That evening, no matter how slow Lakshya was to unlock the door, Shreya did not come out. In the end he unlocked it himself. Not liking this change, he looked for her. He found her sleeping in the guest room. He sighed.

Next morning they both had their breakfast at the same table at the same time, but in complete silence. Somehow Lakshya thought the silence now was more silent.

At the office, his senior became the team lead. "You don't seem happy at all," he said.

Lakshya turned his eyes to him. He wanted to say that he was right. But he adjusted his mood and gave his senior a smile. "Of course, not! The whole team is happy. We are all looking forward to completing this project under you."

This time the senior scowled. That statement was so insincere. He had asked just about Lakshya, not about the whole team. He glared and left.

Lakshya's mind was back to thinking what might have happened that made Shreya cry so much. He had seen her angry before. It was when she ran out of the coffee shop when he tried to get her to refuse the marriage. He had seen her sad before, on multiple occasions. She was the most sad on the morning of their first night. But she had not cried. She may have. But even if she did, it was nowhere near how she might have cried the day before yesterday.

He sighed.

His phone screen lit up. It was a text from Shreya. For a moment he was bewildered. What did she text?

'I have reached and found your friends.'

He checked the time and it was past noon on Wednesday. The important meeting he could not miss was his senior's promotion. He had to leave right after, but he completely forgot.

He hurried to the venue.

∼•∽

There he found a boisterous group. Rather a boisterous birthday boy among his friends.

Shreya was present too, in a corner. Deepak was beside her.

After greeting them all and wishing Utpal a happy birthday, he sat beside Shreya.

Not even five minutes went by when another guest showed up.

Moksha.

When Lakshya saw her, his first instinct was to turn to Shreya. Shreya seemed to be rather detached from whatever was going on. She had not even realised Moksha was there.

Lakshya then looked at Utpal, who had a playful smirk as he looked at him.

Laksya whipped out his phone.

'How can you invite her after asking me to bring Shreya?'

'When did I ask? You said you'd bring her.'

'Knowing I would bring her, why did you still call Moksha?'

Utpal replied with a smirking face.

Lakshya glared at him. Utpal was just too much sometimes.

Deepak had an idea of what went down from their exchanges. He did not really like this chap, but because of Lakshya, he remained friends with Utpal, even if both knew they were just friends for name sake.

"You're finally here, Moksha!"

"Happy Birthday." Moksha smiled.

Utpal was rather excited to speak to her this time. Before, he had never invited her. She would tag along with Lakshya.

Moksha found Lakshya but she averted her eyes. They had not spoken since the day she pushed him away at the park.

She soon loosened up with Utpal's constant inquiries about her.

Only then did she widen her eyes as she found Shreya gazing at her.

The next moment her eyes snapped to Lakshya. How could he? This was absurd!

She just asked him to give her some time to sort out her emotions. He had promised her she did not have to worry about anything. He told her they were not even talking to each other. So why was she his plus one?

Utpal's eyes sparkled.

Moksha bit her lip. Was that why Utpal had especially texted her? Because she no longer could come along with Lakshya?

Deepak glanced at the only married couple of the group.

Lakshya was looking at Shreya, albeit not noticeably. Shreya seemed dazed. She was facing the group but her eyes were unfocused.

Rest of their friends spoke on and on and one was singing as well. Soon other conversations took centre stage.

Shreya ate her fill slowly and pretty much by herself even if she was surrounded by so many people.

Lakshya decided to keep quiet as well.

When she was done, she needed to go to the restroom.

She stood up with her bag.

Lakshya was startled. "Are you leaving?"

She paused. "Do you want me to leave?" Her voice was soft and her eyes still did not meet his.

"Where are you going?" His anxiety turned into frustration.

"Restroom."

He tugged at her bag. "I can watch over it for you."

Shreya bit her tongue with quite some force. Once again she was close to crying. She wanted to thank him, but she was afraid her voice would not come out the way it usually was.

She put her bag down and went.

Moksha was sitting across from them.

With the noise the rest of the table was making, she could not hear anything from that silent corner.

But she clearly saw him take the initiative as he let Shreya leave her bag with him. Had it been her, she had to ask and remind him a few times.

Moksha was completely dispirited.

On the other side, Deepak turned to Lakshya. "How is everything going?" The main reason he showed was to catch up with Lakshya. The hospital he worked at was nearby and he could not just completely neglect Utpal's birthday.

"Good."

Deepak raised a brow. No other time had he given him such a brief answer. He nodded. Thinking Lakshya was yet to figure things out, he stopped asking. He even saw him be all fidgety just now.

Shreya came back. As she walked, she caught Utpal's attention.

"Yo, just waiting for you. Here you go, a sour drink for the sour wife."

