35. Sad for him leaving

The next day arrived with a melancholic stillness in the air. Shivaay got ready in his usual crisp suit, his tie perfectly in place—though the memory of Niharika helping him with it lingered in his mind. He ran his hand over his hair one last time, took a deep breath, and descended the grand staircase.

As he reached the bottom, the family had already gathered in the living room. The atmosphere was a mix of routine and subtle unease. Everyone smiled warmly, but the underlying tension of his departure was evident.

Shweta approached him first, her motherly instincts kicking in. “Take care of yourself, Shivaay,” she said softly, her eyes moist.

Shivaay gave her a small nod before pulling her into a long hug. “I’ll be back before you know it, Ma,” he said, his voice steady, though his heart felt heavy. Shweta held him tightly, as if trying to transfer all her love and blessings through that embrace.

Indra stepped forward next, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Focus on the work, beta, but don’t exhaust yourself. The kingdom needs you fit and well.”

Shivaay gave him a curt nod, his usual composure masking his emotions. “I will, Bauji.”

One by one, he bid goodbye to everyone—Riya, Anand, and the rest of the family. Even the younger ones, like Ivaan and Ishaan, gave him quick hugs and encouraging words.

When his eyes finally landed on Niharika, she was standing a little to the side, her hands clasped in front of her. She offered him a polite smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

He walked over to her, his movements slower than usual. “Take care of yourself...and everyone here,” he said, his voice softer than it had been with the others.

Niharika nodded, her gaze unwavering. “I will. Safe travels.”

For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and something unspoken passed between them. Shivaay wanted to say more, to ask her if she’d miss him, but the words got stuck in his throat.

He turned to the driver waiting by the car, signaling that it was time. With a final glance at the family, he stepped out of the mansion.

As the car pulled away, Shivaay looked out of the window, his mind clouded with thoughts of Niharika. Why does leaving feel like losing something precious?

Back in the mansion, Niharika stood by the doorway, watching the car disappear into the distance. She let out a quiet sigh, her heart heavy with emotions she didn’t fully understand. Why does his absence feel so significant?

Both of them, miles apart, carried the same unanswered questions in their hearts.

Niharika walked into the mandir with a calm demeanor, her saree draped gracefully as she began preparing for the morning aarti. The fragrance of incense sticks filled the air, mingling with the soft glow of the morning sun streaming through the temple’s stained-glass windows.

She knelt down to light the diya, her delicate fingers holding the matchstick steady. As the flame flickered to life, her thoughts betrayed her calm exterior. Her mind was no longer in the moment—it was far away, traveling with Shivaay.

Is he safe? she wondered, the question echoing in her heart. She stared at the flame of the diya, her eyes reflecting her inner turmoil. Images of Shivaay flashed in her mind—the way he had struggled with his tie yesterday, the way he’d spoken softly before leaving, the way his eyes seemed to hold unspoken words when they’d locked onto hers.

She let out a shaky breath, her fingers tightening around the diya stand. Why can’t I stop thinking about him? she thought, frustration mixing with worry. She tried to focus on the task at hand, placing the diya carefully before the idols, but her mind kept wandering.

He’s out there, far from home, working tirelessly... What if something happens to him? Her heart clenched at the thought, and a silent prayer escaped her lips.

“Please be safe, Shivaay,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet carrying the weight of her emotions.

She closed her eyes and folded her hands in prayer, hoping the gods would hear her silent plea. The temple bell rang softly, breaking the stillness, but Niharika remained there, her eyes still closed, trying to find solace in her prayers, though her heart ached with worry.

The day passed with a mix of routine and distractions. Niharika kept herself busy, helping with household chores, and assisting Shweta and Anita with the preparations for dinner. Despite her efforts to stay occupied, her thoughts kept drifting back to Shivaay. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease, worrying about his safety as he traveled to California.

During lunch, the family gathered at the table, chatting casually about their plans for the upcoming days. Niharika smiled and joined in, but her mind wasn't fully present. She found herself glancing at the clock, wondering when Shivaay would check in.

In the afternoon, Riya asked Niharika to accompany her to the garden, where they planted new flowers. The bright colors of the blooms and the warmth of the sun helped lift Niharika’s spirits a little, but she still couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness. She was anxious for Shivaay's safe return.

As evening approached, Niharika prepared for the evening aarti, lighting the diya in the mandir. She whispered a silent prayer for Shivaay's safety, the small flame giving her a sense of connection to him. It was as though she was sending him her wishes through the light, hoping he would feel her presence even from miles away.

