indore

Mayukh POV:

"I know Dad. You guys decide what you want to do." I requested.

"Ruyash, what do you say?" Dad said.

I was currently in the hall, with Dad and Ruyash Bhai while Mom, Bhabhi and Nikita were still asleep. We had gotten up early and freshened up and showered, since we were discussing what to do regarding moving. I had said yes to her yesterday but I wasn't entirely sure. I didn't want to break her heart.

"I think they both should move to London. Nikita should be working there, and Mani and I will be there too. As for our Dubai office, we have a trusted team to handle it, Mayukh or I can alternate and make frequent visits to the office."

She's going to think she's breaking the family again. This girl and her insane thoughts!

"I agree with that Dad. Bhai and I can take turns, we have Ishaan there. He's been really good he can take over. That way the loyalties are within the same company as well."

"Good idea. Okay, do one thing. Before you two head to London, make a stop in Dubai. Either you and Nikita stop or Ruyash and Manisha can stop."

"We'll stop Dad. Traveling with Reyansh is a pain anyway, better to take breaks and travel." Bhai confirmed.

"Excellent then. You two leave tommorow."

"What about you and Mom, Dad?" Bhai asked.

"We're gonna stay here for a bit. We'll alternate later."

"Dad.... When are we announcing my marriage to Nikita?" I asked.

"Good question. I'll talk to your mom and let you guys know."

"Okay."

"Chalo. Both of you come to the office today, so go get freshened up."

I walked into my room to see Nikita coming out of the shower. I stopped in my tracks. Her kurta was sticking to her and her hair was wet.

Oh God.

"H...Hi.."

"Good Morning wife. Where are you going?"

"Nowhere."

"You don't seem happy. What's wrong?"

"I'm fine."

I sighed, "I've told you this before as well Nikita. Don't hide things from me."

She gulped, "I... I just... thought to go Indore once, but...."

"But?"

"No... I... I don't want to anymore."

"If you want to go then let's go. I'm coming with you. We can leave today and book a flight from Indore tomorrow." I said as I tried to head out to tell Dad.

"No... Mayukh...." She held my hand to stop me, "I don't think I should go right now."

"Why?"

"I... they aren't... the family there... aren't good people."

I chuckled, "Is there anyone in your family who is good?" Her face turned red in anger and I internally chuckled, "I'm kidding wife. Relax."

She let my hand go and turned but I pulled her close to her back collided with my chest. I secured my hand around her waist.

"What... are you doing?"

"Kissing my wife a good morning. Problem hai?" I smirked and kissed her neck from behind.

"—Mayukh! Come down!" Ruyash Bhai's voice caught me off guard.

"Coming!" I let go off her and kissed her cheek before heading downstairs.

"Come eat breakfast." Mom said and I sat, "Where is Nikita?"

"She's coming."

Soon, everyone arrived and Nikita sat next to me as she ate silently. Everyone was in discussion about stuff while she sat silently, listening. I looked at Ruyash Bhai, who noticed her silence. He shrugged his eyebrows while gesturing in her direction through his eyes, and I nodded saying 'I realized'.

A few hours later, I went to Mom while Nikita was playing with Reyansh.

"Mom, I think Nikita and I will leave today."

"Leave today? Why?"

"She wants to go to Indore. I haven't even been to her family home. Ideally I should leave today and spend one night at her family home and then go to London from there."

"Hmmm. You're right, but not you alone, we should come as well. Hold on!"

Mom went towards her phone and quickly got on a call with Nikita's mom. They spoke for a bit while I distracted myself and watched Nikita play with Reyansh. He was cuddling on her lap, with his hand wrapped around her hair. She was smiling and talking to Bhabhi.

"Ahem ahem!" Mom said, pulling me away.

"Mom... I" I was embarrassed. She caught me staring at Nikita, "Sorry."

She chuckled, "You can stare at your wife."

I smiled and looked down, embarrassed.

"Anyway," she continued, "I've spoken to them. It's just 8am right now. We have our private plane, it'll get us to Indore within an hour. We'll spend 2/3 days at her place and then you and Nikita, and Manisha and Ruyash can go ahead from there."

I smiled, "Sounds like a great plan."

"Let's go gather everyone and tell them."

"Guys!!!" Mom said, grabbing everyone's attention."

Bhabhi and Nikita looked, I sat next to Nikita, who was sitting on a couch with Reyansh on her lap. Bhabhi sat opposite us, next to Ruyash Bhai. Dad came downstairs as well. "Yes Asha?"

"I've made a plan. I would like you all to make it work."

"What plan?" Bhai asked.

