Chapter 51

The morning light spilled into the apartment as Niharika sat at her desk, engrossed in work. Her laptop buzzed with incoming emails, and a half-empty cup of chai sat forgotten beside her. She stretched, glancing at the clock. It was already early evening, and she hadn't moved much all day.

The sound of the front door opening broke her focus. Mayank walked in, dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark jeans, looking every bit the confident professional. He stopped when he saw her hunched over the table.

"Still working?" he asked, setting his bag down.

"Deadlines," Niharika muttered, typing away. "It's been a hectic day."

Mayank leaned against the counter, watching her. She had a pencil tucked behind her ear, and her hair was tied in a messy bun. There was a faint frown on her face as she concentrated, and he couldn't help but admire her focus.

"You've been at it all day. When do you plan to stop?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Soon, hopefully. Just need to finish this."

Mayank didn't press further. Instead, he busied himself in the kitchen, preparing coffee. When Niharika finally shut her laptop an hour later, she let out a deep sigh and stretched her arms. Turning, she found Mayank sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone.

"You survived," he teased, looking up with a smirk.

"Barely," she replied, flopping onto the couch beside him.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Mayank spoke. "Do you have any events or plans this week?"

Niharika paused, her mind flickering to the invitation she had ignored. "There's a college reunion on Friday," she admitted hesitantly. "But I'm not planning to go."

"Why not?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve. "I just... don't feel like it. My ex might be there."

Mayank's expression didn't change, but there was a sharpness in his voice when he responded. "Then it's the perfect time to show him your marital status."

Niharika laughed nervously. "That would only work if you come with me."

"I don't mind," he said simply, leaning back. "I'll come."

She looked at him, surprised by his easy agreement. But then doubt crept in. "I don't know, Mayank. It's not just him. There might be others there... people who don't really wish me well."

His gaze softened, but his tone was firm. He knew she was referring to her friends—that's exactly why he wanted to go. "I don't care about them. You shouldn't hide away from anyone, Niharika. Especially not from people who don't matter."

She bit her lip, his words stirring something in her. "I'll think about it," she said finally.

Mayank didn't push further. Instead, he smiled and patted her back. Then he stood up and headed back to the kitchen. The sound of clattering pots and pans soon filled the apartment, and the aroma of spices wafted through the air.

"What are you making?" Niharika asked, wandering over to the kitchen.

He glanced at her, a playful smile on his lips. "A Bengali dish."

She tilted her head, intrigued. "What's that?"

"Paneer cooked in coconut milk, with mustard and a touch of sweetness," he explained, stirring the pot. "You'll love it."

The rich, fragrant smell made her stomach rumble. She leaned against the counter, watching him cook with practiced ease. "I didn't know you could cook like this."

"There's a lot you don't know about me.... Yet," he said, echoing his words from the night before.

She rolled her eyes but smiled. Soon, he plated the dish and set it on the dining table. Niharika took a bite, her eyes widening. "Wow, this is amazing!"

"Told you," Mayank said, looking pleased with himself.

They ate together, chatting about small things. Afterward, as Niharika began cleaning up, Mayank leaned against the sink, watching her.

"I don't want to bring this up again," he said, his voice hesitant. "But I'm curious. What made you fall for your ex?"

Niharika paused, her hand stilling over the plate she was washing. "I don't really know," she admitted after a moment. "I guess it felt like we were vibing as friends. He fell for me, and I think I just enjoyed the company. But when we started dating... I realized he wasn't someone I could be with. There was no spice, no chemistry. It felt more like taking care of a child than being with a boyfriend."

Mayank listened intently, his expression thoughtful. "So... you wanted a friend. A best friend, rather than just a romantic partner."

Niharika stared at him, stunned. "No one's ever understood that before."

He smiled slightly. "It makes sense. You wanted someone you could do goofy stuff with. Not someone who just flirts all the time."

"Exactly," she said, nodding. "I don't like it when it's all just about romance and no depth."

Mayank let out a soft chuckle. "Wow. That's a relief."

She frowned, tilting her head. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing. Don't worry about it," he said, shaking his head with a grin.

She narrowed her eyes at him but decided to let it go. After finishing the dishes, they both retired to their rooms. The apartment was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning.

As Niharika settled into her bed, there was a knock at her door. "Niharika?" Mayank's voice came from the other side.

"Yeah?" she called out, sitting up.

The door opened slightly, and he peeked in. "Do you... maybe want to share a room?"

Her heart skipped a beat at the question. She looked at him, standing there with a hesitant expression, and smiled. "Sure."

His face lit up with a mix of surprise and relief. "Okay."

She followed him to his room, feeling an odd sense of comfort as she stepped inside. As they settled in, the atmosphere was easy, relaxed. And for the first time in a long time, Niharika felt like she wasn't alone.

🩷

Gonna halt writing for a bit—it feels like I'm writing to myself and I'm not really enjoying it. I'll be back soon hopefully.