the function

Nikita POV:

I was in my room, after having the best and only kiss of my life. He kissed me like I've never imagined and now I can't get it out of my mind. Today was an emotionally exhausting day. I stared at the necklace, or the mangalsutra, around my neck, claiming me as his. The ring, which I had changed the location of, also claiming me. I don't know what was happening to me but I knew that he has his friend group, he couldn't care about me.

Yes he thinks of me as a responsibility.

But that kiss?

He probably got caught up in the moment.

We had successfully reached home and avoided everyone until we reached our rooms. Now, within an hour, we need to leave for the reception.

I stared at the dress options I had with me. I decided to go with an off white skin tight down with a slit from the knee. It had a strapped shoulder and had laces at the back till just above the waist. I quickly showered, styled my hair so it was straight and curled at the end, did my subtle makeup, a pinkish red matte lipstick with earrings. Kajal on my eyes along with a little smokey eye makeup and styled my hair in a low, elegant messy bun with a few strands of my curled hair resting on my face. I then looked at the mangalsutra. Do I remove it? Should I keep it?

After a huge chunk of self thinking, I decided to leave it on, since it acted as a necklace anyway. I closed my room door and walked towards Bruno.

I picked him up and we were coming down the stairs when Aunty suddenly stopped me. "Beta wait! You and Bruno look so cute! Let me get a picture." She said.

I smiled and cuddled with Bruno as Aunty took a picture.

"Wow the last one, you three look really nice!" Esha said.

"Three?" I asked. I looked behind and saw Mayukh on the step behind me, with his hand resting on the stair railing and him fixing his hair. Our eyes met and I got lost looking at him. He looked so smart in his white shirt, with his sleeves rolled up, and black pants.

"Mayukh!" Aunty said, bringing me out of my thoughts, "Why are you ruining her picture? Look at her she looks beautiful."

"She does look beautiful." He said looking straight at me, I looked back at Bruno as he continued, "But she's stealing Bruno!"

"She's not stealing! Bruno chose her!" Dad laughed, "Sid Esha, Ishaan, Riya, Armaan, join them let's snap all of you guys!"

All of them joined and I watched Riya stand near Mayukh. I felt uncomfortable and I quickly changed my position subtly and stood on the staircase below Armaan. He smiled and we posed for the picture.

"Btw, you really do look gorgeous Nik!" Armaan said.

I smiled and chuckled, "Thank youu!"

I turned to Armaan and saw Mayukh looking at us, I instantly looked away and we all got settled to get to the venue.

"Alright kids. There's only 1 car, the venue is around 10 mins away only so we'd have to carpool. So each car fits around 4 people, so take your picks and let's go!"

"Chondon and I will go ahead. Ruyash Manisha have already reached, who two want to come with us?" Aunty asked.

"We'll come!" said Sid and Esha.

"Alright perfect! You two come now, then you guys decide your later ones."

Sid Esha got into the car with Uncle Aunty and drove off. Armaan Ishaan Riya Mayukh Rohan and I sat in the hall. I watched them all settling in the main room. I felt uncomfortable with them and so I stayed at the dining room, playing with Bruno. Suddenly I felt footsteps entering and looked up to find Riya coming towards me.

"Hey babe." She said with a scowl.

"Umm Hi."

"Getting to the point directly. I know you have a thing for Mayukh, but back off, he's mine. He wouldn't go for a low class girl like you anyway. Just because he's friendly enough to let you in his home doesn't mean you're the daughter-in-law of it."

"But I..."

"Just warning you. I know he did something to save your life and he's protecting you as a responsibility. He might sit with you, chill with you, flirt around for a while, but just know. This is all because he wants to make you feel safe and happy because of his responsibilities."

"I just..."

"Gotta go babe! The car is back! I'll leave now. Remember what I said. If you keep that in mind, we can be friends. "

"Guys, car is here. Who is going?" Everyone gathered in the dining room. I wanted to leave. I felt suffocated.

