The unspoken words hung in the air.
Nimisha set down her fork carefully. "If you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
"But we need to discuss the seating—" Kritika started.
"Later. Send me your changes. I'll review them."
She left before anyone could protest. Before she could break down in front of them.
Today should mean something. Her wedding anniversary should warrant at least acknowledgment.
But it didn't.
To them, she was still just the girl who'd been traded for political alliance. The wife who didn't matter.
Nimisha's Study - 3:42 PM
Nimisha had spent the day trying to write. Failing. Trying again.
The words wouldn't come. Her mind kept drifting to Samarth. To the anniversary he'd forgotten. To the love she'd stupidly confessed.
Does it matter? Would it change anything?
She knew the answer. Had always known.
Her phone rang. Aisha, her best friend from college who'd slowly drifted away after the marriage—not through malice, just through the natural distance that formed when one person's life became unrecognizable.
"Happy anniversary, Nimisha!"
At least someone else remembered.
"Thanks, Ash."
"Big plans tonight? Something romantic? Please tell me Samarth is taking you somewhere special."
Nimisha's laugh was hollow. "No. No plans."
A pause. "Nimisha... is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine."
"You're lying. I can always tell when you're lying."
"I'm just tired."
"Tired or unhappy?"
Both, Nimisha thought. "I should go. Thank you for calling."
"Nimisha—"
"I'll talk to you soon, Ash. I promise."
She ended the call before her friend could push further.
The afternoon stretched into evening. Still no word from Samarth.
At seven PM, Nimisha made a decision.
