Chapter 61

The soft hum of conversation faded into the background as Mayank leaned against the balcony railing, phone pressed to his ear. The ocean stretched endlessly before him, the waves rolling gently onto the shore as the golden hues of the setting sun painted the sky.

His mother's voice carried through the line, firm yet affectionate. "Tum inke damaad ho, Mayank. First trip hai saath mein, achha impression zaroor chhodna. Be polite, be present. Yeh tumhare in-laws hai, beta."

Mayank exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Maa, relax. I'm behaving."

"Accha, aur Niharika ka dhyaan rakhna. Woh naye environment mein hogi, toh thoda extra effort daalna."

His gaze flickered back inside the room. Niharika was moving around, checking the dresser with a focused look on her face.

"I got it, Maa. I'll call you later." He ended the call and turned around, watching her.

She was in a long, flowy skirt that swayed as she moved, the hem brushing against her ankles. A fitted spaghetti-strap top hugged her comfortably, and a sheer, lightweight shrug was draped over her shoulders. Her hair was pulled back with a clip, a few strands left loose, framing her face softly. The delicate gold of her mangalsutra bracelet glinted under the warm lighting, and there was just a faint hint of sindoor at the parting of her hair.

Mayank had never really seen her like this before—so effortlessly elegant, with traces of tradition blending into her modernity. It was... mesmerizing.

She turned slightly, still searching. "Mayank, have you seen my hair clip?"

He blinked, snapping out of his daze. "Hmm? No, sorry."

She sighed but smiled, continuing to look.

He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'll get you a new one. Let's go now."

She huffed. "Arre, but if I don't find it, my hair will fly everywhere."

He smirked. "We'll handle it. Let's go."

With a playful shake of her head, she gave up and followed him out.

The cool breeze carried the sound of laughter and ocean waves as the group walked along the beach. The golden sand felt soft beneath their feet, the sky now painted in pastel shades as the sun continued its slow descent.

Mayank walked beside Niharika, watching as she took photos—of the water, of the sky, of random seashells, even a few candid ones of her parents and their family friends. She seemed at ease, smiling as she carefully curated moments for her Instagram.

At one point, she turned to him, tilting her phone slightly. "Do you want a tag?"

Mayank hesitated.

They had mutuals—many of them. He hadn't given much thought to when and how they would reveal their marriage online. He didn't want to start with hints and questions. If anything, he wanted to keep it simple—one day, just post a picture with her and make it official in the most effortless way.

He shook his head. "No, it's fine."

She nodded, not questioning it, and continued her posts.

Just then, Abhijeet called out, "Mayank, Niharika! Ruko, let me get a picture of you two."

Mayank glanced at her. She gave a small shrug, and they moved closer, standing side by side as Abhijeet clicked a few shots.

After checking the picture, Abhijeet grinned. "You two look good."

Mayank nodded. "We do."

Niharika felt heat rush to her cheeks, glancing away as her heart did a small flip.

They continued walking, though she kept pausing to take more pictures. Soon, everyone had gone a little ahead, leaving the two of them behind.

Mayank huffed, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Bro, we're so behind. Why are you taking so many pictures?"

She didn't even look up as she answered, "Because I want to."

He sighed dramatically. "You go ahead if you want, I'll catch up."

He gave her a look. "I'm not leaving my wife behind."

The words were casual, but they settled into her chest with an unexpected warmth. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and she gripped her phone a little tighter, trying to ignore how easily my wife had rolled off his tongue.

She cleared her throat. "Do you want a picture too?"

He smirked. "Go on, take some."

She adjusted her camera, clicking a few shots of him—standing near the water, hands in pockets, looking effortlessly sharp against the scenic backdrop. Then he took the phone from her. "Your turn."

She posed near the shoreline, the gentle waves framing her in the background. He clicked a few pictures, making sure to get the right angles.

When she checked them, she grinned. "These are definitely going on my Instagram."

He chuckled, shaking his head.

As they walked forward, the breeze picked up, sending strands of her hair flying in all directions. She frowned, trying to tuck them behind her ear, but the wind was relentless.

Mayank stopped her. "Come here."

She blinked, confused.

Before she could react, he took the hair tie that had been loosely wrapped around her wrist. Stepping closer, he gently gathered her hair and tied it into a neat ponytail. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending a strange tingle through her.

