Chapter 35

The bowling alley buzzed with excitement, the colorful lights reflecting off polished lanes as everyone prepared to play. Zaina clapped her hands, her voice loud enough to command attention.

"Alright, everyone," she said with a bright smile, "let's divide into teams. I'll be one captain." She looked directly at Arjun. "And you can be the other."

Arjun smirked. "Fine by me. Let's see who picks the better team."

They began the selection, and Zaina was quick to claim her first choice. "Mayank," she said without hesitation, her tone almost playful.

Mayank's shoulders stiffened slightly as he walked to her side, silently cursing. Oh God. Why me? He caught himself glancing toward Niharika, but her expression was composed, unaffected. She stood next to Siya, seemingly calm, though Mayank couldn't shake the feeling that she was forcing herself to appear unbothered.

Niharika, meanwhile, kept repeating in her head, It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. Even as her chest tightened at the sight of Zaina beaming at Mayank, she reminded herself that it wasn't worth getting upset over.

Arjun went next. "Siya, you're with me."

Siya grinned and joined his side.

The picks continued. Mayank joined Zaina's team along with Imran, while Arjun assembled a strong group with Siya and another guy named Sameer.

When it came time to choose again, Arjun assumed Zaina would pick Niharika. After all, she knew about their marriage—or so he thought. Instead, Zaina selected one of the other girls from their group.

There was a brief pause, a ripple of confusion passing through the crowd. Mayank blinked, surprised, and even Arjun hesitated before saying, "Alright, Niharika, you're with us."

Niharika joined Siya's side, keeping her expression neutral. Inside, though, she couldn't help but feel slightly relieved. She would much rather be on Arjun's team than stand next to Zaina and Mayank all night.

The game began, and the teams grew competitive. Niharika tried to focus, but her gaze kept drifting toward Zaina, who lingered near Mayank, laughing at his jokes and touching his arm lightly whenever she got the chance.

I haven't even hugged my husband, Niharika thought bitterly. And here she is, walking around as if she owns him.

What bothered her more was that Mayank didn't seem to mind. He was polite but not distant, smiling occasionally as Zaina chattered away. Niharika felt a knot tighten in her chest. She wasn't sure whether it was jealousy or disappointment—or both.

Deciding she didn't want to spiral further, she turned her attention to Samar, who was cracking jokes and keeping the energy light.

"Come on, Nihi," Samar said, nudging her shoulder. "Let's crush these guys."

His enthusiasm was infectious, and Niharika found herself laughing, her normal self slowly coming out. She and Samar played off each other's energy, celebrating every strike and teasing each other when they missed.

Mayank noticed.

His gaze kept drifting toward Niharika, watching the way she smiled at Samar, the ease with which she laughed. He couldn't help but feel a strange pang in his chest. Jealousy? Irritation? He wasn't sure.

~•~

By the end of the first game, Niharika's team emerged victorious.

"Yes!" she cheered, throwing her arms around Samar in celebration.

Mayank's jaw tightened. He forced himself to look away, but the sight of Niharika hugging Samar lingered in his mind.

The next game began, and Zaina's team won this time. She clapped her hands together and turned to Mayank.

"Damn, May," she said, using an old nickname of his. "We make a great team."

Niharika heard her and glanced away, feeling awkward. Siya placed a comforting hand on her arm, sensing her discomfort.

~•~

As they stepped out of the bowling alley, Arjun suggested, "Let's grab dinner together. There's a good place nearby."

Niharika had had enough. She smiled politely and said, "Actually, we were planning to catch a movie. But thanks for inviting us, Arjun."

Arjun smiled, giving her a side hug. "See you, Nihi."

She nodded and turned toward Samar and Siya, walking away with them.

Mayank watched her retreating figure, conflicted. Zaina was waiting beside him, chatting with another friend, but his eyes remained on Niharika. Should I go to her? he wondered. But then he saw Zaina glance his way, and the decision became clear.

Screw it, he thought. She's my wife.

He strode toward Niharika, reaching out to grab her wrist gently.

"Hey," he said, his voice soft. "I'll see you back at home?"

