Namaste
Chapter 8

Nitara hopped out of the autorickshaw and spotted Sia, her best friend, waiting near the university gate. A warm smile broke across her face as she hurried over, her earlier frustration melting away. As they reached each other, she threw her arms around Sia, squeezing her tight. 

“Babe! Now tell me where th—wait… what?! You got married?” Sia’s eyes widened, her gaze glued to the small, black-beaded mangalsutra around Nitara's neck.

Nitara blushed, glancing around nervously. “Shh, keep it down!” she whispered, her cheeks warming. 

Sia’s jaw dropped as she clutched her friend’s shoulders. “Oh my God, this is huge! When did this happen? And why am I only finding out now?” 

Nitara shrugged shyly, avoiding her friend's intense gaze. “It’s a long story,” she murmured. 

Sia huffed, linking her arm through Nitara’s as they began walking toward the campus. “Well, you’ve got all day to tell me every single detail. Let’s go, Mrs. Nitara!”

After their first lecture in literature, Nitara and Sia settled into a cosy corner of the campus cafeteria with steaming cups of coffee. Sia leaned in eagerly, her eyes brimming with curiosity. “So… spill. I want to know everything,” she insisted, unable to hide her excitement.

Nitara took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "It’s… not exactly a fairy-tale," she began softly, stirring her coffee. “You know my uncle, right? He’s… well, he can be forceful. He made me marry Anubhav.”

Sia’s smile faded slightly, listening more intently now.

“Anubhav needed money desperately,” Nitara continued, choosing her words carefully. “His younger brother, Dhruv, has a heart condition, and the surgery costs a lot. Anubhav—he’s mute. But he works multiple jobs, anything he can find, just to make ends meet for Dhruv.”

Sia’s brows knit in concern. “Nitara, that sounds… overwhelming. Are you okay?”

Nitara nodded, a small, tender smile on her face. “Yeah. Actually, I think I am. I mean, I love Dhruv. He’s such a good kid, and he’s been through so much. And Anubhav… well, he’s kind, hard-working… so good to me.” She looked down, her cheeks colouring. “I think I’m actually… falling for him.”

Sia’s expression softened as she watched her friend. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Nitara whispered, her eyes sparkling. “I do. I’m not sure what I expected when I first married him given that my uncle used me as leverage, but now… I just know I want to be there. For him and for Dhruv. They’re my family now.”

Sia reached over, squeezing her hand with a warm smile. “Nitara, you’re braver than you think. I’m proud of you.”

Sia leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eye. "So… are you two already making babies, or at least doing the process?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

Nitara’s cheeks flared up, and she shook her head, a bit embarrassed. "Not yet. We’ve only kissed so far," she admitted, a little disappointed. "I’ve been dropping hints that I want to take things further, but he just doesn’t seem to get it." The memory of their awkward morning conversation brought a fresh wave of frustration. She sighed, crossing her arms. "It’s like he has no clue."

Sia chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, you’re so in love, Tara."

"Yeah… life is unpredictable like that," Nitara murmured, smiling shyly.

Sia grinned and leaned closer. "Got a picture of jiju?" she asked eagerly.

Nitara nodded, pulling out her phone and showing Sia a few photos from their simple temple wedding.

Sia’s eyes widened, practically glued to the screen. "Damn, Tara! He looks like a supermodel. I mean, wow, he’s *handsome.* No wonder you’re already ready to… you know," she said, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

Nitara laughed, her face burning. Sia was still scrolling through, mesmerised by Anubhav’s intense gaze. Then, her eyes lit up with realisation.

"Wait—I've seen him before! At your cousin’s birthday party! Remember, there was that gorgeous waiter everyone couldn’t stop looking at," Sia exclaimed.

Nitara nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah, that was him."

Sia shook her head in amazement, clearly impressed. "Girl, you've hit the jackpot. Now let’s just hope he gets the hint sometime soon.”

