23-06-2026, 02:15 PM
(This post was last modified: 23-06-2026, 05:22 PM by heygiwriter. Edited 3 times in total. Edited 3 times in total.)
Chapter 53: Tharun's move and Sharmi's doubt.
The night felt endless.
Tharuns late night message was her companion.
Nikitha lay in bed beside Jay, the room dark except for the faint glow of her phone screen. Tharun’s last message still glowed softly:
Tharun: Sweet dreams, my favorite complication. I’ll wait as long as you need… but I won’t pretend I don’t have any intentions to root you for marriage, I will try to kiss you more and drag to my zone.... ?
Her thumbs hovered over the keyboard. She almost typed back — something vulnerable, something honest, something that admitted how much his words had eased the storm inside her. But she stopped midway, deleted the half-written sentence, and simply replied:
Nikitha: Good night, Tharun.
She put the phone down, staring at the ceiling. Jay’s steady breathing beside her felt both comforting and suffocating. The memory of Tharun’s passionate kiss on the rooftop still lingered on her lips — warm, hungry, full of promise. Yet Jay’s quiet words about knowing the sound of her footsteps kept echoing in her mind. Two men. Two completely different pulls. She felt stuck in the middle, stumbling between fire and familiarity.
Sleep came slowly, restless and fragmented.
The next morning, Jay got ready for the office. He still looked weak, his movements slower than usual, but he insisted to himself that he could manage. Nikitha helped him with breakfast, the air between them heavy but calmer. She was about to book a cab for herself to stay away from him but when she glanced at him again — the slight fever still clinging to his skin, the way he leaned on the table for support.
Her heart wouldn’t let her leave him alone.
“Give me the keys,” she said softly. “I’ll drive.”
Jay looked surprised but didn’t argue. They ate in relative silence, then got ready. Nikitha chose a simple yet elegant deep white kurti. Jay sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window as she drove.
When they reached the office, Sharmi was waiting near the entrance. She walked over quickly, her expression a mix of relief and urgency.
“You brought Jay with you?” Sharmi asked, glancing at him. “Good. We have the first batch moved, but the next set of modules needs your expertise badly. I won’t leave you today — you need to help us.”
Nikitha felt a small discomfort twist in her chest, but she stayed quiet.
Sharmi extended her hand to Jay with a warm smile.
“Thanks for coming in despite being unwell.”
As they spoke, a familiar hand lightly brushed Nikitha’s lower back — a brief, warm touch that sent a subtle shiver up her spine. It was Tharun.
“We have a lot of work today,” he said calmly, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “You need to fix your proposals and visit me. Come to the new cabin — the one our VP previously used. That’s mine from today. We may need to work there together.”
He gave her a small, knowing smile and walked away.
Jay noticed the proximity immediately. His jaw tightened. The casual touch, the way Tharun spoke to her — it all screamed growing intimacy. His heart ached with a sharp, helpless pain. Not just a kiss anymore. They might have already accelerated far beyond what he wanted to imagine. His mind raced, desperate to figure out how to stop this.
But reality grounded him. He remembered their conversation the previous night. If he attempted anything forceful now, she would only drift further away. He felt like he was running out of time. He couldn’t just stand there and watch another man romance — or worse, make love to — his wife.
Helpless, he moved toward his floor, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on his shoulders.
The morning dragged on in the office like a slow, suffocating fog.
For almost an hour, the team was buried in work — keyboards clicking, voices murmuring over calls, screens glowing with spreadsheets and proposals. But Jay sat at his desk like a ghost. His body was still weak from the fever, but it was his mind that refused to settle. With Nikitha and Tharun now on a different floor, he couldn’t see them. The absence gnawed at him.
The new fear that she might be crossing lines with Tharun — laughing with him, touching him, letting him get closer — kept replaying in his head like a cruel loop. His hands trembled slightly on the mouse. He tried to focus on the code, but every few minutes his thoughts drifted back to her.
Sharmi, sitting a few desks away, noticed immediately. She had known Jay long enough to see when something deeper than illness was troubling him. Without a word, she picked up her laptop and moved to the chair beside him.
