Chapter 80

The Dattas' dining table was lively with conversation, filled with laughter and the occasional clinking of utensils. Maya Datta watched her son and daughter-in-law with contentment as they ate together. It was the first time in a long while that Mayank looked this settled—this happy.

Halfway through dinner, Maya smiled and said, "I was thinking... we never really got a chance to host a proper reception for you two. Everything happened so fast, and I'd love to celebrate your marriage the way it should have been. What do you both think?"

Mayank leaned back in his chair, glancing at Niharika, who looked slightly surprised. Then, turning back to his mother, he smiled. "I think it's a great idea, Mom. It's time everyone knows my wife and me properly."

Madhun Datta, who had been listening quietly, nodded approvingly, a rare smile gracing his features. He had always noticed Mayank's initial resistance to this marriage, but now, hearing him speak with such confidence and acceptance—it felt like a full circle moment.

Maya beamed. "Then it's settled! I'll speak to Yangeeta as soon as I can. We'll plan something beautiful."

With that, dinner continued in a warm, celebratory mood. The conversations flowed effortlessly, filled with old stories, light teasing, and shared memories. Niharika, though still getting used to the familial warmth, found herself enjoying the atmosphere.

After they finished eating, Niharika got up and said, "Maa, let me help clear the table."

Maya immediately waved her off. "No, no, beta. You relax and—"

But Niharika shook her head, smiling. "I'm family, right?" And without waiting for a response, she started gathering plates and headed toward the kitchen.

Mayank watched her go, a soft smile playing on his lips, before turning back to his parents.

Madhun sighed contently. "She's a good girl."

Maya nodded. "I'm glad to see you two having such a good time together."

Mayank exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... I am too." He paused for a moment before looking up at them. "Mom, Dad... I'm sorry I wasn't on board with this before. I see her now, and I get it. I can't believe how lucky I am."

Maya's expression softened, her eyes glistening with emotion.

"She's my best friend more than my wife," Mayank continued, a small, almost incredulous smile on his face. "I can't imagine how things would have been otherwise. Zaina and I... we were good, but now that I see Niharika—she's someone who can have fun and carry a family at the same time. That's what I need.

"She's super fun—I enjoy spending time with her, teasing her, annoying her, and she's just as annoying and funny in return. It never feels forced. We feel like friends first, and that's exactly what she always wanted too. We even have the same love language."

Madhun smirked slightly at his son's words, but Maya blinked away tears, her voice thick with emotion. She reached across the table and placed her hand over Mayank's, her eyes filled with warmth. "You don't know how long we've waited to hear this, beta. We knew from the start that Niharika was meant to be yours."

Mayank let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "It's funny, isn't it? I never thought I'd even like her, let alone..." He paused, exhaling with a thoughtful smile. "We're so different, or at least that's what I used to think. But now I realize we're not different at all. We're just—balanced. It turns out, everyone else saw it before we did."

Madhun smirked, leaning back in his chair. "That's how it always is. The people in love are the last ones to see it."

Maya chuckled. "Exactly! And honestly, I always knew she was the right one. She's got patience, strength, and that fire to challenge you when needed. That's exactly the kind of person you needed in your life."

Mayank smiled at that, his fingers absentmindedly tapping the edge of his glass. "Yeah... she challenges me, she makes me laugh, she infuriates me, but somehow, I don't mind. I like that about her. With her, nothing feels forced. We argue, we fight, we tease, but it always feels... right."

Madhun nodded in approval. "That's because it is right. You've always been stubborn, Mayank, and I'll admit, we were worried about how you'd handle an arranged marriage. But looking at you now..." He smiled knowingly. "I can tell you don't just care about her. You respect her. And that's what makes all the difference."

Mayank sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I do. More than I ever expected to. I think back to how I was in the beginning, how I resisted this, and I honestly feel like an idiot. I wasted so much time pushing her away, when all she ever did was try to be there for me."

Maya's eyes softened as she said, "Well, what matters is that you see it now. And you still have all the time in the world to make up for it."

Mayank leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, a rare softness in his expression. "She's become the best part of my day, you know? I wake up, and the first thing I want to do is see her. She's my home now. I never thought I'd say that about anyone."

Maya wiped the corner of her eye with her dupatta, smiling through her emotions. "You don't know how happy that makes me, beta. I told you, didn't I? I told you that you'd eventually see what we saw. The chart never lies."

Mayank chuckled, shaking his head. "You and your astrology, Mom. But yeah, you were right. She was the best thing that could've happened to me."

Madhun, who had been listening silently, took a sip of his tea and finally spoke up. "A marriage is built on understanding. Love follows when two people choose to stand by each other. And Niharika—she stands by you."

Mayank nodded, his voice quieter now. "She does. Even when I didn't make it easy, she stayed. Even when she was hurt, she gave me the benefit of the doubt. That's something special."

Madhun gave his son a proud look. "Then you better make sure you do the same for her."

Mayank looked up, determination flashing in his eyes. "I will, Dad. I won't take her for granted. Not now. Not ever."

A few feet away, just behind the kitchen doorway, Niharika stood frozen, her hands clutching a towel she had been holding while wiping the dishes. She had come back to ask Mayank something, but the moment she heard his words, she couldn't bring herself to move.

Her eyes welled up, her chest tightening at the unexpected wave of emotions. He saw her. He truly saw her.

Biting her lip to keep a sob from escaping, she looked at him from afar, sitting between his parents, speaking about their marriage with such certainty, such quiet pride.

She had never imagined she would hear these words from him.

She took a shaky breath, a soft smile forming through her tears. I got lucky, she thought. Really, really lucky.

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