Chapter 45

The next morning began like any other. The soft sound of the alarm buzzed in their room, but Mayank woke up a few minutes earlier, watching the sunlight pour through the gaps in the curtains. He got into a shower quickly and stepped out—ready for the day. Seeing the time, he walked to see Niharika, but found her room closed. She was still sleeping.

So, he walked in to wake her up. Her hair was slightly messy, strands splayed across her pillow as her steady breathing filled the silence. For a moment, he let himself smile, the quiet domesticity of their mornings settling in like a warm blanket.

"Niharika," he called gently, tapping her shoulder.

She stirred, groaning softly. "Five more minutes," she mumbled.

"Get up, or you'll blame me for being late," he teased, pulling the blanket off her.

She finally sat up, yawning and rubbing her eyes. "You're relentless," she said groggily, but her faint smile betrayed her amusement. He chuckled and headed outside, giving her time to get ready.

After breakfast, the two of them got ready for work. Mayank buttoned up his crisp white shirt, glancing at his reflection. His mind drifted to the question that had been gnawing at him for the past few days: should he announce their marriage at the office?

His workplace, though professional, wasn't without its share of office politics. He worried about Niharika facing unnecessary scrutiny or bias because of her association with him. It wasn't just his reputation at stake—it was hers too.

But he hadn't brought it up with her yet. He didn't want to pressure her into making a decision about something that involved them both.

As they left the house, Niharika's energy seemed lighter. She hummed a tune softly as they drove toward the office.

When they arrived, she turned to him. "See you later," she said, stepping out of the car.

He gave her a small nod, watching as she walked toward her building. For a moment, he lingered in the car, letting out a soft sigh before heading into his own workspace.

~•~

The day progressed with back-to-back meetings for Mayank. He juggled tasks effortlessly, his focus unwavering, but the thought of Niharika remained in the back of his mind.

During his lunch break, he decided to stretch his legs and visit her floor. It wasn't unusual for him to drop by since a few of his friends worked there as well.

When he arrived, he was greeted by the sight of Niharika leading a meeting in one of the glass-walled conference rooms.

She was standing confidently, explaining something to her team with animated gestures. Her voice, though muffled through the glass, carried a sense of authority and ease. Her colleagues were attentive, nodding along and occasionally asking questions.

Mayank stood at a distance, watching her with an unexpected sense of pride. She looked so at ease, so in control. What can't she do? he thought to himself, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

A few minutes later, he spotted one of his friends, Dhruv, walking toward him.

"Mayank! What brings you here?" Dhruv asked, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Just taking a break," Mayank replied. "Thought I'd come say hi."

They caught up briefly, talking about work projects and mundane life updates. Mayank found himself on the verge of mentioning his marriage but stopped when he caught sight of Niharika exiting the conference room with one of her colleagues.

The man, who Mayank vaguely recognized as someone from her team, was leaning in close, his arm draped casually over her shoulder as they laughed about something.

Mayank's jaw tightened instinctively, a flash of annoyance running through him. He didn't like the sight of someone else invading her space so casually, but he kept his expression neutral, unwilling to make a scene.

As they passed by him, Niharika noticed him and smiled brightly. "Hey! How's your day going?"

Her cheerful tone softened his irritation, though it didn't completely vanish. "It's fine. You?"

"Really good. The meeting went well, and we're almost done with the project," she said, her voice carrying her usual enthusiasm.

He nodded, his gaze flickering briefly to her colleague before settling back on her. "That's great." He then pulled her side a little—sleekly. "Want to go for chai before we head home?"

Her eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Yes, definitely."

After work, they drove toward Palm Jumeirah. The city's lights glittered against the evening sky, reflecting off the water as the car made its way to the other side of the Palm—West Coast.

Niharika had fallen asleep during the drive, her head resting against the window. Mayank glanced at her occasionally, a faint smile on his lips as he took in her relaxed expression.

When they arrived, he parked the car and gently nudged her awake.

"Hmm?" she murmured, sitting up and looking around groggily. Her eyes widened as she took in the familiar surroundings.

The quiet stretch of the Palm brought back a flood of memories. She hadn't been here in years—not since her college days.

