Chapter 24- Plan to Propose

Amrita and Shivanesh has been dating for about 2 years now. Both have grown and flourish in their career and relationship. Shivanesh has made a name in the music industry. Almost the whole country has heard of his work at least once. He even won a few awards for Best Lyricist. Having Amrita there by his side to be a continuous support for him has made him grow into a better person.

Amrita also finished her studies and has found a job in a renowned IT company. Her talent is very much recognized at work. Everyone who works with her is always pleasured to work with her. Her intelligence and skills have allowed her to grow very much in her career. She was even offered to complete a short-term assignment in Australia and has been travelling and learning a lot since then.

Even with such busy schedules, Amrita and Shivanesh always think of each other. Amrita is so happy that even with her travelling a lo for work, Shivanesh never complained. Instead, he has been a supportive boyfriend who is always proud of all her achievements and recognition, regardless of how small they are. Because of his love and support, she feels like she can concur the world. He has made her feel special in every step of the way. Whenever she was having a hard time or bumped into any difficulties, he has always helped her overcome them. He kept his promise that he would always love her, regardless of what she chooses to co.

Amrita’s love for Shivanesh was growing stronger as days goes by as his love for her was beyond anything. Shivanesh always feels invincible whenever Amrita is by his side. Slowly they both were becoming soulmates who loves each other beyond the world.

Shivanesh was starting to slowly feel the urge to wanting to marry Amrita. Every second away from her was torturous to him now. He wants to be able to love her as much as she deserves. He felt like he wants things to finally be definite for the both of them. He decided to propose her in the most beautiful way he could think of as Amrita deserves all the beautiful thing in the world. But first, he wanted to know if Amrita ever any thoughts for marriage had as it was his promise that he will never push her to do something she does not want to do.

 Both Amrita and Shivanesh was supposed to go out for dinner as Amrita just came back from work trip in Philippines. Shivanesh decided to just have a small discussion about marriage with Amrita during dinner just to understand her thoughts on marriage. But he knows he needs to be extra careful with how he puts it so Amrita does not get any clue that he was planning to propose to her. So he decided to speak about his friend who was getting married soon.

He finally brought up the topic when they were having dessert. “You remember my friend, Sanjay?” Shivanesh started.

“Yeah. Your senior who eventually became your friend during college. What about him?” Amrita asked.

“Well, he is getting married next month. He asked me to bring you along. Do you want to go? I have given him an answer yet,” Shivanesh said.

“Yeah. Of course. It would be fun and it was sweet of him to invite me too. I would definitely go with you,” Amrita said.

“I wonder though. What would have made him to want to get married? I mean I never remember seeing a proper happy marriage. Don’t get me wrong. I am not against the idea of marriage, but I don’t really know what to expect or imagine in a marriage,” Shivanesh said.

“I see my parents growing up and they have been the best example to me to what marriage would be. Happiness and love that never ends. Seeing them, I believe the saying that marriage is a blessing. Seeing my parents, I do feel I want to get married,” Amrita said.

“I guess you are right. I mean having someone to be with you and love you till end of time. That sounds nice. On the other side, my mother has been pressuring me into getting married. but I am not very sure,” Shivanesh said.

Amrita giggled. “Your mom is cute.” Amrita then wink and said “Maybe you should,” before standing up and walking towards the exit.

Shivanesh looked at Amrita walking out, shocked of the short signal she just sent him. He smiled to himself as he walked out with her. “I am definitely marrying you,” Shivanesh thought to himself. he is finally sure that it is time he proposed to her. No more waiting.

That night, he started to plan on how he wanted to propose to Amrita. There is so much he wants to. He knows Amrita is a simple girl but he wants to go a bit grand with the proposal cause he cannot help but think that if he was to do the one time in your life proposal he is definitely doing it in a way both of them will never forget.

First of all, he called Amrita’s father. He knows that he this is what he has to do before even planning a proposal. He wants to meet Amrita’s father to properly ask him for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

“Hi, Uncle. Can I meet you tomorrow?” Shivanesh said.

“Yeah sure. Is lunch time okay for you?” Amrita’s father suggested.

“Sure, Uncle. We can go somewhere near your workplace if it is okay,” Shivanesh said.

“Sure. There is an Indian restaurant near my office. We can meet there,” Amrita’s father said.

“Okay, Uncle. See you then. Good night,” Shivanesh said before ending the call.

The next day, Shivanesh arrived 10 minutes earlier than promised. He was so nervous that he could not sleep last night. She was so sure that if he get more nervous then this, he would pee in his pants. He took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves. He felt more nervous than he was when he wanted to ask permission to court this man’s daughter. He waited nervously, saying all the prayers he knows, hoping that things work out well.

After about 15 minutes of waiting at the restaurant, he saw Amrita’s father walk in. Shivanesh was sure he was so close to having a heart attack and loosing his mind because he was nervous. He quickly woke up to great Amrita’s father when he approached the table.

As they say, Amrita’s father asked, “So, why did you want to meet me today?”

“Well, firstly, to have lunch together and discuss something with you. Buy why don’t we order the food first and we can continue after, is that alright?” Shivanesh said and called the waiter. He was hoping that this would help him calm his nerves, but nothing helped at the moment.

