“So, a husband is just an unfortunate requirement?”
“No.” She laughed softly, shaking her head. “What I truly want is someone who is willing to work at navigating life with me. Marriage will be only as good an idea as the quality of partner I find. If he turns out to be a mismatch, then I’ll have to deal with the fallout, too. But I can’t give up the possibility of getting everything I want because I am scared of failure.”
Hearing her talk, Rian was reminded of a poem Kaya had quoted to him once, a line from which he had never forgotten. It'd suggested that the existence of a mature mind and a romantic heart in the same body was a tragedy. Perhaps the poet had met a woman like Aditi to have written those words and maybe it was the reflection of this emotion that had drawn him to her and kept him invested. Because he saw the dichotomy in the person she was and though it might frustrate others, it fascinated him. Someone else might need her to fit into a mould that was easier to understand. He wouldn’t.
He wanted her exactly as she was. Unequivocally.
As for what she wanted, he could give her that. Romance, and a life of responsibility—both.
He could wait until she fell in love with him also, seeing more to their relationship than a temporary fling. He wouldn’t allow any experience in her life to fall under the category of a tragedy. As long as he was alive, Aditi would only know triumph.
“Doc?” he called, a sudden peace falling upon him when his path forward became clear.
“Hmm?”
“Do you remember the question you asked me earlier this evening?”
Brows furrowed, she turned to face him, the slight shake of her head indicating her confusion.
“You asked if I was sure I didn’t want to marry you.”
She straightened, goosebumps breaking out across her skin as he stepped closer.
“The answer is yes. I do.” He clasped the tips of her fingers in his hand. “I want to marry you.”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
“I’m not joking.”
She tried to step back, needing space to stop herself from falling for his words, only for his grip to tighten.
“You don’t want marriage,” she reminded herself as much as him.
“But you do,” he replied, tugging her into him, his arm encircling her waist so that she couldn’t distance herself anymore. “And I,” he emphasised, his voice dropping an octave, “want you.”
Aditi opened her mouth, closing it ineffectually when her mind refused to cooperate. She felt like she’d been thrust into a vacuum where only Rian existed with her.
He was all she could see and hear. Him, his silver eyes stripping away her defences, his words building a world she’d been too afraid to imagine. She felt trapped with longing for what he could give her. Warm fingers slid under her chin, keeping her arrested.
“I don't know if I’ll make a good husband but your standards seem so low, I might have a chance at making you happy. You want a partner who isn’t perfect but willing to learn? I can be him. Whatever you need, ask me. So no more of those stupid matrimonial dates, okay?”
At her incredulous huff, he continued, determined to make her understand how serious he was.
“If I have to see another person sit across from you, looking at you like he has a shot at taking you home, I’ll end up going insane from curbing my jealousy. For their sake and mine, stop going on dates with other men.”
Aditi was certain she looked as dumbstruck as she felt. “You were jealous?”
“Unhinged, to be precise.”
He brought her hand up and placed a soft kiss on her open palm, one that she felt in her bones.
“Say yes,” he prompted, his eyes boring into her like he would see into her soul and mesmerise even those parts that weren't already under his spell.
“Yes,” she heard herself breathlessly whisper.
The absolute feeling of victory that shook his being was unexplainable. Rian wanted to hide away from the world with just Aditi, rejoicing in her acceptance. He stepped back, knowing that if he kept touching her, he’d end up kissing her in public and giving the partygoers a live show.
“Let’s go, Doc.”