Chapter 75

Mayank pushed open the front door, exhaustion settling into his bones after a long, frustrating day. He loosened his tie, sighing as he stepped inside. The house was eerily quiet—exactly the way he had left it in the morning.

His eyes flickered around the living room, searching for any sign of Niharika. His frown deepened when he noticed her door slightly ajar. He walked toward it, pushing it open completely, only to find the room empty.

A strange sense of unease crept over him.

"Where the hell is she?" he muttered under his breath, stepping back into the hall.

That's when he noticed it.

A single note sat on the dining table, neatly placed in the center.

Mayank's heartbeat picked up as he walked over, unfolding the paper.

"Since this marriage is a mistake, I don't think I should stay here. Won't want to upset you. Enjoy your time."

Mayank read the words once. Then again.

His grip on the paper tightened as anger flared in his chest.

"Biwi, you shouldn't have done this," he muttered, his jaw clenching.

Without wasting another second, he grabbed his phone and quickly dialed her number. It rang. And rang. And rang.

No answer.

Mayank exhaled sharply, frustration mixing with worry as he shoved his phone into his pocket and grabbed his car keys. He had no idea where she could have gone, but he wasn't about to sit around and wait.

As he drove, his mind raced. Where would she go? Siya's place? Samar's? A hotel?

Then it hit him.

Her house.

His foot pressed harder on the accelerator as he made his way to her family home. Within minutes, he pulled up outside, barely parking the car properly before rushing to the door.

He rang the doorbell impatiently, his leg bouncing as he waited.

A few moments later, the door opened.

Yangeeta stood there, blinking in surprise. "Mayank?"

Mayank smiled as he stepped inside the house, his gaze scanning the living room as he walked in. Yangeeta, Abhijeet, and Rahil were sitting together, watching TV, completely relaxed.

"Hi," he greeted, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him.

Yangeeta looked up, smiling warmly. "Mayank, beta! Come, sit."

He forced a small smile and took a seat on the couch, his eyes subtly flickering toward the staircase, hoping Niharika would appear. But she didn't.

"Tea?" Yangeeta offered.

"Oh, no, it's okay," he started, but she was already getting up.

"Nonsense. You've come after so long, let me at least get you chai," she insisted, walking toward the kitchen.

Mayank sighed and leaned back, his mind preoccupied with Niharika, as Yangeeta came out with chai.

"So, how's work?" Abhijeet asked casually, sipping his tea.

Mayank exhaled slowly, gathering himself. "It's good. Busy, but good."

"Hmm, I can imagine," Abhijeet nodded. "Niharika also keeps talking about how packed her days are. You both barely get time to breathe, huh?"

Mayank just smiled a little and nodded, though inside, all he could think about was where the hell she was.

Minutes passed. Small talk continued.

She still didn't come.

Eventually, Mayank checked his watch and decided there was no point in staying longer. If she was home, she clearly didn't want to see him, and if she wasn't, he needed to figure out where she was.

He stood up, adjusting his watch. "I should get going now."

"So soon?" Yangeeta frowned as she came back with a cup of tea.

"Yeah, it's getting late," he said, offering a small smile. "Next time, I'll stay longer."

They exchanged goodbyes, and Mayank stepped out, making his way to his car. He was just about to open the door when Rahil's voice stopped him.

"You had a fight with her, Dada?"

Mayank froze for a second before turning around. Rahil stood there with his hands in his pockets, watching him curiously.

Mayank sighed, leaning against his car. "Yeah."

Rahil walked closer. "What happened?"

Mayank ran a hand down his face. "It's... complicated."

"Complicated how?" Rahil pressed.

Mayank hesitated for a moment but then let out a long breath as he briefed him. "She thinks I still have feelings for Zaina—my ex. That I don't care about this marriage. And I was so mad that she didn't trust me that I ended up saying maybe we shouldn't have said yes to this at all."

Rahil winced. "Ouch."

"Yeah." Mayank shook his head. "She left a note saying she won't stay if this is a mistake, and now she's here, but she won't even come out to see me."

Rahil raised an eyebrow. "How did you even know she was here?"

Mayank let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Lavender."

"Huh?" Rahil looked at him, confused.

Mayank crossed his arms. "The scent. It's hers. The whole house smells like it." Then, he smirked slightly. "And I saw her sandals near the door."

Rahil whistled low. "Damn. You notice way too much, Dada."

Mayank just shrugged, but before he could say anything else, Rahil added, "She's asleep."

Mayank exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. At least she was home. Safe. But that didn't mean this was over.

"She won't run from this forever," he muttered, more to himself than to Rahil.

Rahil sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Dada, that sounds like a bad case of miscommunication. But honestly, I don't know how to help if I don't know the full story. All I can say is..." He paused for a second, choosing his words carefully. "Ever since she got married to you, she's been really happy. We can see it. So, don't lose this."

Mayank clenched his jaw, his mind replaying every moment of the past few days—the laughter, the teasing, the way she used to look at him before all of this.

"I'm not losing this," he muttered under his breath, determination settling in his eyes.

Rahil gave him a small nod, as if he knew Mayank had already made up his mind.

Mayank glanced at the house once more before getting into his car. As he drove off, his mind was already working on the next step—because one thing was clear.

He wasn't losing her.

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