ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

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. "