Move In

Anushka's decision to move into the Bendilani mansion was met with unanimous approval from the family. Jacqueline and Emily, ever the dynamic duo, volunteered to prepare a room for her. They spent the better part of an afternoon tidying up a spacious guest room on the second floor, just next to Mark's. Of course, their choice of room wasn't accidental. The sisters exchanged knowing glances as they arranged fresh linens and fluffed the pillows, their smiles hinting at their unspoken hope that proximity might build the spark between Mark and Anushka into a wildfire.

When Anushka arrived with her belongings, she was touched by the effort they had put into making her feel welcome. "This is perfect," she said, her voice filled with gratitude as she looked around the room. "Thank you both so much."

Jacqueline waved a hand dismissively, though her smile betrayed her satisfaction. "It's nothing. We're just glad you're here."

Emily, ever the tease, added with a wink, "And if you need anything—or anyone—you know where to find us. Or, well, Mark."

Anushka blushed but couldn't help laughing. The sisters' playful banter was a welcome distraction from the weight of everything that had happened. As she unpacked her things, she couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. The Bendilani mansion was more than just a house; it was a home, and she was starting to feel like part of the family.

Mark, meanwhile, was still grappling with the gaps in his memory. He didn't remember everything about Anushka—how they had worked together, the late nights spent solving problems, the quiet moments of connection that had slowly grown into something deeper. But what he did feel was undeniable. Every time he saw her, his heart seemed to recognize her in a way his mind couldn't. There was a warmth, a pull, something that made him want to be near her, to protect her, to make her smile.

He didn't question it. He didn't need to. The love he felt for her, even if he couldn't fully remember its origins, was too strong to ignore let alone question. It was like a thread woven into the fabric of his being, guiding him even when his memories couldn't.

One evening, as Anushka was settling into her new room, there was a soft knock on her door. She opened it to find Mark standing there, his hands shoved into his pockets, his expression a mix of shyness and determination.

"Hey," he said, his voice soft. "I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you're settling in okay."

Anushka smiled, her heart fluttering at the sight of him. "I am. Thank you, Mark. This room is perfect."

He nodded, his gaze sweeping over the space before landing back on her. "Good. I'm glad." He hesitated, then added, "If you need anything, I'm just next door."

The way he said it—so simple, yet so loaded with meaning—made Anushka's breath catch. "I'll keep that in mind," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mark shifted slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Anushka… can I call you Ruhi? It just… it sounds better to me. More… you."

Anushka's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Of course, Mark. You can call me Ruhi."

He smiled, a genuine, warm smile that made her heart skip a beat. "Thanks, Ruhi. It suits you."

For a moment, they just stood there, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions. Then Mark cleared his throat, stepping back. "Well, I'll let you get settled. Goodnight, Ruhi."

"Goodnight, Mark," she replied, watching as he turned and walked down the hall. She closed the door softly, leaning against it for a moment as she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

At work, Anushka was thriving. She had stepped into Mark's role with a quiet confidence that quickly earned her the respect of the entire team. The department heads, who had initially been skeptical about her taking over, were now singing her praises. She had a knack for leadership, for listening to her team and making decisions that balanced logic with empathy.

Stacey, the head of Pen-Testing, was particularly impressed. "You've got a gift, Anushka," she said one afternoon as they reviewed a project report. "Mark always spoke highly of you, but seeing you in action? It's something else."

Anushka smiled, though the mention of Mark still tugged at her heart. "Thank you, Stacey. That means a lot."

Her ability to fill Mark's shoes gave him the time he needed to heal. He was still recovering, both physically and mentally, and having Anushka at the helm of Cyber Genesis allowed him to focus on his recovery without the added pressure of work. It was a relief for the entire family, who had been worried about him taking on too much too soon.

Back at the mansion, life settled into a new rhythm. Anushka and Mark found themselves crossing paths more often—in the hallway, in the kitchen, in the living room. Each encounter was charged with a quiet intensity, a connection that neither of them could fully explain but both felt deeply.

One evening, as Anushka was working on her laptop in the living room, Mark joined her, carrying two cups of tea. "Thought you might need this," he said, setting one down in front of her.

She looked up, surprised but pleased. "Thank you, Mark. That's very thoughtful of you."

He shrugged, sitting down beside her. "You've been working hard. You deserve a break."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, sipping their tea and occasionally exchanging glances. Finally, Mark spoke, his voice soft but sincere. "I don't remember everything, Ruhi. But I know you're important to me. I can feel it."

Anushka's heart skipped a beat, her eyes meeting his. "You're important to me too, Mark. More than you know."

He reached out, his hand covering hers. "I'm glad you're here. I don't know what I'd do without you."

The sincerity in his voice brought tears to her eyes. She squeezed his hand, her heart swelling with emotion. "You'll never have to find out, Mark. I'm not going anywhere."

Later that night, Anushka found herself on the balcony, the cool night air a welcome relief from the day's stresses. She leaned against the railing, staring out at the garden below, her mind racing with thoughts of Mark, of everything that had happened, and of the uncertain future.

She didn't hear him approach, but she felt his presence before he spoke. "Couldn't sleep?" Mark's voice was soft, almost hesitant.

Anushka turned to see him standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable. "No," she admitted. "Too much on my mind."

He nodded, stepping closer to lean against the railing beside her. "I get that. It's been… a lot."

They stood in silence for a while, the tension between them palpable. Finally, Mark turned to her, his eyes searching hers. "Ruhi… I don't know how to say this, but… being around you, it feels… right. Like I'm where I'm supposed to be."

Anushka's breath caught, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to tell him how she felt, to confess the depth of her emotions, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she reached out, her hand brushing against his. "I feel it too, Mark. I don't know what it means, but… I don't want to lose this. Lose you."

Mark's hand tightened around hers, his gaze intense. "You won't. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out. Together."

For a moment, they just stood there, their hands intertwined, the unspoken emotions between them hanging heavy in the air. Neither of them said the words, but they didn't need to. The connection was there, undeniable and strong.

As the days turned into weeks, Anushka's presence in the mansion became a source of comfort and stability for everyone. She had a way of bringing people together, of making even the most tense situations feel manageable. The family had grown to rely on her, not just for her skills at work, but for the warmth and kindness she brought into our lives.

Mark, in particular, found himself drawn to her more and more. He didn't need to remember their past to know that she was someone special. The way she made him feel—safe, understood, loved—was enough.