Chapter 6

The engagement was approaching faster than Mayank had anticipated, and he found himself unable to shake the sense of discomfort. He had agreed to this marriage under pressure from his parents, but the idea of committing to someone he barely knew still didn't sit well with him. His thoughts were a tangled mess as he decided to talk to his friends about it.

Sitting at his usual café with Arjun, Imran, and Raman, Mayank couldn't avoid the topic any longer. The conversation started casually, with the usual banter, until Mayank cleared his throat and said, "So... my parents have arranged my engagement. To Niharika Doshi."

Arjun, who had always been a bit of a romantic, leaned forward, his eyes lighting up. "Wait, Niharika Doshi? From school? The one you always had those funny little convos with on Instagram?" He chuckled. "Man, I thought you'd end up with someone from your college or work, but this... this makes sense."

Mayank ran a hand through his hair, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Yeah, well, it's happening. I don't really have a choice."

Imran, who was more practical, raised an eyebrow. "That's a big move, dude. You're okay with this? You barely know her."

"Yeah, I know," Mayank muttered, a small frown on his face. "But I don't have much say in it. It's just... it feels rushed, you know?"

Arjun gave him a knowing smile. "Honestly, I think you two would be great together. I've always kinda shipped you guys, even in school. You both had this little vibe going, though you never really noticed."

Mayank glanced up, surprised. "You think so?"

"Yeah, man. You guys had a thing, even if it wasn't obvious. It's funny, but I'm happy for you." Arjun leaned back in his chair, grinning. "You'll see, it'll work out."

Mayank hesitated. "I don't know. But thanks, I guess."

~•~

Meanwhile, across town, Niharika sat with her friends Siya at her apartment. They were sipping tea and chatting when the topic of her engagement came up. Niharika had always been open with them, but today, something felt different.

"So, you're really getting engaged?" Siya asked, her voice soft but concerned. "To someone you barely know?"

Niharika nodded, staring down at her tea cup. "Yeah, it's happening. It's not like I have a choice either."

Siya sighed. "I can't believe this is happening so soon. I mean, from what you told me about him I know you were always distant with Mayank after school ended."

Siya frowned. "But you guys always had these little, flirty chats, right? Even if you didn't notice it."

Niharika smiled faintly, thinking back to those moments in school. The playful banter, the teasing on Instagram, the small moments of connection they shared. It had always felt lighthearted then, and she hadn't thought much about it.

"Well, we did talk a lot, but it was never anything serious," Niharika explained.

"You never know," Siya said, her eyes gleaming with a touch of mischief. "Sometimes, things work out when you least expect them."

Niharika let out a breath, feeling a little better at her friends' support. They might not know Mayank, but they were trying to see the positives.

"I guess," Niharika said, her smile softening. "It's not what I envisioned, but... I'll have to make it work."

~•~

The day of the engagement arrived, and the house was buzzing with excitement. Niharika stood before the mirror, her reflection showing a version of herself she barely recognized. She was wearing a pastel pink lehenga, intricately embroidered with silver and gold threads, the fabric flowing gracefully around her as she twirled slightly to get a better look at herself. Her hair was styled in soft waves, her makeup done just enough to highlight her features—natural, fresh, and glowing.

It was a far cry from the Niharika who had entered the house three days ago, unsure about everything. Now, as she stood there, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of peace. She wasn't in love with the idea of marriage, but she had accepted it. She didn't know Mayank well enough to be in love with him, but she was learning to find comfort in his presence.

As she made her way downstairs, she saw Mayank, already in a traditional kurta—simple, elegant, but his usual indifference was apparent. His eyes briefly flickered toward her as she entered, but he didn't say much. It was the same story every time; they weren't really connecting, but something in the air between them felt different today.

The engagement ceremony itself was a blur of excitement and emotions. The family members gathered, smiles on their faces, while Mayank and Niharika stood side by side, their hands poised for the exchange of rings.

When the moment came, Niharika held her breath as Mayank slipped the delicate diamond ring onto her finger. It felt surreal. She glanced up at him, and for the briefest moment, their eyes met. He looked detached, like he was merely going through the motions, but there was something else there—something she couldn't quite place.

He stood back after the ring was on her finger, his face expressionless. Niharika's heart fluttered nervously, but she tried to mask it with a smile. She felt the warmth of her parents' approval, the genuine care from Madhun and Maya, and despite herself, a small part of her felt a little happy.

Madhun, sensing her quiet joy, gave Niharika a warm hug. "You look beautiful, Niharika. This is the beginning of something wonderful."

Maya, too, gave her an encouraging smile. "We're so glad to have you in the family."

Niharika's smile grew a little wider, the sense of family warmth settling in her heart. She wasn't ready for this marriage, but with the kindness she was being shown, she started to feel that maybe, just maybe, this could work.

Mayank, on the other hand, watched her carefully. He couldn't deny that she looked beautiful—his eyes took in the way her lehenga shimmered as she moved, the soft glow on her face—but his mind kept drifting back to his exes. He couldn't help but compare Niharika to them.

She's not as stunning as some of the girls I've seen, he thought briefly, feeling guilty for even thinking it. But he couldn't shake the feeling. The truth was, Niharika had her own charm. She wasn't the type of woman who would demand attention with her looks, but there was something about her calm, collected presence that intrigued him.

He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. This wasn't the time for comparison. I don't even know her, he reminded himself, looking at her again, this time with a new awareness.

Niharika caught him staring, and for a moment, their eyes met again. She offered a soft smile, unsure of what it meant, but it made Mayank pause. She didn't seem upset or offended, and there was a warmth to her that he hadn't fully noticed before.

~•~

The rest of the evening passed in a haze of rituals, conversations, and polite smiles. When the time came for Mayank and Niharika to leave, the air was thick with unspoken tension. They had agreed to the engagement for their families, but neither of them was truly ready to embrace it.

After the engagement ceremony ended, Mayank and Niharika's families sat down for dinner. The room was filled with chatter and laughter, but Mayank couldn't bring himself to fully engage. He glanced over at Niharika, who was seated beside him, quietly eating and participating in the conversation, though she seemed just as distracted as he was. Her eyes were soft, but there was a distance to her smile. She wasn't fully happy either.

Throughout the dinner, their eyes met several times. Mayank couldn't help but notice that she seemed more at ease with her and his family than with him. She laughed softly at something his mother said, and there was a gentle warmth in her expression that made him think for a moment. She was easy to talk to, and she was kind. He noticed how easily she spoke to his parents. But that didn't mean he was ready for this.

As they parted ways for the night, Mayank's mind continued to whirl with confusion, while Niharika's heart felt just a little bit lighter, despite the uncertainty ahead. They were engaged now—whether they liked it or not—and the journey toward the unknown was just beginning.

🩷