“Jay sir,” she said casually, sliding into work mode, “I have some doubts on this module.
The client wants changes in the backend logic. Can you walk me through it?”
Jay blinked, pulled out of his spiral. Sharmi didn’t push for personal talk. She knew no one would open up easily about their troubles especially to strangers or new friend like her. Instead, she kept it professional, asking solid questions, learning from him, pulling him into the rhythm of work. Her calm, focused presence slowly dragged him back from the edge. For the next hour, they worked side by side, discussing code, deadlines, and optimizations. It saved him from sinking deeper into turmoil. Its a thoughtful behavior from her, pulling Jay from thoughts at the same time, his involvement made the work progress productive.
Meanwhile, on the upper floor, Nikitha had finished preparing her proposal. She picked up the file, took a deep breath, and walked toward Tharun’s new cabin — the one previously used by the VP. It was larger, more luxurious, almost like a mini office suite.
When she entered, she paused, surprised. The space looked transformed — sleek furniture, a small attached balcony, even a private washroom visible through an open door. It felt less like a cabin and more like a personal suite.
She placed the file on the table and folded her hands, smiling faintly. “You look like the new VP of this company. See how the company gifted you this?”
Tharun laughed, leaning back in his chair. “They did go overboard. Come, sit. In 30 minutes we need to finalize this proposal. We’ll have our time after that.”
For the next hour, they worked intensely — detailed briefing, reviewing numbers, refining points. Tharun was focused, professional, but his eyes kept drifting to her with quiet hunger. When they finally pressed “send” on the proposal, he stood up.
While they had been speaking, he walked to the door and locked it with a soft click.
Nikitha’s eyes widened. “Tharun… it’s an office place. We should be careful about everything. And we just started—”
He didn’t listen. He came near her, his presence commanding. Her heart beat heavily as he suddenly lifted her in his arms, carrying her effortlessly. Nikitha jolted. “Tharun, it’s office—”
He smiled, a playful glint in his eyes. “I just want to show you how my mini villa looks.” He joked about the new cabin, which had a bedroom attached, a balcony, and a washroom — almost like a small home away from home. He carried her into the bedroom area and gently laid her on the bed.
Nikki: What happen to you Tharun, what got into you?
Tharun: Im just making sure that i won you over, keeping you in my zone.. Teasing you to choose me.. He laughs.. and continued
“I’m just wishing we will have late-night works where we can sleep here, together without clothes like a husband and wife...” he murmured, his voice low.
Nikitha beat his chest lightly, half-protesting, half-laughing. Their eyes locked. The air between them thickened.
We are just friends, Im yet to make a decision, remember Tharun.. Nikitha slightly warned him of what he was trying with her.
He looked at her and said, i know.. but the same me know you had been troubled off late, and i said i would stay thick and thin with you.. The talks are just to distract you from worries, thoughts and also a gentle tease of how our chemistry going to be.
Nikki looked at him with heavy breathing..
“I just need a kiss,” he whispered. “A kiss to ease me. A kiss to make you forget everything. Remember my Kiss will be your medicine... plus I know you are drifting towards me already.”
“How do you say?” she asked, breathless.
He smiled. “Just… I know. I have
Nikitha’s eyes softened. “You should wait for some time.”
He lowered her fully onto the bed, coming on top of her. “Enough of this drama, Nikki. We know each other now. We will speak more, get to know each other more. We know we are about to be a pair soon. The wait, the long game… it won’t work out. Let’s live for ourselves.”
He sealed her lips with a deep, hungry kiss before she could process. It was passionate, demanding — his tongue exploring hers, his body pressing down with controlled desire. She could feel his hardness against her stomach through his pants. They parted after a long, sensual five-minute kiss, both breathing heavily.
“Tell me what you think,” he said, forehead resting against hers. “I will speak with Mithra. We shall begin our relationship for real.”
Nikitha looked into his eyes, her own filled with hesitation.
She finally whispered, “No… no, Tharun, I cannot. Give me some time. I need proper closure, but.......
