Chapter 70

Niharika sat at her desk, typing away at her report, her mind somewhat distracted but focused on her work. The office was quiet, the hum of printers and distant conversations filling the air. She sighed, glancing at her phone to check the time. She was almost done with the task at hand, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the tension between her and Mayank lately.

She hadn't fully processed everything that had happened between them, but something felt off. Zaina had been lingering in the background more and more, and every time Niharika saw her and Mayank together, her chest tightened with a feeling she couldn't explain. Maybe it was the way they laughed together, or the comfort they shared in each other's presence—it made Niharika feel like an outsider in her own life.

A colleague called her, pulling her out of her thoughts. Niharika quickly stood and walked over to the office kitchen area to fetch a document for her meeting.

As she walked back to her desk, she noticed the familiar sound of laughter and voices coming from the small break area. Her steps slowed as she saw Mayank sitting with Zaina and Dhruv. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight. Why is she here? Niharika thought, a sudden wave of unease washing over her. Zaina was clearly comfortable here, so much so that it almost felt like she belonged in the office more than Niharika herself.

Niharika tried to ignore the tightness in her stomach and was about to walk past when Zaina spotted her. "Oh, Niharika! Come join us!" Zaina's voice rang out with an easy familiarity that made Niharika's heart thud in her chest.

Mayank glanced up from his conversation and immediately smiled when he saw her. Niharika gave him a brief smile in return, but there was something about the way he looked at her that felt off. He seemed to notice the discomfort she having.

Niharika stood still for a moment, unsure of what to do. She wanted to go back to her desk, to pretend that nothing was bothering her. But Zaina, with her bright smile and confident posture, called out again, making Niharika feel like there was no way to avoid it now.

Mayank, sensing Niharika's hesitation to come by, cleared his throat and spoke up—to cover for her. "Oh, Niharika must be busy," he said, his voice warm, but there was an undertone of pride in his words as he looked at her. "She's the glue around here. Keeps everything together. Microsoft's asset."

Niharika couldn't help but flinch at the implication. The glue? It sounded like he was indirectly telling her to stay away, like she wasn't allowed to be part of whatever Zaina and Dhruv were talking about. Maybe it wasn't intentional, but it stung nonetheless. She didn't like the way he had spoken, as if there was a clear line between him and her—between the two of them and Zaina.

She forced a smile and answered curtly, "Yes, I have a meeting soon."

Zaina didn't let up, though. "Oh, come on! You can sit for five minutes! Join us," she said, giving Niharika a playful look, like it was nothing, like they were all friends, all equals.

Niharika hesitated, her frustration bubbling up, but she knew she had no real excuse not to join. She sighed inwardly, stepping forward and sitting down, but the only available chair was next to Zaina. She sat there, trying not to focus on the discomfort gnawing at her.

Mayank kept talking, and Niharika tried her best to keep up. But every time her eyes flickered to Zaina, she saw how easy it was for them to talk, how effortless it seemed for Zaina to be part of the conversation. It hurt. She couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't belong here—not like this.

Zaina continued talking animatedly about some project, completely unaware of Niharika's growing unease. Mayank occasionally chimed in, but it was clear he was trying to balance things and Niharika involved as much as he can, aware of Niharika's discomfort. Still, the whole situation felt wrong. She was just another participant in their world—a world where she didn't feel like she truly belonged.

As Niharika sat there, she tried to focus on her phone, on something—anything other than the way her chest seemed to tighten every time Zaina laughed too loud, or every time Mayank's attention lingered on their conversation for just a bit too long.

In that moment, it hit her. Is this what it will always be like? With Zaina always there, always so comfortable in Mayank's life, so easy to talk to? Was there ever a place for her in this world, or would she always be fighting for space, for attention, for affection?

The questions swirled in her mind, and she silently promised herself that she wouldn't let it bother her. But deep down, the seeds of doubt had already been planted.

Niharika sat quietly in her chair, trying to keep her focus on the conversation at hand, but her mind was racing. Mayank, Zaina, and Dhruv were chatting effortlessly, but something about the whole scene felt off to her. She glanced at Mayank from the corner of her eye, and for a brief moment, she caught him looking at her, his eyes soft with admiration. He wasn't speaking, but she could feel his attention on her, and the weight of it made her heart flutter a little.

But the moment was fleeting as Zaina spoke up again, her voice cheerful. "The fact that my office is just two blocks away is nice," Zaina said, smiling. "I can come here often to see you all."

Niharika froze, her stomach twisting at the idea of Zaina showing up all the time. Great. Just what I need, Niharika thought, forcing a smile on her face. She'll be here all the time now.

Mayank, who had been quietly listening, seemed to sense Niharika's discomfort, and his mischievous side took over. He decided to tease her a little, just to get a reaction. He shifted his foot, aiming to casually brush it lightly against Niharika's foot, a small, playful gesture.

But just as the contact was about to happen, Niharika dropped her hair clip from her lap. She bent down quickly to pick it up, and in that split second, Mayank, instinctively to cover up, shifted his leg away—to her left—where Zaina was.

However, as Niharika straightened up after getting the clip—still beneath the table—her gaze landed on Mayank's foot, which was now resting close to Zaina's. The distance between them wasn't far, but in that moment, to Niharika, it felt like the world had shifted. He was brushing his feet against Zaina's. She thought. All her doubts suddenly felt like they were answered. The little tease from Mayank suddenly seemed like something more. So that's it, she thought, feeling a tightness in her chest. He's still into her. Of course, he is. They're so comfortable together...

Her mind raced as a wave of sadness washed over her. The playful friendship between Mayank and Zaina seemed to have morphed into something else—something that now felt much more significant. Maybe they never stopped loving each other, Niharika thought, her eyes dropping to her hands. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat but couldn't seem to shake the sting of disappointment.

She needed to get out of there.

Without saying a word, she stood up abruptly. "I need to go," Niharika said, her voice calm but strained. "My meeting is starting soon."

Everyone stood up to say goodbye, their faces pleasant, unaware of the storm brewing inside Niharika. Zaina, ever the friendly one, approached her first, offering a small hug. "Bye, Niharika. See you soon," she said, her tone light and casual, completely unaware of the tension that had built between them.

Niharika forced a smile, nodding in response. "See you," she replied softly.

Dhruv also gave her a polite farewell, "See you around, Niharika," he said with a friendly smile.

Mayank, who had been quietly watching, stood a little further back, wanting to walk her out but unsure of how to act. Their marriage wasn't known to everyone in their office, and with others colleagues present and watching, he didn't want to make things awkward by giving her a hug in front of everyone and giving others a reason to talk—because people there did talk. He knew that. But as Niharika turned to walk away, he couldn't help himself. He reached for her hand, extending it for a quick shake.

As he did, he allowed his thumb to warmly caress the underside of hers for a brief moment, a silent gesture of intimacy he couldn't hide, a small yet intimate connection between them. He winked at her, but she only managed a small smile in return, her heart heavy with the unresolved emotions swirling in her mind.

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