After a tranquil breakfast, Shikha and Mohit went their separate ways to work. Despite her best efforts to ignore it, Shikha couldn't shake off the discomfort that had been bothering her all morning. By 2 PM, Mohit could no longer bear seeing her in distress and decided to call.

"Hello," Shikha answered, her voice soft and weary.

"Hey, are you okay?" Mohit's concern was palpable.

"No, Mohit. My lower abdomen is hurting. I'm feeling quite unwell," she admitted.

"Hold on, I'm coming over," Mohit said, his worry evident.

"Okay," Shikha responded before ending the call.

Mohit arrived at Shikha's office and found her hunched over at her desk, her head resting on her arms in visible discomfort. He approached her and gently placed a hand on her back, rubbing it soothingly.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laden with concern.

Shikha looked up, her face ashen. "Mohit..."

He turned her chair to face him and knelt before her, one hand resting on her knee and the other cupping her cheek. His anxiety was palpable.

"Shikha, we should see a doctor. You look..." He was interrupted.

"I'm fine, Mohit. It's just that the first two days are always painful. There's no need for a doctor," Shikha insisted.

"I can't stand to see you like this," Mohit said, his face tense with worry.

"It's okay," she managed a faint smile. "You should get back to work. If Sahil finds out, he'll be upset."

"You're coming home with me," Mohit said firmly. "Forget about Sahil; I'll handle it."

"It's not that simple, Mohit," Shikha argued.

"Yes, it is. Pack your things; I'm taking you home," Mohit insisted.

"Fine, but I'll go alone. I'm used to it," she said.

"Are you serious? I'm not letting you go home alone in this condition. I'll take a day off if necessary. Sahil will understand," Mohit countered.

"Will you listen to me?" Shikha asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Mohit replied with a smile. "Get your things and come downstairs. I'll speak to Sahil."

"Okay," she nodded, and he left to speak with Sahil.

A few minutes later, Shikha waited near the staircase, her legs aching, so she opted to sit. Mohit soon joined her.

"Why are you sitting here?" he asked. "We still need to see a doctor."

"Let's just go home, Mohit. Did Sahil agree?" Shikha inquired.

"He didn't have much choice," Mohit said with a smile. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gently pulled her close, and they walked together.

Outside the office, Mohit paused. "Wait here. I'll fetch the car."

"Okay," Shikha said.

He brought his car to the office gate, got out, and opened the door for her. Shikha smiled gratefully as she got into the car. They drove home, with Mohit accompanying her to their flat. As they entered, Shikha turned to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and smiled up at him.

"Thank you, Mohit," she said softly.

Mohit's hands encircled her waist. "Thank you for what?" he asked, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"For everything," Shikha replied gently.

"You're my wife, Shikha. If not for you, then for whom?" Mohit said.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Mohit. Please, never leave me," Shikha said.

"Leave you? Never. You are my life. I love you more than anything, Shikha. I couldn't live without you. Now let me go before Sahil makes things difficult at the office. And please, get some rest and eat something," Mohit said, turning to leave.

As he was about to go, Shikha grabbed his wrist. Mohit looked back at her.

"What now, Shikha? Let me go," he said, slightly frustrated.

Shikha walked towards him, hugged him tightly, and rested her chin on his shoulder. Mohit was taken aback but embraced her in return.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice softening.

"Shhh... Just stay quiet. You talk too much," she whispered, her lips grazing his ear, sending shivers down his spine. "Mohit..."

"Hmm?"

"I love you," she whispered.

Mohit's heart skipped a beat, and his grip tightened around her waist.

"I love you the most. I've never felt this way about anyone else. I'm so grateful to have you in my life," Shikha said, burying her face in his neck.

"I love you too," Mohit said, kissing her hair.

Shikha looked up, and their eyes met. She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Mohit smiled and responded to her kiss. They were lost in each other until Mohit's phone rang, interrupting their moment.

He pulled out his phone and glanced at Shikha. "Piyush," he said with a hint of sarcasm.

Shikha simply smiled.

"Yes, Piyush?" Mohit answered.

"Where are you? You're taking so long," Piyush said.

"I'm coming," Mohit replied.

"Come quickly," Piyush urged.

Mohit ended the call and headed back to the office. He arrived in a hurry, almost colliding with Samarth in the hallway. Their animosity was palpable as they glared at each other.

"Can't you watch where you're going?" Mohit snapped.

"I do watch, but you always seem to run into me," Samarth retorted.