By the time night fell, the house was quieter, and Niharika found herself sitting on the balcony, staring up at the stars. A cool breeze blew through the night, but her mind remained filled with thoughts of Shivaay. The stillness of the night only deepened her longing, and she wondered when she would see him again.

As Niharika sat there, her thoughts kept circling back to Shivaay. She frowned slightly, trying to push him out of her mind. Why am I thinking about him so much? she wondered, a twinge of frustration rising in her chest. She had no reason to be so concerned. It wasn’t like she owed him anything. He was her husband, yes, but they barely knew each other. Yet, there she was, constantly thinking about his safety, his well-being, wondering if he was okay.

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. It’s just the responsibility of being a wife, she told herself. But deep down, she knew that wasn’t the full answer. There was something more—a connection, perhaps? She couldn’t pinpoint it. She had always kept her emotions in check, never letting herself feel too deeply for anyone. Yet, here she was, unable to stop worrying about a man she had just married.

Sighing, she stood up and walked back inside. She couldn’t make sense of her emotions right now. All she knew was that, for some reason, Shivaay’s absence had left a hole in her heart that she couldn’t explain.

Niharika stepped out onto the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against her face as the evening sun began to dip below the horizon. She leaned against the railing, looking out at the city, but her mind was far from the view. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Shivaay.

Without realizing it, her body grew heavy, the fatigue from the day catching up to her. She sat down on the balcony floor, her legs crossed, and before she could even try to push the thoughts away, her eyes fluttered shut.

The peace of the night wrapped around her like a blanket, and in that stillness, she fell asleep, her mind filled with fragmented thoughts of Shivaay—his words, his actions, and the way he looked at her when they last spoke. The confusion and curiosity that had been bubbling inside her seemed to quiet as sleep took over, but even in her dreams, he lingered, his presence more powerful than she could ignore.

The night passed quietly, with Niharika’s form resting in the cool night air, as her subconscious grappled with the emotions she couldn’t yet fully understand.

The next morning, Niharika woke up feeling the chill in the air. Her sensitive body shivered as she stretched and rubbed her eyes. She could feel the lingering traces of the dream she had, though the details were unclear. Slowly, she stood up and wrapped herself in a warm shawl before heading to the bathroom.

After getting ready, she went downstairs, her mind still a little clouded from the thoughts of Shivaay. As she walked into the living room, she found Anita, her mother-in-law, sitting by the window, sipping tea.

Anita looked up with a soft smile and, without much emotion, said, "Shivaay has reached California safely."

Niharika paused for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn’t expected to feel anything about his departure, but hearing about his arrival in California brought a strange mix of relief and emptiness.

She nodded quietly, trying to hide the unexpected flutter in her chest. "That's good to know," she replied, her voice betraying a hint of something unspoken.

Anita, noticing the quiet atmosphere, added, "He'll be there for a few months. I hope everything goes well with the business deal."

Niharika simply smiled, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Shivaay and the complex feelings that seemed to grow with each passing day. She couldn’t help but wonder what his life would be like in California. Would he miss home? Would he think about her? The questions swirled in her mind, but she quickly pushed them aside, focusing on the present.

As Niharika walked into the living room, she was greeted by her mother-in-law, Shweta, who looked at her with a concerned gaze.

Shweta noticed Niharika's pale complexion, the bags under her eyes, and her distant demeanor. She put down the cup of tea she was holding and walked closer to her.

"You look pale, beta," Shweta said with a hint of worry in her voice. "Is everything alright? You don’t seem like yourself today."

Niharika forced a small smile but couldn’t mask the exhaustion and unease that weighed heavily on her. She had barely slept, her thoughts consumed by Shivaay's absence and the overwhelming feelings she hadn’t yet come to terms with.

"I’m fine, Ma," Niharika replied, her voice colder than she intended. "Just a little tired, that’s all."

Shweta studied her for a moment, sensing there was more to it, but she didn’t push further. "You should rest more, beta. You’re not looking well."

Niharika nodded silently and turned to walk towards the kitchen. Shweta didn’t say anything more, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. She had known Niharika long enough to recognize when something wasn’t right, but she chose to let it be for now, hoping her daughter-in-law would open up when the time was right.

As Niharika moved away, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. The absence of Shivaay, even though he was far away in California, had left a cold emptiness inside her, and she wasn’t sure how to fill it or even what to do about it.