"I'll go in the next car... I... I need to just, get something done." I said and went upstairs. I entered my room and closed the door.

Every time I feel something, it gets ruined. Someone's always there to remind me of my place. How did I even think I can stand a chance with this guy? I took my phone and called Aai so divert my mind.

"Wow beta! you're looking amazing! Where are you going?"

"I told you na Aai, the function. The Chaudary Reception. It's their son's wedding reception."

"Oh yeah! Send me a pic of your outfit once we end the call. You really look good."

"I took a few pics with Bruno. I'll send them."

"Who's Bruno?"

"Bruno is my new baby!"

"WHAT?!"

"Aai! Relax! Bruno!!" I called and Bruno came running, placing himself on the bed near me, "This is Bruno Aai!" I showed the dog through the phone.

"Arre wah! Hi Bruno!"

"Aai see! can we please get a dog?"

"You're not even here, who will take care?"

"Okay when I'm back."

"You'll get married then."

I hesitated. Why does everything come to marriage?!

"What... what if my husband doesn't like dogs?"

"Then you fight him and get a dog!"

"My husband better like dogs."

"Don't worry. He does." I heard Mayukh's voice. I looked up and found him leaning by the door, smirking.

"Who's that?" Aai said through the phone.

"Um... No... No one..." I tried to say but Mayukh snatched the phone from me.

"It's me Aunty."

I watched him talk to Aai yet again. Why is he doing this? Riya's words rang in my ears.

He might sit with you, chill with you, flirt around for a while, but just know. This is all because he wants to make you feel safe and happy because of his responsibilities.

I walked and snatched my phone and said bye to Aai and cut the call. Then, I decided to go to the other room and sit there. I was about to leave when Mayukh grabbed my arm and grabbed my waist tightly.

"What..."

"What happened to you?" He asked.

"Nothing."

"Oh really." He said, walking closer and closer.

"Yes."

"Then why did you come up like this?"

"Why haven't you left yet? Riya said you're going with her."

"I didn't want to."

"What?"

He came closer until I was almost pinned to the wall. I saw him look into my eyes and secure his arm around my waist. His eyes scanned my lips as he came closer and closer, closing the distance between us but before he could, Bruno barked. I jumped and quickly escaped his grip and ran away.

Mayukh POV:

"Bruno!!! Third wheel kahi ka!" I sighed and went downstairs hugging Bruno.

I came downstairs and saw her talking to Juma Aunty.

"Mayukh. The car is here. It's just you two left now."

"Okay Aunty."

We sat in the car. She sat behind me and I sat next to her, allowing Juma Aunty to sit in front. I came closer to her and sat next to her. She was sitting quietly. My eyes kept going on her lips. She was driving me crazy. The way she said my name. I hadn't heard it in years. Her soft lips, shy face. She was driving me insane. I just wanted to get her in my room and kiss her senselessly.

"We're here." Juma Aunty said.

I saw her getting downstairs and heading off to the event. What happened to her now? Why is she avoiding me? Maybe she's awkward by the kiss. It's fine. I chuckled and led Juma Aunty in.

The hall was decorated beautifully. I saw Ruyash Bhai and Manisha Bhabhi on the stage greeting guests. It hit me that I also got married. I saw the ring on my finger. I hadn't changed it. It was still on my ring finger and my thumb still had a bit of red. Sindoor. Where is my wife?

I saw her talking to Mom Dad and Ruyash Bhai and Bhabhi. It made me smile knowing that she is in our family. She's part of us. I wish Mom knew, but I don't think she'd support it. I don't know. I went to the stage and watched Nikita stiffen seeing me. I stood next to her and spoke to Bhai.

Suddenly, the photographer screamed, "Sir, family photo!"

I saw everyone smile and get ready while Nikita hesitated and started to leave. I quickly pulled her hand and held her by the waist and whispered in her ears, "Smile wife."

