Chapter 44

Sunlight streamed into the cozy apartment as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Niharika stood by the stove, her sweatshirt caressing her body as she flipped dosas on a hot pan. Her movements were unhurried, her mind focused on the breakfast she was preparing for her and Mayank.

Mayank entered the kitchen, the sound of his footsteps alerting her. He was dressed casually in a grey t-shirt and sweatpants, his hair still slightly messy from sleep.

"Good morning," he greeted her, his voice still groggy but warm.

She turned to glance at him, a small smile gracing her lips. "Morning. Coffee's on the table. Breakfast will be ready in five minutes."

"Smells good," he said, stepping closer to the counter. "You made all this?"

"Just dosas and chutney," she replied, plating the golden, crisp dosas onto a serving dish. "It's not much."

Mayank shook his head. "It's perfect."

As they sat down to eat, the clinking of cutlery was interspersed with casual conversation. They talked about small things—the weather, work updates, and their plans for the day. It wasn't grand or overly romantic, but it felt comforting, like a routine they were slowly building together.

A week had passed since their conversation, and today, the day of his parents' anniversary arrived. They had already hosted a party—yes—but there was another one to cater to a separate and more casual audience, compared to the first one. The family home was bustling with activity as decorators, caterers, and event organizers flitted about, putting the finishing touches on the arrangements. Niharika had taken charge of the guest list and was overseeing final preparations while Maya and Madhun ensured the house was spotless.

By late afternoon, Niharika stood in front of the mirror in her room, draping a rich, dark red saree around herself. The fabric shimmered as it caught the light, hugging her frame elegantly. She reached for her sindoor box, but her fingers faltered as she tried to apply it neatly.

Mayank appeared at the door, already dressed in a sharp navy-blue sherwani. He paused when he saw her, his eyes lingering on her reflection in the mirror. "Need help?"

She looked at him through the mirror, hesitating. "I can't get the sindoor straight."

He stepped closer, his movements deliberate. "Here," he said softly, taking the small container from her. Carefully, he brushed a tiny line of sindoor along her hairline. His fingers grazed her forehead, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine.

"There," he said, his voice low. "Perfect."

She smiled, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Thanks."

"You ready?" He asked her, looking at her throughout the mirror.

Her hair was still undone, cascading over her shoulders in loose waves. "I wanted to curl the ends," she said, almost to herself. "But it's harder than it looks."

"Curl them?" he asked, clearly unfamiliar with the process.

She bit her lip to stifle a laugh. "You've never done this before, have you?"

"Nope," he admitted with a shrug. "But I'm a fast learner."

She looked at him and raised her eyebrow, as if asking if he's sure. He chuckled and walked over to her. She handed him the curling iron, explaining how to wrap small sections of hair around the barrel and hold it for a few seconds. He listened intently, his brow furrowing as he tried to get it right.

After a minute, he stepped back, satisfied with his work. "Done."

She turned to look in the mirror and gasped softly. Her hair fell in soft, polished curls, framing her face perfectly.

"You did a great job," she said, genuinely impressed.

"Told you I'm a fast learner," he replied with a smirk.

"Now finish it off." She teased, with a small smile. He chuckled and carried it on while they stood in conversation.

~•~

The evening was a grand affair. The family's expansive garden had been transformed into a magical venue with twinkling lights, floral arrangements, and elegant seating. Niharika played the perfect daughter-in-law, greeting guests warmly and ensuring everyone was comfortable.

Even her parents arrived, beaming with pride as they saw their daughter fitting into her new family so seamlessly.

As the night progressed, Niharika's attention was drawn to a new group of arrivals. Mayank's friends, including Zaina, walked in, their laughter and energy commanding attention.

She felt a pang of unease as Zaina scanned the crowd, her sharp eyes eventually landing on Niharika. Niharika had given her a small polite smile, which Zaina reciprocated. Then, Niharika turned away—trying to hide her insecurity behind the drape of her saree.

Mayank noticed the slight shift in Niharika's demeanor. Her shoulders stiffened, and her smile didn't reach her eyes. He frowned, realizing the source of her discomfort. Without a second thought, he walked over to her and held out his hand.

"Come with me," he said.

Confused but trusting, she followed him as he led her toward his group of friends.

"Guys," he began, his tone firm but friendly. "I'd like you to meet someone. This is Niharika. My wife."

The group's reaction was a mix of surprise and recognition.

"Oh, wait! You were in our school, right?," one of them said. "You two were the KKR simps back in school, right?"

Mayank chuckled, and Niharika smiled shyly, nodding.

Zaina, however, looked taken aback. She wasn't expecting him to publicize the marriage. "I didn't know you two were married," she pretended to join in, her tone laced with curiosity. "Last I heard, you weren't even close."

"Things change," Mayank replied evenly. "And I don't see why we should hide it anymore."

Zaina masked her annoyance with a polite smile. "Of course. Congratulations to you both."

Niharika excused herself a few moments later, saying Maya needed her help. Zaina seized the opportunity to prod Mayank further.

"This match was so unexpected," she said, her tone deceptively casual. "You never mentioned anything about it before."

Arjun, who had joined the group by then, jumped in. "They've always been close. You just didn't notice. They're a lot alike, actually."

Mayank didn't engage further, his attention shifting back to where Niharika was managing the event with effortless grace.

Later in the evening, Mayank was called on stage to say a few words about his parents. He spoke with heartfelt sincerity, sharing anecdotes and expressing gratitude for their love and guidance.

As he finished, he glanced down at Niharika, who was standing near the stage, her hands clasped together.

"Come up here," he said, beckoning her with a smile. "Being my wife means standing beside me—not down there."

She hesitated, but the encouraging applause from the guests pushed her to join him. Together, they posed for pictures with his parents, the perfect image of a happy family.

As they stepped down, a relative teased, "Next year, we're hoping to see another addition to the family."

Both Mayank and Niharika blushed, their faces heating up as the crowd laughed and clapped.

~•~

The music started soon after, and guests flooded the dance floor. Niharika stayed off to the side, speaking with the caterer and taking pictures to document the evening.

Mayank approached her, his hands in his pockets. "Niharika," he said, his voice teasing. "Can we dance?"

She looked up, surprised but smiling. "You want to dance with me?"

"Of course," he said, holding out his hand.

She took it hesitantly, letting him lead her to the dance floor. As the soft melody of a romantic song filled the air, they swayed together, their movements slow and in sync.

Mayank felt a warmth spread through him as he held her close, her presence grounding him in a way he hadn't expected. He wanted to hold her hand, to feel the connection more deeply, and without overthinking, he intertwined their fingers.

When the event finally wound down and the last guests had left, the family gathered in the living room, exhausted but happy.

Maya hugged Niharika tightly. "You did so much for tonight. It was perfect."

"It's my pleasure," Niharika said, smiling.

Madhun hugged her too, turning to Mayank with a grin. "You're a lucky man, Mayank. Don't mess this up."

"I know," Mayank replied, his voice soft but firm.

As they prepared to leave, Niharika realized she had forgotten her purse in the hall. "I'll grab it," she said.

"I'll come with you," Mayank offered, following her inside.

She retrieved her purse and turned to him. "What happened? Did I miss something?"

He didn't answer immediately, his gaze soft as he watched her. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Just tired."

He smiled, stepping closer. "Let's go home," he said, taking her hand.

For a moment, he considered bringing her hand to his lips, but he stopped himself, not wanting to overstep. Instead, he held it firmly, letting her know he was there.

🩷