ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

hurt

Nikita POV:

I got up the next day, with dry tears on my face. I had barely slept. I needed to know what did I do wrong? Why was I being treated this way?

I got up, did my bathroom business and showered and got ready in a format skin tight pant with a white full sleeves shirt. My hair was tied in a clip, half hair flowing freely. I did my usual makeup and got ready. It's Monday today. Perfect day to be back.
I checked the route. It was only 10 mins by car.

I came out with my handbag, hoping to see Mayukh, but no sign. I walked to Juma Aunty, who was cooking lunch, "Hi Aunty."
"Hello Ma'am, how are you today?"
"I'm good, but please call me Nikita." 
"You and Mayukh, are the same...." She smiled.
"Mayukh... where is he?"
"He left for office already. He told me to tell you he'll be late."
"Oh. I see. Thank you."
He left and didn't even tell me. He hates me.
"Have your breakfast, come." Aunty said.
I sat quietly and ate while making some conversation with Juma Aunty. Then, I bid her a good bye as she left to her home and I left as well.

I reached downstairs and found a cab and soon I was in front of my office again. I smiled and entered. Everyone recognized me. It hasn't been too long since I left, only around 2.5 weeks. I walked to Sophia's office and knocked.
"Nikita! You're back!" Sophia exclaimed, hugging me, "How was India? All good?"
"Yes. Don't worry. All fine." I smiled, if only I could tell you everything Sophia.
"Okay so! Since your internship is over, it's time to work! You ready?"
I nodded, finally!
"Okay so! Here is your cabin." She said, leading me to the cabin near her. The title made me smile and proud: Nikita Joshi, Data Analyst.
We entered and got settled. Sophia filled me in with everything, and she gave me the official papers where I signed and made my position official.
"We're so happy to have you!" Sophia said, "I'll send you the details and you can start work from tomorrow, the data analyst team usually works from home today, so you can start then. For now, you can head home or you can do whatever you'd like."
"Is Mr Gerard here?" I asked.
"No dear, he's going to MRC industries for the meeting."
MRC. Mayukh's office.
"Where is MRC's office?" I asked.
"It's two streets away, next to Oracle and SAP."
"Alright, thank you."
"I'll have to head to my meeting now, I'll see you tommorow, okay?" Sophia said.
I nodded and hugged her, "See you!"

She went and soon I was alone. I decided to just go home since I had nothing to do. I picked up some groceries and came back home. I could walk home since the road was nice and it only took 10 mins by walk as well, the same as car, due to the shortcuts and walkways.

I reached home and it was silent. I freshened up and wore my shorts and sweatshirt and then got food for myself. It was 12pm. Should I call him?
After debating, I called him.
It rang and rang and rang, but no reply.
I tried once again, but the same fate again.
I understood he doesn't want to talk to me, or he's busy. Yet, I messaged him on WhatsApp.
Hey. It's Nikita. I went to work, now I'm home. I just wanted to let you know.
I sent it. It delivered. Within 5 minutes, it had a blue tick..... but no reply. He just reacted with a ' thumbs up' to my message.

I felt tears in my eyes again. Why God, why?
I sighed and kept my phone away and checked my contract once more, to distract my mind.

Dear Ms Nikita Joshi,
Please find attached, contract details:

Position: Data Analyst / Scientist
Salary: £15,000 per month.
Perks:
-fuel cost covered
-free healthcare
-free schooling, up to 12th grade
-discounts at IBM sponsored companies [list provided below]
- housing allowance up to £25,000

Starting date: 02 November 2024.

I smiled. I was happy, professionally.
I called Aai to let her know and informed her that I'd start sending money from December. I got back into analyzing the figures Sophia had given me to kill my time.

~•~•~•~

It was around 8pm, when my mind was fried with the overloading information. I wrapped up my analysis for today, ready for tomorrow. Mayukh still hadn't come home. I called him.
"Hi bro!" He said chirping.
"Hello?" I said, confused. Does he know it's me?
I heard him go mute, he muttered something but I couldn't hear. Then, his tone died to a neutral one when he said, "Yes?"
I felt upset hearing his tone changing, "I... I wanted to ask when you're coming home."
"In 10 minutes." He said and cut the call, before I could add anything else to the conversation.

I felt tears coming. It's been 2 days now. He's been ignoring me like I'm not there. I'm sure he didn't mean to pick up my call and when he realised it's me, he had to reply.

As he said, within 10 minutes, he was home. He walked in and went to his room, not glancing at me sitting in the hall. I buried my feelings and went to heat the food for him. Once he freshened he came downstairs and got his plate and served himself and sat at the couch, watching TV.

I stood in the kitchen with tears in my eyes, with the plate I had served him in my hand. I quickly stood at the kitchen and ate the food I served him and then washed my plate and went to him. He was finishing up.
"I... I'll take it." I said, offering to take the plate.
He looked at me, "I can do it." He replied with an unbothered tone and went to clean his plate.
After that, he came to the living room, collected his phone and was going upstairs to his room.
I tried to speak, "I... I start working tomorrow."
He stopped and turned around, "Good."
I thought he'd say more, "thanks."
"I was thinking—" I was stopped in my tracks when I saw him walk upstairs.

I thought he'd close the door shut instantly but he spoke, "I hope you haven't told anyone about our wedding."
I looked up, seeing him from the mezzanine and shook my head, "No."
"Good." He replied and closed his room door.

I couldn't control my tears anymore. I let them flow free. What did I do wrong, God? This big of a punishment for a bad sentence?!

I hadn't picked a room yet. Yesterday, I ended up sleeping on the couch. My clothes were still in my bag and I wasn't ready to select a room. Today, I realised that he doesn't want me around, he dislikes me so much, so it makes no sense to live in his rooms. I picked the guest room on the ground floor and went and slept there.