Yesterday, 05:01 PM
Chapter 159 - The Marriage & Nikkitha's decision
Jay and Nikkitha got married again in a simple, quiet ceremony at the registration office. There were no grand decorations, no excited family members — just the two of them, a registrar, and a couple of witnesses. It was quick, formal, and strangely intimate.
Even though their marriage was built on a fake foundation, Nikkitha felt a surprising sense of contentment wash over her as they stepped out of the office. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to breathe.
This feels… right, she thought.
Being with Jay again felt like a beautiful bonus she didn’t fully deserve. She was strangely happy with how things had turned out. This was exactly the kind of life she had once honestly wished for — peaceful mornings where she woke up to the smell of coffee, quiet evenings spent talking about nothing and everything, and the deep sense of belonging that came from being with someone who genuinely cared for her and when its Jay, whom she loved the most, what else she want?.
Jay looked at her differently now. His touches were gentler, his eyes softer, and his presence more protective. Every time he rested his hand on her still-flat belly, something warm bloomed inside her chest. She loved the way he fussed over her, the way he made space for her in his home and in his life without asking for anything in return.
But Nikkitha wasn’t naive. She constantly reminded herself that this was temporary.
Deep down, she still planned to move to a different city after a few years — once the baby was older, once the assets were fully secured, and once she felt she had repaid Jay enough. She didn’t want to trap him forever in this complicated mess she had created. She believed he deserved someone simpler, someone who wouldn’t keep dragging him through pain and uncertainty.
For now, though, she decided to simply enjoy the time she had with him. She would savor every peaceful morning, every caring gesture, and every stolen moment of warmth. She would let herself feel loved, even if she didn’t fully believe she had the right to stay.
Months passed in a quiet rhythm.
Jay took excellent care of Nikkitha throughout her pregnancy. He was always one step ahead — preparing nutritious meals, making sure she took her vitamins on time, gently massaging her swollen feet after long days, and staying awake with her through nights when she couldn’t sleep. He read parenting books in secret and decorated the nursery with soft, soothing colors. His devotion was sincere, steady, and deeply touching. He had become almost like a mother hen — protective, attentive, and endlessly patient.
Nikkitha enjoyed every bit of it. She loved the way he looked at her growing belly with quiet wonder, the way his hand would rest there protectively as they watched TV, and the gentle kisses he placed on her temple without expecting anything in return. But she never fully showed how much it meant to her. She was terrified of giving him false hope. Every time her heart fluttered at his touch, she reminded herself that this marriage was supposed to be temporary.
Yet, in the silence of the night, her true feelings slipped through.
Some nights, when Jay was fast asleep, she would quietly lean over him, her heart beating loudly in her chest. She’d press the softest kiss on his cheek or forehead, letting her lips linger as she breathed in his scent. Other times, she would slowly slip into his warm embrace, molding her body against his and pretending it had happened “accidentally” in her sleep. She cherished those stolen moments — the safety of his arms, the steady beat of his heart against her cheek, the way his body instinctively pulled her closer even in deep sleep. In those quiet hours, she allowed herself to feel loved without guilt.
Meanwhile, Tharun continued visiting Bangalore even after his transfer to Cochin. Every few weeks, he would message her, and they would meet for a quiet lunch at his flat. He always came prepared — bringing the latest pregnancy supplements, comfortable maternity clothes, or special snacks he thought she might crave. Over time, he slowly adapted to her changing needs, learning what made her comfortable and what tired her out.
Their physical intimacy had reduced drastically. What used to be passionate, hungry encounters had softened into something gentler — just a few deep kisses at first, then only tender ones on the forehead. Nikkitha never denied him those kisses. She knew how much Tharun still needed her emotional presence. A heavy sense of obligation weighed on her heart; after all, she was the one who had pushed him into a loveless marriage with Mithra. She felt responsible for his pain, and these small moments of affection felt like the least she could offer him.
But every time Tharun’s lips touched her forehead, a quiet guilt twisted inside her. She was giving pieces of herself to two men — one who loved her openly and selflessly, and another she had unintentionally bound to her through promises and circumstances.
In the middle of all this emotional complexity, Nikkitha found herself walking a delicate tightrope — cherishing Jay’s love in secret while trying to gently set Tharun free.