She grinned wickedly. "For him to finally get the hint, babe, you've got to seduce him. We’re getting you some lingerie!" she declared with a dramatic flourish, grabbing Nitara’s hand and pulling her out of the campus.

Before Nitara could protest, they were already in a lingerie shop, surrounded by lace, silk, and colours that made her blush. Sia eagerly browsed the racks, holding up pieces that ranged from delicate to downright daring.

“This one’s perfect! He’s going to lose his mind when he sees you in this,” Sia teased, showing Nitara a deep red lace set.

Nitara’s face went beet red, her mind racing at the thought of Anubhav’s reaction. "I don’t know if I can actually wear this…"

Sia just laughed, undeterred. “Oh, come on! You’re beautiful, and he deserves to see it. Plus, he won’t be able to resist you! Trust me,” she said, winking as she piled a few more seductive pieces into Nitara’s hands.

By the time they left the shop, Nitara had a bag full of options, and Sia was practically buzzing with excitement for her. "Just picture it. You walk out in that little number, he’ll be speechless,” Sia joked, nudging her friend.

Nitara laughed, a mixture of nerves and excitement fluttering inside her.

After freshening up, Nitara went straight to the kitchen, quickly preparing some poha for Dhruv, knowing he’d be hungry after his nap, and making tea for Seema Chachi. Setting everything on the table, she brought the tea over to Chachi, who was comfortably watching her favourite daily soap.

“Nitara Bahu,” Chachi began, a playful glint in her eye. “I was thinking... Maybe I should take Dhruv along with me for a few days. You and Anubhav are newly married, after all.”

Nitara’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink, fully aware of what Chachi was hinting at. She fumbled with her words. “That’s... um... it’s fine, Chachi ji. Dhruv needs care, and sending him away isn’t really an option.”

Chachi chuckled knowingly, but Nitara was already on her way to Dhruv’s room, where he was still fast asleep. She sat down beside him, gently brushing her fingers through his hair. “Hey, wakey-wakey, my handsome boy,” she whispered softly.

Dhruv slowly opened his eyes, a wide smile spreading across his face when he saw her. “Bhabhi! I missed you so much!” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and snuggling into her lap.

She hugged him back. “I missed you too, babu. Are you feeling alright?”

He nodded, then looked at her with excitement. “Chachi said she’d take me to her place for a few days. My other cousins are there, too. Can I go with her? Please?”

Nitara considered it, knowing how much it would mean to him, but she wasn’t sure how Anubhav would feel. “I’ll ask your brother first. If he says yes, then you can go.”

Dhruv’s face fell. “He’ll say no,” he murmured, looking down. “He never lets me out of his sight.”

Nitara smiled and gently lifted his chin. “Your brother loves you more than anything in the world, Dhruv. That’s why he’s so protective. But I’ll still talk to him, alright?”

She pulled out her phone and sent Anubhav a quick text, explaining Dhruv’s wish. As expected, his reply was an immediate, “No.” She messaged again, emphasising how much Dhruv wanted to spend time with his cousins.

After a few minutes, Anubhav’s reluctant response popped up: “Alright, if it makes him happy.”

Reading his reply, Nitara looked at Dhruv with a big smile. “Your brother said yes!”

Dhruv’s face lit up with joy, and he hugged her tightly.

Nitara carefully packed Dhruv’s small bag, folding his clothes neatly and adding in his favourite toys, a colouring book, and the storybook he loved before bed. She packed some healthy snacks to keep him energised and, of course, made sure to include his medicines with clear instructions written out. Just as she was zipping up the bag, she remembered something and grabbed an old keypad phone, handing it to him.

“This is for emergencies only, alright?” she said, kneeling down to his level and looking him in the eyes.

Dhruv nodded earnestly, clutching the phone.

She smiled and hugged him tightly. “Good boy. Now go have fun, but remember to call if you miss us and even better just come back, okay?”

Dhruv’s face lit up with a grin. “I will, Bhabhi!”

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