Chapter 42

The morning sunlight filtered softly into the kitchen as Mayank stirred two steaming mugs of chai, the warmth from the stove filling the air with a faint scent of cardamom. He set the mugs on the counter, his fingers drumming lightly against the ceramic as he waited. His mind was restless, his thoughts still tangled from the previous night's revelations—or lack thereof. Niharika's calm behavior had unnerved him. It wasn't calm; it was calculated. A mask.

He heard the soft patter of her footsteps before she appeared, her face lit with an easy smile that only deepened his suspicion. She was dressed in jeans and a fitted top that hugged her frame perfectly, the kind of outfit that wasn't overly dressed up but still looked nice. Her damp hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and she looked effortlessly put together.

"Morning," she said, her tone breezy as she walked toward the counter.

"Morning," Mayank replied, studying her closely as he handed her the chai.

She took a sip, humming her approval. "Perfect as always."

"You slept well?" he asked, his voice deliberately casual, but his eyes never left hers.

"Yeah, I did," she replied, taking a biscuit from the jar on the counter. She smiled as she broke off a piece, but then, as she reached forward to grab another, a sliver of her stomach peeked out from under her top.

Mayank saw the moment it happened—her entire demeanor shifted. Her eyes flicked down, her smile faltered, and she quickly pulled the hem of her top down, covering herself as though she'd been exposed. Without a word, she turned and walked into the hall, her movements brisk, almost defensive.

Mayank frowned, his confusion mounting. He followed her to the doorway, watching as she grabbed her bag. "You're heading out already?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'll be late if I don't leave soon," she said, her tone still light, but she avoided his gaze. "I'm meeting Aai too."

"Okay," he said slowly, unsure whether to push or let her go.

She slung her bag over her shoulder, gave him a quick smile, and said, "See you later." And just like that, she was gone.

Mayank stood there for a moment, his hand tightening around his mug as he replayed the scene in his mind. Her smile, her forced calmness, the way she'd pulled her top down as though embarrassed—it all felt wrong.

~•~

Later that day, Mayank sat across from Siya and Samar at a small café, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the table. They had ordered coffee, but he barely touched his, his mind too consumed by what he was about to ask.

As soon as the waiter left, he leaned forward, his expression tense. "What's happening with Niharika?"

Siya and Samar exchanged a look before Siya sighed, placing her cup down carefully. "She's been bottling everything up, Mayank. For years."

Samar nodded, his voice grave. "Ever since uni, it's been her habit to keep things to herself. She doesn't trust people easily anymore."

Mayank's jaw tightened. "She's acting like nothing happened. Like everything is fine. Rahil told me she's been pushing everyone away and keeping to herself. Is that because of what happened at university?"

"Yes," Siya said, her expression heavy with regret. "It's because of the people you saw at the mall. Her old friend group."

"What did they do?" Mayank asked, his tone sharp. His fists clenched under the table, and his jaw set tighter. "Who are they?"

Siya sighed again, leaning back in her chair. "In her first year, Niharika had a great group of friends. She was the glue holding everyone together, always making sure everyone was okay. But in the second year, things started falling apart. There were issues in the group—petty fights, immature behavior. There was this one guy who was especially problematic. He was egotistical, controlling, and tried to monopolize Niharika's attention even though he had a girlfriend. When she started distancing herself from him, he didn't take it well."

Samar took over, his tone grim. "Instead of letting her be, he twisted everyone's perception of her. Made it seem like she was the problem. And the others? They were spineless. Instead of standing by her, they went along with him."

"And then," Siya continued, her voice softer now, "there was her closest friend—a guy she trusted completely. He had an issue with another friend in the group, and Niharika tried to help. But instead of appreciating her, he twisted her words to make himself look good. Slowly, one by one, the group turned on her. They threw her out, Mayank. She spent the better part of her third year completely alone."

Mayank felt his chest tighten, his anger rising with every word. "She was betrayed by the people she called her best friends," Siya said, her voice trembling slightly. "And it broke her. The one guy she trusted asked for proof of her innocence. Proof, Mayank. From someone who had been nothing but loyal to him. It destroyed her."

Samar added, "She started getting physically sick. Emotional triggers caused skin rashes, health issues... it was bad."

Mayank's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. He could feel the anger simmering under his skin, his jaw locking as he tried to process the injustice of it all.

"When she went to the U.S. for her master's, she got better," Siya said. "But she's never been the same. She doesn't trust easily anymore, and she's scared to open up. She's scared her words will be twisted against her again."

"Seeing them again must've brought everything back," Samar said. "It's the last thing she wanted. Her insecurity is above the roof."

"Insecurity...." Mayank's mind flashed back to that morning, to the way she had quickly covered herself, to the way she smiled as though nothing was wrong. His voice was low, cold. "She's insecure. She hides it, but I see it now. Ever since Zaina came back, it's been worse."

Samar nodded, "Your ex is extremely good looking—there's no denying that. And it made her insecure because...."

"Because?" Mayank asked, noticing Samar's pause.

Samar glanced at Siya, wondering whether to carry on. After a nod of approval, he continued, "I don't know the details but I know you were against the wedding. So was she—but she came to terms with it. But you seemed against it and it was your idea to hide it. So, she assumed that seeing your ex might... you know. Change your mind."

Mayank froze. Why would she think that? But his inner voice retaliated, why wouldn't she? You've given her reason to.

Siya sighed. "She acts like she's okay because she feels like there's no one she can rely on. She doesn't open up because she thinks it's pointless."

Mayank's jaw clenched again, his anger threatening to boil over. "She went through all of that," he said slowly, his voice trembling with restrained fury. "And no one stood by her?"

Siya shook her head. "No one. That's why she's like this now. She doesn't trust that anyone will stay."

"What about her group? What's the scene now?" He asked, his fists tightening under the table.

"Turns out Niharika was right about the guy—a few months after everyone cut Niharika off, the group broke apart. They all collectively cut off the guy. But even then, not one person said that 'Niharika was right about you.' They ignored her presence as if she didn't ever warn them about him. Now, her so called best friend is the new 'group' leader. They all just kiss his feet." Siya answered.

Mayank sat back, his hands balled into fists. His chest felt tight, his thoughts racing as he tried to absorb everything he had just heard. The image of Niharika smiling, laughing, pretending to be fine—it wasn't just a mask. It was armor.

"So what now?" he asked, his voice rough, his jaw clenching so hard it hurt.

"We don't know," Siya admitted. "She never got closure. She doesn't believe anyone will listen to her, and she's scared to open up. We've tried, but..."

Mayank's eyes darkened, a storm of emotions swirling within him. "I'm going to make her open up," he said, his voice low but firm.

Siya and Samar exchanged another glance, unsure whether to be relieved or worried.

But Mayank's mind was made up. For the first time, he truly saw Niharika—not just the calm, composed woman she tried to be, but the hurt, vulnerable person she was beneath it all. And he wasn't going to let her carry it alone anymore.

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