time I met him, he seemed very strict and ....just like Viraj." Sneha added.

"Oh...Papa is just like bhai. For him, only bhai matters in the entire world and everyone else is just irrelevant. I really hope he'd treat you nicely since you are going to be bhai's wife." Ananya explained.

Sneha sighed and they moved to the next topic of conversation.

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It was almost 12 and Sneha was all ready to go outside to meet her soon-to-be fiance. But, she didn't want to go out.

"The guests have all gathered in the hall. Let's go Sneha. I have a small surprise to show you on the stage." Ananya said excitedly and helped her in standing up in her high heels and floral dress.

"You are looking damn pretty, girl! Bhai is so going to drool all over you!" She added to which Sneha remained quiet as usual.

She looked at her reflection and had to appreciate the work that the beauticians did. They didn't go over but the make-up suited her complexion. It was subtle and light...just the way she likes.

"Ananya, can I use your phone? I have to call my parents to know where they are." Sneha asked.

"They have already arrived along with your sister. I saw them from the window." Ananya replied.

"Oh!"

"Let's go!" Ananya said excitedly and guided her toward the main door.

"Oh, I almost forgot! Just a second..." Ananya added and then quickly went towards her bag to fetch something.

Sneha looked at the thing she pulled out.

"Tiara?" She asked when she noticed that it was a floral tiara.

"An engagement ceremony is incomplete without this, right? Here, let me put it on you." Ananya said and gently placed the tiara on Sneha's head.

"Now, you look perfect!" Ananya praised.

Finally, they exited the room and Sneha stepped outside only to meet face-to-face with Viraj. She halted in her steps on seeing him. He looked amazing in the black suit with properly gelled-up hair.

"Oh my God, bhai! You look like a Greek God!" Ananya commented as she left Sneha's arm, only to fix Viraj's suit and hair a little.

"Ananya, go downstairs and check upon the guests. We will come down in exactly five minutes." He instructed her as his eyes remained fixed on Sneha.

"Okay!" She smiled, knowing why her brother was sending her downstairs. They wanted to have some privacy and maybe share some romantic moments, she concluded happily.

"Are you done checking me out?" Viraj asked playfully when they were finally alone.

Sneha's eyes shot up from his shoes.

"What? I...wasn't checking you out!" She lied since that was exactly what she was doing.

"Well, in that case, let me check you out." He said without shame and stepped closer to her.

Bending to her level, he looked deeply into her eyes as she looked everywhere else but at him.

"You look beautiful, Sneha." It was his simple compliment, something he never told anyone other than her.

Her eyes met his for a brief second before she looked at his chest again. Even in heels, she barely reached his shoulders.

"I want to kiss you so badly...but it will only ruin your getup. So, I'll wait patiently for the function to end. Know that you will be tormenting me with your beauty throughout the function." He added to which her eyes lowered further.

His words, especially his tone made her feel tingly in her stomach. Not because he was Viraj, but it was for the first time that a man was complimenting her so intensely and intimately, without using any vulgarity.

"Let's go?" She asked in order to get over this conversation quickly.

"So eager to get engaged to me?" He asked with a chuckle.

She sighed. She always lost the conversation, no matter what she said.

"Well, I can't blame you. I am the most eligible bachelor right now, after all." He boasted about himself as he placed his hand in his right pant pocket to bring out something.

"But, don't worry. I am all yours." He confessed huskily and revealed a small diamond necklace to her.

Sneha looked at him in confusion.

"Let me put it on you." He muttered and stood behind her.

"The girls said that this dress will look good with no necklace." She told him.

"Let them say whatever they want. I want this on you." He said and proceeded to put it on her neck.

Sneha felt him move her hair to the right carefully, in order to not mess up with the clips because he had no idea how to correct them.

Clasping the jewellery on her neck firmly, he boldly bent to her level again and placed a soft kiss on the side of her neck. Sneha froze at the warm contact.

"What are you doing?" She asked in a scolding tone and stepped forward to make some distance.

However, he pulled her from her waist, making her to fall on his chest. She instantly tried to come out of the back hug by squirming in his arms.

"Why this resistance?" He asked in a playful tone.

"Viraj...let me go." She stated firmly, not liking his hands on her waist so intimately.

"Why?" He still asked arrogantly.

Sneha so wanted to hit his shoes with her heels.

"This is inappropriate!" She reasoned and her movements became stronger.

"Will it be appropriate once we get engaged?" He asked as a child.

In the haste to get away from him, she nodded.

"Yes." She said quickly and just like that, he opened his arms and set her free.

"Okay...I guess, I can wait for five hours more." He said with a boyish smile.

Sneha just sighed in relief. He looked so intimidating right now...tall...muscular...manly and scary.

"Let's go?" He finally asked as he gave his arm for her to hold on to so that they'd walk downstairs together.

She hesitantly grabbed a small handful of his sleeve, making sure to not touch his arm.

