Meant to be yours

Melanie's other side

Ishika was pacing like her life depended on it.
Which, considering the situation—
It kind of did.
“Riya, please,” she whispered urgently, grabbing her arm.
“You have to help me.”
Riya leaned against the desk, completely relaxed.
“No.”
Ishika blinked.
“…No?”
“No,” Riya repeated, smiling sweetly. “I enjoy chaos.”
Ishika stared at her in disbelief.
“My marriage is on the line!”
Riya nodded thoughtfully.
“Exactly. Premium entertainment.”
Ishika groaned.
“Just distract her for five minutes. I’ll escape. I’ll disappear. I’ll—”
“Run away?” Riya suggested helpfully.
“Yes!”
Riya tilted her head.
“And then?”
Ishika paused.
“…I’ll come back when she calms down.”
Riya burst out laughing.
“You really think Anamika Modi forgets things?”
Ishika winced.
“…No.”
“Exactly.”
Ishika grabbed her shoulders.
“Then HELP me!”
Riya opened her mouth—
But before she could say anything—
A calm voice cut through.
“Going somewhere, Ishi?”
Both of them froze.
Slowly—
Painfully slowly—
Ishika turned.
Anamika stood there.
Arms crossed.
Expression unreadable.
Dangerously calm.
Riya immediately stepped back.
“I was never here,” she muttered, trying to slip away.
“Stay,” Anamika said without even looking at her.
Riya stopped mid-step.
“…Okay.”
Ishika forced a weak smile.
“Mika… what a surprise…”
Anamika walked closer.
Slow.
Measured.
Each step making Ishika more nervous.
“Surprise?” Anamika repeated.
Ishika laughed nervously.
“Yes?”
Anamika stopped right in front of her.
Too close.
Ishika instinctively stepped back—
But Anamika’s hand caught her wrist.
Firm.
Not painful—
But enough to stop her completely.
“Mika, please…” Ishika said softly.
Anamika’s grip tightened just a fraction.
“Please what?”
Ishika swallowed.
“Don’t… be angry.”
“I’m not angry,” Anamika said calmly.
That was worse.
Much worse.
Riya whispered from the side,
“She’s definitely angry.”
“I CAN HEAR YOU,” Anamika said.
Riya immediately shut up.
Footsteps approached.
Melanie Rose walked into the scene, perfectly composed as always.
Her eyes flickered between them.
Then a small smirk appeared.
“Well… this is entertaining.”
Ishika groaned internally.
Not her too.
Anamika didn’t look away from Ishika as she spoke.
“She hugged you.”
Melanie raised a brow.
“She did.”
Anamika’s grip on Ishika shifted slightly, pulling her closer.
“So,” she continued calmly,
“She needs to face the consequences of having an absolutely possessive wife.”
Ishika’s eyes widened.
“Mika—”
Melanie let out a soft chuckle.
“I warned you,” she said to Ishika.
“Professor, please don’t enjoy this,” Ishika muttered.
“Oh, I absolutely am,” Melanie replied.
Riya nodded enthusiastically.
“Same.”
“Traitors,” Ishika whispered.
Anamika finally looked at Melanie.
Her gaze sharp.
But controlled.
“Thank you for taking care of my wife.”
Melanie smirked slightly.
“She’s… interesting.”
“I know,” Anamika replied simply.
A pause.
Then Anamika turned back to Ishika.
“Shall we?”
Ishika shook her head slightly.
“No.”
Anamika raised a brow.
“No?”
“I have class,” Ishika tried weakly.
“You’re done for the day.”
“I’m not—”
“You are.”
Riya coughed.
“She is.”
Ishika glared at her.
“Stop helping her!”
Riya grinned.
“I support love.”
Melanie added calmly,
“And consequences.”
Ishika looked between all three of them.
“…I need new people.”
Anamika didn’t give her another chance.
She gently—but firmly—pulled Ishika toward her.
“Come, biwi.”
Ishika sighed in defeat.
As Anamika led her away—
Riya called out,
“Text me if you survive!”
Melanie added,
“I’ll be interested in the outcome.”
Ishika didn’t even turn back.
“Both of you are evil!”
Anamika smirked slightly.
“Oh, they are.”
A pause.
“But not as much as me.”
Ishika gulped.
Yep.
She was definitely not surviving today.
The drive back was… quiet.
Too quiet.
Ishika sat in the passenger seat, hands fidgeting in her lap, stealing glances at Anamika every few seconds.
Waiting.
For something.
A lecture.
A sarcastic remark.
A “consequence.”
Anything.
But Anamika just drove.
Calm. Focused. Unbothered.
Which somehow made it worse.
Finally, Ishika couldn’t take it anymore.
“Say it.”
Anamika didn’t look at her.
“Say what?”
“Whatever you’re planning,” Ishika muttered. “Just say it.”
