Nishtha
"Good Morning Sir." I said as I entered the room, "How is everything going?"
"Nishtha! Welcome!" Martin Sir said, "It's been a while since I saw you. How are you?" Martin Sir is a new senior associate who joined IBM after I got married, but he doesn't know about us because he wasn't there.
"I'm great. Excited to get started on the project. What are the next steps?" I asked.
"Come in the meeting room, we will explain all the details there." Martin Sir said.
I nodded and entered the meeting room, where I was shocked to see Yuvaan sitting there. I looked at him. He hadn't seen me yet because he was on his phone, but to my luck, Martin Sir called me out as soon as I thought to walk away. "Nishtha? Come sit. I'd like you to meet someone."
I gave a small smile and I saw Yuvaan looked up. I knew his eyes were on me but I ignored it. I sat down, trying to find a place which wasn't close to him, but to my luck.... There wasn't. I sighed and sat next to him. I saw Yuvaan smile and look at me. I looked away, ignoring his presence.
"So, Nishtha," Martin started, "This is Mr Yuvaan Nanda, I'm sure you've heard of him, he's the soon-to-be CEO of YUVA industries."
"I have." I said.
"And Mr Nanda, this is Nishtha Yadav. She's a Data Engineer here at IBM." He said to Yuvaan.
Yuvaan smiled, "I know her really well."
Martin Sir smiled, "Oh really? How so?"
He looked at me, then at Martin Sir, "She's my wiâ"
"College friend." I said loudly and corrected.
They looked at me. Martin Sir added, "Wow, you two are college friends. I didn't know that. That's good then, that you two are acquainted, you two will need to be since we're gong to be working together!"
I sighed and then smiled. Then, Martin Sir started to explain the project details and I focused on it, trying to ignore Yuvaan's gaze on me sometimes through the presentation.
Once it ended, everyone got in discussions and I sat there, confused. I'm part of the project but in my defense, I'm only a Data Engineer, I don't know all this. So, I just sat there while I saw Yuvaan take lead in these conversations.
Him and his work.
So attractive.
His focus towards his work was so admirable and commendable. Ever since he was in uni, he was focused on getting the CEO position without taking it through the nepotism tag. He wanted to earn it and he worked really hard for it through college. I appreciated him for it.
"That's amazing Mr Nanda." Martin Sir said, "I think we can get started. I'll send the details to everyone here."
"Sure." He said, "We meet here next week and we can discuss the next steps."
"Of course." Martin Sir said.
Then everyone started to head out. I also put my laptop back in my bag and then started walking when I was caught by Yuvaan's voice, "Nishtha."
I stopped, but didn't reply.
He walked to me, and turned me around so I'm facing him, and he held my hand, "Nishu..." I hummed in response and he continued, "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why would you not tell him about us?"
"Why do you think?" I scoffed.
"Nishtha, we're married."
"On paper."
He looked at me, then his jaw kind off clenched and then pinned me against the door, "You said it once, fine. Don't say that again."
I gulped and looked at him.
He softened, his hand caressing my face, "Come, let's go home."
"Yuvaan." I said, "I'm taking the cab. I don't want to go with you."
He sighed, "Nishtha, my wife will not be taking a cab. Please come."
"No." I said and tried to leave the room when he sighed and grabbed my hand again. Then, he went to the table, got his phone and put it in his pocket, with me following silently.
Then, we made our way out.
Within a second, the car had come out, and I got in, seeing as though I had no choice. He sat down and I saw him open one button of his shirt and roll his sleeves up a little more than it already was.
Damn.
"So, we're leaving for the trip in 3 days." He said, bringing me out of my staring.
"What trip?" I asked.
"Nishtha, the road trip."
"Oh right." I realized, "Okay."
I didn't want to engage in more conversation so I looked out the window, trying to ignore him, but I realised that it was getting difficult for me to ignore him. I was wanting him around, even though I shouldn't.
"Nishtha." He suddenly asked. I looked at him, indicating him to continue, "I wanted to ask you something."
"What?" I said.
