Chapter 49

The early morning sunlight streamed through the slightly ajar curtains, its soft rays gently kissing Niharika's face as she lay asleep. Mayank had woken up earlier than usual, the quiet stillness of the house giving him a moment of peace to reflect. He watched her as she lay there, her face serene and peaceful in the early light. She looked so beautiful in that moment, her features soft, her lips slightly parted as she breathed in the calm morning air. A warm smile tugged at his lips as he took in the sight of her. But then, the sun's rays shifted, spilling more directly onto her face, causing her to stir slightly, her expression turning uncomfortable. The light irritated her, and she squinted, her hand coming up to shield her eyes.

Without thinking, Mayank instantly got up from the bed, his gaze lingering on her face for one last moment. He went to the window and quietly adjusted the curtain shades, blocking the sunlight just enough so that it wouldn't disturb her anymore. Once he was sure the rays wouldn't be an issue, he turned back and smiled at her. It wasn't a smile he could easily explain, just a soft, content expression that made him feel happy just watching her.

After a moment, he made his way to the bathroom for a quick shower, the water soothing him and helping him shake off the remnants of sleep. By the time he finished, he felt wide awake and ready for the day ahead.

When he stepped outside, he found Arjun and Imran already up, stretching and chatting lazily as they prepared for a morning walk.

"Morning," Mayank greeted them, stepping outside onto the hall balcony where the cool morning breeze brushed against his skin.

"Morning, bro," Arjun said, clapping him on the back. "You up early today."

"Yeah, couldn't sleep much," Mayank replied, glancing back at the window where Niharika was still inside. He tried to focus, pushing any lingering thoughts of her aside. "How's everything?"

"Good, man, good," Imran said, joining them as they began walking down the quiet street. "So, any updates on Niharika?"

Mayank hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Yeah, she's opened up a little. It's good. She's not as closed off as before."

"Yeah, she seemed like she was carrying something heavy for a long time," Arjun added. "It's nice to see her slowly talking about things. That's progress, right?"

Mayank nodded, feeling a sense of relief. It had been hard for him to see Niharika struggling with her past, especially when it seemed like she wasn't ready to share it. But now, with her opening up, he felt like they were moving in the right direction.

Imran grinned mischievously. "But what are we doing about her ex-friends?"

Mayank's expression darkened slightly, his thoughts turning to Niharika's past. "I'm in touch with Meera. She's going to dig around and find some details. Based on Niharika's Instagram and mutual friends, we'll get more information. Don't worry."

Arjun raised an eyebrow. "I thought you weren't planning to get involved in that. You sure you want to dig into that mess?"

Mayank exhaled sharply, the tension creeping into his shoulders. "I don't know. I just... want to understand more. You know? I'm trying to protect her, Arjun. I can't do that without knowing the whole picture."

They continued walking for the next hour and a half, exchanging thoughts on Niharika, her ex-friends, and how to best help her. It felt good to be with his friends, especially when the conversation was moving in the right direction. As they finally returned to the house, they were greeted by the delicious smell of hot aloo parathas wafting through the air.

They walked into the kitchen to find Niharika, her hair damp from her shower, dressed in her usual shorts and a loose T-shirt. She was focused on serving the parathas to Siya and Samar, who were seated at the table, already digging in. Niharika looked up and gave them a warm smile.

"Sit down, guys," she said, motioning to the empty seats at the table. "I'm almost done."

Mayank stood off to the side, watching her as she moved around the kitchen. He could feel a smile tugging at his lips, his heart swelling with affection. There was something about the way she was always so selfless, always taking care of everyone, that made her stand out.

He waited until she finished serving and then went into the kitchen, leaning against the counter. "Need help?" he asked, his tone casual.

Niharika looked up at him, her smile soft. "You're the last person who needs to help, but I'll take the company." She gave him a teasing glance, making his heart skip a beat.

"Alright, alright. I'll just stand here and look pretty then," he replied, leaning closer, enjoying her company.

As they ate their breakfast, the conversation flowed easily, with everyone discussing plans for the weekend. They eventually decided that in three hours, they would meet outside Siya's house, which was close to RAK, to start their mini-trip. The plans were set, and the group began to disperse, the energy in the house shifting as everyone prepared for the next phase of their day.

With the others gone, Mayank and Niharika were left alone in the house. The quiet felt different now, more intimate, and Mayank couldn't help but smile at the thought of spending time with her.

"So, any thoughts on today?" Mayank asked as Niharika began cleaning up the kitchen.