"Look, I'm not running into you. You've been trailing me since college, wanting everything I have. You tried so hard to compete but never succeeded. You're a loser, Samarth," Mohit said, pointing a finger at him.

Samarth chuckled. "I may be ranked number two in college, but I'm ahead of you in real life."

"How so?" Mohit asked.

"Well, you couldn't even handle your girlfriend, let alone your wife. How will you manage being number one?" Samarth taunted.

Mohit lost his composure. He grabbed Samarth by the collar and pulled him closer. "How dare you? You think you can judge how I handle Shikha? It's none of your business."

Samarth smirked. "You can't do anything."

"You've already caused enough trouble in my life. I never loved Richa; you manipulated her against me. I tolerated that. But Shikha is my life. If you speak ill of her again, I'll make sure you regret it," Mohit warned.

Just then, Piyush and Sahil arrived and pulled Mohit away. Piyush escorted him to his cabin, followed by Sahil.

"What was that about, Mohit?" Sahil asked.

"Sahil, he was talking about my wife," Mohit fumed.

"Listen, Mohit. I understand you have issues, but this is a professional environment. Sort your disputes outside the office. If you want to fight, do it elsewhere," Sahil said, walking away.

Piyush addressed Mohit. "What did you do?"

"You're asking me? He provoked me. He insulted Shikha. I can't stay silent when it comes to her. She's everything to me," Mohit explained.

"I understand, but you need to control yourself. You should have walked away," Piyush advised.

Mohit stood up, still fuming. "None of you understand. If anyone speaks ill of my wife, I swear I will make them pay," he said fiercely, slamming the door as he left his cabin.

At 5:00 PM, Shikha was resting in her room when the persistent ringing of the doorbell interrupted her nap. She got up and answered the door, finding Mohit standing there, looking disheveled and angry. His tie was loosened, his shirt unbuttoned, and his sleeves rolled up. Shikha was immediately concerned.

"What's wrong? Why are you here so early, and why do you look like this?" Shikha asked, frowning.

"Move aside. Let me in, Shikha," Mohit said tersely.

Shikha stepped aside, and Mohit stormed in, pacing back and forth, his anger evident.

"What happened, Mohit? Did something go wrong at work?" Shikha asked, trying to understand the situation.

"How dare he?" Mohit's voice was filled with rage.

Shikha was taken aback. "Who are you talking about? Please calm down."

"I'm talking about that bastard Samarth. How dare he say such things?" Mohit's face was contorted with anger.

Shikha guided him to the couch and sat him down. "Okay, calm down and sit here. Let me get you some water."

She returned with a glass of chilled water, which Mohit drank in one gulp.

"Now, tell me what happened. I'm really worried," Shikha urged.

"Do you want to know? He said today that I can't handle my wife. How dare he say that? How could he?" Mohit's voice was filled with frustration.

Shikha cupped his face gently. "What he says doesn't matter, Mohit. What matters is that I'm here with you, and this is our life—just you and me. Don't let anyone affect it. I know you understand me better than anyone else. No one handles me better than you. I love you."

Mohit looked at her, his expression softening. "You don't understand, Shikha. He's always wanted what I have."

"Shhh," Shikha said, embracing him. "Just calm down. I'm here with you."

After a few minutes, Shikha asked, "Now tell me everything from the beginning."

Mohit began, "Shikha, Samarth and I were classmates in college. We were rivals, and there was a lot of competition between us. I always came first, and he came second. The rivalry extended to sports and extracurricular activities. He began using unfair methods to defeat me, turning everyone against me—teachers, friends, everyone. But he could never beat me, especially academically."

"And then?" Shikha prompted.

"Then we both got jobs at the same company. Richa and I started dating, but he couldn't stand it. He turned her against me, saying I was using her for promotion because she was Sahil's cousin. I genuinely liked her, but she broke up with me. I was devastated, Shikha. And today, he spoke badly about you. I can't tolerate anyone speaking ill of you. I can't lose you. I was going to tell you everything before, but I stopped when I found out he was your best friend. I'm sorry."

Shikha looked at him with admiration. "No, Mohit. I'm proud of you. You're perfect for me. I'm glad you've always been honest. Samarth was wrong to try and manipulate Richa. You've always handled things well."

"Are you sure?" Mohit asked, seeking reassurance.

Shikha kissed his forehead. "Yes, Mohit. I'm glad Richa left you. Otherwise, how would I have met you?" They both laughed.

"Thank you, Shikha. You are the best. The best wife, the best woman. So understanding," Mohit said, hugging her tightly.

"And you are the best husband," Shikha replied.

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