Tharun began from where she left ... like you heart is not ready yet.”
Nikki was surprised..
Tharun smiled and said, see i got you..
Nikki said im sorry im in guilt , i could not move to either side, feel like keeping both of you in oscillation.
Tharun smiled slightly, understanding. “It’s okay, darling. You need not feel guilt. As I said earlier, I would wait as a friend. I’m glad you allow me so close — with kisses, hugs. It’s enough for me now. It just show you already choose me..
But I have only one wish: the day you decide to come to me verbally declare you are mine.. I want you to invite me for sex before marriage...”
Nikitha’s eyes widened. She smiled, a mix of surprise and shyness. “Why? what is it some kind of fantasy to your or way of love?”
Tharun said softly, “No. For years I was denied this physical closeness. If you could give me that before we marry, it would be special for me. I think that way, like sex is a token of love. once we done that i wont leave you.. for anycost.”
Nikitha didn’t say anything. She just looked into his eyes. They carried true pain and longing. For a second, she lost herself in them. He leaned in for a second, softer kiss. She could feel his hardness pressing against her again. They parted, breathing heavy.
![[Image: 742216760_untitled-1343.jpg]](https://img2.pixhost.to/images/8824/742216760_untitled-1343.jpg)
“Do you still think you have not left your thoughts with your husband?” he asked. “I’m trying to prove you moved on, and I want you to embrace me. You liked my embrace, my hug, my kiss. You didn’t tell anything against my wish to make love to you before we marry. It only says you have moved on. You carry no baggage. its just you are still in denial. Im okay with that, i would wait.”
His face was so close to hers. Their breaths mingled, hot and heavy. Tharun said, see how "hot" our breath is. The word “hot” shook her. She could not deny the thoughts of how Jay’s body felt that morning — feverish, warm like shouting for a need for help..
She gently pushed him away, the movement soft but firm.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry.
Tharun asked what happend? did i do any mistake?
Nikik: No, Lunch time… we should go out.”
She didnt wait...
She breathed heavily as she stood up and walked out.
The time was 12:50 PM. Ten more minutes left.
Her legs carried her straight to the floor where Jay worked. She saw Jay and Sharmi working on something. She was friends with Sharmi, so meeting her was not unusual. She worried for Jay. She wanted to know if he was still running a fever.
She decided to test it. She didn’t want Jay to mistake her care for love. She walked casually toward Sharmi, stopping near her and Jay. “Can we go for lunch?” she asked, she moved a bit and pretending to lose balance slightly she faked a fall like scenario and To steady herself, her hand grabbed the back of Jay’s neck for support. She rested it there for more than a second, feeling the heat.
The temperature was still high. She knew immediately — Jay needed to visit the doctor again.
Sharmi rescued her, grabbing her arm. “Careful, Nikki! Yeah, let’s go to lunch, but I have some work left.”
Sharmi continued anyway ... let me do it after lunch she smiled and took her lunch box.
After 5 minutes, Both reached the pantry.
“How’s the work?” Nikki began.
“All good. But Jay is unwell and his mind is not at rest. He is constantly thinking about something.”
May be becaus he is unwell or thinking about his wife at distant.. feel bad for him.. Sharmi said.
Nikki felt a pain.. she then said, “While I caught his neck for support, it burned like hot.
He is your superior and head of your team, right? Take him to the hospital.”
Sharmi looked at her for a moment. She figured out something looked unusual here.
Nikki said, “I don’t want people to think there’s a link with me. from what you told last time, i fear if i take him to hospital people here would badmouth about me in back. I'm actually worried for his wife. His wife would be worrying for him. You just take him to the hospital after lunch.”
Sharmi felt everything was very odd right from the start. She deeply thought: Nikki still has thoughts of Jay even after she began an affair with Tharun. She had already ruled out Tharun and Nikki being in a full affair. Why is she like this, she is cheating on her husband already with Tharun, now she want Jay too? the way she stayed at Jay home like her own home.. she dont want to beleive her friend is too low to intrude into life of many men..
She could not contain her doubt, she asked openly.