Mayank noticed the subtle change in her expression, the way her brows furrowed slightly before she quickly composed herself.

"Everything okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

She forced a smile. "Yeah, of course."

But he wasn't convinced. After sitting her down at one of the quieter spots, he turned to her with a serious expression. "Niharika, why are you sad? What happened? Please don't hide it. We promised to talk to each other."

Her hands fidgeted with the edge of her shirt, her gaze avoiding his. The words caught in her throat as memories of the past came rushing back.

"I..." she began hesitantly. "It's nothing."

Her voice faltered, and Mayank's concern deepened. "Niharika, it's okay. You can tell me."

"I used to come here with my ex," she said softly, her voice carrying a weight she hadn't intended to reveal.

Mayank stared at her, momentarily stunned by her confession. The words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. He opened his mouth to say something but then stopped. He hadn't been expecting that, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. His hands tightened around the edge of the table, his mind whirring.

Niharika immediately regretted saying it. Her heart thudded in her chest as she stared down at her hands, avoiding his gaze. "I... I didn't mean—" she started, but her voice faltered.

"It's okay," Mayank interrupted, his voice steady and calm. His hands guided their way to hers.

She looked up at him, surprised. There was no anger in his expression, only a quiet curiosity mixed with something she couldn't quite place.

"You don't have to explain," he said after a moment, his eyes fixed on hers.

His response caught her off guard. She had been bracing herself for questions, maybe even judgment. But instead, he was giving her space—a kind of understanding she wasn't used to.

Mayank leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. He wanted to know more, but he knew better than to push her. "Do you want to leave?" he asked gently.

She hesitated before shaking her head. "No, I'm fine."

He studied her for a moment longer, then nodded. "Okay."

The tension in the air began to dissolve, though the weight of her words still lingered. Without another word, Mayank smiled a little and gestured toward the tea vendor nearby. "Still on for chai?"

She managed a small smile, grateful for the shift in topic. "Of course, I'd like that."

As he walked to get the tea, Niharika sat back, her thoughts swirling. She couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at how he'd handled the moment.

And for Mayank, as he handed her the steaming cup of tea, one thought repeated in his mind: There's so much more to her than I've even begun to understand.

~•~

As they stepped into the quiet house, Niharika walked beside Mayank, her steps light but hesitant. She glanced at him a couple of times, her lips parting as if to say something, only to stop herself.

Mayank noticed, of course. He always did. "Everything okay?" he asked softly, pausing at the living room entrance.

She looked up at him, her caramel-highlighted hair falling softly over her shoulder. "Yeah, I just..." She trailed off, her eyes darting down to her hands, which nervously fidgeted with the edge of her bracelet.

He tilted his head slightly, waiting. "What is it?"

She took a small step forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can I hug you?"

The question caught him completely off guard, but he didn't hesitate even for a second. "Yes," he said immediately, his voice firm yet gentle.

The answer seemed to surprise her, and a faint, almost shy smile tugged at her lips as she closed the distance between them. Slowly, she reached out, wrapping her arms around him, her cheek resting against his chest.

Without even realizing it, Mayank's own arms wrapped around her almost instinctively, holding her close. The feeling was unlike anything he'd expected—a strange mix of comfort, protectiveness, and something else he couldn't quite name.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. He could feel her warmth, hear the soft sound of her breathing, and it made something deep inside him soften.

Just as he was about to say something, she let go, stepping back with that same small smile. But before she turned, she reached out and lightly tugged his hand, her fingers brushing against his.

"Goodnight, Mayank," she said softly, her tone lighter now, as though some weight had lifted off her shoulders.

Her hand lingered for a moment longer before she let go, and Mayank smiled down at her, his heart inexplicably full. "Goodnight, Niharika," he replied, his voice warm.

She turned and disappeared into her room, leaving him standing there in the middle of the living room, his heart still racing.

He glanced at his empty hands, the ghost of her touch still lingering, and let out a soft chuckle to himself. His lips curved into a smile that didn't fade as he walked to his own room, a new warmth settling in his chest.

"Maybe," he thought to himself, "we're getting somewhere after all."

🩷

their first hug!!!