Shreya took the glass with dimmed eyes while Deepak's eyes were dead set on Utpal.

Lakshya glared at Utpal. Taking into account that it was his birthday, he remained silent. He sat straight and exchanged his chocolate drink with her sour apple smoothie.

"Don't go too far." He still said.

Utpal's actions made the whole group look at them. He just shrugged it off and went back to his seat.

Shreya left that drink after a sip. Sure, it was the first time Lakshya stood up for her but she could not stomach the chocolate drink.

"You didn't even have to do that," Deepak said to Shreya.

Lakshya glared at him from behind Shreya. When he had just stepped in, he had seen them speaking. He was glad at that time, but now, not really.

But Deepak continued. "Just don't hate chocolate or apples because of this."

"Aren't you taking too much today?"

Their corner once again set into silence.

After a few more minutes, Shreya checked for her bag and phone. Lakshya and Deepak followed suit.

Lakshya wanted to ask his friend of more than a decade if he had to leave right when they were leaving?

"See you." "Bye." They shouted to Utpal, who waved back.

Deepak patted Lakshya's shoulder before leaving as he did every time.

"Don't do that!" Lakshya shook him off. It just seemed to rub him the wrong way this time.

"See you around, Shreya." Deepak smiled at her, something his reserved self rarely did.

"Just go!"

Lakshya walked out with Shreya.

"How will you go?" What he really wanted to ask was if he could drop her off.

"I'll take the bus. The stop is nearby. I should get going," she said. She did not wait for him and walked on with quick steps.

Once Shreya got on the bus, her tears flowed. She could no longer keep them at bay. She thought she had calmed down when she shed some tears in the restroom. But she was wrong.

∼•∽

Shreya's mind flew from one corner of the universe to the other, thinking about anything and everything, but what was at hand.

"Well, aren't you going to go home yet?" Zahra asked. Ever since her marriage, Shreya had left at 6 on dot. Now the time was already 6:30.

Shreya widened her eyes. She had not really realised it was so late. She scrambled to gather her things but stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong if I don't go home?"

Zahra frowned. "Sheesh." She thought she saw some accusation in Shreya's eyes.

She smirked. "What? Fought with your dear husband? First fight of the marriage?"

Shreya sat down in her chair. She did not know if they were fighting. What ground did she even have to be fighting with him? She could not look back at his girlfriend when she had glared at her.

"Zahra... I..." Shreya suddenly wanted to tell her what was going on in her marriage. She had kept everything to herself not telling to a single soul.

"What is it?"

"I like him a lot..." Her voice quivered and her lips shivered. She was ready for another bout of crying.

"I love him." Her voice was no longer crisp.

"Hey, hey." Zahra hugged Shreya. "It's okay," she said.

"It's not." Shreya cried. She was thankful that there was no one else in the lab. They had either clocked out or out and about. "He loves another girl."

"What?" Zahra was shocked. Whenever she had teased Shreya about her husband, she saw her blush and smile. She never would have thought it was all one sided. In fact, knowing her she had thought that her husband was more proactive.

Shreya was not in a condition to speak.

She cried and cried for a long time, with Zahra consoling her.

It was almost 8 when she got home.

She paused at the door, her hand clutching onto the handle. She really did not feel like entering. It felt similar to those times she had stood outside the door to the home she grew up in.

How long had it been? A month almost.

The door suddenly opened and Shreya lost her balance.

Lakshya supported her by the arm.

Her hair once again covered her eyes.

"Sorry," Shreya said in a soft voice and entered. She slipped into her room as Lakshya watched.

Lakshya had waited for their next meeting. They had run into Moksha. So he figured Shreya might question him about her. He was still unsure of how to answer. He just did not want it all to become him yielding to her by force.

But here he was, staring at her closed door.

∼•∽

Shreya freshened up and came out of her room. She did not want to cook. She did not want to do anything at all, in fact. But she mustered all her energy and stepped into the kitchen.

"I ordered egg fried rice and manchuria, everyone's favourite." Lakshya's tone did not give away any of his thoughts. "I could have asked what you wanted, but I was very hungry." He pointed to a huge bag sitting on the table.

"I'm sorry. I was caught up in work." Shreya was calm.

"Let's eat." Lakshya's anger was silently rising. Did he blame her? No. So why did she make it sound like that?

Shreya did not look at him at all.

He would have doubted if he even said anything or if it was all in his mind had he not seen her nimbly fetching dishes and transferring the food in the bag.

"Hey, what's your problem?"

Shreya paused.

"Me?"

"Is there anyone else here?" Lakshya shouted. He was unnerved with her.

Shreya gulped and looked down. It was fast. She was scared.

"Yes, you!"