Sharmi: Nikki do you hide something from me? why do you care so much of Jay, when you have Tharun?
Will Nikki clarify herself to Sharmi? will Sharmi know the turths?
The night felt endless.
Tharuns late night message was her companion.
Nikitha lay in bed beside Jay, the room dark except for the faint glow of her phone screen. Tharun’s last message still glowed softly:
Tharun: Sweet dreams, my favorite complication. I’ll wait as long as you need… but I won’t pretend I don’t have any intentions to root you for marriage, I will try to kiss you more and drag to my zone.... ?
Her thumbs hovered over the keyboard. She almost typed back — something vulnerable, something honest, something that admitted how much his words had eased the storm inside her. But she stopped midway, deleted the half-written sentence, and simply replied:
Nikitha: Good night, Tharun.
She put the phone down, staring at the ceiling. Jay’s steady breathing beside her felt both comforting and suffocating. The memory of Tharun’s passionate kiss on the rooftop still lingered on her lips — warm, hungry, full of promise. Yet Jay’s quiet words about knowing the sound of her footsteps kept echoing in her mind. Two men. Two completely different pulls. She felt stuck in the middle, stumbling between fire and familiarity.
Sleep came slowly, restless and fragmented.
The next morning, Jay got ready for the office. He still looked weak, his movements slower than usual, but he insisted to himself that he could manage. Nikitha helped him with breakfast, the air between them heavy but calmer. She was about to book a cab for herself to stay away from him but when she glanced at him again — the slight fever still clinging to his skin, the way he leaned on the table for support.
Her heart wouldn’t let her leave him alone.
“Give me the keys,” she said softly. “I’ll drive.”
Jay looked surprised but didn’t argue. They ate in relative silence, then got ready. Nikitha chose a simple yet elegant deep white kurti. Jay sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window as she drove.
When they reached the office, Sharmi was waiting near the entrance. She walked over quickly, her expression a mix of relief and urgency.
“You brought Jay with you?” Sharmi asked, glancing at him. “Good. We have the first batch moved, but the next set of modules needs your expertise badly. I won’t leave you today — you need to help us.”
Nikitha felt a small discomfort twist in her chest, but she stayed quiet.
Sharmi extended her hand to Jay with a warm smile.
“Thanks for coming in despite being unwell.”
As they spoke, a familiar hand lightly brushed Nikitha’s lower back — a brief, warm touch that sent a subtle shiver up her spine. It was Tharun.
“We have a lot of work today,” he said calmly, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “You need to fix your proposals and visit me. Come to the new cabin — the one our VP previously used. That’s mine from today. We may need to work there together.”
He gave her a small, knowing smile and walked away.
Jay noticed the proximity immediately. His jaw tightened. The casual touch, the way Tharun spoke to her — it all screamed growing intimacy. His heart ached with a sharp, helpless pain. Not just a kiss anymore. They might have already accelerated far beyond what he wanted to imagine. His mind raced, desperate to figure out how to stop this.
But reality grounded him. He remembered their conversation the previous night. If he attempted anything forceful now, she would only drift further away. He felt like he was running out of time. He couldn’t just stand there and watch another man romance — or worse, make love to — his wife.
Helpless, he moved toward his floor, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on his shoulders.
The morning dragged on in the office like a slow, suffocating fog.
For almost an hour, the team was buried in work — keyboards clicking, voices murmuring over calls, screens glowing with spreadsheets and proposals. But Jay sat at his desk like a ghost. His body was still weak from the fever, but it was his mind that refused to settle. With Nikitha and Tharun now on a different floor, he couldn’t see them. The absence gnawed at him.
The new fear that she might be crossing lines with Tharun — laughing with him, touching him, letting him get closer — kept replaying in his head like a cruel loop. His hands trembled slightly on the mouse. He tried to focus on the code, but every few minutes his thoughts drifted back to her.
Sharmi, sitting a few desks away, noticed immediately. She had known Jay long enough to see when something deeper than illness was troubling him. Without a word, she picked up her laptop and moved to the chair beside him.
“Jay sir,” she said casually, sliding into work mode, “I have some doubts on this module.