Anamika’s lips twitched slightly.
“I’m not planning anything.”
Ishika narrowed her eyes.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Good,” Anamika replied calmly.
Silence again.
Ishika huffed and turned toward the window.
“I hugged her.”
“I know.”
“She was upset.”
“I saw.”
Ishika hesitated.
“…You’re not angry?”
That made Anamika glance at her.
Finally.
A softer look.
“No.”
Ishika blinked.
“…No?”
Anamika slowed the car slightly at a turn.
“You hugged someone who needed comfort.”
A pause.
“That’s not something I punish.”
Ishika stared at her.
Confused.
Relieved.
“…But you said—”
“I said you’d face consequences,” Anamika cut in, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Ishika gulped.
“Yes…”
Anamika parked the car.
Turned off the engine.
Then turned fully toward her.
“And you did.”
Ishika blinked.
“…When?”
Anamika leaned slightly closer.
“That moment,” she said softly,
“When you thought I was going to be angry.”
Ishika frowned.
“That’s not fair.”
Anamika smiled faintly.
“Neither are you.”
Ishika huffed.
“I was scared.”
“I know.”
Something in Anamika’s tone softened completely now.
She reached out—
Gently tucking a strand of hair behind Ishika’s ear.
“I don’t want you to be scared of me, Ishi.”
That made Ishika’s chest tighten.
“I’m not scared of you…” she murmured.
“Just… cautious.”
Anamika chuckled softly.
“Understandable.”
Ishika looked at her carefully.
“You’re really not upset?”
Anamika shook her head.
“No.”
Then, after a small pause—
“I didn’t like it.”
Honest.
Simple.
“But I trust you.”
That hit deeper than anything else.
Ishika’s eyes softened.
“Mika…”
Anamika cupped her cheek gently.
“You’re kind,” she said quietly.
“That’s one of the reasons I fell for you.”
Ishika smiled faintly.
“Even if that kindness gets me into trouble?”
Anamika smirked.
“I’ll handle the trouble.”
A pause.
Then softer—
“You just… be you.”
Ishika leaned into her touch slightly.
Relief finally settling in.
“No punishment?” she asked again, just to be sure.
Anamika’s eyes glinted.
“Oh, there will be consequences.”
Ishika froze.
“…Mika.”
Anamika leaned closer, her voice dropping just a little.
“Just not the kind you’re afraid of.”
Ishika’s cheeks warmed instantly.
“…You’re impossible.”
Anamika smiled.
“And you love me.”
Ishika sighed.
“Unfortunately.”
Anamika laughed softly and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
“Come,” she said, opening the car door.
“Let’s go home.”
And for once—
Ishika followed without fear.
The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the TV flickering across the walls.
Ishika was curled up comfortably on the bed, dressed in her oversized t-shirt and shorts, completely wrapped in warmth—
Not just from the blanket.
But from Anamika.
Anamika sat behind her, back against the headboard, one arm securely around Ishika, holding her close like she belonged there.
Which she did.
Ishika leaned into her, completely relaxed, her head resting just below Anamika’s shoulder as some random rom-com played on screen.
“Your choice of movies is questionable,” Anamika murmured.
Ishika gasped.
“This is a classic!”
“This is chaos,” Anamika corrected calmly.
Ishika tilted her head back slightly to look at her.
“You’re just emotionally unavailable.”
Anamika raised a brow.
“I’m literally holding you right now.”
“That’s different,” Ishika mumbled, turning back to the screen.
Anamika’s lips curved faintly.
A moment later—
She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Ishika’s forehead.
Gentle.
Unhurried.
Ishika stilled for a second.
Then smiled.
“See?” she said quietly. “You’re soft.”
“Only for you,” Anamika replied without hesitation.
Ishika’s heart did that annoying little flip again.
She snuggled closer.
Satisfied.
Next Morning
Ishika was very rudely introduced to reality.
“Lie down.”
“I am lying down.”
“Properly.”
“I am—”
“Ishika.”
Ishika flopped dramatically onto the bed.
“This is illegal.”
Anamika stood beside her, completely dressed for work, arms crossed.
“You’re not going to college today.”
“I have classes.”
“You have a wife who said no.”
Ishika narrowed her eyes.
“That’s not how this works.”
“That’s exactly how this works.”
Ishika tried to sit up.
Anamika gently pushed her back down.
Not forceful.
Just… firm.
“You’re resting today,” Anamika said.
“I’m fine!”
“You were limping yesterday.”
Ishika opened her mouth—
Closed it.
“…That’s irrelevant.”
“It’s very relevant.”
Anamika adjusted the pillow under her head, tucking the blanket around her properly.
Ishika watched her.
Softening.
“You’re bossy,” she muttered.
“And you need rest,” Anamika replied calmly.
A pause.
Then softer—
“Stay.”
Ishika sighed.