She stood still, slightly in awe—not just at the action, but at how naturally he did it, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Once done, he stepped back and smirked. "Better?"

She nodded, smiling softly. "Much better."

And with that, they continued walking—side by side, the space between them feeling smaller than before.

By the time dinner rolled around, the air had turned cooler, a crisp ocean breeze drifting through the resort. Niharika stepped out of the room, dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a cozy sweatshirt, her hair now tied in a neat ponytail. She adjusted her sleeves, feeling comfortable yet put together.

Mayank, already waiting by the door, glanced up from his phone. He was in casuals too—jeans and a fitted T-shirt that somehow made him look effortlessly sharp. He looked at her for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "Ready?"

She nodded, and they made their way to the main dining area where everyone had gathered. The outdoor setting was lively—warm lights strung up across the open space, tables filled with food, and a bonfire crackling softly in the center. The comforting scent of grilled food mixed with the salty ocean air, and laughter echoed around them.

Niharika, without hesitation, moved to help serve. She passed plates, refilled dishes, and made sure everyone had what they needed, seamlessly handling everything with ease.

Mayank, seated at the table, watched her.

She was neither loud nor demanding attention, but the way she carried herself—so naturally, so effortlessly—was something he couldn't look away from. The way she smiled at the aunties when they asked for an extra serving, the way she moved between the tables with ease, making sure everyone had what they wanted before serving herself last.

She didn't even realize how effortlessly she took care of people.

And for some reason, that made something settle in his chest—a quiet admiration he wasn't sure he had ever felt so strongly before.

After she was done, she finally sat beside him, brushing her hands together. He turned to her. "Are you cold?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

He nodded, but after a moment, he shifted slightly, positioning his chair a little closer to hers.

They ate their dinner with easy conversation flowing between everyone. Soon, people moved toward the bonfire, gathering around in a circle, basking in the warmth as the night settled deeper. The flames flickered, casting soft glows on their faces.

At some point, one of the aunties turned toward Mayank and Niharika with a teasing smile. "So, tell us, how did you two meet?"

Mayank leaned back, answering with casual ease, "We were friends in school, lost touch in university, then our families met again at the Ganesh festival. And that was that."

He said it so simply, so matter-of-factly, that Niharika had to bite back a small smile.

"Ah, school friends-to-lovers! So filmy," someone teased, making a few people chuckle.

Another relative joined in, "And how's married life treating you both?"

Niharika smiled softly. "It's nice. It's like being with my friend."

She turned to Mayank as she said it, her gaze holding his for just a second longer.

Mayank felt something shift inside him.

She wasn't just saying it for the sake of answering. He knew what those words meant to her. She had always wanted a partner she could be best friends with first—someone she could feel comfortable with, someone she wouldn't have to tiptoe around.

And now, here she was, calling him that.

Before he could say anything, an aunty grinned and playfully broke their eye contact. "Look at them! So in love."

Another nudged Yangeeta with a knowing smile. "I would expect some good news soon, Yangeeta. Look at the way they look at each other."

Niharika and Mayank both blushed instantly, looking away as soft laughter spread through the group.

But Yangeeta, ever the practical one, waved a hand. "The biggest good news is that they're getting along well. Everything else will happen in its own time. Let them become best friends first."

Mayank and Niharika both smiled at that. It was the perfect way to end that conversation.

The night eventually wound down, and everyone made their way back inside.

As they entered their room, Mayank closed the door behind them and leaned against it, smirking.

"You have wowed my whole family's friends," Niharika teased as she placed her phone on the bedside table.

Mayank shrugged, grinning. "What can I say? Childhood habit."

She frowned, amused. "What does that even mean?"

He crossed his arms, tilting his head. "You know, Rahil loved me since school. I just never knew he'd actually end up becoming my brother."

Niharika chuckled at that, shaking her head. "And to think, back then, I was putting in effort to get you and my friend together."

Mayank straightened. "What?"

She realized what she had just let slip and tried to brush it off. "Arre, nothing—"

But before she could escape, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.

"Oh, no. I have to hear this story now."

He guided her to sit beside him on the bed, a playful smirk on his lips.

She laughed, shaking her head. "It's nothing."

"It's definitely something," he countered, eyes filled with curiosity and mischief.

And just like that, the conversation continued, stretching the night a little longer, filling their shared space with laughter, stories, and the kind of comfort that didn't need to be forced.

🩷