Chapter 11

3 weeks had passed since the marriage. And things weren't better. Mayank had refused to accept this marriage, and Niharika had come to terms with the fact that he wasn't going to accept this marriage.

At first, she was upset, but then she realized that she's wasting her time being upset. She took a week to come to terms with it. She tried her best. But it wasn't entirely his fault. His schedule had become extra busy after marriage. It was also because he took up more work—to act as an escape from his marriage. But, he was busy.

And so was she. Adjusting to her new life wasn't easy. Personally or proportionally. But she had managed really well.

Currently, it was 8am. Niharika had the option of 3 days in office and 2 days at home. So, being a Friday, she chose to stay at home. But she was not used to so much silence. Usually, when she'd wake up, she'd hear the soft brewing of the coffee that Mayank would make, or the faint sound of the footsteps across the apartment. But today, she heard nothing.

So, she got up. After brushing her teeth, she went outside, only to find the house empty. Where was he? She thought. On normal days, they would say good morning to each other before he would take off in his car and she would use hers. Despite working in the same company, his office was in another building. And he didn't want to reveal their marriage to the world, so they chose to stay separate.

She looked around. Empty.

What would she do now? She can't message him. They haven't texted in over two years. Even more. Now what?

She came back to her room, sighing in defeat. Then, she took her phone out to message her family when she noticed a message from an unknown number.

'Niharika, it's me Mayank. I am flying to Italy for a few days for a conference. Will be back soon. Take care.'

She stared at the phone in disbelief. A faint coating of tears were forming around her eyes but she was quick to hide them. Hide them from who, she thought, I'm alone here anyways.

Masking her feelings, she sent him a text back. A very simple one. Just a word. 'Okay.'

Then, she called her parents and in-laws as she always does, successfully hiding the silent crack in her heart at yet another rejection by her husband. It's not like she wanted him to be her husband from day one, but she wanted him to try: the same way she was ready to try.

She stepped into the warm shower where she recalled all the events that led up to this day. Why did I say yes? She thought to herself, I did not need to say yes. Groaning, she finally stepped out and changed into shorts and at top.

Then, she got her laptop and sat to work.

Meanwhile Mayank, who was at the airport awaiting his flight, saw her message. Just an okay. He thought, she couldn't have said anything more?

He didn't know what to make of this. Maybe this is how she always texted? He tried to convince himself. But he knew he was lying to himself. She didn't text like this. She's a yapper. Just not with you, he had a self talk.

He knew he was wrong in shutting her out. But he didn't want to give her the hopes of a marriage because when you start giving someone hopes, it's very difficult to stop. He didn't want to go down a road which he knew had a dead end. He didn't know what the future held. Maybe they would eventually come to terms and start behaving like a couple. Or maybe they would eventually just divorce.

Who knew?

But right now, he didn't want to be involved in this. He was dealing with a breakup which he had not too long ago—7 months back. And he definitely didn't want to get married. He didn't know if he still had feelings for his ex, but he didn't have feelings for her.

"Sir, please switch off your phone. We're about to take off." The flight attendant brought him back to reality. He nodded and did as she said.

~•~

"Oh come on!" Siya said, "You're alone anyway! Can we come over?"

"I don't know how he would feel if there's people at his house. Don't you think it would be strange? I mean—"

"Babe, with all due respect, he didn't even bother telling you that he's flying to Italy when he must have left for the airport at like 5/6am. Do you really think you owe him a message to inform him if there's someone at your house?"

Niharika stayed silent for a second. Then nodded, "You're right. Come over."

She had been working alone for the 5 hours and now she was bored. She needed someone. So, she called her best friend, who after hearing about Mayank's behaviour, was extremely angry but was trying to keep herself together for her friend. Niharika got to cooking dinner for them.

Siya arrived in around 45 minutes. She went to her best friend, who was cooking and started to rant directly, "Man! What does he think of himself? He can't just shun you out like that? What type of a husband is that? If I we—"

"Siya," Niharika interrupted gently, "This marriage has been forced on him. And he was always against it. He was the only one who voiced it. So we can't blame him for being cold."

"Nihu, it's not like you were sitting ready for it either. You didn't expect or want it, but you were ready to try."

"I know," Niharika sighed, "But not everyone is the same and we can't expect the same things from everyone."

"Don't you know him from school? Was he like this then?"

Niharika pondered for a while, "I don't know. I guess so. I mean, we would talk a lot but it was all directed towards school work or cricket or something. We never really had any deep talks."

"Hmmm," Siya said, "So now what?"

"Now what?" Niharika repeated.

"What are you going to do about this? This name sake marriage you're in. I mean, you are even wearing your sindoor and mangalsutra when the guy has left you."

"He hasn't left me. He's just gone abroad."

"Nihu, bestie, being delulu is not the solulu." Siya exclaimed.

Niharika crossed her arms and looked at her friend, before the two of them burst into laughter.

Once they settled, she said, "Maybe you're right. But I don't know what to do. My and his parents have a lot of hopes from us that we are trying and I've told them we are. If they find out I lied, it'll be horrible. Plus, we just have to stay civil when we're around people. That's all."

"That's all?" Siya blurted, "Nihu, a marriage needs love, trust and growth. You aren't getting that here. What are you gonna do?"

"I don't know Siya. It's not even been a month since we married and you're talking about divorce." Niharika complained, "Let's just see how it goes. For now, have this." Niharika gave her friend a piece of cake she made and the two girls feasted.

~•~

Coming back to his hotel room felt odd. He was starting to get used to the faint lavender scent that had taken over their apartment. He was used to walking to this scent every evening and it would calm me home—even thought he didn't realize it.

His phone ringing pulled him back. Looking at the caller ID, he smiled.

"Hi Mom." He said, putting his AirPods in.

"Mayank! How are you? Did you reach safely? Did you eat? How was work?"

He chuckled, "Relax Mom. I am good. I reached safely. I ate. And work was good. How are you?"

"I'm good. I wanted to tell you that Debo's daughter's marriage has gotten fixed. So we all are attending it. I wanted you to—"

"Wait," he interrupted lightly, "Mom. Can we talk about this when I'm back? I don't want to attend a wedding right now. Niharika and I are still—"

"Niharika, I know, will manage. Plus she is okay with coming."

"How do you know?" He pondered.

"Mayank! She calls me everyday. I told her this morning. And she said she would let me know based on her schedule but she said it should be okay. But there's one thing, we have to attend a function at Indore as well, her home town."

She calls everyday? Mayank thought, I never knew that. I didn't expect her to.

"Mayank?" Maya's voice brought him back.

"Huh? Yes. Umm, Indore? Mom, can we please talk about this once I'm back? When is the wedding?"

"It's in 2 weeks. You are coming back in 3 days so I expect this to be discussed then. I'm letting this go right now only because I haven't been able to talk to Niharika about it."

"Okay Mom. We'll both talk about it to you once I'm back. Anything else?"

"Yes." Maya said, her tone softening. "You should be very happy you have Niharika as your wife. She's a beautiful soul. Keeps the family together every single day."

Mayank gazed at the couch, pondering over his mother's words. He had been caught off-guard ever since he was told that she calls every day. And now, she was seamlessly making her way into his parent's hearts.

"As you say, Mom." he finally replied.

They spoke for a little bit more until she cut the call. Mayank, as he kept his AirPods down, gazed outside.

Was she really as Mom is portraying her to be? He thought to himself.

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