74

Chapter - 73 (Tangled in red & gold)

The Engagement Ceremony

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“Zoya, breathe!”

“I can’t breathe!” Zoya cried, gripping the edge of the dressing table.

Aarfa, dressed in a stunning pastel peach lehenga, tried not to laugh. “You’ve survived toxic family, heartbreak, kidnapping, and still had perfect eyeliner on — and now you’re panicking because of a ring?”

Zoya gave her the death glare through the mirror. “This is not just a ring. This is a life sentence. With that Akif Malik.”

Aarfa smirked. “A hot, hopelessly-in-love life sentence.”

Zoya groaned as Nida walked in, holding a tiny box. “It’s time,” she sang with a teasing smile. “Now come before Akif dies of nervousness.”

Zoya froze. “He’s nervous?”

“Shivering like a puppy,” Nida winked. “You should’ve seen him when your father told him he’ll have to do a little ‘performance’ in front of the guests.”

“What kind of performance?” Zoya blinked.

“Wait and watch,” Aarfa grinned. “You’re not the only one who’s going to be embarrassed today.”

---

The garden was glowing.

Literally.

Fairy lights draped over every tree, red and golden cloth flowing with the breeze, chandeliers twinkling like stars above them. A wide stage stood decorated in marigolds and roses. The entire vibe screamed:

> “They fought for this moment, and they deserve to shine.”

Zoya walked in, heart thumping inside her red lehenga, a gentle silver nose ring catching the light, and her anklet softly ringing with each step.

And then—

She saw him.

Standing at the far end, dressed in an elegant off-white sherwani, embroidered with the smallest golden detailing, Akif Malik looked like a daydream wrapped in royalty.

His eyes were already stuck on her.

She smiled nervously.

He... forgot to breathe.

“You okay?” Ayaan nudged him, laughing. “You look like you're about to faint.”

“I’m just... scared I’ll mess this up,” Akif whispered.

“You’ve already won, bro. Look at her.”

---

The crowd clapped as the couple was called up on stage.

Zoya reached him, and without a word, Akif gently took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

The crowd collectively melted.

“I can’t feel my legs,” she whispered nervously.

“Lean on me then,” he smiled.

“Shut up.”

“Say please.”

She elbowed him with a blush.

---

The Ring Exchange

Their families gathered close as the rings were presented. Zoya’s father stood proudly beside her, and Akif’s mother couldn’t stop crying behind her tissue.

“Beta, stop wiping your tears, it’ll smudge your makeup!” Akif’s dad hissed.

“Let it smudge. My baby is getting engaged!” she sobbed harder.

Everyone laughed.

Akif took Zoya’s hand and slid the delicate diamond ring onto her finger — his eyes never left hers.

“You’re mine now,” he whispered so only she could hear.

She bit back a grin, sliding his ring on. “I was yours the moment you looked at me in that library.”

Everyone clapped and cheered, throwing petals and clicking pictures.

Suddenly—

“Wait!” Zoya’s dad shouted. “Where’s the performance?”

Akif froze. "What?!"

Zoya burst out laughing.

Ayaan and Aarfa pushed him forward. “You made the promise,” Aarfa grinned.

Akif groaned. “You’re all evil.”

And then—Akif Malik, the silent, broody future CEO, sang.

With a guitar.

“Dil Diyan Gallan,” his deep voice shy, yet perfectly romantic.

Zoya’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t stop smiling.

By the time he finished, half the guests were wiping tears and the rest were screaming.

She jumped off the stage and hugged him tightly.

“You idiot. You didn’t tell me you could sing.”

“Only for you,” he whispered into her hair.

---

The rest of the evening was filled with:

Ayaan tripping during his couple dance with Aarfa.

Zoya’s mom crying and calling her daughter “a grown-up woman now!”

Akif’s dad yelling “Baraat ka dance toh main hi lead karunga!”

Everyone teasing Akif: “CEO banne ka plan hai ya dulha banne ka?!”

Zoya and Akif stole quiet moments in corners — pinky fingers tangled, eyes full of love.

She leaned on his shoulder during the final group photo, whispering, “So... this is real?”

He looked down at her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“It’s just the beginning.”

---

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