Chapter 64

The evening had fallen quickly, and everyone had returned to their rooms after the trek, tired but content. The group had gathered in a large, cozy room, sitting around a low table with steaming cups of chai in hand. The warm aroma of spices filled the air, and the conversation flowed easily. Mayank found himself talking to Niharika's family friends about work and a few shared experiences from his time in Dubai. They laughed and exchanged stories, the comfort of the evening settling around them.

As they were talking, the door swung open, and one of the family friends entered, a wide grin on her face. "Guys, I've managed to get a yacht booked for tonight. It'll be fun!" she exclaimed, her excitement infectious.

Everyone looked up in surprise and delight.

She continued, "So, make sure to dress fancy! And if you don't have anything with you, there's a store downstairs where you can buy something."

Everyone smiled and nodded, the excitement building as plans were made. The family friend clapped her hands, saying, "Alright, time to get ready! We'll head out in an hour, so don't take too long."

With that, everyone started dispersing, heading off to their rooms to prepare for the evening.

Niharika sat on her bed, rifling through her suitcase in search of something fancy to wear. She frowned slightly when nothing seemed to fit the occasion. "Ugh, I have nothing that's fancy enough for a yacht," she muttered to herself.

Mayank, who had just come back from his room, leaned against the doorframe, watching her. "Let's go downstairs and check," he suggested with a grin.

Niharika glanced up at him, an amused expression on her face. "Arre, who's going to buy something new for just one evening?" she teased.

Mayank held out his hand with a playful grin. "Chal, let's go. I'm sure we'll find something."

She rolled her eyes but took his hand, allowing him to pull her toward the door. They made their way downstairs to the small boutique inside the resort. The store was quiet, with soft lighting and shelves filled with dresses, shoes, and accessories.

Niharika's eyes immediately fell on a beautiful white dress hanging by the window. It was simple but elegant—a fitted silhouette that came just above her thighs. It had a single strap on one shoulder, with a crisscrossed back. It was skin-tight in the most flattering way, and Niharika immediately knew it was the one.

Mayank, who had been watching her, smiled and nodded toward the dress. "I think that would look beautiful on you," he said, his voice sincere.

Niharika smiled softly at him, her heart fluttering. "I think you're right," she said, her fingers gently grazing the fabric as she took it off the hanger.

They bought the dress, and after heading back to their room, Niharika went straight into the bathroom to change. Mayank waited for her on the bed, a bit nervous for some reason. When she stepped out in the dress, his breath caught in his throat.

The dress hugged her body in all the right places, the fabric sculpting her figure without being overly tight. The way it hugged her curves and the short hemline made her legs look endless. The strap on one shoulder gave it an elegant touch, while the open back added a hint of allure.

Mayank stood there, stunned for a moment. He couldn't help but stare at her, completely mesmerized by how beautiful she looked. She looked up at him, a small blush creeping up her cheeks as she met his gaze.

"You okay?" she asked, her voice teasing.

Mayank snapped out of his daze, clearing his throat. "Yeah, just... wow," he muttered, his voice rough.

Niharika smiled, obviously pleased with his reaction, but then quickly turned to finish getting ready. She did her makeup in a simple, natural style, enhancing her features without going overboard. She was just about to straighten her hair when she paused, glancing at Mayank.

"Would you mind helping me with my hair?" she asked, her voice a little uncertain.

Mayank, always eager to help, nodded. "Of course. How do you want it?"

She guided him, explaining that he should straighten her hair until about halfway down, then curl the rest. Mayank followed her instructions carefully, concentrating as he worked through her hair. He was surprisingly gentle, his hands careful as he curled the ends of her hair with a slight touch.

Once he was finished, Niharika looked at him through the mirror, a soft smile on her face. "How do I look?" she asked, her voice light.

Mayank didn't say anything at first. Instead, he reached for some kajal from her makeup kit, dipping his finger into the dark powder. With slow, deliberate movements, he pressed his finger gently behind her neck, as if warding off evil eye or nazar—his eyes never leaving hers.

Niharika's breath hitched at his touch, her cheeks flushing. She quickly pulled him into a hug, catching him off guard. "You're too sweet," she murmured into his chest.

Mayank chuckled, wrapping his arms around her for a moment before pulling away. "Go on, I'll get ready and come."

With a final smile, Niharika left the room to meet the others, her steps light and her heart full. Mayank quickly got dressed himself, his mind replaying the moment she had walked out in that dress. It was impossible not to think about her, especially when she looked at him like that.

After a few minutes, he headed downstairs, his heart beating a little faster than usual. It was going to be a fun night, but he knew deep down that this evening would be a memory he'd never forget.

The yacht was the perfect escape from the noise and chaos of the party downstairs. The lower deck buzzed with music, laughter, and dancing, while the upper deck offered a quiet, serene space. The gazebo at the top was perfect for taking in the view of the vast ocean, with the cool breeze tousling the hair of those who ventured up there. Mayank, lost in the festivities below, noticed that Niharika had disappeared from the crowd. His gaze swept across the deck, his concern growing as he didn't spot her anywhere.

"I'll be right back," Mayank muttered to the group as they continued to enjoy their drinks, none of them noticing his departure.

He made his way inside the yacht and found the driver and lifeguard chatting, but Niharika was nowhere in sight. His steps grew quicker as he headed to the stairs that led to the upper deck. As he stepped out into the open, he immediately saw her.

