Model-actor Mahek Chahal was declared the first runner-up of the reality show Bigg Boss season 5.

And while she did not make it to the top spot on the show, she was rewarded with a pleasant surprise: her computer engineer boyfriend Danish Khan proposed to her on national television!

"I am happy and it was so beautiful," says Mahek, who accepted the offer.

But back to the show.

"Juhi Parmar definitely deserves to win the title because she is the only contestant who was there in the house from start to finish," says Mahek and disagrees with those who say Juhi won because of her bahu image (Juhi gained recognition with Kumkum, a daily soap in which she played the character of the perfect daughter-in-law) and huge fan following.

"This show is all about your complete personality. I don't think she won because of any image... she spoke where she had to and didn't speak when it wasn't required."

Mahek admits that the first time she was evicted "I thought that is the end of my Bigg Boss journey. But I got called again through a wild card entry and that was my biggest victory.

"I am very happy that people loved me so much during the show. It really didn't matter who won because all the five finalists are the winners."

Mahek says that the show is not rigged because everything is decided by the janta, the people. "You don't know how the janta will vote. Evicted contestants create unnecessary controversies."

And what about the rumours -- Pooja Bedi even tweeted about it -- that Salman Khan was favouring her?

"I have nothing against Pooja; I wish her all the best. I really don't know why she has been tweeting about it. It's fair game and god bless her."

So didn't the controversies affect her at all?

"No. People will talk but I know what I am. People with whom I have worked know how I am and the janta liked me for the person I was in the house."

The most frustrating moments in the house, she says, was having to see people she didn't like all the time.

"Sometimes when you fight with a person, you don't want to see that person's face for a couple of days. I mostly had fights with Sky. But in the Bigg Boss house, you see them the next moment. That is the most frustrating part, but you have to deal with it."

For her, the show has served its purpose. "Bigg Boss is a beautiful journey. I will always remember it. The show has definitely given me exposure. Now more people know who Mahek is."

Akashdeep Saigal -- or Sky -- made nasty comments about her on national television. Will she ever forgive him or be his friend? 

"I haven't got the time to speak to him at all. As far as friendship is concerned, I really can't say anything. We will see in the future, but for now, we are not the best friends and can't be."

So, what's next? 

"After I was eliminated I got several offers (movie and TV shows), but I told them that my contract with the show was not over and I had to go back inside the house, so once the show ends, only then I can consider the offers."

Meanwhile, Mahek claims marriage to boyfriend Danish Khan is very far away even though she said yes to his proposal during the finale.

"We aren't married, we don't intend to get married for a long time," she says. "We only got engaged. I know him for years, from the time I was a child in Norway. He is a simple computer technician with a 9 to 5 job in Norway. For me, right now, it's just work work work."

Apparently, Salman Khan is quite upset with his link-ups with Mahek.

Says a friend of Salman, "The Mahek rumours really annoyed Salman because he treats her like a kid. He isn't too kicked by the idea of being linked with every girl he is friendly with."

Says a source, "Marriage isn't part of Mahek's plans right now. It never was. The idea was to just let the world know she is in a committed relationship and not open to speculation about a khaas dosti with Salman."