The client wants changes in the backend logic. Can you walk me through it?”
Jay blinked, pulled out of his spiral. Sharmi didn’t push for personal talk. She knew no one would open up easily about their troubles especially to strangers or new friend like her. Instead, she kept it professional, asking solid questions, learning from him, pulling him into the rhythm of work. Her calm, focused presence slowly dragged him back from the edge. For the next hour, they worked side by side, discussing code, deadlines, and optimizations. It saved him from sinking deeper into turmoil. Its a thoughtful behavior from her, pulling Jay from thoughts at the same time, his involvement made the work progress productive.
Meanwhile, on the upper floor, Nikitha had finished preparing her proposal. She picked up the file, took a deep breath, and walked toward Tharun’s new cabin — the one previously used by the VP. It was larger, more luxurious, almost like a mini office suite.
When she entered, she paused, surprised. The space looked transformed — sleek furniture, a small attached balcony, even a private washroom visible through an open door. It felt less like a cabin and more like a personal suite.
She placed the file on the table and folded her hands, smiling faintly. “You look like the new VP of this company. See how the company gifted you this?”
Tharun laughed, leaning back in his chair. “They did go overboard. Come, sit. In 30 minutes we need to finalize this proposal. We’ll have our time after that.”
For the next hour, they worked intensely — detailed briefing, reviewing numbers, refining points. Tharun was focused, professional, but his eyes kept drifting to her with quiet hunger. When they finally pressed “send” on the proposal, he stood up.
While they had been speaking, he walked to the door and locked it with a soft click.
Nikitha’s eyes widened. “Tharun… it’s an office place. We should be careful about everything. And we just started—”
He didn’t listen. He came near her, his presence commanding. Her heart beat heavily as he suddenly lifted her in his arms, carrying her effortlessly. Nikitha jolted. “Tharun, it’s office—”
He smiled, a playful glint in his eyes. “I just want to show you how my mini villa looks.” He joked about the new cabin, which had a bedroom attached, a balcony, and a washroom — almost like a small home away from home. He carried her into the bedroom area and gently laid her on the bed.
Nikki: What happen to you Tharun, what got into you?
Tharun: Im just making sure that i won you over, keeping you in my zone.. Teasing you to choose me.. He laughs.. and continued
“I’m just wishing we will have late-night works where we can sleep here, together without clothes like a husband and wife...” he murmured, his voice low.
Nikitha beat his chest lightly, half-protesting, half-laughing. Their eyes locked. The air between them thickened.
We are just friends, Im yet to make a decision, remember Tharun.. Nikitha slightly warned him of what he was trying with her.
He looked at her and said, i know.. but the same me know you had been troubled off late, and i said i would stay thick and thin with you.. The talks are just to distract you from worries, thoughts and also a gentle tease of how our chemistry going to be.
Nikki looked at him with heavy breathing..
“I just need a kiss,” he whispered. “A kiss to ease me. A kiss to make you forget everything. Remember my Kiss will be your medicine... plus I know you are drifting towards me already.”
“How do you say?” she asked, breathless.
He smiled. “Just… I know. I have
Nikitha’s eyes softened. “You should wait for some time.”
He lowered her fully onto the bed, coming on top of her. “Enough of this drama, Nikki. We know each other now. We will speak more, get to know each other more. We know we are about to be a pair soon. The wait, the long game… it won’t work out. Let’s live for ourselves.”
He sealed her lips with a deep, hungry kiss before she could process. It was passionate, demanding — his tongue exploring hers, his body pressing down with controlled desire. She could feel his hardness against her stomach through his pants. They parted after a long, sensual five-minute kiss, both breathing heavily.
“Tell me what you think,” he said, forehead resting against hers. “I will speak with Mithra. We shall begin our relationship for real.”
Nikitha looked into his eyes, her own filled with hesitation.
She finally whispered, “No… no, Tharun, I cannot. Give me some time. I need proper closure, but.......
Tharun began from where she left ... like you heart is not ready yet.”
Nikki was surprised..
Tharun smiled and said, see i got you..