“…Okay.”
Anamika leaned down, brushing her hair back before pressing another gentle kiss to her forehead.
“Good.”
Ishika caught her wrist before she could pull away.
“Mika.”
“Hmm?”
“…You’re really soft sometimes.”
Anamika smirked slightly.
“Don’t get used to it.”
“I already am.”
Anamika shook her head, amused, before finally leaving for the office.
Later
The peace lasted exactly—
Ten minutes.
“OHHOOOO—”
Riya’s voice echoed as she barged into the room.
Payal right behind her.
Both of them froze dramatically at the sight of Ishika tucked into bed.
Then—
The teasing began.
“Well well well,” Riya said, hands on hips.
“Look who’s on bed rest.”
Payal grinned.
“Anamika didn’t let you move, did she?”
Ishika groaned.
“Get out.”
“No,” Riya said, jumping onto the bed beside her.
Payal leaned against the wall, clearly enjoying this.
“Details,” Riya demanded.
“There are no details.”
“Liar.”
Ishika threw a pillow at her.
Riya dodged easily.
“Violence now?”
“Because you’re annoying.”
Payal chuckled.
“So… strict wife mode activated?”
Ishika paused.
Then—
Her expression softened.
“Not really.”
Both Riya and Payal looked at her.
“She’s… actually really soft,” Ishika said quietly.
Riya blinked.
“Wait. What?”
Payal raised a brow.
“That woman?”
Ishika smiled faintly.
“Yeah.”
They stared at her like she’d lost her mind.
“She made sure I’m resting,” Ishika continued.
“Didn’t even let me go to college.”
Riya snorted.
“That’s not soft. That’s dictatorship.”
“No,” Ishika shook her head.
“That’s care.”
Payal’s teasing smile faded just a little—replaced with something more knowing.
Riya looked unconvinced.
“You’re defending her too much.”
Ishika smiled, hugging the pillow closer.
“She’s only like that with me.”
A pause.
Then softly—
“And I like it.”
Riya gagged dramatically.
“Disgusting.”
Payal laughed.
“Hopelessly in love.”
Ishika didn’t even deny it.
She just smiled—
Soft.
Content.
Because for all the chaos, possessiveness, and intensity—
Anamika’s softness?
That was hers alone.
**
Rebecca’s apartment felt… different that evening.
Quieter.
Heavier.
Jazz sat on the couch, fingers intertwined, her mind racing in ten different directions.
Rebecca stood near the kitchen counter, pretending to arrange things that didn’t need arranging.
Neither of them knew how to start.
And then—
The doorbell rang.
Jazz blinked.
Rebecca froze.
“I’ll get it,” Rebecca said quickly, almost too quickly.
She opened the door—
And stiffened.
“Melanie…”
Jazz turned sharply.
“Oh come on,” she muttered under her breath.
Melanie Rose stepped inside like she owned the space—calm, composed, unreadable.
Her eyes flickered between them.
Assessing.
Understanding more than either of them said out loud.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Melanie said smoothly.
“You are,” Jazz replied instantly.
Rebecca shot her a look.
“Jazz—”
“It’s fine,” Melanie cut in lightly, walking further in.
“I won’t stay long.”
Her gaze settled on Jazz.
Sharp.
Direct.
“So,” she said.
“What have you decided?”
Jazz frowned.
“About?”
Melanie tilted her head slightly.
“The baby.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Rebecca’s fingers tightened around the edge of the counter.
Jazz noticed.
So did Melanie.
Jazz inhaled slowly.
“I… haven’t decided anything yet.”
Honest.
Uncertain.
Melanie hummed softly.
“Understandable.”
Her eyes shifted briefly to Rebecca.
And that’s when she saw it.
The hesitation.
The fear.
Rebecca wasn’t speaking—
But she didn’t need to.
Melanie could read it clearly.
Excitement had been there before.
Now?
There was something else.
Responsibility.
Doubt.
Fear of what comes next.
Rebecca looked away the moment their eyes met.
Melanie’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
She turned back to Jazz.
“Big decisions tend to reveal people,” she said calmly.
Jazz stiffened slightly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” Melanie replied lightly.
But her gaze lingered on Rebecca just a second longer.
Enough to say everything.
Rebecca swallowed.
“I just… need time,” she said softly.
Jazz nodded immediately.
“Yeah. Of course.”
But something in her expression flickered.
A small crack.
Melanie noticed.
Of course she did.
She stepped back toward the door.
“I’ll leave you two to it.”
Rebecca looked relieved.
Jazz looked… conflicted.
“Good,” Jazz muttered.
Melanie paused at the door, then glanced back.
“Jazz.”
Jazz looked up.
Melanie’s tone softened—just a fraction.
“Whatever you decide… make sure it’s something you can live with.”
Not a threat.
Not a taunt.
Just… truth.
Then she left.