36. Her dupatta

In California, Shivaay arrived at his luxurious penthouse, the grand space echoing with silence as he entered. The weight of the long flight and the burden of his responsibilities had left him feeling drained. He made his way to the master bedroom, the place that had once been a sanctuary, but now felt oddly empty without Niharika by his side.

He dropped his bag on the floor and stood for a moment, taking in the view of the sprawling city from his penthouse window. The skyline stretched out before him, a vast contrast to the emptiness he felt inside.

Sighing, he walked to the bed, his body aching from the journey. Without bothering to change out of his clothes, he collapsed onto the soft sheets, his mind immediately drifting to Niharika. Her face, the way her eyes had looked at him when he left, and the way she had been quieter than usual... It all lingered in his thoughts.

Shivaay turned onto his side, staring at the ceiling. A sense of restlessness washed over him as he tried to push the image of her from his mind, but it wouldn’t leave.

He missed her. He hadn’t realized how deeply he felt her absence until he was here, alone. His thoughts kept returning to the moments they shared, the way she stood beside him, the way she supported him, even when she was unsure or afraid.

But now, she was miles away, and he had no idea what she was feeling. Was she thinking about him too? Or was she better off without him?

The questions swirled in his head, but he didn’t have any answers. Slowly, his thoughts turned into a blur as his exhaustion took over. The weight of the day finally caught up with him, and his eyes closed, though sleep didn’t come easily. Even in the solitude of his penthouse, he couldn’t escape the feeling of longing for the woman who held his heart.

Shivaay opened his bags, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Niharika. As he began unpacking, his hand brushed against something soft, folded neatly at the bottom of his bag. Confused, he pulled it out, and to his surprise, it was a red dupatta — Niharika's.

He stared at it for a moment, his fingers running over the fabric, the deep red color reminding him of her presence. The warmth of her smile, the softness of her touch... It felt like a piece of her was right there with him.

He couldn’t quite understand why he had packed it. He hadn’t consciously thought about bringing it with him. But now, holding the dupatta, he realized it had somehow slipped into his bag amidst the chaos of preparations. Maybe he had just wanted a part of her with him, something to hold onto, to remind him of her while he was so far away.

He unfolded it slowly, the delicate fabric slipping through his fingers like time itself. It was a symbol of her—of their bond, of everything they had been through. It felt surreal, knowing she wasn’t here. He had left her behind, and now, in this unfamiliar place, the absence of her presence was even more painful.

Shivaay shook his head, letting out a long breath. His thoughts were clouded, and he couldn’t explain why he had this overwhelming need to keep something so simple, so personal from her with him.

But in this moment, it wasn’t just a piece of cloth. It was a connection. A tangible piece of Niharika in a world that felt distant and cold without her.

He carefully placed it on the bed, staring at it for a moment longer, before he sat down beside it. His hand reached out, gently touching the fabric as if hoping it would bring him some sense of comfort. But the ache in his chest only grew stronger.

Shivaay knew one thing for sure: he couldn’t ignore the pull she had on him. And no matter how far he went, Niharika’s presence would always linger with him, in his thoughts, in the memories they shared, and now in this red dupatta.

Shivaay’s hand lingered on the soft fabric of the dupatta, his fingers tracing its delicate embroidery. For a moment, he closed his eyes, the silence of the penthouse surrounding him. And then, inexplicably, he felt it—a warmth, faint but undeniable, as if Niharika herself were standing right there, beside him.

The faint scent of her—jasmine and sandalwood—seemed to fill the air, and he could almost hear the soft rustle of her anklets. His heart skipped a beat, and his breath hitched. It was absurd, he thought. She was miles away, back at the Ranawat mansion. Yet, for this fleeting moment, her presence felt so real, so tangible.

He opened his eyes, half-expecting to see her standing there, looking at him with those big, expressive eyes that always seemed to hold a storm of emotions. But the room was empty, and reality came crashing back. Still, the feeling lingered, her essence wrapping around him like a comforting embrace.

Shivaay let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Why are you doing this to me, Niharika?" he murmured under his breath, his voice barely audible in the vastness of the room.

The dupatta slipped from his hand and rested on his lap. He stared at it, the ache in his chest growing heavier. For someone who had always prided himself on being in control, this vulnerability was foreign and unsettling. And yet, it was undeniable—she had become an inescapable part of him.

He leaned back on the bed, the dupatta still in his hand, and closed his eyes again. This time, he didn’t fight the feeling. Instead, he let himself imagine her there, her presence filling the emptiness around him.

For just a moment, he allowed himself to get lost in the illusion, pretending that the distance between them didn’t exist.

Shivaay lay back on the soft mattress, the red dupatta clutched tightly in his hands. His eyes softened as he gazed at the fabric, his mind drifting far away from the luxurious penthouse in California to the Ranawat mansion. Slowly, he brought the dupatta closer, holding it against his chest.

