Yesterday, 08:14 PM
Chapter 148 - New Place, Old Bond
The flight to London was long, but the atmosphere between Jay and Nikitha felt strangely light. Jay still couldn’t believe he had agreed to this absurd plan. Even after months of separation and heartbreak, Nikitha’s presence had a pull on him stronger than any other woman in his life. He knew they had no future together, yet being around her brought him an odd sense of peace.
Nikitha, sitting beside him, was shivering slightly — not from cold, but from a deep, unfamiliar comfort. With Tharun, she had received every physical and emotional need, yet she always felt like she was acting. With Jay, even after everything, it felt like home. Something inside her had always belonged to him.
As the plane cruised through the clouds, Jay turned to her softly.
“So… if you’re determined that Tharun should marry Mithra, what’s next for you? Have you ever considered your own future?”
Nikitha took a deep breath. “I’ve decided to focus on the property asset case — the one my stepmother forced me to sign during our marriage. Nothing else. I’m done with love for now.”
Jay nodded. “Good.”
“I know what you want to ask,” she continued quietly. “I’m happy with your friendship. It’s enough. I don’t want to spoil your life or any man’s life again. I’ve reached saturation point with love. From now on, I’m going to love myself.”
Jay smiled gently, a mix of pride and sadness in his eyes.
After a moment of comfortable silence, Nikitha said, “Let’s take a selfie. We’ll post it after landing in London. Make the caption sound like a business meeting… but Tharun will know the real reason. He’ll think we’re sleeping together.”
Jay raised an eyebrow. “You are too cruel, you know that?”
He shook his head, amused.
“I shouldn’t be entertaining this… but I can’t say no to you.”
Nikitha smiled. “Is it true? You won’t say no to anything I ask?”
Jay looked at her for a long moment. “Sometimes when I see that determined look in your eyes…
I have no guts to refuse. Even when you wanted to leave me, I could read it without you saying a word.”
Both fell silent. Minutes later, Jay nudged her. “Let’s take that selfie.”
They clicked a few pictures — smiling naturally, heads close — and saved them for later.
After a tiring 12-hour journey, they finally landed in London that evening. They posted the selfie with the caption:
“Business trip reloaded. Old partners, new deals. London, here we come #WorkMode”
Nikitha hoped Tharun would see it soon.
As they stepped out into the cool London air, Nikitha looked around at the new city and new faces, feeling suddenly lost.
“I don’t know what to do now…”
Jay gently held her hand. “We’ve lived life for everyone else for too long. For the next few days, let’s live for ourselves. Think of it as a true friendship trip — no drama, no pressure. Just exploring London like old buddies.”
They checked into a decent hotel and shared the same bed that night, but never crossed any line. They stayed up late talking about Mithra’s patience, Tharun’s choices, and how life had twisted their paths. Jay had many questions in his heart, but he kept them buried.
The next day was pure fun.
They started with a classic red bus tour, laughing like children as they pointed at Big Ben and the London Eye. Jay dramatically posed like a tourist in front of Buckingham Palace, making Nikitha laugh until her stomach hurt. They wandered through Covent Garden, ate fish and chips by the Thames, and took silly selfies at Trafalgar Square.
In the afternoon, they visited the British Museum, where Jay pretended to be a serious historian while Nikitha kept teasing him. They ended the day with a relaxing walk in Hyde Park, feeding ducks and sharing ice cream as the sun set.
Throughout the day, their friendship felt effortless — natural, warm, and comforting.
But as they returned to the hotel in the evening, both grew quiet. They looked at each other in the dimly lit room, the same unspoken thought hanging between them:
Did I make a wrong move in life? Shouldn't i tried for a second chance?
The question lingered in the air, heavy and unresolved, as they prepared for another night in each other’s company — friends, yet something much more complicated.
As both hit the bed,
Before either of them could speak, there was a loud knock on the door.
A familiar voice echoed from the hallway — firm, tired, and determined.
“Nikitha… I know you’re in there. Open the door.”
It was Tharun.
“I will stay here until you open this door.”
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