"Not much," she replied, drying the dishes as she spoke. "I don't mind doing things like skydiving or kayaking, but I'm also kind of scared of it."

Mayank laughed, a soft chuckle that made her look up at him. "Don't worry, Niharika. I love adventure sports. If we do it, I'll be there to make sure you're alright."

She smiled at his reassurance, though there was still a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.

"You're really into adventure sports?" she asked, drying her hands and glancing at him.

"Oh, yeah. Anything that gets the adrenaline going, I'm in," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "You should try it. Trust me, you'll love it."

Niharika nodded slowly, clearly still a little unsure. She hesitated before speaking again. "Maybe I will... if you're with me."

"I'll always be with you," Mayank said, the words slipping out before he could stop them. He didn't even realize what he had said until after it left his mouth, but as soon as he saw the surprise in her eyes, he quickly added, "I mean... of course. I'm always here to support you, Niharika."

She blinked, her cheeks turning slightly pink as she turned her attention back to the task at hand. "Right. Thanks."

Just as they continued talking, Mayank's phone buzzed. He excused himself and stepped into the living room to listen to the audio message from Meera. As he played it, his mind focused on the content.

"There's a function, a college reunion happening in a week," Meera's voice said, "I know Niharika won't go, but if you can convince her, she might. That way, you can get more information about her friends and the others."

Mayank stood still for a moment, the wheels in his mind turning as he thought about how he could approach her. "Okay, done," he murmured to himself before heading back into the kitchen.

When he returned, Niharika was standing in front of the closet, contemplating what to wear. He stood there for a moment, watching her, before he spoke up.

"You should wear the shorts and top. It suits you," he suggested, leaning against the doorway.

She glanced at him, looking uncertain. "What if it's cold?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

Mayank smiled reassuringly. "It'll be fine. You'll be alright."

She nodded and went to change into the tank top and shorts, but as she stepped out, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. She looked back at the mirror and seemed to reconsider. Mayank raised an eyebrow as she turned to head back to the closet.

"Why are you changing?" he asked, his voice soft but curious.

Niharika froze, her hands hovering over the clothing as she tried to come up with an excuse. "I... uh... I just don't think this top works."

"Niharika," he said, his tone more serious now. "Don't lie. I know you love that top. Why are you changing it?"

She didn't respond immediately, and after a beat, Mayank sighed and stepped closer. "Look, stop hiding yourself from me. I don't get why you do it, but I can see it. You need to relax and be yourself, okay?"

Niharika's heart raced at his words, her mind spinning with emotions. He was right. She had been hiding parts of herself, and hearing him say that made something stir inside her. But there was still a lingering fear, a fear tied to his ex, and she couldn't quite shake it.

Mayank noticed the shift in her expression. "Do you have something to say, Nihu?"

The nickname slipped out before he could stop himself, and he instantly realized what he had said. Niharika looked up at him, her eyes wide.

She smiled a little, her lips curling into a small, unsure grin.

"I... I thought you might be a little embarrassed of me," she said, her voice soft.

The words hit him like a punch to the gut, and a flash of anger flared within him. He grabbed her hand, his grip firm but gentle, and pulled her toward him. "Niharika, I'm not embarrassed. You'd know if I was. Stop comparing yourself to others. Especially to Zaina."

Her gaze dropped, and Mayank's heart ached for her. He held her hand, "I can see you comparing yourself, but it's not just about looks. If you want to compare then do it properly—all rounded. You're so much more than that. You can handle a crowd while she can't. Everyone loves your warmth, but not hers. You make the most amazing aloo parathas, but not her. So if you want to compare, compare the real things. Don't just look at the surface."

She blinked, her eyes glistening, and a small smile spread across her face as the tension melted from her shoulders. "Thank you, Mayank," she whispered.

He looked at her and chuckled, "Dosti ka ek usuul hai madam— no sorry, no thank you!"

She chuckled and nodded. Then, she got her hair tied in a low ponytail and looked at him, "Let's go?" She said and started to head to the door but was stopped in between as Mayank held her wrist—pulling her back. She looked at him, confused.

"Niharika," he said as she raised her eyebrow in confusion, "Can I get a hug?"

Her face warmed. She chuckled as she came a bit closer, "You don't need to ask."

Mayank smiled and pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her close as her head rested against his chest. His hand slid around her head, securing her against him, his heart beating steadily in his chest, savoring the warmth of the moment, content to just hold her.

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