Chapter 12

Mayank sat at the airport. The last few days had been tiring for him. Physically and mentally.

He had a bunch of meetings to attend and a lot of work to do. Now, he was finally going home.

But his mind went onto his marriage. He saw the wedding ring resting on his finger. He hadn't removed it. Why not? He thought to himself, he could remove it. But then why wouldn't he?

"Hello?" He said as he answered the phone, which had pulled him out of his trance.

"Mayank," Maya Datta said, "Is the flight on time? Is everything okay?"

"Yes Mom. All good. I'll be back by tonight. I'll come meet you before I go."

"No no. That's alright. You go home and rest. Niharika must be waiting for you as well. Don't keep her waiting more. But either tonight or tomorrow you both come and have lunch with us. I've been trying to contact her but I am not able to."

What happened to her? He thought. "Oh. Is she okay? When did you last talk to her?"

"We spoke last night. I haven't spoken to her yet. But it's alright. It's only 8am. Maybe she's still asleep. I'll call her again in a bit."

Mayank hummed in response. "I need to go now, Mom. I'll text you when I land."

"Alright beta. Have a safe flight." She said and hung up.

Where is Niharika? He thought. His hands instantly went towards the WhatsApp icon as he opened her chat. The last message was her message. The simple 'okay' she sent when he informed her about his trip to Italy. Sighing, he sent her a text.

'Hey. How are you? Mom said you weren't replying. Is everything okay?'

Two ticks. It's delivered, but she's not read it.

At least she has WiFi, he thought.

As his boarding started, he pondered upon the message. Why hasn't replied yet? Maybe she's still sleeping. But it's now 8:45. She doesn't sleep till that long. Does she?

~•~

Niharika got up with a jolt. 10am!

Oh God, she thought, I slept for way too long. She looked at her sleeping friend beside her. She smiled and covered her with the blanket before stepping into the bathroom and brushing her teeth and taking a warm shower.

She came out in shorts and a top and tried to find her phone. Where was it? She thought.

Last night was a blur for her. She didn't drink. She doesn't drink. But she had so much fun with Siya that she forgot half the things. She forgot about her loveless marriage. She forgot her duties as a wife and daughter-in-law. In that night, she was only Niharika: Siya's friend.

But now, she had to get back.

Finally finding her phone, she opened it to a bunch of calls and texts. But one text that caught her eye was his text. It was sent 2 hours ago. Then it hit her. Her mother-in-law and her mother would have called her, but she didn't reply because she was asleep.

Groaning, she quickly called Maya. Maya picked up within the second ring, "Hello!"

"Aunty, I'm so sorry," Niharika started, "I had my friend over yesterday and we got lost in talks and we were having dinner and uske baad we got talking and I completely lost track of time. She stayed over here at night and I just wok—"

Maya chuckled, stopping Niharika's rant, "Arre! It's completely alright. You don't have to say sorry for spending time with your friend. Or that your friend is staying. I'm glad you had company. I was just calling because I wanted to ask you two to come over. Either today or tomorrow."

Wait, does that mean he's coming back today or tomorrow? She thought, I can't directly ask.

"Uh, sure. Once he's back." She said.

"Alright then beta. I have some work to do. I'll see you soon." She said and cut the call.

Niharika gazed. Was he coming back today? She then remembered his message. What would she reply? She gazed at it. Without thinking much, she replied, 'Hi. I called her. All good.'

"Nihu!" Siya said, "Is all okay?"

"Yes yes. All good. Come have breakfast." She said, setting the table for her friend.

The girls then spent the day together again. Siya had gotten her laptop, so the girls worked. They had their lunch and continued to do their work together.

"I'm going to go home now." Siya said, "It's 5:30pm, late hogya hai."

Niharika chuckled, "Thanks for spending the day with me. And the night. It really helped me."

"Anything for you, babe. Chal, I'll see you soon. Take care and let me know!" She said and left.

And Niharika felt alone again. She got up and made herself a cup of coffee when she heard a knock at the door. Siya! Can't stay away for even a little. She chuckled and went to the door.

"Siyu! Abhi toh gayi thhi, waapu—" her words died in her mouth as she saw the figure in front on her.

Mayank.

Mayank was surprised to see her. And what was that about Siya? He looked at her, taking in her state. She looked so good. Shut up, he thought.

"Hi." She stammered, surprised to see him.

"Hey." He replied.

They stayed in an awkward silence for a second, until she moved away, "Uh, sorry. Come..."

Mayank chuckled slightly, only for him to hear, and then entered. He saw the house in a mess, leaving him shocked. It wasn't very messy, but it looked like the house had been used. A lot.

Niharika noticed him looking and instantly felt embarrassed. Her cheeks turned red as she tried to defend herself, "Uh, I... actually Siya was here. And we were talking.... And we got a little—"

"It's alright." Mayank gently interrupted her, "I didn't mean to call you out, if it felt that way."

Niharika's shoulders relaxed, "Thanks. I... I'll clean it up."

She was about to leave but he stopped her, "We have to go to Mom Dad's place, let's go."

"We're leaving now?" She asked, "I need to change." Mayank nodded. He was about to settle himself on the couch when she spoke again, "You don't need to change?"

"No. I'm good." He said and sat down.

"Oh. Okay." She said and went inside.

She got changed in a simple kurta and jeans and put on a bindi, and braided her hair. Then, she went back outside. Mayank sat on the couch, losing his tie and removing one button of his skirt, after rolling up his sleeves. He felt relaxed.

"I'm ready." She said, standing by the door.

He looked up at her and hummed in response, before walking with her and heading outside into the car.

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