Karthik’s POV.
I mentally noted that watching emotional bollywood movies only makes you feel more homesick and sloppy.I sagged back on the bed and watched Naira shed tears for the death of the protagonist’s mother.

For a daring girl like her she sure is too involved when it comes to indian drama.

“Naira I think we should stop…” I started to say but she cut me off.

“Shut up, Saudamini has finally discovered that her mom is a ghost.” She called off.

I looked at Naira as she was shedding tears like a flow of river. I got up from the bed to get some water but since we had switched off all the lights I couldn’t find where the bottle was kept. I turned on the lights when naira shouted.

“How could you do this to me ?!” she screamed.

“What ?!!” I asked in shock.

“How could you turn on the lights before the movie is finished ?!! Saudamini was just about to kill the ghost ” Naira whinned like a five year old child.

“Isn’t that her mother ?!!” I asked pointing at the TV.

“Yes but she is posed by an evil spirit.” Naira said brushing me off !!

I watched as Naira was screming something at the TV and watching the movie as if her life depended on it. When will this girl grow up ?!!

Here I was planning to have kids with her. And there she was behaving like a kid itself.She was acting as if she was in the movie itself !!

As the noises from the TV and also the snide commentary of Naira grew louder, I lost my cool.

“Its just a freaking movie Naira, not your life stop getting so hyper” I shouted, finally fed up with all the noise.

“Why are you shouting ?!!” Naira screamed back. Boy, was she angry !!

“Because we were supposed to be spending this time together as this is what we have before the wedding. But you are soo busy watching this stupid drama movie of yours !!!” I spit out.

” Huh, how dare you call my movie stupid ?!! look what I will do now. You have to bear the consequences for defaming my movie !!” she shouted as she stormed out of the room.

I looked at her retreating form as she left the room. I finally found the water bottle kept by the night stand. I drank water and then sat on the bed. I was looking through my cell phone when…..

“Ahhhh…..” I heard a loud shriek.

“Shit !! Naira ” I howled and ran downstairs. I hoped that she was fine.

” Are you ohkay Naira, where are you ?!!” I yelled so that Naira could hear me.

” Kitchen, Leg, hurt” I heard her faint voice from the kitchen.

” Naira how many times have I told you…” I snapped brutally while walking towards the kitchen.

As I stepped in the kitchen, I was covered with whipping cream from the top, blurring my vision and freezing my limbs.

“What the hell ?!!” I scowled at Naira who stood a few meters back with a smirk tugging the corner of her lips.

“Swearing is not good and besides you deserved it !!” She snickered at me.

“Oh, really ?!!” I asked back while throwing some of the white fluffy cream on top of my head. I mocked at her as I moved closer to her with dark eyes and a mischivious smile.

“Don’t come near me !!” Naira said and moved back as I stepped closer to her.

“Come on Naira, don’t be a spoilsport.” I mocked her as I moved closer and she moved back.

“Move back. I said move back ” She shouted at me.

“What if I say make me ?!!” I snickered at her.

“As you wish.” She said with a sly smile and threw the plate of flour beside her on my face. I stumbled back and rubbed the sticky substance off my face and ragged at Naira who was suppressing her laughter.

“Naira…” I screamed as she ran for the door.

“God. Save me !! I think my death is going to be in the next few hours.” she tensely said as she ran as fast as she could.

I had cream on top of my hair with my face covered with the mixture of cream and flour.

I chased Naira around the entire house.Both of us running at our hardest.Naira reached the end of the corridor and her face turned frightened as I moved closer to her.

” Nooo…” she said frightened.

“You are so dead, Naira.” I said with a smirk on my face.

“Please no. I am sorry. I won’t do it again.” She blurted out.

“You should have thought about it before throwing cream and flour on me.” I whispered in her ears as I pinned her to the wall behind her.

I blindly placed a kiss on her right cheek, while a faint shade of blush took over her cheek.She looked at me in awee as I pulled back from her and started to walk back.She was still staring at me with widened eyes and touched her cheek where I had kissed her and looked down at the floor. For a girl like her, she does blush well…

Seeing my chance, I spilled a container of milk at her while she looked down.And that is how you take revenge !!

” I hate you, Mendhak. I am going to get you back for it.” She screamed with anger as her mouth remained hung open.

I burst out laughing and ran to find a safe place. Naira ran behind me cursing me !! We had the whole house on fire that day and created a ruckus all around.

There is no but’s , no if’s and no maybe’s !!

