ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

her troubles

Nikita POV:

It was feeling really awkward, having him at home. His family are so well known, not only around Kolkata but also around India. They're not that known in Indore because they never expanded here, but I'm sure their business is studied throughout the country. I've studied them as part of my schooling. I never knew I'd become the daughter in law of this family.

Going out with him also was scaring me. I didn't know what to expect. His aura is too high for me and I don't match to that. He's used to driving in high end cars, whereas we drive a simple car. Most of the times I use a scooter or a rickshaw. He won't be used to this. How am I supposed to go out with him?

On top of that, I've been getting messages from Riya constantly, threatening me to stay away and keep myself away from him. A part of me wishes to tell him about this, but the other part of me remembers the conversation he had with Riya and makes me think that he'd just leave me to solve my issues on my own.

Currently, I was in my room, putting on a simple, yet elegant cream colored salwar suit with my half hair tied in a clip, the remaining resting on my shoulder. I wore gentle sindoor so it's not very loud and it's hidden in my hair. Then, I went downstairs where Mayukh was playing with Coco on his lap and attending an office call.

He looked really good.
His peach colour kurta highlighted his features. He was sitting on the carpet on the floor with Coco on his lap, playing with a toy. He had AirPods in and was talking while stroking Coco's hair. I didn't realize I was staring until Coco's bark brought me out of my trance.
I walked to him; his eyes fell on me. He took his hand and gave me a flying kiss and smiled. My heart fluttering heavily. I looked away.
"Alright then!" He said on call, while getting up, "I've gotta go with my wife. See you later!" He cut the call and keeping the AirPods away.

He came towards me, "you look amazing babe." I gave a small smile while he continued, "Let's go?"
I nodded, unsure. I didn't want to go. I'm scared.
We stepped out and there was a car waiting for us. We got in and the driver drove us to our first stop: Rajwada.

We reached and walked over to the shops. I instantly got caught in the vibe. It has been years since I last came to Rajwada, despite living here. I was in love with the shops, the clothes and everything. I brought a bunch of formal wears for office, a few dresses for Manisha Bhabhi and a few clothes for Reyansh. I got a beautiful saree for Aai and Aunty, and a nice kurta for Uncle and Baba.

"Bhaiya. This is only 250, your prices are too much!" I argued with a shopkeeper.
"Madam, this is market price!"
"No it's not! I was here last month and I got it for 250, what changed in one month?"
I heard chuckling behind me, I turned and found Mayukh looking at me and smiling. I walked to him, "what's funny?"
"You." He said, in that flirty tone of his.
"What, me? What did I do?"
"You were here last week?" He teased.
"You don't know. It's... called bargaining."
"Such a middle class thing to do." He said, chuckling and walking to the shopkeeper.

'Such a middle class thing to do'. His words replied in my head. I looked at him pay and get the stuff and indicate me to come. Middle class. That's what I am. That's how he sees me. Low.

"Hello?" Mayukh said, bringing me out of my trance, "Are you coming with me?"
I nodded and we walked, me still in thought.
We walked to the car.
The car.

Flashback:

"Hi. Cars Rental?" I said on call, 2 hours earlier, "I'd like a car, with a driver, for the next week. Starting today."
"Okay Ma'am, can I have your name?"
"Nikita... ch-Nikita Joshi."
What would my name be? What's going on?
"Joshi, Yes Ma'am, when do you need it?"
"Today. At 4pm. Sharp."
"It'll be Rs25,000 for a week."
25,000/-, that's a lot of money, I sighed.
"It's... it's fine. I need it urgently. Please get a fancy car, and a driver. Professional."
"Okay Ma'am. I'll send you his number. He'll be here by 4pm."
"Okay. Thank you."

I sighed as I walked out of the shop. I had to hire a car to keep the aura of the Roy's in my city. Truth is, 25000 is a lot of money for us. I used my accommodation savings to get it. I couldn't ask Mom and Dad, I just let them know that the Roy's got the car. I didn't want to break them.

I smiled at the driver, and we drove ahead to the next place. I noticed Mayukh, looking out the window, admiring the city. He felt so safe, yet being married to him made me feel unsafe. I was vulnerable to Riya's attacks and threats, to this constant feeling of being less than him.
He looked at me, and his hand came into mine, "What happened?" He asked.
"Nothing."
"Should we get dinner? Or should we go home?"
"I... anything."
"I need an answer Mrs Chaudary."
"Anything is fine, Mayukh."
"Then come have dinner with me." He turned to the driver, "Can you please take us to an eatery?"
The drive nodded and we drove.

Within 10 minutes, we had reached a good hotel. I was scared. Knowing Mayukh, it's a high end place, I couldn't afford to spend more. I already spent most of my savings and the remainder money into buying things for everyone. I only have a few bucks left.
We sat down and he spoke, "what do you want?"
"I.. I'm not hungry." I lied.
"Come on, we just walked so much."
"Yeah, but, I'm not that hungry."
The waiter arrived, "I'll have Pav Bhaji, with 2 extra Pavs." Mayukh said.

We sat in silence once he left. Mayukh's eyes were on me but I was awkward. I was scared. I was lying to him about everything. I was feeling guilty.
"Hey?" He asked, "Why so silent?"
"I'm... I'm fine."
"So, what should I know about your family?"
"What?" I hesitated. Did he find out?!
"The family coming tomorrow? Anything I should know about them beforehand?"
"Oh... no... it's, it's fine."
He sighed and held my hand, "Nikita, talk to me, love. Your silence isn't going to change our marriage. Look at me."
I looked at his warm eyes, softening even more.
"I'm sorry." I replied.
"Are you all set? For UK?"
"Yeah."
"Our flight can be booked for either tommorow evening or day after tommorow afternoon."
I nodded.
"You decide."
"No. You decide. I'm okay with anything."
"Are you going to join work or not?"
"Up to you." I said slowly, my mind elsewhere.
"I want you to work."
I gave a soft smile and nodded.

We had our food in silence. I didn't eat much because I didn't want to take his food, it's his.
I noticed the driver sitting there empty handed, looking at the restaurant. I excused myself to go to the washroom.
I went to the side instead and met him. "Hello."
"Ji Madam, are you done eating?"
"No no, I'm here to ask you what you'd like."
"No madam, don't worry."
"Please, don't worry. I'll take care of it, order what you'd like."
I turned to the waiter, "Don't charge him, keep this 500, and let him get whatever he wants within it. If there's any change, aap rakhlo."
"Thank you madam!" The driver said.
"I should be thanking you, you're doing so much for us." I smiled back, "Enjoy your dinner."

I came back to Mayukh, who was on his phone.
We continued to eat and after 30 minutes, we finished and we left. I smiled at the driver, who dropped us home.
We got down and headed home.
"One minute." I said, "I'll be back."
I went to the driver, "Thank you. I hope you are well."
"I did, thank you madam."
"No worries, Goodnight."

I walked inside, and we went to our rooms. I instantly changed and slept, unaware of my phone buzzing constantly.