Next morning

Ved peeked into Priya's room, excitement lighting up his face. "Hey, Priya, guess what? We're going out for lunch today!"

Priya looked up, her eyebrows knitting in surprise. "Lunch? Today? Is there something special going on?"

Ved nodded eagerly. "Yes, there's a surprise waiting for you! So, get ready, make sure you look stunning!"

Priya raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Alright, but you owe me an explanation later.

Ved winked.Priya. Trust me, you'll love the surprise.

Priya's eyes widened as she took in the sight of Ved's parents at the table.inside the restaurant She turned to Ved, her voice a mix of surprise and confusion. "Ved, your parents are here? What's going on?"

Ved's expression softened as he squeezed Priya's hand reassuringly. "Surprise, Priya! I thought it would be wonderful for you to meet my parents. They've been wanting to meet you for a while now."

Priya managed a smile, her cheeks flushed with a mix of emotions. "I...I had no idea. I hope I'm dressed appropriately."

Ved's mother beamed at Priya. "Oh, you look lovely, dear! We've heard so much about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Priya nodded, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. Thank you, it's really nice to meet you too. Thank you for having me.

They sat across to them then ved's dad asked Priya about how did they met and got interested into a stupid man like ved

Ved's father's question caught Priya off guard, and she fidgeted nervously, unsure of how to respond. Ved, noticing her discomfort, gently stepped in, saying, "Dad, let me handle this one. I'll tell you how we met and fell in love."

Priya looked up at Ved, grateful for his support, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Ved proceeded to recount their story, his eyes gleaming with affection. "We met at a friend's party, and despite the initial awkwardness, we hit it off instantly. Priya's wit and charm won me over, and I knew she was the one."

Ved's mother chimed in, "That's so lovely! You two seem like a perfect match."

Ved's father nodded approvingly. "Well, it's good to see you both happy. You've brought a lot of joy to our family."

While they were continue to talk

Alisha's vibrant arrival injected a fresh energy into the group, prompting ved to greet her with a warm smile. "Hey, Alisha, you made it! You're not late at all."

Ram, settling into his seat, let out a chuckle. "Yeah, Alisha's right. I needed a bit of convincing, but here we are."

Alisha playfully nudged Ram, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, it was more like dragging him out of the house! You know how he can be."

Ram grinned, shaking his head in mock protest. "Hey, I just like my cozy evenings with you darling. But  I couldn't miss this either."

Then he steal a glance with priya so looked away

Priya laughed faintly, enjoying the banter between the siblings. "Well, I'm glad you both could make it. It's lovely to have you here."

Ram nodded, a sarcastic smile on his face. "Thank you for having us. I'm looking forward to this."

Alisha clapped her hands, breaking the moment. Alright, let's not waste any more time. I'm dying to know everything.

Ved : bu before tell you that I would like to make an announcement

Ved nodded, a warm smile on his face. "Yes, Alisha, we've been planning this for a while. Dad, go ahead, please."

Ved's dad stood up, a proud gleam in his eyes. "We've come to love Priya as part of our family, and we would be honored to have her as our daughter-in-law. We've decided to have a ring ceremony on Alisha's mehendi to celebrate their love and togetherness."

Alisha squealed with joy, clapping her hands. "Oh my God, this is amazing! Priya, I'm so happy for you both!"

Ved reached for Priya's hand, his voice filled with affection. "I couldn't imagine my life without you, Priya. I can't wait for this next step together."

Alisha beamed, her excitement palpable. "Well, this calls for a celebration! Let's make this evening unforgettable!"

As the room filled with jubilant chatter and excitement, Priya couldn't ignore the fleeting look of frustration on Ram's face. Her own heart was racing with a whirlwind of emotions, unsure of how to react to the sudden announcement. Amidst the joyous commotion, she took a deep breath, trying to compose herself and act wisely for the sake of everyone involved.

Gathering her courage, she turned her gaze to Ved, her lips curving into a tentative smile. It was her way of expressing her willingness to embrace the moment, to show her support for his decision and the happiness it brought to their families. Despite the whirlwind of uncertainty within her, she knew that this was a significant step forward, not just for her and Ved, but for their families as well.

Ram's subtle expression of frustration didn't escape her notice, and she made a mental note to address his feelings later, to offer reassurance and understanding. For now, though, she chose to focus on the unity and joy that enveloped the room, allowing herself to be swept up in the warmth of the occasion, even as her mind grappled with a multitude of emotions.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the laughter of loved ones, Priya resolved to approach this new chapter with an open heart, trusting that with time, everything would fall into place.

Ram's heart sank as he watched the joyous scene unfold before him. The news had hit him hard, and a wave of dejection washed over him, clouding his thoughts with doubt and uncertainty. Amidst the cacophony of laughter and celebration, he grappled with his conflicting emotions, the weight of his own unspoken feelings for Priya heavy on his chest.

But he knew he couldn't let his sorrow show, With a brave smile, he managed to muster a chuckle, masking the ache in his heart. "What a fantastic news this is! Two weddings on the horizon. That's truly something to look forward to."

Deep down, he made a silent promise to himself, a vow to carry on, to cherish the memories they had shared, and to navigate the storm of unrequited love with dignity and grace. As the echoes of laughter and congratulations enveloped the room, Ram resolved to bury his own feelings for Priya deep within, carrying on with a steadfast determination to preserve their cherished friendship, even if it meant enduring the ache of a love left unspoken.

As Priya grappled with her malfunctioning iPad, frustration crept in, compounded by the urgency of the impending meeting. With a determined sigh, she made her way down to the hall, hopeful that the change in location might resolve her connectivity issues. However, her hopes were dashed when she learned that the entire city hotel grappling with an internet outage, attributed to some ominous electrical concern. The news left her feeling a mix of apprehension and inconvenience, realizing that her plans for the evening were quickly unraveling.

As Priya trudged back from the unproductive trip downstairs, frustration gnawed at her, exacerbated by the persistent lack of internet connectivity. The prospect of missing her crucial meeting only added to her mounting irritation. She was lost in thought, grappling with the sudden disruption to her plans when she felt the elevator doors slide open with a soft hum.Startled,

she looked up to find Ram stepping into the elevator alongside her. A brief flicker of surprise crossed her features before she composed herself,

As the elevator doors slid shut, Priya felt a surge of tension coursing through her veins, her heart thudding in her chest. She tried to avert her gaze, hoping to shield her inner turmoil from Ram's keen observation. However, Ram's perceptiveness cut through the silence, his gentle yet probing inquiry hanging heavy in the air, nudging her to confront the source of her unease.

He leaned closer, concern etched into the lines of his face. "Priya, is everything all right? You seem a little distant. Are you trying to hide something from me?"

Priya's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing to find the right words to dispel the rising tension. She felt the weight of Ram's gaze, the intensity of his concern urging her to open up, to share the burdens weighing on her heart. Yet, a stubborn fear rooted deep within her, a fear of exposing her vulnerabilities, held her back.

Before either of them could react, the elevator shuddered to a jarring halt, the sudden cessation of movement accompanied by a disconcerting silence. Priya's breath caught in her throat, her hand instinctively reaching out for the support of the elevator wall as she sought to steady herself in the unsettling darkness.