Chapter 22

The morning sun filtered through the windows of the tempo traveler as they began their journey to Ujjain. The chatter in the vehicle was a soft hum, the excitement of the trip slowly settling in. Everyone was eager to reach the famous Mahakal Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, a place known for its deep spiritual energy. Mayank sat near the back, leaning against the window as the landscape passed by. His thoughts drifted in and out as the vibrant scenes of India's countryside unfolded outside.

Niharika, sitting across from him, was laughing with her cousins, her energy infectious. Mayank glanced at her occasionally, unable to ignore the ease with which she carried herself in every situation. It was something he admired but hadn't fully acknowledged until now. The way she was always present, always participating, without seeming like she had to try.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the thought lingering in his mind. His parents had been subtly pushing him toward Niharika, planting little seeds about how perfect they'd be together. But Mayank wasn't ready. Not yet.

The conversation in the tempo traveler shifted as they neared Ujjain. The city's ancient temples and narrow lanes could be seen from a distance, and the energy of the place seemed to pulse even from afar. As the vehicle entered the city, Mayank felt a pull in his chest, a sense of reverence for the history and spirituality that lay within.

When they arrived at the Mahakal Temple, a wave of heat hit them as they stepped out of the vehicle. The temple complex was a mix of old-world charm and bustling modernity, with crowds of pilgrims, tourists, and local vendors. The scent of incense hung in the air, blending with the sacred atmosphere.

The group walked toward the entrance, the sounds of chanting and bells ringing creating a rhythm that seemed to resonate deep within the core of the temple. Niharika stood next to Mayank, her face serene as she absorbed the sights and sounds around her.

"This place... it feels different," Niharika said, her voice soft yet filled with wonder. "Like there's a deeper connection here, something beyond just the physical."

Mayank nodded. He didn't have the words to describe what he was feeling, but he understood exactly what she meant. The presence of Mahakal was overwhelming, a force that couldn't be ignored.

As they made their way to the main sanctum, Maya gently pulled Mayank and Niharika aside. "You two," she said quietly, "you should do the darshan properly. As a married couple. It's important here."

Niharika looked up at her, surprised. "But... we're not—" she began to protest, but Maya raised a hand.

"It's tradition. It will bring blessings for both of you. Just trust me," she said, her voice warm but firm.

Mayank, though slightly uncomfortable with the suggestion, looked at Niharika. There was hesitation in her eyes, but then she nodded, as though sensing the significance of the moment.

With a deep breath, Mayank reached into his pocket and took out the small packet of sindoor his mother had given him earlier. He stepped toward Niharika and, with a steady hand, applied it to her forehead. The vibrant red against her smooth skin felt strangely intimate, and he realized how important this moment was, even if he wasn't quite ready to understand it fully.

He then reached for the mangalsutra in her purse and carefully placed it around hers. The action felt deliberate, a little out of place, yet somehow right. It was more than just a gesture. There was something deeper at play, something he wasn't ready to acknowledge.

They stood together, side by side, as the priest offered them a blessing. The chanting filled the air, and Mayank felt an odd sense of peace wash over him. The temple, the energy, the ritual—everything combined to create a powerful moment that made his heart race in a way he wasn't expecting.

After the darshan, the crowd began to shift, and people dispersed to explore other parts of the temple complex. The energy was still thick in the air, and Mayank noticed that Niharika had drifted a little ahead. Without thinking, he moved toward her, instinctively keeping close as the crowd grew denser.

It wasn't until they were in the thick of it that Mayank noticed how tightly the people were packed together, the chaos of the crowd beginning to take its toll. He reached out, gently pulling Niharika closer, ensuring she was safe within his reach. She glanced up at him, offering him a small, grateful smile, but neither of them said anything. The unspoken connection was enough.

They moved through the crowd together, hand in hand, until they found a quieter space outside the temple. There, they paused for a moment, both taking in the magnitude of what they had just experienced.

"That was... something else," Mayank said, his voice low as he looked at Niharika. "I've never felt anything like that."

