SACRIFICE

CHAPTER 01

CHAPTER 1

Author's POV

Nidhima groaned, pulling the bedsheet over her head to escape the sound of her alarm. But who was she fooling? She was an adult now  there was no choice but to get up and earn her living.

Dragging herself out of bed, she scratched her head sleepily.

"Why can't every day be Sunday?" she mumbled, whining under her breath.

Every morning began the same way responsibilities, endless and heavy. From a young age, Nidhima had been used to taking care of everyone around her. It wasn't a duty anymore; it was her habit, her nature.

She changed into a light yellow Anarkali suit, simple yet elegant. Nidhi wasn't too tall or too short ,just enough for her pear-shaped body to look graceful. Her dusky skin glowed softly under the morning light; it was like a cherry on top of her simplicity. She never paid much attention to her looks. Life didn't leave her time for that.

In the main hall, her father lay on a small bed. His side table was cluttered with a dozen medicines. Once a busy businessman, now a heart patient  living on borrowed time. that was her father now.

And he was all she had.

She had lost her mother at a very young age, and her father  being the only breadwinner was always busy. Maybe that's why the loneliness never left her.

She quietly gave him his medicines and ate her breakfast in silence.
Her father tried to start a conversation, but Nidhi just smiled faintly and said nothing.

It wasn't that she hated him. She just... didn't know how to talk anymore. Somewhere inside, the little girl in her still blamed him for her lonely childhood. If only he had spent a little more time with him.
but like always she being the mature kid understood the situation but after all she is a human too

At the office, Nidhima settled at her desk, returning her colleagues' greetings with polite smiles. But her eyes occasionally flicked toward the door waiting for him.

Him?
Yes, the only him in her story.

Naveen Ramkumar,
Heir of Ramkumar Group of Companies.
Nidhima's only love.

Maybe it was too much for someone like her , a woman who barely had a social life, let alone a love life to love someone like him.

Naveen was cheerful, confident, and kind  known for his easy smile that could light up any room and she was the total opposite of him in almost everything. maybe that made it even easier for her to admire him. he did everything she could not, won't dare to do so.

It all began years ago, thanks to her father.

Her father and Naveen's mother had once been close friends , neighbours, even. And teenage Nidhi had noticed that tall boy who stood out in every business gathering her father hosted. That tall boy Naveen  became the beginning of everything.

She wouldn't deny it she knew she got the job in his company because of his influence. But she never took it for granted. After her father went bankrupt, her old job couldn't support their needs. Naveen had helped her by offering a position at his company.

Technically, it was still his father's company  but Naveen was already in the process of taking over.

When he finally entered the office, a collective hush fell. Naveen smiled at everyone, greeting them as he passed. Then he walked straight into his cabin.

Naveen was everything Nidhima dreamed of  kind, respectful, hardworking... and, well, handsome.

But Nidhi was like a bird with clipped wings. She would rather die than let him know how she felt.
What if he thought her love was just gratitude?
What if he stopped talking to her altogether?

A thousand "what-ifs" filled her mind every day.

Hours passed in the blur of work. Like always, before leaving, Nidhi carried a file to Naveen's cabin and knocked softly.

He had been preparing for yet another important presentation the kind that could impress the board and strengthen his takeover. For the past three months, Nidhi had been the one checking every file for errors.

"Come in!" His deep, confident voice echoed.

Nidhi stepped in with a small smile, handed him the file, and stood there awkwardly, waiting for him to speak. Her words always seemed to vanish around him.

"Excellent job, Nidhima," Naveen said, glancing up from his laptop.

He always called her by her full name during office hours  and Nidhi didn't mind. Every word that came from his mouth sounded precious to her.

"And... I checked your latest presentation. You messed up the font alignment and slide order a bit. I've fixed most of it, but please double-check once," she said softly.

Naveen clicked through the slides, his brows relaxing as relief washed over him.

"Oh my God thank you, Nidhi,You truly are my guardian angel."he added smiling

Her heart stopped.
Guardian angel?

She just nodded, hiding the blush creeping up her face. Compliments weren't new but this one? It felt different.

"Once again, good job," he said, offering his hand.

She shook it quickly, her heart drumming, and hurried out of the cabin. At her desk, she sat down, smiling like an idiot. Her fingers brushed the hand he'd just touched.

Was this what happiness felt like?

She packed up her things, her smile never fading.

That evening, Nidhima rode her scooter to her favourite place the temple. After praying, she handed food and money to a few needy people outside. It was peaceful, grounding.

Just as she was about to start her scooter again, a familiar red Audi stopped in front of the temple. Her heart skipped she knew that car.

Before she could react, she saw Naveen's mother step out. The driver, unaware, shut the car door  trapping her saree pallu inside.

In an instant, Nidhima ran forward, pulling the fabric free and steadying the older woman before she could stumble.

"Are you okay, aunty? Does it hurt anywhere?" she asked, her voice trembling with concern.

"I'm fine, ma. Thank you so much," Naveen's mother replied, holding her hand, breathing heavily.

"Please, have some water," Nidhi said, offering her bottle.

It had been two years since she'd seen her in person, but Naveen's mother looked just the same  graceful in a cotton red saree and her signature red bindi.

"How's your father, ma?" she asked warmly.

"He's good, aunty," Nidhi lied, forcing a smile.

The truth was different. Her father's condition hadn't improved in months. Deep down, she knew it never would.

"You know what, Nidhima? It's been so long since I saw him. My husband and I will join you both for dinner tonight," she said kindly.

"Of course, aunty," Nidhi replied.

On her ride home, her thoughts wandered. Would Naveen come too?

Later that evening, she sat at the dining table with a soft smile hopeful. But only Naveen's parents arrived. No Naveen.

Her father smiled faintly as the conversation flowed between the elders.

"You should take care, Kamal. Nidhima says you're fine, but look at yourself," Naveen's mother scolded gently.

"I've lived a long life already. What else is left to see?" her father said.

"Hey, what about our Nidhima's wedding?" Naveen's father teased.

Nidhima froze midbite. Her eyes flicked up shyly, catching her father's smile.

"That might be the only thing I'm still holding on for," he said softly.

Through the corner of her eye, Nidhi could feel Naveen's mother watching her thoughtfully, almost knowingly