Nikki said im sorry im in guilt , i could not move to either side, feel like keeping both of you in oscillation.
Tharun smiled slightly, understanding. “It’s okay, darling. You need not feel guilt. As I said earlier, I would wait as a friend. I’m glad you allow me so close — with kisses, hugs. It’s enough for me now. It just show you already choose me..
But I have only one wish: the day you decide to come to me verbally declare you are mine.. I want you to invite me for sex before marriage...”
Nikitha’s eyes widened. She smiled, a mix of surprise and shyness. “Why? what is it some kind of fantasy to your or way of love?”
Tharun said softly, “No. For years I was denied this physical closeness. If you could give me that before we marry, it would be special for me. I think that way, like sex is a token of love. once we done that i wont leave you.. for anycost.”
Nikitha didn’t say anything. She just looked into his eyes. They carried true pain and longing. For a second, she lost herself in them. He leaned in for a second, softer kiss. She could feel his hardness pressing against her again. They parted, breathing heavy.
“Do you still think you have not left your thoughts with your husband?” he asked. “I’m trying to prove you moved on, and I want you to embrace me. You liked my embrace, my hug, my kiss. You didn’t tell anything against my wish to make love to you before we marry. It only says you have moved on. You carry no baggage. its just you are still in denial. Im okay with that, i would wait.”
His face was so close to hers. Their breaths mingled, hot and heavy. Tharun said, see how "hot" our breath is. The word “hot” shook her. She could not deny the thoughts of how Jay’s body felt that morning — feverish, warm like shouting for a need for help..
She gently pushed him away, the movement soft but firm.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry.
Tharun asked what happend? did i do any mistake?
Nikik: No, Lunch time… we should go out.”
She didnt wait...
She breathed heavily as she stood up and walked out.
The time was 12:50 PM. Ten more minutes left.
Her legs carried her straight to the floor where Jay worked. She saw Jay and Sharmi working on something. She was friends with Sharmi, so meeting her was not unusual. She worried for Jay. She wanted to know if he was still running a fever.
She decided to test it. She didn’t want Jay to mistake her care for love. She walked casually toward Sharmi, stopping near her and Jay. “Can we go for lunch?” she asked, she moved a bit and pretending to lose balance slightly she faked a fall like scenario and To steady herself, her hand grabbed the back of Jay’s neck for support. She rested it there for more than a second, feeling the heat.
The temperature was still high. She knew immediately — Jay needed to visit the doctor again.
Sharmi rescued her, grabbing her arm. “Careful, Nikki! Yeah, let’s go to lunch, but I have some work left.”
Sharmi continued anyway ... let me do it after lunch she smiled and took her lunch box.
After 5 minutes, Both reached the pantry.
“How’s the work?” Nikki began.
“All good. But Jay is unwell and his mind is not at rest. He is constantly thinking about something.”
May be becaus he is unwell or thinking about his wife at distant.. feel bad for him.. Sharmi said.
Nikki felt a pain.. she then said, “While I caught his neck for support, it burned like hot.
He is your superior and head of your team, right? Take him to the hospital.”
Sharmi looked at her for a moment. She figured out something looked unusual here.
Nikki said, “I don’t want people to think there’s a link with me. from what you told last time, i fear if i take him to hospital people here would badmouth about me in back. I'm actually worried for his wife. His wife would be worrying for him. You just take him to the hospital after lunch.”
Sharmi felt everything was very odd right from the start. She deeply thought: Nikki still has thoughts of Jay even after she began an affair with Tharun. She had already ruled out Tharun and Nikki being in a full affair. Why is she like this, she is cheating on her husband already with Tharun, now she want Jay too? the way she stayed at Jay home like her own home.. she dont want to beleive her friend is too low to intrude into life of many men..
She could not contain her doubt, she asked openly.
Sharmi: Nikki do you hide something from me? why do you care so much of Jay, when you have Tharun?
Will Nikki clarify herself to Sharmi? will Sharmi know the turths?
![[+]](https://xossipy.com/themes/sharepoint/collapse_collapsed.png)