Chapter 17
Nisha
‘I still can’t believe I said yes,’ I whisper to myself, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
But when Sidharth asked me, I just couldn’t bring myself to say no.
If I’m being completely honest, I wanted this.
Even with all the caution my past has taught me, even with the walls I’ve built around my heart, I wanted this.
I didn’t want to hold myself back anymore.
I wanted to live. Not just survive or exist behind my fears, but to truly live.
To take chances, to feel, to laugh, to fall…
even if it might hurt. Maybe that’s what they call life.
You fall, you stand, you walk again. And you keep walking. You don’t give up.
And that’s exactly what I’m doing now. Letting go of the fear and choosing to live a little with the one person who makes me feel special.
Even now, the thought of being with Sidharth fills me with such excitement that it overshadows the fear of knowing Prakash has escaped from jail. That’s how safe I feel with Sidharth; it’s like nothing bad can touch me as long as he’s by my side.
With each passing second, my nerves drum louder in my chest, a steady reminder that, despite the anxiety, I’m doing the right thing. I take a deep breath and focus on the mirror, on the reflection staring back at me.
‘Do I look okay?’ I murmur, my stomach fluttering as I give myself another once-over.
I almost don’t recognize myself. Glowing skin, eyes subtly defined with a touch of eyeliner, a swipe of lipstick, and cheeks carrying a faint blush.
My hair falls in loose waves over my shoulders, and my dark blue knee-length dress, simple and elegant, feels like the perfect choice.
“You look beautiful.” Sunita Aunty’s voice startles me and I turn around. She’s standing at the doorway with a warm smile on her face.
“Aunty, just how long were you secretly watching me?” I tease, raising an eyebrow, still a little embarrassed I didn’t notice her sooner.
“Long enough to see you smiling at your reflection,” she says as she walks in and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“I just couldn’t help but admire you. You look so radiant tonight.
And I’m so happy, Nisha. Seeing you like this, knowing you’re taking a chance and opening up your heart to get to know Sidharth, fills my heart with joy. ”
I smile, my cheeks warming. “It’s still early, Aunty, but I like spending time with him. He’s different. Patient. Kind. Caring.”
She nods knowingly. “He is. And you deserve someone like that.”
Her words make my chest tighten, but I don’t dare say anything. Not when a part of me still fears that even this happiness could easily slip from my fingers.
“I remember,” she continues, her eyes softening with nostalgia, “when Kavya first started going out with Reyansh. She used to try so hard to hide her smile, the one that gave away just how happy she was with him. Seeing you right now reminds me of that. Of her.” She pauses and cups my cheek with one hand. “She’d be so happy for you, Nisha.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and shake my head. “I don’t want to tell Kavya anything yet, Aunty. Not until I’m sure about what this is. It’s still new, and I don’t want to rush anything.”
She nods with understanding. “You’re allowed to take your time. I’m sure that whenever you’re ready to tell Kavya, she won’t hold it against you for keeping it a secret or not telling her sooner. Just promise me one thing?”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t be afraid to be happy, beta. You’ve been through so much. Just don’t let the past rob you of what’s waiting ahead.”
I nod slowly, holding her gaze. “I’ll try, Aunty. I really will.”
Just as she’s about to reply, the doorbell rings. She looks at me with a knowing grin.
“Go answer the door. Your man is here,” she says, her smile widening.
“Aunty…” I begin, flustered, heat rising to my cheeks.
But she cuts me off with a playful pat on the cheek. “Stop blushing and go already. Don’t keep him waiting. I’ll clean up the mess you’ve made in here.”
I glance around the room and wince at the clothes scattered across the bed, jewellery boxes left open, and the countless pairs of shoes lying around.
The idea of going out with Sidharth made me so nervous that I was confused about what to wear.
I must’ve tried on half my wardrobe, just wanting to look my best.
“I’m sorry for the mess, Aunty,” I say sheepishly, but she just waves me off.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this. Go on. He’s probably just as excited to see you.”
With a grateful nod, I lean in and press a quick kiss to her cheek.
“Thank you,” I murmur, slipping into my ballet flats. I then grab my small purse from the bed and take a steadying breath before walking to the door, butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach.
The moment I open it, my heart skips a beat. Sidharth stands there in a crisp black shirt tucked neatly into dark grey pants, a bouquet of red roses in his hands. His intense gaze sweeps over me slowly, deliberately, and when our eyes meet, my heart thunders in my chest.
“You look beautiful,” he says, his voice low and gravelly.
A shy smile tugs at my lips. “Thank you.”
“These are for you,” he adds, holding out the bouquet.
“They’re lovely. Thank you.” I take them and bury my nose in their sweet scent before looking up at him. “I’ll just put these in a vase, and then we can head out for dinner.”
He nods, and I turn, making my way to the kitchen with him close behind. Setting the flowers on the counter, I open the cabinet and pull out a glass vase, filling it halfway with water.
“I don’t like it,” he says suddenly from behind me.
“What?” I turn to face him, confused, and set the vase on the counter next to the flowers.
