02-07-2026, 08:57 AM
Chapter 104: A New Promise
The villa bedroom still carried the heavy storm of emotions in recent hours. Even though Tharun had claimed Nikitha’s body so passionately just hours earlier, he now understood she was emotionally somewhere else — still partially belonging to another man. He had heard her full story, confirmed her choice, and knew in his heart that he finally had a real chance.
Lying beside her, Tharun reflected quietly. At first, he had worried that if Jay grew bored of Sharmi, he might try to win Nikitha back. But after everything she had shared on the beach, he felt relieved. It wasn’t Sharmi who destroyed their marriage — it was Jay’s failure to meet her emotional needs, to make her feel truly wanted and protected. Still, winning her heart would be a herculean task. Winning her body had been easy. Winning her love would take time, patience, and consistency.
Early morning sunlight filtered through the big glass windows, gently scratching across the room despite the curtains. Nikitha lay beside him, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost deep in thought.
Tharun knew she needed comfort. Without a word, he pulled her into his strong arms. She looked at him, slightly puzzled. He spoke softly, “If you want to cry, shed it on my chest.”
He hugged her warmly, pressing her face gently against his bare chest. Nikitha’s body tensed for a moment, then she broke. Quiet sobs escaped her as she clung to him. Tharun held her tightly, stroking her hair until the tears slowly subsided.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his skin.
Tharun kissed the top of her head. “Nikitha, from today onward — whether you’re fully prepared or not — I will be your love. I will be your husband. Jay is your past now. I know you may need time, and I won’t pressure you. But we should start thinking about the legal side. Unlike me and Mithra, you and Jay were actually married. You should get a proper divorce. Not immediately… but sooner rather than later.”
Nikitha looked up at him silently.
“Did I hurt you by saying that?” Tharun asked gently.
She didn’t reply. Tharun gave a small, understanding smile. “I know… Don’t I know my Nikitha? I’m just reminding you of the long road we have ahead. I want you for myself, completely. Don’t get scared by the details. We’ll figure everything out together, at your pace.”
He continued, “Meanwhile, I’ve planned to meet Mithra in two weeks. I sent that message to prepare her. I want to meet her in person at her clinic in Cochin and give her proper closure.”
Nikitha looked at him for a long moment. “Take me with you. I will accompany you.”
Tharun raised an eyebrow. She explained softly, “I couldn’t think about the next course of action properly. Luckily, I chose to stay at the women’s hostel. But I feel I’ll need some emotional support. I might feel odd and lonely at the office…”
Tharun understood immediately. It wasn’t that she was missing him — she was afraid of facing Jay alone, whether at home or in the office. She wanted Tharun’s presence as a shield, as a constant reminder of her choice. Thats why she needs Tharun at office and she reminds about staying at hostel.
He smiled knowingly. “Sure. I’ll take you with me. I’ll even give you a proper introduction if she agrees to meet. And about the hostel… don’t stay there for long. Move to my place when you’re ready.”
Nikitha shook her head. “No. I will stay at the hostel. Once everything becomes legal with my separation, then I’ll move in with you.”
Tharun didn’t argue. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, then her cheek, then the sensitive spot on her neck. He gently caught her face, tilting it up, and pressed a deep lip-to-lip kiss on her. She didn’t fully reciprocate at first, but she didn’t pull away either. Tharun understood her emotional state completely.
“Promise me with this kiss,” he whispered against her lips, “that you choose me. That no matter what happens from now on, this is our choice. You will never leave me.”
Nikitha looked into his eyes for a long moment, then softly replied, “Mmm.”
Tharun opened her mouth with his and sealed the kiss. This time, Nikitha responded — hesitant at first, then with quiet surrender. It was a short kiss, but heavy with assurance and promise. Nikitha would be his.
When they finally parted, Tharun stroked her hair. “You must be tired. Try to sleep for a while.”
“I can’t sleep,” she murmured.
“I’m expecting Sharmi to call us so we can go to the hospital.
I don’t know why she hasn’t called yet.”
“Let her call when she wants to,” Tharun said calmly. “Until then, have a nap.”
Nikitha closed her eyes. Her mind was a whirlwind of mixed emotions — guilt, relief, fear, and quiet resolve. In every tide of feeling, she kept choosing Tharun. Against her own heart, for the good of everyone.
