Chapter 76

Niharika woke up to the soft morning light filtering through her childhood bedroom. For a brief moment, she felt at peace, but then the weight of the previous night settled over her like a heavy cloud. She had left. She had actually packed a few things and walked out.

Her parents had asked if everything was okay, and she had forced a smile, reassuring them that she just wanted to spend some time at home. A lie. But they hadn't questioned her much.

Sighing, she got up and went to shower, hoping the warm water would wash away the turmoil in her chest. She dressed in a simple white kurta with pastel blue pants and tied her damp hair into a loose braid. Composing herself, she walked out to the dining area, where her mother was already setting down cups of chai.

"Morning, beta," Yangeeta said with a soft smile.

"Morning, Maa." Niharika sat down, wrapping her hands around the warm cup, letting its heat seep into her cold fingers.

She had just taken a sip when Rahil walked in and casually sat beside her. He leaned in slightly and whispered, "He knows you're here."

Her hand froze midair. She slowly turned to him. "What?"

Rahil sipped his chai, acting nonchalant. "I know you two fought. I know you left. And I know that he came here for you last night."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Mayank came here?"

Rahil nodded, watching her reaction.

She swallowed hard, looking away. "What... what did he say?"

Rahil shrugged. "Nothing much."

Niharika frowned, feeling an odd mix of emotions. "Then why did he even come?"

Rahil put his cup down and looked at her seriously. "Didi, don't lose him over a fight."

She let out a dry chuckle. "A fight? Rahil, he said this marriage is a mistake."

Rahil exhaled. "And he regrets saying that, Didi."

She scoffed, shaking her head. "Sure, he does." But even as she said it, her heart clenched.

Rahil didn't argue further. He simply stood up and patted her head lightly. "Think about it." And with that, he walked away.

Niharika sighed, running her fingers through her braid. She didn't want to think about it. But she knew she would.

Finishing her chai, she got up, grabbed her bag, and left for work.

Mayank woke up to an unsettling silence. The absence of movement in the house, the missing warmth from the room next to his—it all felt wrong. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, frustration and regret weighing heavily on his chest. He hated this.

With a deep sigh, he forced himself out of bed and headed for the shower. As the warm water ran down his back, he closed his eyes, letting out a breath. Enough fighting. He was done with this distance, with this anger, with this damn silence.

By the time he reached the office, his resolve was set. He was going to fix this.

The first place he went was her cabin, but the chair was empty. His brows furrowed. He turned to leave, deciding to wait for her, but as the hours passed, he still didn't see her anywhere.

Growing impatient, he walked over to Dhruv's desk. "Where's Niharika?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

Dhruv looked up from his laptop. "Oh, she's out for lunch with some colleagues."

Mayank simply nodded, but inside, a new irritation bubbled up. She wasn't even here. Was she avoiding him?

A while later, he finally saw her walking back into the office with the others. Without thinking twice, he strode toward her, grabbing her in a firm hug.

Niharika froze, completely taken aback. Her hands immediately went to his chest, trying to push him away as she whispered urgently, "What are you doing?"

Mayank only held her tighter. "I'm hugging my wife."

She stiffened at his words and whispered harshly, "I'm not your wife—not here and not—"

Before she could finish, he pulled back slightly, looking straight into her eyes. "Okay, let me fix that."

Then, without warning, he turned around, raising his voice loud enough for the entire office to hear. "Listen up, everyone! I wanted to tell you all something."

Niharika's eyes widened in horror. "Mayank, what are you doing?" she hissed, trying to grab his arm, but he ignored her.

Instead, he took her hand in his and continued, "I wanted to officially announce that Niharika and I are married."

The office fell silent for a second before a few gasps and murmurs started up.

Mayank smiled, squeezing her hand. "We've been married for over four months now. We didn't say anything before because she was new to the job, and I didn't want it to become a big deal. But now, it feels like the perfect time to tell you all—on our four-month anniversary."

Niharika was stunned into silence. Her heart pounded, her breath uneven. What was he doing?

Before she could say anything, Mayank pulled out a small box of sweets and started handing them around. "Here, sweets for everyone."

Slowly, congratulations started rolling in from their colleagues.

"Wow, didn't see that coming! Congratulations!"

"Oh my God, you two are adorable together."

"That's amazing! How did you guys meet?" someone asked, curiously.

Mayank, still holding Niharika's hand, grinned. "We're actually school friends. We met again and got married."

Niharika just stood there, still in shock, barely managing to mumble a soft "thank you" to those who congratulated her. Her mind was spinning, but Mayank, as always, remained cool and confident, smiling at everyone as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

~•~

As Niharika sat down for dinner at her parents' house, her mind was still tangled in confusion. The events of the day kept replaying in her head—how Mayank had just casually announced their marriage to the entire office as if their fight had never happened, as if they hadn't spent the last two days barely speaking to each other. What was he trying to do?

Just as she was about to take a bite, the doorbell rang. She sighed, placing her spoon down, and got up to open the door.

The moment she saw Mayank standing there, her breath hitched.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, keeping her voice low.

Mayank smirked slightly, glancing behind her to see if anyone was watching. When he confirmed they weren't, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.

"I'm here to have dinner with my wife and in-laws," he murmured, his voice teasing yet firm.

Niharika's eyes widened, but before she could react, he walked past her into the house.

"Mayank beta!" Yangeeta's face lit up at the sight of him. "What a surprise! Come, sit."

Abhijeet and Rahil, too, greeted him warmly, making space for him at the table.

Niharika hesitated before shutting the door and walking back inside, still slightly dazed by his unexpected presence. As everyone settled into dinner, Mayank blended in effortlessly, engaging in conversation with her family as if nothing had ever been wrong. He laughed with Rahil, talked about work with Abhijeet, and even listened to Yangeeta complain about how no one helps her in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Niharika sat quietly, watching him.

How was he doing this? How was he so... normal? How could he just act like they hadn't fought, like he hadn't called their marriage a mistake, like she hadn't walked out?

She kept staring at him, searching for answers in his face, but he never once looked uncomfortable. He fit so well into her home, her family. As if he belonged here.

As dinner came to an end, Mayank stretched slightly and glanced at the time. "Alright, chalo. We'll head out now."

Niharika snapped out of her thoughts. "Wait, but—"

Before she could say anything, Yangeeta cut in, "Nihu, go pack your stuff."

Niharika blinked. "What?"

Yangeeta gave her a pointed look. "You've stayed here long enough. Go with your husband now."

Mayank chuckled at Niharika's expression, clearly enjoying this.

"But I thought I was staying here—" she tried again, but her mother didn't let her finish.

"Chup! No more staying here. You left without telling us what happened, and he still came to take you back. That's what matters. Now go."

Mayank chuckled again, shaking his head. "Listen to your mom, Nihu."

Niharika turned to glare at him, but he only smirked in response. Frustrated, she huffed and stomped to her room to grab her things. Within ten minutes, she was packed and ready.

The car ride back home was completely silent. Niharika kept her arms crossed, staring out the window, while Mayank drove with a calm, unreadable expression.

When they reached home, she stepped inside first, dropping her bag near the couch.

Before she could take another step, she suddenly felt herself being pulled back.

Mayank kicked the door shut behind them, his hands gripping her waist as he turned her and pinned her against the wall.

Niharika's breath hitched, her pulse racing.

He leaned in, his voice low and firm. "Enough running, darling."

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