Chapter 79

The soft clatter of utensils and the sizzling of butter filled the air as Mayank stood by the stove, effortlessly flipping a pancake. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the kitchen. He hummed lightly under his breath, completely at ease.

Just then, the faint sound of footsteps reached him, and he turned his head, already knowing who it was.

There she stood—Niharika—in his black t-shirt, which hung loosely over her frame, paired with a pair of small, comfortable shorts. Her hair was slightly tousled from sleep, and she looked at him with sleepy eyes, stretching slightly as she entered the kitchen.

Mayank leaned against the counter, a slow smile forming on his lips. "You officially own that shirt too now."

She chuckled softly, rubbing her eyes. "About time you admitted it."

Shaking his head in amusement, he flipped the last pancake onto a plate and walked over to her, placing a soft kiss on her forehead before nudging her toward the table.

"Sit, wife. Breakfast is ready."

She complied, pulling her legs up onto the chair as he placed a plate of pancakes and fresh fruit in front of her. She glanced at the spread—golden pancakes, a drizzle of honey, and a side of her favorite coffee.

"You're spoiling me, you know that?" she teased, picking up her fork.

"Good," he smirked, sitting down across from her. "Get used to it."

They ate in comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging small smiles. The ease between them was something she hadn't felt in a long time, and it made her chest feel warm.

Halfway through breakfast, Niharika looked up suddenly. "Don't forget—we have to go to your parents' place for dinner today."

Mayank nodded, finishing a bite before leaning forward and pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. "I remember."

She glanced at him, slightly surprised. "You're being very agreeable today."

He smirked. "Trying to be a good husband."

She laughed, shaking her head.

After a few more minutes, Mayank checked his watch and sighed. "I have a meeting in ten minutes. I'll be in the room."

Niharika nodded, watching him pick up his coffee and head to his office. As soon as he was out of sight, she grabbed her phone and quickly dialed Siya's number.

The call barely rang twice before Siya picked up.

"Hello, madam!" Siya's teasing voice came through. "So? How was it? Don't leave out a single detail!"

Niharika chuckled. "It was... really nice," she admitted, leaning back against the chair.

Siya gasped dramatically. "Oh my god. Did Niharika Doshi just admit to having a nice time?"

"Oh, shut up," Niharika rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "It was... sweet. He planned everything so well, from the notes to the flowers to the dinner. And the fireworks, Siya—he had our initials in the sky."

Siya let out a loud squeal. "Oh my god, he's gone all in, Nihu! He's completely in love with you, and I don't want to hear otherwise!"

Niharika bit her lip, her heart fluttering at those words. He's in love?

Samar's voice suddenly chimed in from the background. "So, when's the wedding?"

Niharika scoffed. "Samar, we are already married."

"Yes, yes," he laughed. "But now it's feeling like a real one, no?"

She hesitated for a moment before softly saying, "Yeah... it does."

Siya and Samar fell silent for a second before Siya spoke, her voice softer now. "You're happy, aren't you?"

Niharika exhaled slowly, thinking about last night, about the way Mayank had held her, the way he had looked at her. About this morning, the way he smiled at her like she was his.

"Yeah," she admitted, a small smile playing on her lips. "I think I am."

And for the first time in a long time, she felt it too.

"You've fallen for him too, haven't you?" Siya asked, surprising her.

"Love? I don't know." Niharika replied, was she in love?

Samar chuckled as he replied, "Niharika, don't be scared to love—your past relationship wasn't good. I know that. But he's not like that. He isn't like that, he's an amazing guy. And it's so clear you two are in love with each other. Tell him that."

Niharika froze as she heard him. He was right—she did like him. Like? No. She loved him.

Mayank stretched back in his chair, rubbing his temple after his long meeting. He stood up and walked toward the door, opening it slightly. His gaze softened when he saw Niharika curled up on the couch, watching TV, her face relaxed. A small chuckle left his lips—he loved these small, quiet moments with her.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Niharika got up and opened it to reveal Arjun and Rohan.

"Hey!" Niharika smiled as they both pulled her into a quick hug.

"Hey, bhabhi!" Arjun teased, making her roll her eyes with a small smile.

"Mayank's in his room," she told them, stepping aside.

They both nodded and walked in. When they entered, they found Mayank sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone.

"Things look good, bro," Rohan said, smirking as he sat beside him.

Mayank exhaled with a small smile. "Things are good," he admitted. "We talked, sorted everything out."

Arjun leaned forward. "And the insecurities? You think she'll be okay now?"

Mayank ran a hand through his hair. "That's what I'm trying to figure out. I don't want her to feel this way again. I think I should cut Zaina off. I don't see any other way."

Rohan sighed. "That's extreme, but if it helps, maybe... talk to Zaina first? Explain that Niharika feels uncomfortable, and she needs boundaries."

"Yeah," Arjun agreed. "Cutting her off completely might not be necessary, but distancing a bit and making it clear where your priorities are? That could help."

Mayank nodded, thinking it over. He wanted to do whatever it took to make Niharika feel secure.

Then Arjun tilted his head. "Mayank, do you love her?"

Mayank froze. The question hit him harder than he expected. His mind replayed all the moments with Niharika—the fights, the laughter, the way she looked at him when she thought he wasn't watching, the way his heart raced every time he was near her.

Finally, he sighed, a small smile appearing. "I do."

Rohan grinned. "Then why aren't you telling her?"

Mayank looked down. "I don't know if she feels the same. Especially after everything, after the fight... I don't know if she trusts me enough to believe it."

Arjun shook his head. "She trusts you more than you think. She had a hard past, Mayank. It'll take time, but she wouldn't have agreed to fix things if she didn't trust you. If she wanted to stay in her bubble, she would have never let you explain. She wants to trust you—it's just slow."

Mayank took in Arjun's words, thinking.

"Tell her," Arjun said. "Don't miss the chance."

Mayank smiled slightly. "Yeah... I just don't know how to say it."

~•~

Niharika adjusted the dupatta of her elegant light blue salwar suit, checking herself in the mirror one last time. The soft shimmer of the fabric complemented her delicate gold earrings, and the small red bindi on her forehead completed the look. Her hand instinctively went to her mangalsutra, and she felt an odd sense of warmth at its presence. After everything, wearing it tonight felt... right.

They stopped into the car, and as Mayank turned to look at her, his eyes darkened with admiration. His gaze traveled from her face to the sindoor in her hairline, down to the mangalsutra resting against her collarbone. His lips curved into a smile as he took slow steps toward her.

"You look good," he whispered, his voice thick with something deep and unspoken. "With this sindoor and all."

Niharika felt her breath hitch, but she quickly composed herself, tilting her head. "And where is your marriage nishaani?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Mayank smirked, holding up his left hand. "My wedding ring is right here," he said, wiggling his fingers. "And if that's not enough..."

He slowly lifted his right wrist and rolled up his sleeve. Niharika's eyes widened as they landed on the black hair tie wrapped securely around his arm.

"Mayank..." she breathed out, her fingers brushing over it. "Since when?"

"Since I found out you have a habit of losing all your hair ties," he said casually. "And since I became your personal hairstylist, this—" he tugged at the hair tie, "—is my mangalsutra. It's my marriage symbol now."

A small chuckle escaped her lips. "You're cute."

He leaned in slightly, voice dropping into a husky tone. "And you're hot."

Her cheeks turned crimson as she looked away. "Shut up, Mayank."

He grinned, enjoying her reaction. "I can stop the car right now, and you can make me."

She smacked his arm lightly, muttering, "Drive properly, idiot."

Mayank only laughed, stealing glances at her every few seconds as they made their way toward his parents' house.

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