Page 48 of Entangled Vows (Destined Diaries #2)

The early morning air was cool and still, as if even the universe was feeling as sad as Mahika.

It had been almost three months since their wedding, and for the past two weeks, she had been wrapped in his arms, waking up beside him every morning.

And now, the thought of him leaving for a work trip made her chest tighten with dread.

It was the day Vikram was leaving for London, and the ache of his absence had already begun to settle in her chest.

The car waited outside. Mohit leaned against the passenger side, casually scrolling through his phone, doing his best to give them space. Vikram’s bags were already in the trunk, and the private jet was ready at the tarmac.

Mahika stood in the foyer with her arms folded across her chest. She told herself the cold was the reason her body felt so rigid, like something inside her was wound tight, but she knew it wasn’t the weather. It was him leaving.

She watched Vikram as he checked something on his phone and then slipped it into his jacket pocket with his usual calm demeanour.

He looked like his usual self, sharp, focused, and completely in control.

There was no sign of the man who had kissed her like she were the very air in his lungs.

There was no trace of the man who had touched her like she was both sacred and sinful.

He now stood there like none of it had happened. Like he wasn’t about to walk out the door and take something vital with him.

“You have everything?” Mahika asked, trying to mask her haywire feelings.

He nodded. “Passport. Laptop. Power bank. I’m good.”

“Don’t forget your laptop charger.”

“I packed that too,” he said, glancing at her.

She forced a small smile. “Good.”

A quiet pause stretched between them, tinged with the burden of unspoken words.

He stepped closer and reached out to adjust the collar of her cardigan.

His fingers brushed the skin just below her throat.

The touch was light, but it sent a shiver through her.

Then, slowly, deliberately, his fingers drifted down her arm until it paused just above her wrist. He held her hand and then let his thumb drag lightly across the back of it, lingering as if he didn’t want to let go.

Her breath faltered.

“I’ll call when I land,” he said softly.

She nodded. “Okay.”

He didn’t kiss her, didn’t pull her in a hug.

“You’ll be fine.” He stared at her with that intense look that always made her feel like he could see straight through her.

“Of course,” she forced the words out, trying to control her breath. She wasn’t going to cry. Not in front of him.

“I’ll be back before you know it.” He cleared his throat, trying to sound casual. “Just don’t redecorate the bedroom while I’m gone.”

She rolled her eyes, even as her vision blurred. Her voice trembled, like she was barely keeping it together. “Only if you promise not to charm every investor with that smug face of yours.”

All the teasing drained from his expression. “Momo—”

From behind, Mohit’s voice rang out, “Vikram, we need to go! We’re tight on time.”

Vikram’s fingers slid away from hers reluctantly, and Mahika stepped back.

Mohit walked up to her and pulled her into a quick hug, his tone light but his eyes watching her a little too closely. “Take care, sis. I’ll keep your husband in check. Probably keep him on a short leash.”

She gave him a weak smile. “Please do. Harass him daily. He deserves it.”

“I plan to.” He winked and turned towards the car, already lifting his phone to his ear. “And hey, check in on Mom, okay? Love you.”

“I will, Mohit. Love you too.” She waved at him slowly.

Vikram paused at the car door and turned. His gaze found hers, focused, unreadable, and yet full of something she felt deep in her chest. He said nothing. Just nodded once and got in.

She stood there with her arms hanging loosely at her sides, watching until the car disappeared from view.

The hum of the engine faded, and with it, something inside her shifted.

The ache she had been holding down broke free, sharp and impossible to ignore.

The ghost of his thumb on her hand burned long after he was gone, the pain crashing over her like a delayed wave.

Mahika walked in without a word and went straight to the bedroom.

The moment the door shut, it hit her. His scent was everywhere.

On the pillows. The sheets. In the very air.

It clung to her like his touch. Her eyes landed on the jacket he’d tossed over the couch last night.

She picked it up, pressed it to her face, and breathed in.

That clean, musky scent was so unmistakably him.