As he lay there, his thoughts wandered uncontrollably to her—Niharika. He wondered how it would feel to hold her instead of this piece of cloth. To feel her warmth against him, her head resting lightly on his chest, her soft breaths soothing his ever-turbulent mind. He sighed, the ache in his heart growing stronger.

"How would it feel, Niharika?" he whispered into the quiet of the room. His voice was heavy with longing, a vulnerability that he rarely allowed himself to feel, let alone show.

He hugged the dupatta closer, closing his eyes as if trying to capture the essence of her in the empty space around him. It felt ridiculous, and yet, it felt right. The faint scent of her still lingered on the fabric, teasing him, making him yearn for something he couldn’t quite name.

Shivaay’s fingers gently traced the embroidery as if it were her skin, his mind painting vivid pictures of her. He imagined her shy smile, the way she would lower her gaze when he looked at her, and the unspoken emotions that flickered in her eyes. For a man who had always sought control, this helplessness was both unsettling and oddly comforting.

As the night deepened, his thoughts grew heavier. Exhaustion took over, and his grip on the dupatta tightened as if letting go would mean losing her entirely.

"I don't know what you’ve done to me," he murmured before sleep claimed him. His breathing evened out, but his dreams remained alive with her presence. Even in slumber, he clung to the dupatta like it was a part of her—a connection to the one person who had unknowingly captured his heart.

Niharika sat in her room, Her mind wandered back to the days when she was immersed in her studies, driven by her dream of becoming a great cardiologist. The thought of leaving behind her ambitions made her chest tighten, but she reminded herself that this was her reality now.

She sighed heavily and closed the book, unable to concentrate. Wandering aimlessly around the house, she made her way to the garden where she spotted Anand sitting under the shade of a large tree.

Anand noticed her distant expression as she approached. "Niharika, beta, are you okay?" he asked gently. "You seem off lately."

She tried to muster a smile. "It's nothing, Chacha sa. I just... I miss my studies."

Anand's face softened with understanding. He gestured for her to sit beside him. "Why didn't you say anything earlier? Your education is important, Niharika. What do you want to do about it?"

Her eyes lit up briefly, but she quickly masked her excitement. "I don’t know... I thought maybe it wouldn’t be possible anymore."

Anand patted her hand reassuringly. "Leave that to me. I'll talk to Indra bhai sa."

Later that evening, Anand brought up the topic during a conversation with Indra. "Bhai sa, Niharika is missing her studies. She wants to continue her education."

Indra looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "She should study. I’ll make arrangements for her to join a college. However, given our position and her role here, she can attend only for practicals and practices. For everything else, she will take online classes."

Anand smiled, relieved. "Thank you, Bhai sa. This will mean a lot to her."

The next morning, Indra informed Niharika of the decision during breakfast. "Niharika, we’ve made arrangements for you to resume your studies. You’ll take online classes for the most part but will attend college for practicals and hands-on sessions."

Niharika’s eyes widened with surprise and gratitude. "Really, Bauji? Thank you so much!"

Indra gave a small nod, his tone firm. "Remember, this is not just about you. It’s about upholding the family’s reputation as well. Don’t let us down."

"I won’t," she promised, her heart swelling with hope and determination. For the first time since her marriage, she felt a glimpse of her old self returning, ready to reclaim her dreams.

Niharika's happiness was tinged with unease. As much as she was grateful for the chance to resume her studies, she couldn’t shake off the concern about how Shivaay would react to the decision. He had a strong personality, and she wasn’t sure if he’d be pleased about her taking a step back toward her independence.

As she sat on the couch, lost in her thoughts, Ishaan entered the room. His cheerful demeanor brightened the space as he walked over to her. "Bhabhi, I heard the news! Congratulations on resuming your studies. That’s amazing!"

Niharika smiled faintly, her gratitude evident. "Thank you, Ishaan. It feels good to be doing something I love again."

But Ishaan, ever perceptive, noticed her hesitation. He tilted his head and sat beside her. "You don’t look completely happy, Bhabhi. What’s wrong?"

She hesitated, fiddling with the edge of her dupatta. "It’s your Bhaiya... I don’t know how he’ll react to this."

Ishaan frowned slightly. "Why would Bhaiya have a problem? He may be strict, but he’s not unreasonable."

Niharika let out a small sigh. "It’s not just about him being strict. It’s about how he views my role in this house. I’m not sure if he’ll think my studies are necessary anymore."

Ishaan shook his head, offering her reassurance. "Bhabhi, if this makes you happy, then that’s all that should matter. Bhaiya might act all tough, but I’m sure he’ll respect your decision. Besides, you’ve got Bauji’s approval, and that counts for a lot."

Her lips curved into a small smile. "Thank you, Ishaan. You always know how to make someone feel better."

He grinned, standing up. "That’s my job, Bhabhi. And don’t worry about Bhaiya. When he comes back, we’ll deal with him together."

As Ishaan left, Niharika felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things would work out after all.