"Do you still hate me?" He asked, catching me very off guard.
"W...What?" I stammered.
"Do you still hate me for everything?"
It's an easy answer Nishtha. Say yes. You don't like him, right? Tell him that.
Why am I not able to say yes?
"I.... I don't want to talk about this." I said and looked away. He chuckled and caught my hand.
When we got home, he went upstairs to his room and I came downstairs after changing. Then, he came down too and I served us all chai as we sat and spoke about the engagement, the wedding planning and more such conversations, until he spoke, "Guys, I wanted to say something."
"Tell." Maa said.
"The penthouse is ready, so we're moving back into the house tonight." he announced.
The penthouse? With him alone?
I looked at him with a shock on my face. I didn't want this. I don't want to spend more time with me so him; my guard can break. I looked at everyone, then tried to stabilize myself.
"It's ready?" Papa said, "That's too bad, I was enjoying having you two close by."
"Then... we'll stay Papa." I said, trying to talk in a way so I can stay here.
"No no, you two go." Maa said, "The penthouse is only 5 mins away Rajesh, they're close by."
"I agree." Papa said, and smiled.
"Nishtha, you go pack your stuff." Mom said.
"No need. Her stuff is already there," he said looking at me, "Everything is exactly how she left it."
I felt a wave of goosebumps.
~â¢~
"Home sweet home." I heard Yuvaan say as we stood in front of the penthouse by 9pm. He let go of my hand, which he had held so tightly as if I would run away if he let go.
He walked inside while my feet stayed frozen to the ground. I didn't want to be back here. I've been kicked out of here once. I didn't want to come back here. I stood my ground.
He looked at me and then spoke, "Nishu," I looked at him and he added, "Stay there."
Gladly.
He went inside and I stood by the door, not stepping in. I was scared to come in the same house by which I had already been kicked out once. I didn't want to live here.
My thoughts were interrupted when I saw Yuvaan come outside with something in his hand. I gasped seeing a kalash in his hand, with Jeena Aunty following behind, with a white cloth and a plate with red liquid kumkum.
What are they doing?
He placed the kalash with rice in it by the door, then placed the kumkum plate in front it, followed by the white cloth. I stared in shock. Then, he turned to Jeena Aunty and nodded. Aunty went to the corner, turned on the lights and I saw a bunch of series and lights being lit up.
It was as if it was Diwali once again.
"W...what's all this?" I asked him.
He came to me, kissed the back of my palm and then spoke, "I know that this might be the last place you want to be right now, and rightfully so, but you're the Lakshmi of this house, and I want to make things right. I was the one who pushed you out of these doors, so I will be the one who welcomes you back, and my Lakshmi won't just enter, you deserve this. He looked around and then looked at me, "You coming back to me is no less than Diwali." Then, he smiled, "Welcome home Nishtha."
I felt tears brimming in my eyes.
He wiped the one tear which fell down my cheek and then spoke, "Hey, my reason to smile can't possibly be crying." He caressed my hand then let go, "Come. Kick this and enter."
I slowly looked at Jeena Aunty, who smiled and nodded. Then, I slowly kicked the kalash as the rice fell in front of me elegantly. Then, I walked in and placed my feet in the kumkum, then placed them onto the white cloth, from which I walked ahead, into the house.
I looked around the house, to see the change. The lights, the flowers, everything was so decorated. Then, I turned to Yuvaan, who seemed to be lost in his own world as he had kneeled down, next to the white cloth which now had my footprints, while he caressed the footprints, with a smile on his face.
No way.
He then looked at me, came towards me, and kneeled in front of me. He was about to touch my feet when I suddenly stepped back, "Arre! What are you doing? What's wrong with you? Get up!" I said and pulled him up.
He looked at me, smiling.
"What were you doing Yuvaan? This... this isn't right, you're not meant to touch my feet."
He chuckled, "Touching your feet is nothing, I'd worship the ground you walk on, darling." He said, kissed my cheek and then walked in the kitchen.
I stood there in awe, unaware of my guards slowly cracking down.
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