Chapter 40

The morning sun shone brightly over the beach, casting a warm, golden glow across the soft sand. The sound of gentle waves crashing against the shore was a peaceful melody, and the salty breeze kissed the skin, making everything feel fresh and alive. The beach was not crowded, a perfect escape from the bustling city life of Dubai, and Niharika was glad for the quiet. She had been looking forward to this day—a day where she could enjoy time with Mayank and his family, away from the pressures and the complications of the past few days.

Mayank had suggested the beach as a way to unwind, and she had agreed without hesitation. His parents were excited to spend time with her, and Niharika, although slightly anxious, found comfort in their kindness. unfamiliar.

Niharika stood at the water's edge, watching as the waves lapped at her feet, the cool water brushing against her skin. She wore a simple, elegant sundress in soft shades of blue, the color complementing the sea and sky. Her hair was loose and flowing, catching the light in subtle waves as she let the wind tug at it. There was a peacefulness here—an intimacy in nature's embrace—that made her forget, if only for a moment, the turmoil she had been carrying.

Behind her, she could hear the laughter of Mayank's parents as they set up a small picnic on the sand, their casual chatter blending with the sound of seagulls in the distance. Niharika smiled faintly at the sight of them, their easy comfort with each other reminding her of the bond she had yet to form with her own family.

Mayank, always observant, had noticed how she seemed to withdraw slightly whenever his parents interacted with her. It wasn't overt, but he had seen it—the slight hesitation, the way she sometimes seemed lost in thought, as if she were somewhere far away. Still, he was patient, letting her find her own pace.

"Hey, you're quiet," Mayank said softly as he approached her, a teasing smile playing on his lips. He had a towel slung over his shoulder and looked relaxed in his casual shorts and a t-shirt. His eyes, warm and inviting, reflected the carefree spirit of the day.

Niharika turned to him, her smile a little stiff but genuine. "Just enjoying the view," she replied, her gaze drifting back to the horizon. The ocean stretched endlessly, a calming sight, and for a brief moment, she felt a sense of freedom—like she could breathe without anyone watching.

Mayank noticed the tension in her shoulders, how she still seemed somewhat on edge despite her words. "You sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice gentle but filled with concern. He had come to recognize the way she sometimes hid her feelings behind a mask of normalcy.

"I'm fine," she replied quickly, too quickly, and Mayank raised an eyebrow, not convinced. He knew the difference between the truth and what she was trying to convince him of.

Before he could press further, Madhun called out from the picnic area, urging them to join. "Come, join us, you two! The sandwiches are ready!" His voice was full of warmth and enthusiasm, the kind that made it hard to refuse.

Niharika looked over at Mayank's parents, smiling at the invitation. "I should join them," she said, her voice a little more relaxed now. She was trying, really trying, to let herself enjoy this day.

"Yeah, let's go," Mayank agreed, but his gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, something in his eyes telling her that he wasn't ready to let her go without understanding what was going on in her head.

They walked together toward the picnic area, the soft sand warm beneath their feet. As they neared, Niharika felt her body relax a little, the sound of the waves calming her, the sight of Mayank's family making her feel, in some way, accepted. They settled down on the blanket, and Niharika found herself laughing at something Maya had said about the time Mayank had tried to bake a cake for his mother's birthday and accidentally set off the smoke detector. The lightness of the conversation, the warmth of the sunlight, made her feel like she belonged here.

The next few hours passed in a blur of laughter, shared food, and moments of quiet. Niharika, though still thoughtful, began to open up more. She could feel Mayank's watchful eyes on her, but he gave her space, letting her enjoy herself in her own way.

As the day wore on, they all took a stroll along the beach, the sun beginning its descent toward the horizon.

But as they walked back to the car, the reality of her internal battle slowly crept back in. She had been pretending for so long, masking her feelings, hiding her insecurities. And even though Mayank's presence was comforting, the old fears, the old doubts, were still there, lurking just beneath the surface.

When they got back home, Mayank suggested something randomly, "Dubai Mall?"

She looked at him, "What?"

"Do you want to go to Dubai mall? It'll be fun."

Niharika looked at him and nodded, "Sure."

~•~

As Mayank and Niharika stood watching the Burj Khalifa fountain show, the vibrant, colorful display illuminated the night around them, casting a magical glow over the crowd. The water danced in perfect rhythm, synchronizing with the music. For a moment, it felt like they were alone in their little bubble, the world outside fading into the background.