She nodded. "It was powerful. You could feel the devotion in the air. The energy was just—" she stopped herself, realizing how caught up she had gotten in her own thoughts. "It's hard to describe, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Mayank said, glancing at her. For a brief second, he noticed the way the sunlight caught her features, how her face seemed to glow with an inner light. It was a moment that felt almost surreal.

Before either of them could speak further, Krishna appeared with the rest of the group, calling out for everyone to gather as they prepared to leave for Mandu.

The tempo traveler was waiting, and as the group piled back inside, the day was far from over. They had another leg of their journey ahead of them—Mandu, a historic city with fortresses, temples, and palaces. It was another place rich with history, and the group was eager to explore.

As the vehicle began its journey to Mandu, Mayank sat quietly next to Niharika, both of them lost in their own thoughts. The events of the day, the experience at the temple, the unexpected moment between them—it had left a mark on him. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but something inside him stirred.

Despite being part of the same group, they barely stayed together during the trip. The hidden nature of their marriage kept them both at a distance, navigating around the quiet awkwardness of their unspoken bond. Niharika stayed with her cousins, laughing and chatting as they explored the new surroundings, while Mayank mingled with his friends, keeping a little more to himself.

As they approached Mandu, the city revealed its ancient charm. The ruins, the sprawling fortresses, and the surrounding green landscape set the stage for a peaceful and introspective experience. Yet, for Mayank, it all felt like a dream that he was only half-participating in. His thoughts kept drifting back to the temple and the moment he had applied sindoor to Niharika's forehead and tied the mangalsutra around her neck. A wave of unease stirred within him, unsure of what it meant. His parents had asked him to accept the reality, but Mayank still hadn't fully come to terms with it.

Before they disembarked from the tempo traveler in Mandu, as the group was getting ready to explore the ruins, Maya pulled Mayank aside. She could sense the subtle discomfort and the unspoken tension between him and Niharika.

"Mayank," Maya said, her voice low. "Before you go out there, make sure she's properly... hidden. You know what I mean."

Mayank understood exactly what she meant. The sindoor on Niharika's forehead and the mangalsutra beneath her kurta had to be discreet. It wasn't that he didn't want to show the world their marriage, but the timing wasn't right. It had to stay hidden for now, only a shared secret between them.

As they stood near the back of the vehicle, the hustle and bustle of the group preparing to step out filled the air. Mayank noticed Niharika, lost in conversation with her cousins, unaware of what he was about to do. He hesitated for a brief moment, unsure of how this would feel. But then, with a deep breath, he moved toward her, a mixture of nervousness and responsibility creeping into his chest.

He gently called her name, and Niharika turned to face him, her expression warm but slightly surprised by the attention.

"Yeah?" she asked, her eyes curious.

"Uh... just need to adjust something," he said, his voice low but steady. He motioned to her hair and then glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention. It was the perfect time for this—before the group scattered into different directions.

Without saying more, Mayank stepped closer to her. His fingers brushed lightly against the strands of her hair, pulling them gently back from her face. He could feel her tense up slightly, as though unsure of what was coming. His hands trembled just a little as he carefully lifted her hair, revealing the sindoor that was still freshly applied on her forehead.

The red powder was beautiful, but it needed to be concealed. Mayank carefully tucked the sindoor beneath her hair, smoothing the strands to cover it fully.

Niharika stood still, feeling the weight of the moment. The act of him adjusting her hair so tenderly, without words, carried an intimacy she hadn't expected. It was subtle, but the meaning behind it wasn't lost on her. There was something unspoken between them, something they were both carrying with them but not ready to share with anyone else.

Next, his hands moved to the mangalsutra that lay hidden beneath the fabric of her kurta. He noticed how the beads glimmered even in the muted light of the traveler, their significance far greater than its beauty.

Mayank gently adjusted the chain so that it was securely tucked underneath the fabric, ensuring that it wouldn't be seen when she moved or interacted with others. He glanced at Niharika, her eyes meeting his for just a moment. There was something quiet between them—something full of understanding, yet full of uncertainty.

"Thanks," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her expression was a mix of gratitude and hesitation.

Mayank nodded, not trusting himself to say more. The moment lingered in the air between them, before he stepped back, giving her space to adjust herself.

🩷