After ordering their food, Shivanesh finally decided to just get the conversation he has been nervously preparing for the whole day on and over with as he is so close to having a panic attack at the moment.

“So, Uncle. The reason I called you for a meet is to properly ask you something,” Shivanesh said and looked at Amrita’s father. When he was sure he has the elder’s attention, he continued. “I would like to ask your permission to marry your daughter. I love her so much and grown to love her more and I wish to take our relationship to another level. I can’t imagine a life without her anymore. I wish to now marry her and live with her till end of my life. But that is only if I get a yes from you. I have a lot of respect for you and you are the kind of father I would want to be when I have kids. So your permission to marry your daughter means a lot to me,” Shivanesh said.

Amrita’s father laughed and said, “You are pretty traditional and probably one of the reasons I like you. But you definitely know how to make and old man nervous”. He then continued, “Shiva, as a father, it is very hard for me to see my daughter leave my side and I have to admit, I do get jealous when my daughter loves another man. But also, as a father all I can hope and pray that my daughter would find a guy who loves her as much as I do so he can take good care of her and protect her when I am not in this world. I have seen how much you respect my daughter and love her. I have to admit that I do trust you with my daughter and in these 2 years, you have definitely showed us how much you love Amrita. So if I am ever to get my daughter married, it would be to you, young man.”

“Thank you, Uncle. I promise to do my best to care, love and protect Amrita as her husband,” Shivanesh said.

“So, do you have a plan to ask her?” Amrita’s father asked Shivanesh.

“Yes. I do and I am currently planning. Haven’t decide on how yet. I wanted to ask you permission first before moving forward,” Shivanesh said.

“Well, you have my permission and blessing,” Amrita’s father said.   

After lunch, Shivanesh went back, relaxed and started to make a list of things he needs to do before the proposal. He has decided to propose Amrita on her birthday the next week, after contemplating on when to do it. He wanted to do it soon and felt this date would be the best. He called his sister, Sumithra for help.

“I am planning to propose to Amrita, and I am needing your help,” Shivanesh stopped and smiled when he heard squealing on the other side. He knew his sister has got excited. So, he continued after the squealing stopped. “Thought of going shopping tonight. Are you free”?

“Yes!! Yes!! Oh my God!! I would be honoured to go with you,” Sumithra said.

“Great. I will pick you up from college once I am done with work. Is that okay?” Shivanesh asked.

“Yes. I will wait for you,” Sumithra said before they both ended the call.

After hanging up the call, Shivanesh started doing research on the best places to get the things he needs especially a ring. He went through many websites and did a few phone calls to his close friends to know more.

In the evening, he picked Sumithra at her college and headed to the one place he was sure of getting the ring after much research and recommendation, Diamonds & Platinum. When they went in, Shivanesh straight walked up to a sales lady and told her that he was looking for an engagement ring. He was then seated in front of a showcase which had many beautiful rings arranged in them.

“So, sir. Are you looking for a diamond ring or is there other stones you wish to get?” the sales lady, Joan asked.

“Diamonds would look really good on her. I will get a diamond ring,” Shivanesh said.

“Okay. Is there any specification you are looking for? Size or cuts?” Joan asked again.

“Not so sure on the size but not too big. I think I would go with excellent cut. Something simple and beautiful,” Shivanesh said.

“How about you tell me more about you fiancé and I could help suggest to you some designs,” Joan said.

Shivanesh then briefly told Joan about Amrita. Her personality, her looks, her preference. Anything that could help Joan select the designs of the ring.

After listening to Shivanesh’s explanation, Joan took out 5 designs. She explained each of the ring design and diamond story. Among all the rings, Shivanesh was attracted to a ring with a round diamond on the top with smaller diamond embedded on the top half of the ring. “the round diamong on the ring was called the Queen’s diamond. He was contemplating between that and another ring which was simpler than the one he was attracted to. Knowing that Amrita is a very simple girl, he was afraid that she might not like it.

“Sumi. Within this two, which you think is better?” Shivanesh asked his sister.

“I think this one with the Queen’s diamond on it. The other is too simple. She is your Queen, isn’t she?” Sumithra said.

“I agree. It would look gorgeous on her,” Shivanesh agreed with his sister. He then turned to the sales lady and said, “I will take this one.”

“Good choice, sir. Before I pack it up, let me explain to your about the warranty for this ring,” Joan said and continued to explain everything to Shivanesh. Once she was done explaining, Joan took the ring to pack it in a special box.

While waiting, Sumithra asked, Ëxcellent cut? How did u even know about diamond cuts?”

“I researched on it earlier. Want to get her the best cause she is the best thing that ever happened in my life,” Shivanesh said.

“True. Do you have a plan to how you are going to give her the ring?” Sumithra asked.

“Next Saturday is Amrita’s birthday. I was planning to work with her parents to have a surprise birthday celebration for her and propose to her then,” Shivanesh explained.

“Well. That sounds like a solid plan. What else do you need my help with? I am so excited right now,” Sumithra said.

“After this, I need to choose her beautiful dress for her to wear during the celebration,” Shivanesh said.

That night, with Sumithra’s help, Shivanesh was able to find the ring, dress and shoes for Amrita. They also managed to find a proper venue for them to have the celebration. He ordered flowers and other items he would need next week. Now, all he has to do is fine tune the plan he has and pray that everything moves smoothly according to the plan.