Chapter 48

Two days had passed since their deep conversation, and both Mayank and Niharika felt lighter. It was as though they had reached a new level of understanding between them, a sense of openness that neither had expected. The air between them no longer felt heavy with unspoken words or lingering doubts.

But even as Mayank processed all that Niharika had shared, he couldn't shake off his curiosity about her ex. He couldn't quite understand how she had ended up with someone like that, someone who had been possessive and immature. The thought lingered, yet he couldn't bring himself to press her for more details. He was trying to brush it off, to focus on the present, but his mind kept returning to the question: why had she fallen for him? What did he have that made her fall?

He couldn't help but compare the possessiveness her ex had shown with his own feelings. He wasn't like that, was he? He didn't want to be that guy, the one who made her feel suffocated. Still, the idea of her with someone else made his chest tighten. He brushed the thought aside when Arjun and Imran entered the room, followed by Siya and Samar, the atmosphere shifting as everyone started chatting.

"Alright, weekend plans, guys?" Arjun asked, settling down at the table with his laptop.

Mayank opened his laptop, scanning through a few work emails as he responded. "We should decide where to go. I'm up for anything."

Siya raised an eyebrow. "Anything? So, no preferences?"

"Nah, not really. What about you guys?"

"I think we should go to RAK," Imran chimed in, sitting down next to him, stretching her arms out as she joined the conversation. "It's been a while since I've been there."

"Hmm, RAK sounds nice, but what about Um al Quwain?" Siya suggested, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

They all began discussing the pros and cons of each place, but as they debated, Mayank's attention drifted to Niharika. She had just entered the room, dressed in a pair of shorts and a loose T-shirt. But today, it was new and it hung just right on her. Mayank couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of her. She had always had this effortless charm, this comfort in being herself. He couldn't place why, but seeing her in something new like this made his heart skip a beat. He quickly returned to the conversation, not wanting to let his thoughts linger on her appearance for too long.

Niharika joined them, and the discussion continued. Her presence felt natural, like it always did, but there was something subtly different between them. A closeness that hadn't been there before. As they continued talking, Niharika's hand brushed against Mayank's. The touch was brief but enough to make them both pause for a moment. Their eyes met, and they both smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to do next. Arjun, sitting across from them, noticed the subtle exchange but said nothing, instead grinning to himself as he turned back to the group.

They eventually made their decision. A weekend getaway would be perfect, and they all agreed to spend the night together. The plan was to have a sleepover at Mayank's place, and everyone seemed excited. Niharika, as usual, was quick to take charge. "I'll get the mattresses out," she said, practically bouncing around the room.

Mayank chuckled at her antics as Arjun raised an eyebrow. "You two can use your room, it's fine. There's an extra room, and we can all sleep outside if we need to."

Imran chimed in. "Yeah, or Siya can use that room if you guys want more space."

Niharika paused for a moment, considering the suggestion. Sharing a room with Mayank? They'd done it before when they were in Europe, but this felt different. She shook off the thought, not wanting to overthink it. "Sure, that's fine," she said, her voice casual.

Later, as they all settled down to play games, the energy in the room was light and carefree. Laughter filled the air as they all played, but in the midst of it, something caught Mayank's eye. Niharika was so engrossed in the game that she didn't notice her sleeve had slid down, exposing the strap of her bra on her shoulder. His gaze lingered for just a moment, but he quickly shifted his attention, feeling an unexpected surge of possessiveness. Without thinking, he reached over and gently tugged her sleeve back up, his fingers brushing against her skin in the process. He didn't want anyone else to notice, least of all her.

Niharika looked up, catching his eye for a brief moment, but neither of them said anything. The night wore on, and eventually, it was time for everyone to go to sleep. Niharika and Mayank made their way to his room, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. Mayank's room had a cool, grey aesthetic, and Niharika couldn't help but admire it. "Damn, this looks really good," she said, her voice full of appreciation as she glanced around.

Mayank smiled, pleased that she liked it. "You like it?" he asked, his voice soft.

"Yeah," she said, nodding as she took in the minimalist design. "It's really calming."

They both stood in the center of the room, the silence between them comfortable yet charged. Niharika hesitated for a moment before asking, "Which side do you sleep on? I don't want to take your space."

Mayank chuckled, a warm, genuine laugh that made her heart flutter. "I sleep on the entire bed. You choose your side."

Niharika smiled and picked the side near the window, settling in under the soft covers. They lay there in silence for a moment, the only sound being their breaths, steady and synchronized. Niharika stole a glance at him, noticing the way he was smiling softly to himself. "Why are you smiling?" she asked, her voice quiet.

Niharika's eyes widened, and she immediately reached up to touch her face, self-conscious. "Wait, is there something on my face?"

Mayank reached out, gently taking her hand and pulling it away. "Just thinking about how my T-shirt hasn't looked this good." His voice was teasing, but there was a warmth in it that made Niharika's heart race. "It looks good. Better on you than it ever did on me."

Her eyes widened in realization, and she suddenly felt embarrassed. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I just found it lying around, and I didn't think about it. I should have guessed it was yours."

Mayank's gaze softened, and he shook his head. "Relax, keep it. It's yours now." There was a tenderness in his voice, an unspoken assurance that made her feel at ease.

Niharika smiled, her heart fluttering as she lay back against the pillow. But as she drifted into sleep, Mayank's mind wandered. He felt a wave of warmth wash over him as he looked at her, his chest tightening with affection. But all he could think about was one thing—he wanted a hug.

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