08-06-2026, 10:55 PM
Chapter 24: Whispers After Midnight
The days at the office had become a whirlwind of deadlines and shared victories, but the real shift was happening in the quiet hours after Nikitha reached home. What started as simple good-night messages slowly transformed into long, addictive conversations that stretched late into the night.
These were the exchanges Jay discovered, when he decided to check her phone..
Day 1
Tharun: We made a great team today, Niki. Sleep well. Dream of bugs getting fixed… or of me, whichever makes you smile ?
Nikitha: Haha, I’ll try. Good night, Tharun.
Tharun: That’s the spirit. That integration bug almost killed us this morning, but the way you spotted the mismatch in the API call saved us hours.
Nikitha: Thanks. You were the one who pushed us to test it live. We caught it just in time.
Tharun: Team effort. You stay so calm under pressure — it’s impressive. How are you feeling after that long day?
Nikitha: Tired but satisfied we delivered those two modules ahead of schedule.
Tharun: You should be proud. Your debugging was sharp today. I mean it. We sync well when we work together.
Nikitha: Yeah, it does feel that way. You always seem to know the right direction.
Tharun: I noticed you get this calm, focused look when things get chaotic. Kind of nice to watch.
Nikitha: Stop it, you’re going to make me smile now.
Tharun: Good. That was the goal. I enjoy these chats with you after such crazy days.
Nikitha: I enjoy them too. It helps unwind.
Tharun: Then let’s make this a regular thing. Sweet dreams, Niki. Thank you for trusting my lead today.
Nikitha: Anytime. You’re a good leader.
Tharun: And you make working feel a lot easier, my favorite teammate. Talk tomorrow. Good night.
Day 2
Tharun: You looked beautiful when you solved that edge case today. Don’t overthink. Just keep shining.
Nikitha: ? Thank you. That actually made my day. You’re too kind. Good night!
Tharun: Not kindness. Just honesty. That race condition could have delayed the whole sprint, but your quick fix and the clean code you wrote saved the day again.
Nikitha: You were the one who caught the memory leak early. We make a strong pair on these issues.
Tharun: Exactly. You really do shine when you’re in the zone. I like being the reason for that smile tonight. You laugh at my lame jokes even when tired. That’s dangerous. I might get used to it.
Nikitha: Dangerous for whom?
Tharun: For me, clearly. I’m getting used to your company and your sharp mind.
Nikitha: Flatterer.
Tharun: Honest man. How was your ride back home?
Nikitha: Peaceful. I was thinking about today’s lunch chat and how we handled that blocker.
Tharun: Same here. You make even quick breaks and tough debugging sessions enjoyable.
Nikitha: That’s sweet of you to say.
Tharun: Tell me one thing that always makes you smile?
Nikitha: Good coffee and genuine appreciation when we actually save the day at work.
Tharun: Noted. I’ll remember that. You deserve a little spoiling after today’s effort.
Nikitha: Careful, I might get used to it too.
Tharun: I keep thinking how good we are together at work… and maybe beyond.
Nikitha: you are too playful.. but i respect your effort to try charming me.. Oops but you keep getting failed.
Nikitha: feeling sleep Tharun, good night please..
Tharun: Sleep well, beautiful. Can’t wait to team up and crush more issues tomorrow.
Nikitha: Good night, Tharun.
Day 3
Tharun: I like talking to you, Niki. Even after 14 hours of work, you still make me laugh.
Nikitha: Same here. You’re surprisingly easy to talk to. Unlike the managers with stiff behavior..
Tharun: Laughs.... That performance issue in the backend almost ruined the demo today. The whole team was panicking like chickens without heads, but your caching tweak saved our dignity.
Nikitha: ? You were the one who stayed calm and restructured the query with me. We make a good combination — like coffee and panic attacks.
Tharun: Exactly. Darling....
Tharun: ooops sorrry...
Tharun: Never letting go of that accidental “Darling” slip from before, my not-so-accidental favorite colleague. Don’t forget to dream of good things tonight… preferably me fixing bugs in slow motion with heroic background music.
Nikitha: ? Oh god, you’re never going to let that go, are you?
Tharun: Never. I’ve already set it as my phone wallpaper. You have a nice voice when you’re tired, by the way.
Nikitha: Tharun!! Stop it ?
Tharun: Can’t help it. You get cute when flustered. It’s my new favorite evening entertainment.
Nikitha: Now I’m blushing like an idiot in the dark.
Tharun: Mission accomplished! Tell me what you’re thinking right now.
Nikitha: About today’s work… and this chat. That lunch moment felt nice.
Tharun: Same. That hair brush at lunch? Felt natural in the middle of all the pressure. I was this close to pretending there was another strand just to do it again.
Nikitha: ? You’re dangerous.
Tharun: We’re getting a bit closer, aren’t we? Be honest.
Nikitha: Maybe we are. It feels nice working with you like this… but sir, I’m married.
