Chapter 50: Some Stories Don’t End

Back to the City

The city lights shimmered in the distance, a stark contrast to the hell they had just escaped. The warmth of civilization, of normalcy, felt almost unreal after everything they had been through.

But Karan wasn't driving home.

Instead, he slowed the car and pulled up near a small shop on the main street.

Aryan frowned. "Uh… why are we stopping?"

Karan grinned. "We need outfits."

Naina raised an eyebrow. "Outfits? For what?"

Karan leaned back against the seat, stretching his arms. "For a wedding plan, obviously."

Riya blinked. "What?"

Karan sighed dramatically. "Not an actual wedding, Riya. Just… go inside and pick something nice."

Riya glanced at Naina and Aryan, who both looked surprisingly unfazed.

Something was off.

But before she could question it, Karan waved them toward the store. "Come on! Pick something fancy."

Still confused but too exhausted to argue, they stepped into the shop.

Fifteen minutes later, they were back on the road, now dressed in more elegant outfits—Riya in a beautiful navy-blue dress, Naina in an emerald-green one, Aryan in a sharp formal suit, and Karan in a sleek blazer.

And still, Riya had no clue what was happening.

"Karan," she finally asked, narrowing her eyes. "Where are we going?"

Karan smirked. "You'll see."

A few minutes later, he stopped the car again—this time, in front of a beautifully decorated hall.

Twinkling fairy lights covered the entrance, soft music played from inside, and the faint murmur of voices and laughter filled the air.

Riya's frown deepened. "What is this?"

Karan grinned and turned to her.

Then—he pulled out a blindfold.

Riya stepped back. "No way."

Karan laughed. "Come on, trust me."

Riya groaned. "This better not be a prank."

"It's not."

She sighed but let him tie the blindfold.

Karan turned to Naina and Aryan. "You two—come with me."

Aryan smirked. "With pleasure."

Naina chuckled. "Let's get this over with."

With Karan guiding Riya by the hand, they stepped into the hall.

The second they entered—cheers erupted.

"SURPRISE!"

Riya froze.

Karan untied the blindfold, revealing a beautifully decorated engagement party.

Dozens of familiar faces smiled at her—friends, colleagues, people she hadn't seen in weeks. The room was adorned with flowers, candles, and a small stage set up at the front.

Riya gasped. "What… is this?"

Karan smirked. "Our engagement party."

Riya's mouth fell open. "What?!"

Karan chuckled. "Surprise."

She turned to Aryan and Naina, glaring. "You two knew?!"

Aryan grinned. "Oh, yeah."

Naina laughed. "We've known for weeks."

Riya shook her head, still processing. "But… but everything happened so fast—the hospital case, the cult, the temple—"

Karan took her hands, his expression softening.

"That's exactly why I planned this."

She blinked, surprised by the sincerity in his voice.

"After everything we've been through… we needed something good to happen." He squeezed her hands. "So, before all the chaos started, Aryan, Naina, and I set this up."

Riya's heart swelled. "You… planned all this?"

Karan smirked. "Of course. Did you really think I'd propose without making a scene?"

Riya laughed, shaking her head.

"You're unbelievable."

"And yet," Karan teased, "you love me anyway."

She rolled her eyes—but smiled.

Then, Karan took a deep breath, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a ring.

Riya's breath hitched.

"Karan…"

He smirked. "I was going to do this later, but…" He got down on one knee.

The room fell silent.

Riya's hands covered her mouth.

Karan looked up at her, his expression sincere, unguarded.

"We've fought demons. Survived hell. I literally saw my life flash before my eyes multiple times this week." He chuckled. "But if there's one thing I'm absolutely sure of, Riya… it's you."

Her eyes shimmered.

Karan grinned. "So, will you officially agree to marry this idiot?"

Riya laughed through her tears.

And without hesitation, she whispered—

"Yes."

The room erupted into cheers.

Karan slid the ring onto her finger, then pulled her into a deep kiss.

Aryan smirked, nudging Naina. "I think we did good."

Naina grinned. "For once, yeah."

The night went on with laughter, music, and celebration.

For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no danger.

No death.

No darkness lurking around the corner.

Aryan still felt the burned sigil on his hand.

A reminder.

A mark of the war they had fought.

But as he looked around at his friends—laughing, dancing, happy—he realized something important.

Yes, some battles never truly end.

Yes, the past would always linger.

But here, in this moment—they had won.

And for now—

That was enough.

But some stories don't end.