Viraj sighed and made her grab his elbow properly.

"All my friends and relatives are here, Sneha. So, don't be so scared and smile!" He urged her politely to which she looked at him in surprise.

'How can I smile when I am unhappy with this nonsense!' She wondered.

"Can I ask you for something?" She asked.

"Yes?"

"Please don't do anything inappropriate outside because my family is also going to be there." She said.

"I know." He caressed her hair softly. She wondered whether he understood her intentions or not.

"Now, smile for me?" He asked.

Sneha only lifted her lips but the smile couldn't reach her eyes.

And, he could see that.

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Together, hand-in-hand, Viraj and Sneha stepped into the hall where everyone clapped for them on their entry. The photographers went crazy and tried to click their photos from every angle possible. Sneha's smile, whatever she had managed to put on, fell on seeing the crowd and the camerapersons.

Her heartbeat took off and she involuntarily clutched his arm strongly. This was really happening. She was really getting engaged to Viraj Khatri...the mafia boss of Mumbai and the murderer whose wrongful actions she had witnessed with her own eyes. She desperately hoped for some miracle to happen that would break this engagement and the marriage.

With an arrogant smile and nod, Viraj walked toward the stage with Sneha. Ananya was as expected on the stage to welcome them.

Sneha felt like going crazy.

She looked up and her eyes fixed on a specific word that was decorated with fairy lights.

#Vineha

It didn't take her a second to understand the meaning of it. It was a name that was derived from Viraj and her own name.

'Did you like my surprise? Tina and I spent hours coming up with this name for you two!" Ananya explained excitedly to Sneha while Viraj looked at her in confusion.

She closed her eyes momentarily at the embarrassment as Ananya went on explaining the meaning of the term to her brother. Meanwhile, Sneha looked around the massive hall in search of her little family. It took her a complete minute to finally spot them.

Her heart pained at the sight. They were standing at the left-most corner of the hall...becoming guests at their own daughter's engagement. Her eyes met her mother's first followed by her father who was looking at her with neither happiness nor sadness. They just looked confused. She looked at Priya who was also looking at her with a frown.

She wanted to go to them and talk to them. But, she couldn't since Ananya had already brought the basket containing the rings.

'Why is everything happening so fast?' She wondered desperately.

Her eyes fell on the small basket lit with colourful lights. It was decorated with rose petals and the two small ring boxes sat at the centre of it.

"Sneha, take it." Ananya whispered to Sneha.

She took the ring out carefully and proceeded to put it on his finger. Ananya gave way for the photographers to take the photos.

Viraj forwarded his hand voluntarily towards her while keeping his eyes on hers. Her hand shivered as she desperately prayed for a disaster to occur so that this disaster would be at least postponed.

But nothing happened.

The ring easily slid on his finger as she marked her ownership on him with the ring as the proof. The chorus of claps made her realize that she had really placed the ring on his ring finger.

Her shivering hands fell near her waist slowly. She could hear her own heartbeat and breath, even in the noise.

It was Viraj's turn now and he took the ring from the basket that Ananya offered.

He gently asked for her left hand which she managed to place on his left hand. He held her palm as if it was a feather that would fly away if he'd not hold it strongly. A small smile graced his lips as he realized that he was just one step away from being her fiance...officially.

He took even less time in sliding the ring onto her ring finger. The cold metal made her feel colder than the temperature maintained in the hall. She was about to pull her hand back when he surprised her by pulling her hand towards his face and kissing the ring on her finger.

"Fiancee." He whispered to her in such a gentle note that she couldn't stop herself from looking up at him. For a moment, she couldn't even believe it was his voice. It sounded so innocent and pure...something she knew a man like Viraj was incapable of!

A chorus of 'congratulation' erupted from all directions making her feel like her ears would burst. Sneha looked in the direction of her family again who was still standing like an odd-one-out.

Her face hung in shame. It was because of her that her family had to go through this nuisance.

Suddenly a strange demand resounded in the hall.

"KISS! KISS! KISS!" Viraj's cousins shouted and Ananya joined them by coming down from the stage.

Sneha looked at Viraj while begging him with her eyes to not do anything inappropriate here. To her horror, he did step forward, closer to her. In embarrassment, she closed her eyes when he was almost an inch from her.

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Hey all!

I hope you liked the chapter. Viraj and Sneha are finally engaged, thankfully, without any drama, although Sneha wanted one.

From now on, we will witness the courtship period of Sneha and Viraj where our lover boy will try to learn and apply a thing or two about romance. Are you excited about it because Viraj is definitely!!!

The spoiler will be revealed soon on Instagram...I can't give a specific date coz I haven't drawn yet.

One last request. This is a comment that I have been noticing a lot on the message board and some DM. So, let's help each other? I thought of posting the question here directly so that you all can share the info. 🙂

Till the next update...Stay safe and blessed!