Little did she know, a new set of revelations was waiting for them in the coming hours.
The villa bedroom still carried the heavy storm of emotions in recent hours. Even though Tharun had claimed Nikitha’s body so passionately just hours earlier, he now understood she was emotionally somewhere else — still partially belonging to another man. He had heard her full story, confirmed her choice, and knew in his heart that he finally had a real chance.
Lying beside her, Tharun reflected quietly. At first, he had worried that if Jay grew bored of Sharmi, he might try to win Nikitha back. But after everything she had shared on the beach, he felt relieved. It wasn’t Sharmi who destroyed their marriage — it was Jay’s failure to meet her emotional needs, to make her feel truly wanted and protected. Still, winning her heart would be a herculean task. Winning her body had been easy. Winning her love would take time, patience, and consistency.
Early morning sunlight filtered through the big glass windows, gently scratching across the room despite the curtains. Nikitha lay beside him, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost deep in thought.
Tharun knew she needed comfort. Without a word, he pulled her into his strong arms. She looked at him, slightly puzzled. He spoke softly, “If you want to cry, shed it on my chest.”
He hugged her warmly, pressing her face gently against his bare chest. Nikitha’s body tensed for a moment, then she broke. Quiet sobs escaped her as she clung to him. Tharun held her tightly, stroking her hair until the tears slowly subsided.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his skin.
Tharun kissed the top of her head. “Nikitha, from today onward — whether you’re fully prepared or not — I will be your love. I will be your husband. Jay is your past now. I know you may need time, and I won’t pressure you. But we should start thinking about the legal side. Unlike me and Mithra, you and Jay were actually married. You should get a proper divorce. Not immediately… but sooner rather than later.”
Nikitha looked up at him silently.
“Did I hurt you by saying that?” Tharun asked gently.
She didn’t reply. Tharun gave a small, understanding smile. “I know… Don’t I know my Nikitha? I’m just reminding you of the long road we have ahead. I want you for myself, completely. Don’t get scared by the details. We’ll figure everything out together, at your pace.”
He continued, “Meanwhile, I’ve planned to meet Mithra in two weeks. I sent that message to prepare her. I want to meet her in person at her clinic in Cochin and give her proper closure.”
Nikitha looked at him for a long moment. “Take me with you. I will accompany you.”
Tharun raised an eyebrow. She explained softly, “I couldn’t think about the next course of action properly. Luckily, I chose to stay at the women’s hostel. But I feel I’ll need some emotional support. I might feel odd and lonely at the office…”
Tharun understood immediately. It wasn’t that she was missing him — she was afraid of facing Jay alone, whether at home or in the office. She wanted Tharun’s presence as a shield, as a constant reminder of her choice. Thats why she needs Tharun at office and she reminds about staying at hostel.
He smiled knowingly. “Sure. I’ll take you with me. I’ll even give you a proper introduction if she agrees to meet. And about the hostel… don’t stay there for long. Move to my place when you’re ready.”
Nikitha shook her head. “No. I will stay at the hostel. Once everything becomes legal with my separation, then I’ll move in with you.”
Tharun didn’t argue. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, then her cheek, then the sensitive spot on her neck. He gently caught her face, tilting it up, and pressed a deep lip-to-lip kiss on her. She didn’t fully reciprocate at first, but she didn’t pull away either. Tharun understood her emotional state completely.
“Promise me with this kiss,” he whispered against her lips, “that you choose me. That no matter what happens from now on, this is our choice. You will never leave me.”
Nikitha looked into his eyes for a long moment, then softly replied, “Mmm.”
Tharun opened her mouth with his and sealed the kiss. This time, Nikitha responded — hesitant at first, then with quiet surrender. It was a short kiss, but heavy with assurance and promise. Nikitha would be his.
When they finally parted, Tharun stroked her hair. “You must be tired. Try to sleep for a while.”
“I can’t sleep,” she murmured.
“I’m expecting Sharmi to call us so we can go to the hospital.
I don’t know why she hasn’t called yet.”
“Let her call when she wants to,” Tharun said calmly. “Until then, have a nap.”
Nikitha closed her eyes. Her mind was a whirlwind of mixed emotions — guilt, relief, fear, and quiet resolve. In every tide of feeling, she kept choosing Tharun. Against her own heart, for the good of everyone.
Little did she know, a new set of revelations was waiting for them in the coming hours.
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