Her eyes burned, and she sank onto the bed.

Bungee stared at her from the corner as she still clutched Vikram’s jacket to her chest. Then, as if he knew she needed the comfort, he hopped towards her and curled into the crook of her neck, nuzzling against her.

She stroked his soft head with trembling fingers. “I’m so stupid, Bungee,” she whispered, her voice catching. “So, so stupid.”

The first tear slipped free, and then came the rest.

“I said it wouldn’t matter. That I could do this. That I’d stay detached. What the hell was I thinking?”

Bungee touched her cheek with his nose, and she let out a broken laugh. She wiped at her face, but the tears kept coming, as though a fragile dam inside her had just burst.

“I let him in,” Mahika whispered, her hands curling tighter around Vikram’s jacket. “I let that arrogant, frustrating man in. And now look at me. I’m crying here like some tragic, helpless heroine.”

Bungee nestled closer to her chest, his soft fur pressed against her collarbone.

“He probably didn’t even feel anything when he left. And I…” Her voice cracked. “I went and fell in love with my temporary husband.”

She had never said it aloud before. Not even to herself.

“I love him,” she breathed again, her words more broken, more raw. “God, I love him.”

She didn’t hear the door open until Ishika stepped in, quiet as ever, and closed it behind her. Mahika barely turned her head before Ishika climbed onto the bed beside her. She didn’t speak right away. She simply placed a hand on Mahika’s back and sat with her.

Mahika’s voice was barely a whisper. “Did you hear that?”

“Yes. I did.”

“God. I’m such an idiot.” Mahika sobbed.

“Oh, one hundred percent.”

“Everything happened so fast.”

“I know,” Ishika murmured. “One minute you were ready to burn the marriage clause papers, and now…”

Mahika let out a tearful laugh. “God, I sound pathetic. But it’s true. I feel like I can’t breathe without him.”

Ishika wrapped an arm around her. “That is such a Jane Austen thing to say.”

“All I need is a windswept cliff and a violin score in the background,” she sniffled. “You know, I thought I could handle this marriage like a business deal. Keep it clean and simple.”

“It was never going to be simple between you and Vikram,” Ishika said gently. “Not with how he looks at you. Not with how much you feel.”

“I miss him so much already,” Mahika whispered. “I hate that a stupid jacket is all I have to hold onto.”

“You don’t have to hate it,” Ishika said, brushing her hair back. “You just have to let yourself feel it. Sometimes, accepting things as they are is the kindest thing you can do for your heart. Not everything needs to be solved or explained.”

“There’s this emptiness. Like he took a part of me with him when he left.”

“Maybe he did. But maybe he left a part of himself behind too. Something only you can feel.”

They sat in silence, Bungee sprawled across Mahika’s lap like an emotional support expert.

Ishika leaned her head back against the headboard and let out a long sigh. “I’m here for you. Got it?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Ishi.”

“Thanking me is just plain stupid. You know we’re in this for life.” She scoffed. “Alright, now that we’ve ugly-cried and had our dramatic meltdown, can we talk about what really matters?”

Mahika gave her a tired look. “What now?”

“The sex between you and Grizzly Khurana.”

Mahika blinked. “Seriously?”

“Of course. I’m your best friend. I need to know. So, is it toe-curling, or just emotionally wrecking?”

Mahika rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched. “Both. It’s like... when he touches me, I forget what day it is.”

“I knew it. That glow after the wedding reception? That was not highlighter, babe.”

Mahika let out a soft chuckle. “It’s terrifying how much he affects me. It’s overwhelming, but in the best way. He makes me feel like I’m the only thing that exists when he looks at me.”

“That kind of connection is rare. And scary.”

“Yeah,” Mahika whispered. “It feels dangerously real.”

Ishika wrapped her arms around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Then it’s worth feeling all of this.”

They stayed like that for a long time with Bungee curled between them. This silence was heavy yet comfortable, holding them together without words.

And for now, that was enough.