Jay and Nikkitha got married again in a simple, quiet ceremony at the registration office. There were no grand decorations, no excited family members — just the two of them, a registrar, and a couple of witnesses. It was quick, formal, and strangely intimate.
Even though their marriage was built on a fake foundation, Nikkitha felt a surprising sense of contentment wash over her as they stepped out of the office. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to breathe.
This feels… right, she thought.
Being with Jay again felt like a beautiful bonus she didn’t fully deserve. She was strangely happy with how things had turned out. This was exactly the kind of life she had once honestly wished for — peaceful mornings where she woke up to the smell of coffee, quiet evenings spent talking about nothing and everything, and the deep sense of belonging that came from being with someone who genuinely cared for her and when its Jay, whom she loved the most, what else she want?.
Jay looked at her differently now. His touches were gentler, his eyes softer, and his presence more protective. Every time he rested his hand on her still-flat belly, something warm bloomed inside her chest. She loved the way he fussed over her, the way he made space for her in his home and in his life without asking for anything in return.
But Nikkitha wasn’t naive. She constantly reminded herself that this was temporary.
Deep down, she still planned to move to a different city after a few years — once the baby was older, once the assets were fully secured, and once she felt she had repaid Jay enough. She didn’t want to trap him forever in this complicated mess she had created. She believed he deserved someone simpler, someone who wouldn’t keep dragging him through pain and uncertainty.
For now, though, she decided to simply enjoy the time she had with him. She would savor every peaceful morning, every caring gesture, and every stolen moment of warmth. She would let herself feel loved, even if she didn’t fully believe she had the right to stay.
Months passed in a quiet rhythm.
Jay took excellent care of Nikkitha throughout her pregnancy. He was always one step ahead — preparing nutritious meals, making sure she took her vitamins on time, gently massaging her swollen feet after long days, and staying awake with her through nights when she couldn’t sleep. He read parenting books in secret and decorated the nursery with soft, soothing colors. His devotion was sincere, steady, and deeply touching. He had become almost like a mother hen — protective, attentive, and endlessly patient.
Nikkitha enjoyed every bit of it. She loved the way he looked at her growing belly with quiet wonder, the way his hand would rest there protectively as they watched TV, and the gentle kisses he placed on her temple without expecting anything in return. But she never fully showed how much it meant to her. She was terrified of giving him false hope. Every time her heart fluttered at his touch, she reminded herself that this marriage was supposed to be temporary.
Yet, in the silence of the night, her true feelings slipped through.
Some nights, when Jay was fast asleep, she would quietly lean over him, her heart beating loudly in her chest. She’d press the softest kiss on his cheek or forehead, letting her lips linger as she breathed in his scent. Other times, she would slowly slip into his warm embrace, molding her body against his and pretending it had happened “accidentally” in her sleep. She cherished those stolen moments — the safety of his arms, the steady beat of his heart against her cheek, the way his body instinctively pulled her closer even in deep sleep. In those quiet hours, she allowed herself to feel loved without guilt.
Meanwhile, Tharun continued visiting Bangalore even after his transfer to Cochin. Every few weeks, he would message her, and they would meet for a quiet lunch at his flat. He always came prepared — bringing the latest pregnancy supplements, comfortable maternity clothes, or special snacks he thought she might crave. Over time, he slowly adapted to her changing needs, learning what made her comfortable and what tired her out.
Their physical intimacy had reduced drastically. What used to be passionate, hungry encounters had softened into something gentler — just a few deep kisses at first, then only tender ones on the forehead. Nikkitha never denied him those kisses. She knew how much Tharun still needed her emotional presence. A heavy sense of obligation weighed on her heart; after all, she was the one who had pushed him into a loveless marriage with Mithra. She felt responsible for his pain, and these small moments of affection felt like the least she could offer him.
But every time Tharun’s lips touched her forehead, a quiet guilt twisted inside her. She was giving pieces of herself to two men — one who loved her openly and selflessly, and another she had unintentionally bound to her through promises and circumstances.
In the middle of all this emotional complexity, Nikkitha found herself walking a delicate tightrope — cherishing Jay’s love in secret while trying to gently set Tharun free.
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