Try with other women, they might fall for your charm easier ?
Tharun: Ouch. Why would I want other women when I can get rejected by the best one?
Nikitha: Persistent as always.
Tharun: Guilty. Then I won’t stop being honest. Good night, Niki.
Nikitha: Sweet dreams, Tharun.
Tharun: One more — I genuinely look forward to our talks now. Even if you keep friend-zoning me with “sir, I’m married” every time I flirt.
Nikitha: Same here. Good night… and behave tomorrow ?
Day 4
Tharun: You were brilliant today, Nikki. Your dedication means a lot. Get some rest. [Voice Note – 0:32]
Nikitha: I listened to your voice note twice. Thank you, Tharun. It was sweet. Made me smile.
Tharun: Twice? Careful, Niki. I might start sending one every night. Good night from your favorite teammate… or should I say, good night from your mistaken husband again? ?
Nikitha: ? Stop it! You’re going to get me in trouble one of these days. Good night, Tharun.
Tharun: Trouble is my middle name. Especially when it involves making you laugh before bed. That deployment scare tonight was crazy — server almost had a heart attack, but we handled it perfectly together.
Nikitha: We did. Working so closely in the cabin felt really good even when things were on fire.
Tharun: Same. Having dinner together felt comfortable… almost too comfortable. I noticed you tuck your hair when focused. It’s my new favorite distraction.
Nikitha: You really do pay attention, don’t you?
Tharun: To you? Always. You’re becoming someone I look forward to every single day, darling. Dream of me tonight?
Nikitha: Tharun!! ? what are you even trying , day by day your playfulness is dangerously increasing.. tell me what you are trying with me..? dont you know im married?!! ?
Tharun: Ouch. I know.. my favorite person listens to my voice notes on repeat and has dinner with me? what ever im trying is just this.. trying to fit into like I’m loyal to my mistaken husband role.
Nikitha: You’re impossible and very persistent.
Tharun: Guilty as charged. I look forward to your messages every night now.
Nikitha: Same. It’s becoming my favorite way to wind down.
Tharun: Careful, I might get addicted to this.
Nikitha: Too late? ?
Tharun: Way too late. [Photo: Two coffees] Saving the better one for you tomorrow.
Nikitha: You’re spoiling me… Thank you. Can’t wait. Good night.
Tharun: Good night, Niki. I’m really happy we’re building this connection.
Nikitha: Me too. Sweet dreams.
Looking at messages Jay thought, Niki was slowly moving from him..
He consoled himself she is not for him and he has no rights to stop her..
The days at the office had become a whirlwind of deadlines and shared victories, but the real shift was happening in the quiet hours after Nikitha reached home. What started as simple good-night messages slowly transformed into long, addictive conversations that stretched late into the night.
These were the exchanges Jay discovered, when he decided to check her phone..
Day 1
Tharun: We made a great team today, Niki. Sleep well. Dream of bugs getting fixed… or of me, whichever makes you smile ?
Nikitha: Haha, I’ll try. Good night, Tharun.
Tharun: That’s the spirit. That integration bug almost killed us this morning, but the way you spotted the mismatch in the API call saved us hours.
Nikitha: Thanks. You were the one who pushed us to test it live. We caught it just in time.
Tharun: Team effort. You stay so calm under pressure — it’s impressive. How are you feeling after that long day?
Nikitha: Tired but satisfied we delivered those two modules ahead of schedule.
Tharun: You should be proud. Your debugging was sharp today. I mean it. We sync well when we work together.
Nikitha: Yeah, it does feel that way. You always seem to know the right direction.
Tharun: I noticed you get this calm, focused look when things get chaotic. Kind of nice to watch.
Nikitha: Stop it, you’re going to make me smile now.
Tharun: Good. That was the goal. I enjoy these chats with you after such crazy days.
Nikitha: I enjoy them too. It helps unwind.
Tharun: Then let’s make this a regular thing. Sweet dreams, Niki. Thank you for trusting my lead today.
Nikitha: Anytime. You’re a good leader.
Tharun: And you make working feel a lot easier, my favorite teammate. Talk tomorrow. Good night.
Day 2
Tharun: You looked beautiful when you solved that edge case today. Don’t overthink. Just keep shining.
Nikitha: ? Thank you. That actually made my day. You’re too kind. Good night!
Tharun: Not kindness. Just honesty. That race condition could have delayed the whole sprint, but your quick fix and the clean code you wrote saved the day again.
Nikitha: You were the one who caught the memory leak early. We make a strong pair on these issues.
Tharun: Exactly. You really do shine when you’re in the zone. I like being the reason for that smile tonight. You laugh at my lame jokes even when tired. That’s dangerous. I might get used to it.
Nikitha: Dangerous for whom?
Tharun: For me, clearly. I’m getting used to your company and your sharp mind.
Nikitha: Flatterer.
Tharun: Honest man. How was your ride back home?
Nikitha: Peaceful. I was thinking about today’s lunch chat and how we handled that blocker.