She was too stunned to move and I saw her smile gently. Then she quickly ran away. I chuckled and walked over to the food counter and grabbed food with my friends.

"Hey Mayukh!" I heard Riya come and touch my shoulders.

"Hey." I said.

"How's everything?"

"All good."

"I noticed you suddenly spending a lot of time with Nikita again. Didn't you dislike her? What happened?"

"Well, nothing. I told you I saved her, that happened in India. She is afraid in India and so I'm just trying to take care."

"You're so sweet."

"Thanks."

"So, do you want to talk somewhere private? I wanted to discuss something with you."

"What happened?"

"Nothing, just thought to talk." She smiled.

I didn't want to go, but since she said she wanted to talk, I agreed.

We headed off to a corridor and she stood next to me and started talking about her college life before Masters. The conversation was okay but I had only one thing in my mind. Nikita. Suddenly, I felt Riya coming closer until I was being slightly pushed against the wall. I know what she was trying to do. I tried pushing her away but she couldn't handle. She's getting drunk. She came closer and I leaned against the wall to support myself from falling. When I finally managed to change us so she was against the wall leaning, I was going to take out my phone when I suddenly heard a very familiar anklet sound. I looked up to see Nikita's retreating figure from the corridor. I could see her backside. Her hair, her skin tight hot white gown, and the anklet I had given her. Is she okay?

I called Armaan and told him to take Riya back home and he did. Then, I went inside to find Nikita but I couldn't see her anywhere. I went over to Esha and asked her about Nikita, but she said she hasn't seen her. Then, I walked to Juma Aunty, who said that she has gone home because she felt tired. The entire party finished soon and we all got back.

Everyone departed to their rooms and I went straight to Nikita but found her room door open and no one inside. So I followed the small anklet sound and found her in the kitchen, getting water. I entered and blocked her way.

She gasped, "What are you doing here?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"Why did you leave early?"

"I didn't feel well."

"Sure."

"What?"

"Sure you didn't feel well."

"Why else would I leave?"

"Because you, you saw Riya and me and I don't know what you thought."

She scoffed, "What? I didn't see anything."

"Oh really." I could see her eyes going everywhere but at me. She's lying. "Why are your eyes stuttering then?"

"Umm... they... they aren't."

I went closer to her and pinned her behind a wall.

"Tell me."

"Let me go Mayukh."

Oh God. When she says my name, I can't even control myself.

"Or what, wife?"

"Don't call me that."

I pushed her more against the wall and caged her, my arms around her waist. I moved her top slightly to reveal her mangalsutra.

"What's this then?"

"I'll take it off."

"No."

"Why?"

"I said no, Nikita."

"What's your problem Mayukh? Kabhi ekdam wife jaise treat karte ho, otherwise you treat me like some stranger. It hurts. I don't know what I am to you. I know this means nothing to you so just leave me alone and you go screw whoever you want and let me go screw whoev—"I slammed my lips onto hers and shut her up.

What nonsense was she saying?! I pushed her slowly and kissed her roughly, showing my anger through my kiss. Her hands came onto my chest but I overpowered her as I continued to kiss her. She moaned in the kiss and I smirked against it. I felt her hands leave mine and wrap around my bicep and her body loosen.

I let go off her lips and looked at her.

"Don't say shit like that again."

"Or what?" She challenged, still recovering.

I pulled her closer and kissed her neck, "Or I'll take your ability to walk."

She gasped realizing and I smirked. She was still wrapped around my waist.

"Nothing happened between Riya and I." I said. She looked up.

"I can't blame you even if there was."

"You can."

"Seriously?" She scoffed, "You're the one who said there's nothing between us. I am no one to stop you."

"You.... You're my—"

"You can't even say it." She scoffed, "Jaane do, you're free to do whatever you want Mayukh, with whoever you want. Besides, I'm not the only one who you've pushed against the wall today." She sarcastically chuckled.

She left my grip and walked away, picking her stuff, leaving me standing there.

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