Naira’s POV.
“Tu safar mera Hai tu hi meri manzil Tere bina guzara Ae dil hai mushkil

Tu mera Khuda Tu hi duaa mein shaamil Tere bina guzara Ae dil hai mushkil

Mujhe aazmaati hai teri kami Meri har kami ko hai tu laazmi Junoon hai mera Banoon main tere qaabil Tere bina guzaara Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

Yeh rooh bhi meri Yeh jism bhi mera Utna mera nahi Jitna hua tera

Tune diya hai jo Woh dard hi sahi Tujhse mila hai toh Inaam hai mera

Mera aasmaan dhoondhe teri zameen Meri har kami ko hai tu laazmi

Zameen pe na sahi Toh aasmaan mein aa mil Tere bina guzara Ae dil hai mushkil”

I hummed the song, feeling the lyrics and the calming music.I was at my dance academy. Another day had gone by, it was a busy morning as I had to conduct three batches continuosly. I was exhausted.But, I was also getting closer to the day when I’d be getting engaged to the man I loved.

Everything was happening so fast, but still, it felt so right. This was all I ever wanted since I realized my feelings for Karthik.

Its really amazing,how our relationship went from friendship to having a crush on each other to actually falling in love with each other. We were really childhood sweethearts and all this was like a dream come true for me.

I instantly closed my eyes, listening to the playlist of my favourite romantic songs. I felt loved, I felt like I was completely new to this feeling, and I wanted to feel that way forever.

The next day was gonna be a little hectic. I forgot to mention, that it was Keerti bhabi’s birthday !! The reason this day was going to be tiring, was that, Bhai wanted to throw a surprise birthday bash for his wife, and the people he asked for help were none other than Karthik and me……

The next day.
So, here I was, at my home along with the guys and a few close friends.The whole family had gone to nani’s house so as to give us youngsters some privacy. We had already celebrated bhabi’s birthday by cutting the cake in the morning.

“What are you doing ?!!” I asked Karthik, as he came in the house with hands full of balloons.

“I bought them. It’ll look nice.” He said, looking at the beautiful colourful balloons floating.

“No !! We are not using them. She is not a five year old.” I stated.

“But I like them !!” He whined. What was he, a kid ?!! But I found that cute, and I couldn’t help, but smile.

“Yeah, mendhak. But bhabi hates balloons. We’ll get the same kind of balloons for your birthday. Now go, and help others.” I said. He huffed and stormed out. He was always so cute !!

It was 5 pm already, and Bhabi was going to arrive anytime now.

“Okay guys, she’s outside. Just hurry up !!” I said as I read Keerti bhabi’s message, which said that she was outside our house. Bhai has been acting to be ill that morning and had sent bhabi to get medicines for him. Yes, he lied to her in order to surprise her !!
The door was left open, and the lights were turned off. I stood beside the light switch so that I could turn it on when bhabi would come in. Bhai and Karthik hid behind the sofa with the party poopers. I had no clue where others were hiding, but I was pretty sure that Keerti bhabi was going to love this surprise.

“Shh. She’s coming !!” Bhai whispered and then suddenly everything fell silent. The sound of her heels were clearly heard as she came closer.

“Naksh ?!!” She called out,looking at the dark room. Slowly, opening the door, she stepped in and —

SURPRISE !!!!

I switched on the lights as everybody came out of their hiding spots. “Surprise !!” Bhai exclaimed as bhabi just stood there dumbstruck.

“Happy birthday bhabi !!” I exclaimed her pulling into a hug.

“Oh my gosh !! Thank you so much, you guys.” She exclaimed hugging back.

“Happy birthday baby !!” Bhai said, pulling her for a hug. Instead, she just smashed her lips on his and the rest of us rolled our eyes and turned away…

Soon, the music was being played, and everybody was having hell lot of fun. I was sitting with bhabi, telling her my experience working with these guys and how difficult it is to manage everything alone.

“Oh God, I agree. But hey, thanks a lot for all of this !!” She said.

“Don’t thank me. Go and thank your husband for coming up with this idea. I just helped.” I smiled.

As I was talking to bhabi, the doorbell rang. Bhai who was closest to the door, went to open it, while Karthik joined me and Bhabi in the conversation.

Little did I know that the new guest was someone who I knew too well. Someone with whom I had a deep connection…

It was. . . . . .

Naira’s POV.

It was Rithvik.
‘Rithvik ?!! What’s he doing here ?!! When did he come back ?!!’ I thought as he had already come in. Bhai led him in, as they stopped in front of me.I mean us…

Us…Karthik was there too, and I had no clue how to react. I mean, seriously,when your past, present and future are in one room, it does become tense.

“Hi, Naira.” Rithvik spoke. His voice seemed foreign to me after such a long time. I stole a glance at Karthik, who looked everywhere, but at Rithvik.

“Um,Hi…Rithvik.” I said, not wanting to sound too eager to talk to him.

“Oh !! Keerti !! Happy birthday dear !!” Rithvik exclaimed.

“Thanks Rithvik.” She said, as he handed her the gift.

“Guys I gotta go meet everybody else. Will catch you later.” Karthik said quickly, planting a kiss on my cheeks and walking away.
“what was that ?!!” I asked myself as Rithvik smiled weakly.