Tharun: Same here. You make even quick breaks and tough debugging sessions enjoyable.
Nikitha: That’s sweet of you to say.
Tharun: Tell me one thing that always makes you smile?
Nikitha: Good coffee and genuine appreciation when we actually save the day at work.
Tharun: Noted. I’ll remember that. You deserve a little spoiling after today’s effort.
Nikitha: Careful, I might get used to it too.
Tharun: I keep thinking how good we are together at work… and maybe beyond.
Nikitha: you are too playful.. but i respect your effort to try charming me.. Oops but you keep getting failed.
Nikitha: feeling sleep Tharun, good night please..
Tharun: Sleep well, beautiful. Can’t wait to team up and crush more issues tomorrow.
Nikitha: Good night, Tharun.
Day 3
Tharun: I like talking to you, Niki. Even after 14 hours of work, you still make me laugh.
Nikitha: Same here. You’re surprisingly easy to talk to. Unlike the managers with stiff behavior..
Tharun: Laughs.... That performance issue in the backend almost ruined the demo today. The whole team was panicking like chickens without heads, but your caching tweak saved our dignity.
Nikitha: ? You were the one who stayed calm and restructured the query with me. We make a good combination — like coffee and panic attacks.
Tharun: Exactly. Darling....
Tharun: ooops sorrry...
Tharun: Never letting go of that accidental “Darling” slip from before, my not-so-accidental favorite colleague. Don’t forget to dream of good things tonight… preferably me fixing bugs in slow motion with heroic background music.
Nikitha: ? Oh god, you’re never going to let that go, are you?
Tharun: Never. I’ve already set it as my phone wallpaper. You have a nice voice when you’re tired, by the way.
Nikitha: Tharun!! Stop it ?
Tharun: Can’t help it. You get cute when flustered. It’s my new favorite evening entertainment.
Nikitha: Now I’m blushing like an idiot in the dark.
Tharun: Mission accomplished! Tell me what you’re thinking right now.
Nikitha: About today’s work… and this chat. That lunch moment felt nice.
Tharun: Same. That hair brush at lunch? Felt natural in the middle of all the pressure. I was this close to pretending there was another strand just to do it again.
Nikitha: ? You’re dangerous.
Tharun: We’re getting a bit closer, aren’t we? Be honest.
Nikitha: Maybe we are. It feels nice working with you like this… but sir, I’m married.
Try with other women, they might fall for your charm easier ?
Tharun: Ouch. Why would I want other women when I can get rejected by the best one?
Nikitha: Persistent as always.
Tharun: Guilty. Then I won’t stop being honest. Good night, Niki.
Nikitha: Sweet dreams, Tharun.
Tharun: One more — I genuinely look forward to our talks now. Even if you keep friend-zoning me with “sir, I’m married” every time I flirt.
Nikitha: Same here. Good night… and behave tomorrow ?
Day 4
Tharun: You were brilliant today, Nikki. Your dedication means a lot. Get some rest. [Voice Note – 0:32]
Nikitha: I listened to your voice note twice. Thank you, Tharun. It was sweet. Made me smile.
Tharun: Twice? Careful, Niki. I might start sending one every night. Good night from your favorite teammate… or should I say, good night from your mistaken husband again? ?
Nikitha: ? Stop it! You’re going to get me in trouble one of these days. Good night, Tharun.
Tharun: Trouble is my middle name. Especially when it involves making you laugh before bed. That deployment scare tonight was crazy — server almost had a heart attack, but we handled it perfectly together.
Nikitha: We did. Working so closely in the cabin felt really good even when things were on fire.
Tharun: Same. Having dinner together felt comfortable… almost too comfortable. I noticed you tuck your hair when focused. It’s my new favorite distraction.
Nikitha: You really do pay attention, don’t you?
Tharun: To you? Always. You’re becoming someone I look forward to every single day, darling. Dream of me tonight?
Nikitha: Tharun!! ? what are you even trying , day by day your playfulness is dangerously increasing.. tell me what you are trying with me..? dont you know im married?!! ?
Tharun: Ouch. I know.. my favorite person listens to my voice notes on repeat and has dinner with me? what ever im trying is just this.. trying to fit into like I’m loyal to my mistaken husband role.
Nikitha: You’re impossible and very persistent.
Tharun: Guilty as charged. I look forward to your messages every night now.
Nikitha: Same. It’s becoming my favorite way to wind down.
Tharun: Careful, I might get addicted to this.
Nikitha: Too late? ?
Tharun: Way too late. [Photo: Two coffees] Saving the better one for you tomorrow.
Nikitha: You’re spoiling me… Thank you. Can’t wait. Good night.
Tharun: Good night, Niki. I’m really happy we’re building this connection.
Nikitha: Me too. Sweet dreams.
Looking at messages Jay thought, Niki was slowly moving from him..
He consoled himself she is not for him and he has no rights to stop her..
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