Niharika turned to him with a polite smile. "Sure. Have fun," she said, her tone even. She slipped her hand out of his grasp and walked away with Samar and Siya.

Mayank stood there, watching her leave, feeling lost. He couldn't read her expression, couldn't understand what she was feeling. And somehow, her calmness bothered him more than anything else.

~•~

Later, over dinner with the group, Mayank's mind kept drifting back to Niharika. No matter how much he tried to focus on the conversation around him, her composed demeanor replayed in his head.

"She handled everything so calmly," he thought. "Why does it feel so wrong?"

When the gathering ended, Zaina approached him.

"Mayank, can you drop me home? I don't have cash for a cab right now," she said with an apologetic smile.

He hesitated. Every part of him wanted to say no, but he couldn't ignore the situation.

"Alright," he said reluctantly.

The car ride was filled with Zaina's chatter. She was flirty, her tone light and teasing, but Mayank responded with only basic answers.

"So, how's Niharika?" she asked eventually, her voice dipping with curiosity.

"She's fine," he said shortly, not offering more.

Zaina frowned but didn't push further.

Grabbing his phone, he scrolled through his call log and found her name. His thumb hovered over it for a moment before he dialed.

The ringing filled the silence until Niharika picked up. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" he asked.

"I'm with Samar," she said, her voice calm but guarded.

"How are you getting home?" He asked her.

"I'll take a cab," she replied casually.

"You don't need to do that," Mayank said firmly. "I'm coming to pick you up."

There was a pause on the other end before Niharika sighed lightly. "Okay."

~•~

When they parked outside their apartment, Mayank stepped out first, moving to open the door for Niharika. She was gathering her things when her eyes fell on a small object tucked between the seat and the door.

It was a hair clip—a bright pink one with a floral design. Niharika's fingers brushed against it as she picked up her purse, and her heart sank. It didn't take much to guess whose it was.

Zaina.

She inhaled sharply, willing herself to keep calm, and got out of the car. Mayank stood by the door, watching her carefully.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his tone cautious.

"Yes," she replied, keeping her voice light. She gestured toward the building. "Let's go in."

Mayank frowned but didn't press further. He followed her inside, his gaze lingering on her as they entered their apartment.

~•~

In the kitchen, Mayank poured himself a glass of water, watching Niharika from the corner of his eye as she placed her bag on the couch. She seemed distant, quieter than usual.

"Do you want chai?" he asked, his voice soft.

Niharika paused mid-step, turning slightly toward him. "No, thanks," she said politely, offering a small smile.

Mayank set the glass down, his brows furrowing. "Niharika, are you sure you're okay? You've been... I don't know, quiet."

She hesitated for a moment before shrugging. "I'm fine, Mayank. Just tired from the day."

He didn't believe her, but he wasn't sure how to push without making things worse. "If something's bothering you, you can tell me," he said, his voice quieter now.

Niharika met his gaze briefly, her expression unreadable. "I know. But really, I'm fine."

Her tone was polite but distant, and it only made him feel more unsettled.

As she started walking toward her room, he called out again. "Niharika."

She stopped, her hand resting on the doorframe.

"Did something happen tonight?" Mayank asked, stepping closer. "I mean, at bowling or... with Samar?"

Niharika's lips pressed together in a thin line. She turned back to face him, keeping her tone neutral. "Why would anything with Samar bother me? He's one of my oldest friends."

"That's not what I meant," Mayank said quickly, running a hand through his hair. "I just... You seemed different tonight."

She smiled faintly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm not different, Mayank. I'm just tired. I'll go sleep now. Goodnight."

Her words struck something deep within him, leaving him momentarily speechless. Before he could respond, she turned and entered her room, shutting the door behind her.

As she closed the door, she looked in the mirror. The answer was obvious, of course, but admitting it to herself made it harder to keep her guard up.

Meanwhile, Mayank paced the living room, his thoughts racing.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd done something wrong, that there was a growing distance between them he didn't know how to close. He thought back to the bowling alley, to the way Niharika had hugged Samar and laughed so freely with him.

Jealousy gnawed at him, but more than that, it was the realization that she seemed happier with someone else.

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