ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

texts and calls

Mayukh POV:

I got up the next morning, did my shower business and came outside to seeing Nikita touching my parents' feet. Her bags were outside.
She's leaving today?!

I walked to her and saw her face change. Mom and Dad excused themselves for a minute while they went to get something for her and I walked to her, pulled her aside.
"You're leaving?"
"Yes."
"Will I... Will we meet again?"
She didn't answer for a while then said, "No."
"Why not?"
"Our course is over. Why would we meet now?"
"What about our graduation?"
"Yeah."
I don't think I was ready for that. Not seeing her anymore. Coincidences happen once, not twice.
"Here." She said, bringing me out of my thought. I saw her handing me her necklace and her ring. What the heck?!
"What's this?"
"I... I don't think we'd... meet again... so—"
"Shut up." I took the necklace, took her hair and brought it to one side and came closer to her, putting her necklace on her neck again. I then took the ring and put it on her finger.
"It's yours. Keep it." I don't even know if she would keep it so just, "do whatever you want with it."

She let go off me and said goodbye to everyone and got in the cab. Before she could leave, I quickly went up to her, "Message me when you reach."
She nodded.
I then saw her drive off.

Why did it hurt me so much to see her go? I know I'm not in love with her but I also know that I can't see her as just a person. I felt tied to her. I missed kissing her. What was I feeling?

Nikita POV:

I sat in the bus to Indore with a heavy heart. I know I might not see him again, ever. Coincidences don't happen often. I had to get used to life knowing I have a husband, who I married twice, properly, yet I have no proof of marriage. It's not registered, only three people know and no one can even gauge it. It's like it never happened. I missed the way he is around me, I know he probably has feelings for Riya and what she said isn't wrong. Our family classes are too different for there to be any story between us. I sighed and went to sleep.

I reached home after 6 hours. Finally. I knocked on the door and soon my parents engulfed me in a hug. We settled down and got ready to have chai and talk.

"So beta, masters done!" Baba said.
"Yep, time to work."
"Have you started applying?"
"I got a few interview offers, luckily they're all online so I can do them from here."
"Are any of the companies here?" Aai asked.
"Aai, we discussed this. I don't want to work here. I want to work outside India."
"Beta but what if you get good opportunities here."
"Of course, if I get something good then I will work here, I've applied as well, but unless I'm working in a very rich family business, it's very difficult for me to work in Indore. I'd need to be in the city na Aai."

I know she wanted me here. She was scared to let me go anywhere after what happened, but I couldn't work here. I've always wanted to work outside or in another areas. Aai and Baba also live in Dubai, where I studied. They've moved here because temporarily Dad's company had become redundant. He's gotten a very good job here but I know even he wants to leave India. I know he wants to get back.

"Anyway. Let's not discuss this. When is Rahul coming back?" Rahul, my younger brother, was studying his undergraduate in the UK. He's coming back soon for his summer vacations.
"Tommorow morning." Aai said.
"Perfect, I'm going to enjoy my holidays right now then before he bores me!"
Aai chuckled and went to her work. She's an astrologer who does consulting. Dad also went to his office.

Now I was alone at home, getting very bored. I suddenly got a message.
Did you reach?
I didn't even think he'd remember. I quickly sent him a text back.
I did.
He replied back within a second.
Is everything okay at home?
Yes, it's fine.
Okay, good.
I was about to leave the phone when I got his text again.
Take care, half wife.
I stared at my phone in shock. Why's he still calling me that? Does he, like, does he like it?
I will. You take care too.
Bruno is missing his bhabhi already.
He sent me a picture of Bruno. His bhabhi? Mayukh, don't fuel fires you can't extinguish.
Hahaha I miss him too.
Come back here then.
My heart did a summersault. I couldn't answer. I was brought back to reality by his message.
By the way, send your address.
Huh? Why does he need that?
Why do you need that?
You forgot something. I need to send it over.
What did I forgot? I mean I guess I must have, my thoughts are not in place right now. I sent him my address and he responded with a thank you and I went back to watching my TV. 

At around 8 in the evening, both Aai Baba were home and we sat for dinner.
"Nikita, do you think we should start finding people for you now?" Aai started.
"People for what?"
"Marriage. What else? You're 24 now."
"What? No."
"You're not 24?"
"Aai, no. Please. I don't want to get married." How do I tell her that I already am married? Even though that marriage has no future, it's still a marriage. If at all I marry someone else, I need time to get over this one.
"Beta, you're of age now. Come on."
"No Aai, and I'd appreciate if this topic doesn't happen again." I said, kind-off angry.
Aai Baba sighed and we soon changed the topic and went back to our rooms to sleep.

The next day, Aai Baba had gone to work and I was heading towards the airport to pick Rahul up when suddenly the door opened and Rahul walked in.
"RAHUL!!" I screamed and hugged him, "I was about to leave to pick you."
"My flight landed way early so I just took a cab!" He said hugging me back.
"Very good. Come, let's sit and talk."
"Let me freshen up first madam."
He went inside and I heard the door bell ring again, so I went outside and saw a big wooden basket kept at the door. I bent down and looked around to seeing a cute little shitzu wagging his tail at me.
"Oh my God!" I smiled and took him in my arms. I found a note near him while he made himself comfortable on my lap. I read the note:

Since Bruno can't be with you, keep Coco :)

I was shocked reading that. Is this why he wanted my address? I felt my eyes watering when suddenly Rahul came.
"Hey! what a lovely surprise!" He said, taking Coco in his arms, "Who sent this?"
I panicked, "My... My friend... She, she knows I like..."
"Haan Haan theek hai!"
Thank God Rahul doesn't care about all these trivial things, as he calls it. He chuckled and went inside with Coco as I got his toys and stuff inside and closed the door.

That night, after Aai Baba came home and saw Coco and welcomed him with open arms finally, everyone had slept.
Coco was in my room, playing with his toys on my lap. I kept reading the note I got when I felt like calling him and saying thank you.
I picked up my phone and called him. He answered within 4 rings.
"Hello!"
"Hi. I... Nikita... here."
"I have your number saved Nikita. I know it's you. What happened?"
"Thank you."
"For?"
"Coco."
"He came today? I thought he's coming next week."
I chuckled slightly, "He came this afternoon."
"So, how's he?"
"He's beautiful."
We stayed in silence for a bit when I continued, "Why did you... get me Coco?"
"I know you missed Bruno."
"But, I'd be fine."
"I want you to be better than fine."
"Mayukh..." I couldn't answer.
"Goodnight Nikita."
"Goodnight."

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