She tucked her elbows. "Nothing..." she whispered.

Lakshya stared at her, clearly pissed off.

When his glare did not yield anything, he spat, "Get lost!"

Shreya's chest rose and fell. She clenched her fists and kept herself from crying. She tried to say sorry. But she did not hear her voice.

This enraged him even further.

When Shreya weakly turned around to retreat back into her room, he caught her wrist.

Her breath hitched. Instinctively she tried to take her hand back.

Lakshya pulled her forward. They stood just a foot apart. He tilted his head to get a look at her face.

Her eyes were red and wide. Then she turned away, just like these days at the breakfast table. His face twitched. He did not understand why she would be acting like this.

"I'm impressed, you know. Who would have thought you would hold back for this long?"

When her confused eyes darted to his, his clenched jaw relaxed. He raised his lips into one slick smile. He leaned in. "Wearing what are you planning to walk to my bed this time?"

Shreya was motionless.

"Hm?" Lakshya pushed her hair away. But her eyelids hid her eyes as she looked down, almost into herself.

Her delicate neck and shoulder bone constantly distracted him. Some of her hair slipped from his hand.

"Hey-"

"It did not work, did it?" Shreya looked him dead in the eye. Her eyes were darker, not a sparkle reflected off them. And she was serious.

Shreya pulled her hand from his grip.

This time she found her voice. "I'm sorry."

By the time her words sunk in, she was a step away from closing her door.

"Yeah! It did not!" He quickly shouted.

∼•∽

When Shreya shut the door, she seemed to have shut a part of herself out.

She sat on her chair with dimmed eyes.

She was indeed never meant to be here.

Had she not existed, her mother could have separated from her father and be a much happier person. Their personalities would not have had to clash for 24 years.

If she wasn't there, she would not have come between Lakshya and Moksha either. Then, she would not have to face his heart piercing words either.

She wanted to wipe her tears. Strangely, her eyes felt dry. Her fingertips stopped below her left eye. She wasn't crying.

After her confusion settled, she put her hand down.

Once, she thought marriage would bring her happiness. Some solace from her previous thoughts. But it seemed she was destined to never have that.

She opened one of her book cabinets and pulled out a red rimmed book. The cover was a particular shade of red and black, giving an ominous vibe.

It was a strange book that fascinated her. She had not read it in a while. People said it was quite difficult to get through. But she was on her 5th read already. She got to know about this book through the anime world. The man who had written it killed himself soon after. He called the book 'No Longer Human.'

She flipped to where she had left it.

She did not pause on the lines as she usually did.

After a few pages, she closed it and placed it near her pillow.

She sighed as she pulled the blanket over herself.

∼•∽

Outside, Lakshya glared at the door.

'It did not work, did it?'

He didn't know who she was mocking. Perhaps herself, but it felt as if she actually meant him.

He sat down for dinner. As he ate he calmed down. He started questioning what was going on. What did he expect? What did he want? Why did he act like that?

It surprised him the more he thought.

It all started when he pressed her on the bed. That he could understand. He was a young man and a beautiful, gorgeous woman came to him like that... his resistance and resolve had to leave the room as she entered.

Moreover, she was his wife. So that was still not his fault.

But what after that? He had always considered himself a gentleman, a good guy. Never a jerk. However, what he said was nothing to be proud of.

She was still in the wrong for thinking she could force him. He did not want to be forced. As simple as that.

Thinking any more than that much gave him a headache.

As he tried to fall asleep later, thoughts about Shreya sprang up in his mind again and again.

Her red eyes during their breakfast. That sentence from a few hours ago. Her hair covering her eyes. Her collarbone. Her apology which felt so out of place even if he could see why. The way she used to smile.

He thought she would cry.

He was ready to take some blame.

He rubbed his forehead.

The next morning, once again Shreya has no clips in her hair. He wanted to lift her soft hair and take a look at her face. Had she cried again?

They did not speak.

He did not move her hair out of her face.

That evening he took a lot of time to unlock the door.

She did not spawn behind the door to give him that weird unusual bright smile even if she was home.

On the third night, Lakshya snatched away her book.

"What are you reading?"

She looked up.

Finally Lakshya saw her eyes.

"What are you reading?" he asked as he looked on at her.

Shreya was the first to avert her gaze.

"It's not a very good book."

He raised his brows.

"How so?"

She did not explain. She went to her cupboard to grab another book.

Lakshya quickly snatched that too. "Is this a good one?"

Shreya silently let out a sigh. "They're the same."

Lakshya flipped it through. Some rather unconventional drawings, all black and white, caught his eye. "You people call this manga, right?"

Shreya frowned. Who people?

"Utpal used to read a lot of these in college." Lakshya words were a deliberate choice. He looked at her for any reaction.