But then, without any warning, Niharika's expression changed. Her body tensed, her eyes locked on something in the distance. Mayank, at first, thought it was just the brightness of the lights or the spectacle of the fountains that had captured her attention. But when he turned to look at her, he saw the shift—something dark, something unsettling in her gaze.

"Niharika?" he asked gently, his voice tinged with confusion.

She didn't answer. Her lips parted as if she was about to say something, but the words were lost. She seemed to freeze in place, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths, as if she were trying to steady herself. The vibrant energy around them began to fade for her, the music and the water show blurring into the background.

Her grip on her purse tightened, her knuckles pale, and he instinctively reached for her arm, concerned. "What happened?"

But she didn't respond. Instead, her eyes remained focused, unwavering, on a group of people standing near one of the nearby shops. They were laughing, chatting casually, completely oblivious to the impact their presence had on Niharika.

Mayank's gaze followed hers, but he didn't recognize them. He watched her face twist in subtle anguish, her lips trembling slightly, her shoulders curling inward, as though the sight of those people—those faces—had knocked the air from her lungs.

"Who are they?" he asked, his voice now laced with a hint of urgency, though he could sense she was retreating further inside herself.

Niharika, still frozen, didn't look away. Her eyes, wide and distant, seemed to pierce through the crowd as though she were seeing something far beyond them. Her body had gone rigid, and she was shaking, the subtle tremors in her hands not going unnoticed by Mayank.

And then, slowly, she began to move, her feet taking a step, then another, as if she were walking away from something she couldn't face. She was walking quickly, urgently, her pace quickening with every step, the distance between them growing.

"Niharika!" Mayank called, his voice now filled with concern.

She didn't stop, her steps becoming more forceful, as though the need to get away was consuming her. He caught up to her quickly, his hand reaching for her arm, pulling her gently to face him. "What's going on?" he asked again, his eyes searching hers.

She still wouldn't answer, and he could see the raw fear in her eyes. She was trembling, her lips parted as if she were struggling to say something but couldn't find the words. Her breath was coming in sharp gasps now, her chest rising and falling quickly, as if she was fighting to calm herself.

Her silence was deafening, and Mayank could see that she was holding something back—something that went deeper than what she was willing to show. Something that had been buried beneath layers of politeness and restraint, now unraveling in front of him.

Niharika finally looked away, unable to hold his gaze any longer. She turned toward the garden area, not looking back as she walked away, and he followed her, his heart pounding in his chest, his mind spinning with worry and confusion.

They reached a quiet corner in the garden, far from the noise and the crowd. Niharika sat on a bench, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, her face pale. She stared straight ahead, her expression empty, her eyes devoid of the spark they usually carried.

Mayank sat beside her, kneeling on the ground to be at her level, his hand gently covering hers. "Niharika, please talk to me," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.

Her eyes flickered to him for a second, the briefest flash of vulnerability crossing her face before it disappeared behind the mask she always wore. She took a slow, trembling breath, and finally spoke. "Those people... they're from my university. Ex-friends."

Mayank felt his chest tighten at the words, understanding the depth of her pain. He recalled Rahil's words from weeks ago, the casual mention of her strained relationship with her former friends. But now, seeing the way she was reacting, he realized just how much it had affected her—how much they had hurt her.

He wanted to say something comforting, something to take away her pain, but all he could do was hold her hand tighter, his thumb brushing softly over her skin. He wanted to ask what had happened, what they had done to her, but something in her demeanor told him she wasn't ready to open up.

Niharika's gaze drifted toward the group, her eyes narrowing in bitterness. She seemed to shrink into herself, pulling away from the conversation as if reliving some painful memory.

Mayank didn't know how to fix this. How could he help her when she didn't want help?

"Niharika," he said quietly, his voice soft, "you don't have to carry this alone."

Her head snapped up, and she quickly wiped away a stray tear that had fallen. She gave a small, shaky laugh, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine, Mayank," she said, but the words felt hollow, forced.

And then, like a switch had been flipped, her expression changed. Her posture straightened, and her smile returned, though it was fragile, the cracks still visible. She looked at him and said, "Let's go home."

Mayank watched in stunned silence as she turned and walked toward the exit. He stood up, following her, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he had witnessed something deeply painful.

As they walked through the mall toward the car, Mayank couldn't help but replay the scene in his mind—the way Niharika had shifted so dramatically, as if she had locked away a part of herself in the span of seconds. How could someone mask their pain so easily, so convincingly?

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