Chapter 38

The sun filtered through the large windows of the living room as Niharika placed a notebook on the coffee table, its cover filled with her neatly written notes for the anniversary party. She sat cross-legged on the couch, dressed in a loose kurta and leggings. Her hair was tied back in a low ponytail, a few stray strands framing her face as she concentrated on the details for the event.

Mayank entered the room with two mugs of coffee, setting one down in front of her before sitting on the opposite couch. His eyes briefly lingered on her, noting the way she adjusted her kurta, tugging it over her stomach almost absentmindedly. He frowned but didn't say anything.

"Okay," she said, breaking the silence, "so we've finalized the guest list. Your parents said around fifty people, right?"

He nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "Yeah. Mostly family and a few close friends. Nothing too extravagant."

She scribbled a note. "That makes it easier. We'll need to coordinate with the caterer and finalize the menu by tomorrow."

"Already done," Mayank said, leaning back with a small smirk. "Dad and I handled it this morning. You're the one lagging behind."

Niharika shot him a look, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "You could've told me. I spent half an hour making a list of potential dishes."

"Efficiency, Niharika," he teased, the corner of his mouth quirking up.

Her smile faltered for just a second before she masked it with a laugh. "Fine. Then you're in charge of decorations too. Let's see how efficient you are with that."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "No way. That's your department. I don't trust myself to match colors and themes."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. The playful banter eased the tension in the room, but beneath it, Niharika still felt a lingering heaviness in her chest.

~•~

Later that afternoon, they sat with his parents, Maya and Madhun, around the dining table. Maya's warm demeanor filled the space as she spoke about her excitement for the anniversary celebration.

"I can't believe it's been thirty years," Maya said, her eyes shining with happiness. "It feels like just yesterday we were planning our wedding."

"You're lucky to have found someone like Dad," Mayank said, glancing at his father with a smile.

"And you're lucky to have found Niharika," Maya countered, her gaze soft as it shifted to Niharika.

Niharika felt a rush of warmth at the compliment, though it was tinged with a hint of unease. She nodded politely. "You've set the bar high, Aunty. Thirty years is a big milestone."

Madhun chuckled. "It takes patience. And a lot of tea breaks during arguments."

The table erupted in laughter, and for a moment, Niharika allowed herself to relax. She joined in on the planning, discussing seating arrangements and music preferences, her voice steady even as her mind wandered.

~•~

As the day wore on, Mayank noticed the subtle shifts in her behavior. The way she adjusted her dupatta more often than usual, the way she chose loose-fitting clothes despite the heat, and how her laughter didn't quite reach her eyes.

Later that evening, as they sorted through decoration samples in the living room, he finally addressed it.

"Niharika," he began, his tone casual, "you don't seem comfortable in that kurta. Why don't you change into something else?"

She looked up, startled by the comment. "What? No, I'm fine. I'm comfortable."

He raised an eyebrow, not convinced. "You keep adjusting it. It doesn't look like you're comfortable."

She forced a smile, shaking her head. "I'm fine, really. It's just a little loose, that's all."

Mayank didn't press further, though the doubt lingered in his mind.

~•~

As the week went on, their days were filled with preparations. Between trips to the florist, meetings with decorators, and last-minute changes to the guest list, Niharika remained efficient and composed. She smiled, laughed, and spoke with ease, but Mayank could see the cracks beneath the surface.

One evening, as they were finalizing the seating arrangements, Maya pulled Niharika aside.

"Niharika, are you okay?" she asked gently, her voice laced with concern.

Niharika blinked, caught off guard. "Yes, Aunty. Why?"

Maya studied her carefully. "You just seem... tired. If something's bothering you, you can tell me."

Niharika's smile didn't falter, though it felt heavier. "I'm fine, Aunty. It's just been a busy week."

Maya nodded, though her expression remained thoughtful.

~•~

That night, Mayank sat in his room, replaying the day's events in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Niharika had always been reserved, but this was different. She wasn't just reserved—she was pulling away.

He thought back to their school days, the way she had always carried herself with quiet confidence. She had been shy but never withdrawn. This version of her felt like a shadow of the woman he had married.

Deciding not to dwell on it, he turned his attention to the party plans. There was still so much to do, and he didn't want to mess it up. For now, he would let her be, hoping that she would open up in her own time.

~•~

The following morning, Niharika was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for lunch. The rhythmic sound of the knife against the cutting board was almost therapeutic, grounding her amidst the whirlwind of thoughts that refused to leave her alone.

Mayank entered, leaning against the counter as he watched her work.

"You've been quiet lately," he remarked, his tone light but probing.

She glanced up briefly, her expression neutral. "Just busy. There's a lot to do for the party."

"You're not letting me help enough," he said, trying to tease her out of her guarded mood.

She managed a small smile. "You're helping. I just... like staying on top of things."

He nodded, though her answer didn't satisfy him.

As she continued chopping, he reached out and stilled her hand, forcing her to look at him.

"Niharika," he said softly, "if something's bothering you, you can tell me."

Her grip on the knife tightened slightly before she set it down. "There's nothing, Mayank. I'm fine."

But he didn't believe her.

Over the next few days, the preparations continued, and Niharika maintained her facade. She laughed at Madhun's jokes, listened intently to Maya's stories, and planned the party with precision. But each time she caught her reflection, a small voice whispered, You're not good enough.

And each time Mayank looked at her, she wondered if he was comparing her to someone else. Someone better. Someone like Zaina.

Mayank, however, wasn't thinking about comparisons. He was thinking about how to break through the walls she had built, how to bring back the version of her that didn't hide behind polite smiles and loose clothes.

As the day of the party drew closer, he vowed to find a way. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was seeing her retreat into herself. And he wasn't about to let that happen—not when he knew there was so much more to her than she allowed herself to show.

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