meeting his parents

The next day went by quietly for both Nikita and Mayukh. Mayukh had spoken to Esha and Sid and they had insisted, not just agreed, that his Mom and Dad stay with them. Now, he just needed to make one other person aware of this update, but she wasn't even answering his messages and now her messages weren't being delivered. He tried calling but her phone was just ringing.

He got the house cleaned and the extra room cleaned and arranged and spent the day with Esha and Sid, who both noticed his mind being elsewhere and partially knew that there's something going on between Mayukh and Nikita, but they wouldn't ask him until they had solid evidence about it. Esha, on the other hand, knew that Nikita had something to tell her but didn't know what it was. There was something which had scared Nikita which made her lose her smile and keep her guards way more high than it needed to be. She wanted some girl time to talk to her. Sid, as well, wanted to talk to Mayukh to find out what's going on in his friend's head. By now, Armaan and Mayukh's school friends had become very close to Esha, Sid and Nikita; unfortunately that included Riya, who Mayukh didn't want in his house; and they were all currently sitting together and watching movies at 10pm, when the door suddenly rang.

Esha went to open it. "FINALLY!" She said out loud. Nikita smiled and gave Esha a hug as she entered the house.

Nikita POV:

Nisha Didi dropped me off at 10pm after spending a good weekend with her. She was headed back to India tomorrow and I was quite happy that I got to be with her. Now, I was nervous being back here because I knew what would follow; but I let my mind not overthink.

He doesn't care Nikita, you saw him get cozy with that other girl, he's moved on.

I entered inside and was engulfed in a hug by Esha, which I smiled and reciprocated. She led me in and I was greeted to 5 other people in hall. My eyes scanned the hall and I saw Mayukh sitting there with his eyes fixed on me. I couldn't read his eyes. He seemed angry, calm and concerned. I looked away and saw the same girl he was hugging near him.

See, I told you Nikita, he couldn't care less.

I covered up my pale face with a smile and greeted everyone and sat next to Armaan.

"Where were you bro?" He said.

"I had spent the weekend with a friend who was in town. She's flying back tomorrow."

"I thought I saw you in university that day, but you didn't see me."

"Oh, Yeah I didn't see."

We continued talking while I noticed him just not glance once.

Did my absence really not bother him at all? What were you thinking Nikita? He doesn't care. Not even a little.

Soon enough, everyone said their goodbyes and I noticed that girl hug Mayukh and I looked away and walked into the kitchen before I could see more. After a while, everyone went to their rooms. I also went to mine and closed the door and went to change. I took a nice, warm shower and came out in my baggy top and shorts when I gasped seeing Mayukh sitting on the bed, with anger in his eyes.

"Y...you?" I asked, frozen in place.

He got up and walked closer to me and pulled my towel, and me, towards him and threw my towel on the bed.

"What...are you doing?" I stammered, while my hands rested on his chest, trying to push him away.

He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer such that I lost my balance and fell on the bed, with him hovering above me. My heart was beating faster than ever and I felt butterflies.

No Nikita. Stop.

"Where were you, wife? For a whole weekend?" He said, while touching the water droplets that fell from my hair to my neck. I grabbed the bed sheet tightly as I tried to speak.

"I..I was..with a.. friend.."

"You couldn't text me once to let me know." He said, coming closer. His hands were now playing with the hem of my top. My eyes widened.

"Wh...why do...you care?"

"Why do I care?" He said, his eyes fixed on mine, "You're my wife, half or full, fake or real, broken or not, you're my wife."

"No. I.. I'm not." I looked down.

"Oh really." He said, smirking looking at my hairline, "then why do I still see a bit of red on your hairline? Pati hone ka ehsaas chahiye?"

"What?" I didn't even realise that a bit of sindoor has stayed in my hairline, but I washed my hair regularly, how did I miss it? "I... I don't know... it just... I'll remove it."

I said and I directed my hair to my hairline but my wrist was caught by him, who pinned it near my waist.

"We'll see how you remove it." He said, his hands were now sliding up my top as he touched my bare waist, where my mark once used to be. He looked at me and smiled, "It's all gone."

I nodded and he pulled me up so we both were standing.

He was about to walk to the door when he suddenly turned, pinned me to the wall and looked at me with dark, intense and angry eyes. "Don't pull this disappearing thing again. Mujhse bura koi nahi hoga."

He left the room before I could say anything else.

Mayukh POV:

After I saw her enter, my eyes felt like they found peace. Finally. I wanted to talk to her but I saw her avoiding my gaze and so I tried ignoring her too. Once everyone had left, I entered her room and closed it, trying to find her. I heard the shower running and so I sat on her bed.