As I was about to leave, Rithvik stopped me. His hand was touching onto mine, as he held my wrist softly. Bhai and Keerti bhabi were already gone somewhere leaving me all alone there.

Great…

“Naira ,I need to talk to you.” He said. Talk ?!! Now ?!!

“RITHVIK , look I can’t.” I said.

“Please, just listen to me once.” He pleaded.
‘Why now ?!! Why today ?!! Why here ?!! I thought. I searched for Karthik and there he was,talking to one of his friend. He wasn’t even looking at me.
‘Whats wrong with him now ?!!’ I thought.

“Okay, shoot.” I said, giving up. He wasn’t even going to leave it away easily.

He smiled. “Naira I’m really really sorry for what I did. I was a jerk. A complete a*sh*le , and I regret everything I said and did. I just,I want you to be happy with him.” He said.

“Rithvik,what are you saying ?!! It’s over, okay ?!! I forgot, he forgot. I think it’s better if you forget it too.” I said.

“I tried to, but I couldn’t. I want you and him to forgive me for what I did. I cant live in this guilt, that I hit my own girlfriend just because she refused to dance with me.” He said.
I looked into his eyes, full of guilt. Somewhere, I saw honesty in them too. But could I really trust him again ?!!

Karthik’s POV.

Almost half and hour passed and Naira was still talking to Rithvik. It surely didn’t look like they were talking, they were laughing and enjoying among themselves. I couldn’t help but feel slight anger boiled inside me.

‘Did she forgive him that easily ?!!’ I thought. But ofcourse, I had to face him that day, and eventually, it happened….

“Karthik ?!!” Naira called out, tapping my shoulder. I turned around not only to see her but also him. Naira and Rithvik stood there with nervous smiles on their face.

“Hi Karthik.” Rithvik spoke. Why is he being so polite ?!!

“Hi. Anything important ?!!” I asked bluntly, as Naira’s smile faded away. She sighed and held on to my arm.

“Mendhank, he wants to say something.” Naira said, looking at me.Ohkay, So she was convincing me to do something. Cause that’s when she called me mendhak !!

I rolled my eyes and motioned to go go ahead. “I guess, I know what is it, but still, lets hear it.” I said.

Rithvik sighed, and looked back at me. “Karthik, I’m really sorry for how I behaved. I didn’t mean anything I said that day, I really regret fighting with you guys. I just want to apologize for my behaviour.” He said, leaving me shocked.
Well, I knew he wanted to say that but how come he changed so much ?!! Even though, there was little honesty in his eyes, I didn’t feel like trusting him again.

“You want to apologize for hitting my,I mean your girlfriend ?!! I think you should’ve done that long time back.” I snapped.

“Bro, I know what I did was wrong but….” He started off again but I cut him in between.

“Rithvik, I’m not holding any grudges against you. Its just that,You and I are not friends.” I said looking at Naira who stood beside me with a sorry look on her face.

“And if you are done talking with him, can I talk to you ?!!”I added. She sighed and nodded, as we walked towards the corner of the room.

“What happened ?!!” Naira asked once we were alone.

“Why do you have to talk to him and be so polite ?!! Did you forget everything ?!!” I asked.

“Ofcourse, I haven’t. What are you saying, Karthik ?!!” She asked.

“You did forgive him, didn’t you ?!!” I asked as I realized I was talking a bit louder.

“Why are you so angry ?!!” She asked.

“You know that I’m actually sort of pissed off.” I said.

“I understand, Mendhak. But you’ve to know that it was all in the past. Rithvik said he was really guilty for what he did, and I think he deserves a chance. I’ve forgiven him, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten what he did.” She said and for a moment, I felt, like I was overreacting.

“Maybe you’re right but don’t expect me to be friendly with him.” I stated as a smile formed on her lips.

“Fine !! Take your time but don’t be rude to him.” She said.

“I won’t,but that’s only possible, if you stay away from him. You know, you just don’t give him any wrong intentions.” I said.

“Aww, Is somebody jealous ?!!” Naira laughed. Jealous ?!! Me ?!!. Yes.

“No. I’m not. I don’t need to be, because you are mine.” I said, as I looked into her eyes and pulled her closer.

“I will always be. But now we have to go back. Everybody must be looking for us.” She said and landed her lips on mine. I smiled and gladly kissed her back.

After a few seconds, we came back inside…

I knew there was nothing for me to worry about. I trusted Naira more than anything and that was enough. But still, I don’t know why, I felt like I should not trust RITHVIK again. But then, just like Naira said, I ignored those thoughts.

Everything was perfect, and nothing could take her away from me. . .

Precap : The engagement jitters. Naksh and Karthik bro talk !! Kaira’s cute pre-engagement phone convo !!