"Everyone should call them manga. That is their name."

She did not show any anger. Had he been in her place, Utpal would have been his mortal enemy.

"Since you like this so much, might as well take a look. Which one shall I take?"

"Take the manga." Novel was much more raw and authentic, in her opinion. Manga included the author himself and his death. It made for a better story. And the art itself was incredible.

"Then I'll take this instead." Lakshya smiled holding the novel

Shreya remained silent. Why ask her then. But she could not ignore his smile for long. It seemed he was waiting for her approval.

"Okay." She smiled back.

She thought he would leave and read in private. That was how books were meant to be read.

Instead, Lakshya plopped on the sofa beside her. He looked at the cover page, then at her, nodded twice and flipped to the first chapter.

Not a chapter in, he cried out shutting the book. "What the hell did you give me?"

Shreya wondered if it really was that difficult to get through. She reached out to take it back.

"That is so crazy. Don't you feel uncomfortable?" He pointed to the book now in Shreya's hands. He felt like something was crawling all through his body as he read through it.

"Many consider it hard to read."

Then what about you, he wanted to ask. But he decided to take it as a challenge instead.

"Give me the manga."

"That may be even more uncomfortable..."

"Just pass it!"

In the end, Lakshya did not want to flip to the next page, but did not feel like staying on the current page either. The depictions were just... spooky in a very odd way. He felt a very specific and unique vibe.

"Is this what you people go all crazy about?" It was a genuine question. He really wanted to know if Utpal had the gut to stomach this insanity. If so, he would hold him in a new light. And Shreya, too, of course. He already did.

"No. You played Orange that day. Do you think this and that are the same?"

She held his eyes as she waited for him to talk.

Lakshya settled into the sofa for better comfort. She was becoming talkative.

"That is such a pleasant song."

"Those are the things we people go crazy about. Very few people like Junji Ito." Junji Ito was the name on the manga.

"What is your favourite anime?"

Shreya considered the question seriously.

But even after a few whole minutes she did not respond.

Lakshya was in no hurry. He watched as she mused.

"There are too many."

She then stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"I should cook."

Lakshya followed her into the kitchen.

"How about we watch one of your favourites after dinner?"

Shreya gave him a small smile and a nod. "Okay."

Lakshya sat down, his elbow on the table and his face in his palm. He watched Shreya.

Her clips were quite cute and suited her well.

She looked over a couple of times but he knew she did not mind that he stayed.

The dinner that night was the best so far. Lakshya talked on and on about what not and Shreya loosened up a lot too. They laughed and smiled together and pushed the last spoon to the other.

∼•∽

A/N:
I'm back in India for the summer and I have a surprise for you!

I will be updating again in 3 days. This will continue for until the next scheduled update. That means you will get chapter:

23 on 24 May
24 on 27 May
25 on 30 May
26 on 03 Jun
27 on 06 Jun
28 on 09 Jun
29 on 12 Jun
30 on 15 Jun
31 on 18 Jun
32 on 21 Jun

I am yet to put these on auto schedule. Never used this feature of Wattpad before so let's see.

Thereafter we will be back to 1 chapter a month (Chapter 33 on 21 Jul). When I am done with the book, which I hope to before I leave, I will update like this again.

Romance added this book to their reading list 'New Adult' last Wednesday. This is a major achievement for Right Here as well as for me as this is the first time my work received such recognition from an official Wattpad account. It boosted my confidence quite a bit. I'm grateful and thankful to everybody who's been in my writing journey!

Apart from this, I have a career project planned for this summer. I haven't told about it to anyone except family because I am quite nervous and very unsure if I will be able to do it. You are first group of friends I am speaking about this with. Wish me luck. I will definitely share any goof news about this in the future.

What are you all up to? If you are students, I bet you will have something nice planned for this summer! Or are you taking some time off to just relax? If you are not a student, how is it going for you?

I wanna have a chat, but Wattpad took away our PMs. That's so sad... anyway, feel free to reach out to me on my conversations board, or Instagram (g.kaumudi or g_kaumudi). I'd love to know my readers. So let's follow each other! (g.kaumudi)

Remember to vote. Please comment your thoughts. I'd love to read them. Finally, thank you for reading and do look for ward to the rest of the story!

Love you!

P.S.
I badly need a beta reader/proof reader for this book! What I wrote is too fresh in my head to not make me blind to my mistakes. I hope you guys can point out those mistakes for me to correct.

But still! I badly need a proof reader. There will be no pressure to complete with in a set time. If anyone is free, please consider reading this with an eagle eye to flag any and all mistakes. Comment here on on the message board if you are interested.

I'm shit scared I might have to retcon this book one day lmaooo let's hope not!

TYSM for reading!