When she came, she was shocked seeing me and her eyes filled with fear. Why? But she looked hot as heck in her oversized tshirt and shorts. I wanted to just kiss her until her.... Woah, slow down.

I had her pinned on her own bed and my mind was betraying me. I wanted to kiss her and make her mine, but I had to tell her she can't do this again. I noticed a part of the same sindoor I adorned her with in the middle of her hairline and suddenly that night flashed before eyes. Her screams, her vulnerable look, my hand and her hairline. Speaking of that, I too my hand to check if her mark had healed and I was glad to see that it was all gone. Physically, all her scars were gone now. I got up and left the room and went to sleep relaxed, knowing that she's next door.

The next morning, I was ready by 8am to pick Mom Dad up. I got ready and informed everyone at home that they're coming. All knew except Nikita. I forgot to tell her yesterday because I was so lost in her proximity. I hope someone tells her. I reached the airport and met Mom Dad and Ruyash Bhai, who all then came home with me.

We reached home and Esha and Sid greeted Mom Dad. I made them comfortable and brought water for them. Soon, we all sat.

"Mom Dad, these are my roommates. Esha and Sid."

"Hi Aunty Uncle." They said and I watched them make small talk with them.

"You said you guys are 4 people right, where is your 4th member?" Mom asked.

I was about to answer when Esha said, "here she is."

I saw Nikita walk in and I couldn't stop staring. She looked heavenly in the chikankari yellow kurta with jeans, her jhumka and her hair tied in a loose braid which rested over her shoulders, with a few strands falling out caressing her face. Her kajal, bindi and her nose ring. She was driving me insane.

She looked shocked to see Mom Dad, looks like no one told her.

"Hi... Uncle and Aunty. I'm Nikita." She came and touched their feet, Mom Dad smiled and blessed her. Mom cupped her chin and smiled, "you're very beautiful beta." She said. That she is, Mom.

"Thank.. you aunty." Nikita smiled and sat next to Esha.

"Niki, these are Mayukh's parents." Esha said and her eyes widened and she looked at me.

"Oh.. Nice to meet you." She composed herself and spoke, "Can... I make you something?"

"Oh no, we ate in the flight. Don't worry."

"I'll make chai and kichadi, it's very light. Aap rukiye. Esha come!" She grabbed Esha's hand and took her out of the room and started cooking. I settled Mom Dad in their rooms while Sid helped arrange the stuff for the visit. We called Ruyash Bhai and Manisha and told them to join us for dinner.

An hour later, we were all sitting and having the lunch Nikita made.

"This is mind blowing beta, how do you know this?" Mom said to her.

"My mom taught me all this before I came here." She smiled.

"Well she'd be very proud. She taught you well. You also sit and eat, come."

She sat and started eating silently while everyone was talking.

Mom and Dad got very settled and chill with my friends, which I really liked but a huge part of me loved that Mom Dad loved Nikita; they don't need to, she's no one to them.

Umm, she's their daughter-in-law.

No, she's not.

I watched her sit with them and talk to them while Esha and Sid also joined. I stayed in the corner and soon Ruyash Bhai and Manisha Bhabhi also joined.

Nikita POV:

We all had dinner and soon, the parents slept and it was just us, with Mayukh's brother Ruyash bhai and his sister-in-law Manisha Bhabhi.

"Guys, let's play 21 truths!" Esha said. We agreed and spun the bottle till it landed on me.

"Ooooh Nikita..." Esha said, "Okay I have a question: who were you really with this weekend?" My face smile died and I looked guilty, "How did you know?" I asked.

I then smiled and answered, "I was with my cousin."

"Okay moving on... Spin again!" We spun the bottle and it landed on Mayukh.

"Okay! Sid, you ask!" Esha said.

"Hmmm... Mayukh, what's your deep secret?"

I saw Mayukh smile and look at me for a second before answering, "That I already have a wife."

I felt a knot in my stomach tighten as he said that and I avoided his gaze as he glanced at me again.

"Oh really! Make her meet us then." Sid said.

"Haan Haan I'm his brother and even I don't know my brother has a wife." Ruyash Bhai added.

"Oh you all have met her." Mayukh said.

Shit. Was he going to tell everyone? Oh No.

"Who is it then?" Esha asked.

"Her." He said and pointed right at me. My eyes widened in shock. "That beautiful girl you see there, my PS5." He said, smiling at me.

I turned around to see his PS5 and breathe a small sigh of relief.

"Oh this I can agree!" Sid said, "he's practically married to that PS5!"

"Exactly, she's my half-wife." He said and he was looking right at me. My stomach tightened as I looked down. Everyone laughed and I stayed rooted in my seat. I looked at him and saw him give me a smile before focusing back on the game.

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