“That every guy out there is going to be gawking at you,” he grits out, his eyes darkening. “And I’ll have a really hard time not punching them.”
His words send a quiet tremor through my body.
“No one will stare at me,” I whisper, dropping my gaze.
He reaches out and places his index finger under my chin, lifting it until our eyes lock.
“Trust me,” he murmurs, his fingers trailing softly along my cheek, and my breath catches in response. “Every man will. You’re gorgeous, Nisha. Even now, you take my breath away.”
“I… I…” I stammer, the words caught somewhere between disbelief and a desperate need to thank him.
But he doesn’t wait for me to find the words. Instead, he grins. “Are you done here? Because I’m on a mission to impress my woman with dinner.”
I nod, quickly turning to place the roses in a vase, my fingers trembling ever so slightly.
When I finish, I turn to him. He takes my hand and leads me to the door.
When we reach his car, he opens the passenger side for me, just like he always does.
I slip inside, my heart still fluttering with excitement and anticipation.
He walks around, slides into the driver’s seat, and starts the engine.
Throughout the drive, our conversation flows effortlessly. He laughs when I tell him my favorite movie is The Mask. We talk about food, the places we’ve always wanted to visit, and little things we’ve always loved. And with each passing minute, being with him just feels right.
We finally reach our destination, and Sidharth pulls the car in front of a rustic restaurant. I admire the warm, worn brick walls and the wooden beams framing the windows. Soft golden lanterns hang by the entrance, casting a gentle, inviting glow. It looks cozy and peaceful.
He parks the car and walks around to my side. As I open the door, he offers his hand with a playful smile.
“Ready to be swept off your feet?”
I laugh softly, slipping my hand into his. “I’m.”
We take a few steps and are just about to reach the entrance when an all too familiar voice slices through the air, and I stop mid-step. Sidharth’s stance stiffens, and his arm immediately wraps around my waist, protective and possessive, as he pulls me slightly closer.
“Nisha? Is that you?”
Every part of me goes rigid as I turn, and there they are. Deepak and Maya, the two people I never wanted to see in my life ever again.
“You’re still with her?” I ask, eyeing the way his arm is wrapped around her waist, and how she clings to him like a trophy she thinks she’s earned.
“You two make quite the pair… cheaters,” I say, thinking back to the days when I caught them together, cheating behind my sister’s back.
The irony still stings, because not long after, I caught Maya with another man, betraying Deepak in the same way.
I never saw the man’s face, but I had warned Deepak.
Told him he would regret choosing Maya over my sister, that she was cheating on him too.
But he never listened. He had been too blinded by lust to see the truth.
“How dare you?” Maya snaps, straightening to her full five-foot-ten height. She looks like a damn model—stylish, fair, sharp-featured, dressed in a midnight-blue dress and heels. Sure, she’s a ten on the outside, but it’s her black heart that makes her truly ugly.
I feel Sidharth tense beside me, his other hand curling into a fist.
“Don’t you…” he begins, but I quickly grab his shirt and pull his attention back to me.
“I need to do this,” I whisper, glancing up at him.
“Maya, not a word,” Deepak warns her, his dark brown eyes shifting from her to me. “And Nisha, can we not do this right now?” he pleads softly. “Maya… she had a miscarriage recently.”
“Well, that’s good to hear,” I say, forcing a tight smile that barely hides the hate simmering beneath it. I look straight at them. “Because honestly, you two never deserved to be parents. If anything, that child was spared from having awful ones like you both.”
Deepak’s face twists in hurt, and Maya’s eyes flashes with outrage. But I don’t flinch. I’m done playing polite. They hurt my sister, and I refuse to feel guilty for hitting them where it hurts the most.
“You both disgust me,” I add, holding Deepak’s gaze with icy calm.
“Deepak, I actually feel sorry for you. You threw away someone pure, someone who truly loved you, and for whom? Her?” I point towards Maya, who glares at me.
“Even then, I warned you. I told you she wasn’t loyal.
But you were too blinded by lust to see it.
You chose her.” I pull in a shaky breath.
“And honestly? I’m glad you didn’t listen.
Because if you had, Kavya would’ve never found Reyansh.
And that man? He’s everything you’ll never be. ”
Sidharth’s arm stays wrapped around me, holding me close. I can feel his eyes on me, his presence silently backing every word I just said.
My gaze stays on Deepak, who says nothing. Instead, he just stands there, looking ashamed, while Maya presses her lips into a tight line, as if she’s holding back the urge to lash out at me.
“Come on,” I say, turning to Sidharth. “Let’s not waste our time here. They are not worth it.”
Sidharth presses a gentle kiss to my forehead and guides me inside. “Let’s go, sweetheart.”
I offer him a smile before turning away from Deepak and Maya, my head held high.
When we reach the restaurant, Sidharth opens the door for me.
As I step inside, a quiet voice in my mind pats me on the back.
You did good. You gave them exactly what they deserved.
They’re not worth your pity or another second of your attention.