ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

She's what?

Mayukh POV:

Why did she run away like that? Was she scared of my touch? But if she was then why does her body react so comfortably to my touch? Did someone say something to her? I didn't want to do this but I knew I had no choice.
"Armaan. I need to do it."
"Okay. I'll get started."
"Find out everything."

I didn't want to find out stuff about her, but I didn't know what else to do. I want to know if her aunt did anything, if her family said anything, if anyone said something. I reached home and sat in silence. Looking at my ring, I walked towards my wardrobe. I opened the small drawer and smiled: her ring and mangalsutra was still kept there. In another 2 months, it would be our two year anniversary. Two years since I got married to her to save her life. Two years since my life changed and the priority of my life changed.
"I'm gonna make you wear this same necklace and ring again."

~~~

The next day, I was working when I got a call from Bhai to come home so we can plan the function. I agreed and made my way to their place.

Bhabhi was playing with her son, who had now started opening his eyes and was playing around trying to talk. Bhai was swiping through venues while asking Bhabhi's for her input.
"Mayukh! Hello!" Bhabhi smiled, "Baby... meet your chachu!" She said, looking down.
I sat next to her and held the baby's hand. He grasped his finger around mine.
It felt safe. It made me feel like there's someone I could protect with all my life, but I wasn't entirely thinking about the baby. I was thinking about her. Her tight hold on my hand when her aunt was around, her tight hold on me whenever she was scared, it made me feel like protecting her from anything and everything.

"So we're planning to host a function next weekend. Mom and Dad and Mani's Mom Dad are arriving by Sunday. Mani's parents are coming on Monday. Today is Friday. We have two days, now you tell me what do we do?" Bhai said, breaking my train of thought.
"What do we do meaning?"
"Will Mom and Dad stay with you?"
"Of course not, they'd want to stay near their grandson, as with Bhabhi's parents. But if it's too crowded then I'm happy to have Mom Dad home."
"We'll just let them decide. Crowd isn't an issue, we have 3 bedrooms."
"Function, what are we doing?"
"We are planning to host a pooja and then a party. Pooja in the day time, where the Guru Ji would inform the most auspicious letter, and then in the evening, we can announce the name. That gives us the afternoon to decide."
I saw Manisha Bhabhi in thought.
"Bhabhi, what happened?"
"Oh, nothing... Just that usually the father's sister decides on a name."
"I have a sister. She'll do it." Bhai said.
"But Omisha is in India, and I really don't want her here."
"Don't worry. We'll manage." Bhai said.

After a while, we had dinner. After that, I announced that I'll be staying with Bhai and Bhabhi only because I wanted to stay near the baby. They readily agreed and I instantly dozed off.

Nikita POV:

"Are you sure about this?" Aai asked.
"Yes." I stared at the phone, not even looking into Aai's eyes through the screen.
"Okay, I'll send your bio data to a few people. Some might be in London, if they are then go meet them."
"Okay."
"Beta.... I know I've been pushy but I genuinely hope you're doing this because you want to, not because you feel like you have to.
"Yes. Don't worry." I said and cut the call.

I realized the only way to forget Mayukh is by committing to someone, in real. A real wedding, a registered, real wedding. So I said yes. I know I'm not ready to marry, but I'm falling for someone I shouldn't. It took me a year to get over Mayukh. Now when it seemed like I am, he came back in my life. I don't know if this is God testing me, but I don't want to appear in this exam. I want to just, finish this off.

After a while, I completed my thesis and I had to get to work to submit it officially and get it stamped. So I got ready. I wore a simple long skirt with a formal full sleeve top, braided my hair and applied basic makeup and made my way to the office. I was happy about my thesis.

I reached the office in 30 minutes. I went directly to Sophia, who was working. I knocked on her door.
"Nikita! What a surprise? I thought you're on an off day, right?"
I chuckled, "I was, but my thesis is finished and I wanted you to go through it before I officially submit it."
"Send it to me. I'll go through it and give you some tips before you officially add the stamp and print it."
"Thank you!" I sent my work to her, "You're a lifesaver."
"And you're a delight!" She smiled, "Okay I'll need a while to read this, so why don't you join Mr Gerard with his meeting with the MRC group till then?"
MRC group?! Hell No.
"I.... Can I meet the other employees and get to know them?"
She chuckled, "Okay. No worries. I'll meet you in an hour."
I walked out of the room and met with my friend Aryan. He has been working in IBM and had been a great support to me since I joined. I walked over to his desk and joined the discussion.
"Hey Guys!"
"Hello Ms Topper!" Aryan chuckled and gave me a side hug.
"How's everything?"
"We're just wrapping up the data collection for this patch before we go for lunch. Do you want to join us for lunch?"
"I have to be back in another hour to meet for my thesis, so won't be able to come out. You guys carry on. I'll finish up my resume."
"Look at you acting like you need a resume! Babe, everyone here loves you. Just join!"
"I still need to follow the proper procedures."
"Anyway, we'll get you something on the way back?"
"No it's okay."
"Arrey! We'll get you fries. Once we're done, we can have coffee together!"
"Okay sure!"
I bid them a goodbye and once they left, I stood in the empty room. I didn't know what to do. My thesis was under review, my work was completed and I did not want to join the meeting, so I just opened my laptop and got working on fixing my resumé.

30 minutes later, Sophia called me, "Nikita, please come into the meeting room."
I agreed and made my way to the room. Upon entering, I got scared. Ruyash Dada, Mayukh, Sophia and Mr Gerard were sitting there. Why do I end up in the same room I'm avoiding?

"We read your work Nikita. It's mind blowing!" Mr Gerard exclaimed.
I gave a small smile, "Thank you."
"We'd like you to patent your work. It's an amazing piece of research and it should have your name on it." Sophia said.
"What?" Oh my God, patenting my work is a big deal?! "Patenting?"
"Your work is one of our best. We'd love to take credit but that's wrong. It's your work and you've been the whole soul of it. It screams Nikita. If you're on board with it, I've gotten official documentation which you can sign and I'd start the patenting process." Mr Gerard added.

This was a dream come true. My face gleamed with joy! To have my own work patented from my dream company, coming here was the best decision!
"I..." I felt lost for words.
"Do it." I heard a dusk voice say. I looked up to see Ruyash Dada smiling and looking at me. I gave a small smile, "She deserves it." He said, addressing everyone but looking at me.
Seeing him say that gave me a courage and comfort I didn't know I needed.
I quickly nodded at Sophia, "I'm okay with it."
"Excellent!" Mr Gerard quickly gave me a handshake and a hug and so did Sophia. Ruyash Dada came and gave me a hug as well, while he hugged me, he whispered, "Congratulations Nikdu. I'm very proud of you."
I gave a small smile once he let go and soon I was face to face with Mayukh. Mayukh came closer and shook my hand, "Congrats."
"Thank you."
"On this occasion, I'd like to invite you guys to my son's naming ceremony."
"You son?! Congratulations Sir!" Sophia said.
"Thank you, Sophia." He looked at all of us, "Mr Gerard, Sophia and Nikita, you all please join us, next Saturday. I'll text you the details."
"Of course, we'd love to be there."

Everyone walked out of the room, leaving only Mayukh and I. I noticed him coming to talk to me when suddenly my phone rang.

I picked it up and before I realised it's on speaker, Aai screamed through the phone, "Beta we found you a guy! He's in London go meet him, if things work I'll text his parents—"
"A...aaaai, wait!" I said, while looking at him, before running out.

Shit. I panicked and looked at him, who looked at me equally shocked and furious.