Niharika stood at the edge of the gazebo, the evening sun casting a soft glow on her, making her look ethereal. Her hair fluttered gently in the wind, and she was completely absorbed in the view, a quiet calm surrounding her. Mayank stood for a moment, silently watching her. There was something about her in this moment—her stillness, her beauty—that made his heart race.

His instincts kicked in, and he quickly pulled his phone out of his pocket, raising it to his eye. He took a few quick, candid pictures of her—her hair catching the wind, her face lit by the soft evening light, the way she seemed to glow in the quiet serenity. Mayank couldn't help himself; he couldn't resist capturing the moment. As he clicked the camera, a small, admiring smile tugged at his lips.

He lowered the phone and stepped forward, calling out softly, "Hey."

Niharika turned to face him, her expression soft but distant. "Just needed a little break from the noise downstairs," she said, her eyes briefly scanning him before returning to the horizon.

Mayank smiled, walking toward her slowly, the space between them narrowing. "It's nice here, huh? Not too cold either."

Niharika nodded, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The air was filled with the unspoken tension, an invisible thread pulling them closer. Mayank's gaze shifted from her eyes to her lips, and he felt the magnetic pull between them. He couldn't help but notice how her hair caught the wind, her lips slightly parted as she breathed in the cool evening air.

There was something in the way she was standing, something in the way her body seemed to sway gently with the breeze. Mayank's heart pounded as he took another step closer. His fingers itched to reach for her, to feel her against him.

"I've been meaning to ask you something," Mayank muttered, his voice a low rasp. Niharika's gaze snapped to him, her brows furrowing slightly in curiosity.

"What?" she asked softly, her heart already skipping a beat. She wasn't sure why, but the way he said that made her pulse race.

He let out a small breath, the tension between them thickening. His eyes never left hers, and he found himself getting lost in the depths of her gaze. "There's something I've been wanting to do," he said quietly, so softly she almost didn't catch it.

Niharika blinked, her pulse quickening as she tried to decipher his words. She wasn't sure what he meant, but the weight of his tone, the sincerity in his voice, made her heart race. The distance between them seemed to evaporate as Mayank took another step closer, his hand reaching out for hers, his touch gentle but firm.

For a moment, it felt as though the world around them had paused. The music from below was distant, the laughter faint, and all that mattered was the space between them. Niharika's breath hitched as Mayank's hand rested lightly on her cheek, his thumb brushing across her skin.

Her lips parted slightly, and without thinking, Mayank moved closer, his lips brushing the side of her face, his breath mingling with hers. His voice was barely above a whisper. "This," he muttered, before closing the distance and capturing her lips with his.

The kiss was slow at first, tentative, like a question. His lips moved gently over hers, as if asking for permission, but there was no hesitation from Niharika. She leaned into him, her hands moving to his chest as if instinctively drawn to him. Mayank deepened the kiss, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her closer. The kiss became more urgent, more desperate, as if everything they'd been holding back finally poured out in that one moment.

Niharika responded with equal intensity, her body pressed against his as if she couldn't get close enough. Mayank's hands tangled in her hair, his fingers brushing her skin as he deepened the kiss even further. Every touch, every movement between them felt like it was a part of something inevitable, something that had been building for far too long.

When they finally pulled apart, their breathing was shallow, their hearts racing in sync. Mayank's hands were still resting on her waist, his forehead pressed gently against hers.

Niharika's eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him, a mixture of emotions flashing across her face—surprise, excitement, confusion, but also a soft joy she hadn't been able to name. "Mayank," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He smiled, his thumb brushing her cheek, his heart still thundering in his chest. "I think I've wanted to do that for a while," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity.

Niharika smiled shyly, her hands still resting on his chest as she leaned into him once more, as if trying to find her bearings after the whirlwind of emotions that had just passed between them. She didn't say anything.

As they stood there, still holding hands, the moment between them felt like time had slowed. Niharika's fingers were gently intertwined with Mayank's, and there was a quiet calm in their presence. The world around them continued to move, but the air between them was thick with unspoken feelings, every touch and every glance carrying more weight than it ever had before.

Just as they were basking in the silence, a family friend appeared, her presence breaking the bubble. "Oh dear, I'm sorry if I disturbed," she said, her voice soft with concern.

Niharika quickly looked at her and smiled, her heart still racing from the kiss. "No, no, it's fine. He was just taking a few pictures of me," she replied, her voice warm.

The aunty's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Oh, let me take one of you two together!" she said, already stepping forward, her camera phone ready.

Mayank glanced at Niharika before nodding, a playful glint in his eyes. "Sure," he said, passing his phone to the aunty.

The aunty positioned them with an expert hand, and Mayank's hands instinctively wrapped around Niharika's waist, pulling her closer as they smiled warmly for the picture. His grip was firmer now, and Niharika's breath caught slightly at the new intensity. They shared a brief glance—eyes locked in that moment, filled with so much unspoken emotion. But before they could get lost in it again, the aunty smiled and snapped the photo.

"You two look beautiful," she said warmly, a smile spreading across her face. She then proceeded to do the traditional evil eye gesture, as if warding off any bad luck for them. With one final smile, she turned and walked back down to the rest of the group, leaving them in the quiet of the gazebo.

Mayank chuckled softly, shaking his head. Niharika, still holding onto him, chuckled too, the sound light and carefree. He pulled her in close, wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace, and then pressed a gentle kiss to her head, the simple gesture sending a shiver through her.

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