"It's 8am right now. In another 3 hours, we're catching a flight to Indore."

I saw Nikita's eyes widen her gaze slowly turned to me, I simply smiled.

"Indore?" Bhabhi asked.

"Beta, we haven't been to Nikita's home town at all after marriage. It's not right, so we're going to reach them by evening."

"Makes sense. Have you booked?" Bhai asked.

"Our private plane is getting ready as we speak. He'll be at the airport by 11am, so we need to hurry up and pack."

"But Mom, how long?"

"Well, I spoke to Mayukh about this. We're reaching by 12-1pm today. We'll spend the day with them. Yamini Ji mentioned having a pooja at Indore, I think that'll be tommorow morning. Mayukh and Nikita can meet everyone as well. We're free after that. So, tommorow evening you can either come back to Kolkata or you guys go ahead. Your dad and I will be staying for a few more days, but I know you guys have work and a long trip ahead, so you guys can carry on."

"Sounds good!" I said.

"Everyone, let's get packing. Meet me here by 10:30, so we can get going." Mom said.

We all made our way upstairs to our rooms and everyone started packing. I saw Nikita come behind me and close the door.

"Was this your idea?" She asked, taking her bag.

"Maybe!" I said and she turned around.

"Why?" She asked.

"Don't you want to meet your family?"

"I met them."

"What's the problem?" I said, pulling her closer, "I've noticed, you're very repelled from going to Indore. Why?"

"I.... I'm not... I just... my cousins aren't..."

"Great people?"

She nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll handle it. Now get ready."

"We're coming back here."

"No, who said?"

"What?" She looked confused.

"Darling, we're going to London from Indore."

"Oh." I could see a small smile on her face, but she hid it, "Hasna hai toh hass le." I chuckled.

We started packing and took 2 hours to pack everything properly. Soon, we went down.

~~~~

After a comfortable flight, we reached Indore. I saw Nikita adjust her salwar, and mangalsutra before getting down the plane. We all made our way to the cab and I saw her looking around in awe at her home city.

"Missed it?" I whispered to her.

"A little." She replied.

We reached her house. I hadn't been here before. It was a medium sized bungalow with a huge garden in the front and back. We rang the bell and I heard a dog barking. Coco!

"Welcome!" Aunty said as she opened the door.

Coco rang and hugged Nikita, then hugged me.

"Circle of life!" Mom said and I smiled.

"Please come." Uncle said and led us in.

I noticed the house. It was a cute house. 5 bedrooms and one room had been set up like an office. Aunty gave us our rooms and allowed us to freshen up. Everyone went in their rooms while she heated the food.

I walked into Nikita's room and looked around. It didn't feel like her room at all.

"This is your room?" I asked her.

"Yeah." She replied, tying her hair in a clip.

"Where is Nikita in this room?" I asked.

She didn't reply, but she looked at me confused.

"We got this house when... I moved to UK." She said looking down, embarrassed.

"So?" I said, trying to ease her.

"I didn't come to India for 10 months." She said.

"Oh."

I noticed she's very detached from her family. She loves them. I noticed she calls them everyday but she doesn't visit. She avoids India as much as she can.

"Lunch is ready!" We heard Aunty say.

She looked at me and then walked out with me behind her. We joined everyone at the table.

"How was the flight?" Aunty asked.

"Oh very comfortable." Mom replied, "Are you still a consultant?"

"Yes! I took a few days off."

"You guys can roam around today." Mom said, looking at Nikita, me, Bhabhi and Bhai.

"I'd love to, but Reyansh barely lets me sleep. I think I'll crash for a while." Bhabhi replied.

Everyone chuckled and Bhai added, "Me too."

"Nikita, Mayukh?" Mom said, waiting our reply.

"Oh... we..." Nikita spoke but I completed it.

"We'll go." I looked at her and then continued, "I want to see around. Wife, take me around!"

Nikita's face went red but she nodded, "Sure."

"Then it's settled!" Mom said.

"Also, tomorrow we are holding a Satyanarayan Pooja - it's what we do in Marathi households to pray for a good married life. I've invited our relatives from here, if that's fine?" Aunty said.

"Don't be formal, Yamini Ji. Of course you can invite whoever you'd like!" Mom said.

Everyone finished lunch and Ruyash Bhai and Bhabhi went into their rooms with their son. Mom and Dad went ahead with Aunty and Uncle into the hall where they got busy chatting, leaving just me and Nikita. She was cleaning the kitchen so I walked towards her.

"Ready?" I asked, leaning against the wall.

She looked at me, "I need to change. Wait."

"Okay, my love. Should I change too?"

She eyed me up and down, "Up to you, it's fine."