Episode 21
The one with returning back to reality
Karthik woke up to a bright beam of sunlight. When he lifted his head off the pillow, he had an immediate head rush.
Oh the hangover!
He drank quite a lot yesterday. Looking at Mr Goenka and Mrs Goenka happy with each other, he couldn’t help but remember everything that had gone wrong before.
Wait a minute, if the drinking was real then whatever happened between Naira and him, wasn’t really a dream. He had actually kissed her.
Karthik began panicking. What if she got mad at him? What if she was feeling violated? What if she didn’t want anything to do with him anymore?
No no no. This can’t be right.
He quickly picked up his phone and tried calling Naira.
But her phone was switched off. Is she that upset.
He sat up on his head ignoring the raging head ache. He had to get her house, soon.
Next to his bedside lamp was a glass of juice with a tablet next to it.
Keerthi must have known about the hangover. Naira would have told her.
He quickly gulped it down and had a shower.
As he stepped out of his house, he realised it was unnaturally silent today. There was no chaos that would normally ensue, nor could he hear Luv Kush. There was Nobody at home.
He quickly called up Keerthi.
‘Keerthi what is going on? Where are you guys?’ Karthik asked.
‘oh so you’re finally up! Don’t you remember? Today is the day we visit the temple and ask for devi maa’s blessings to get rid of all obstacles that would come in the wedding or my married life.’
‘is Naira there too? Is she okay? Why is her phone switched off?’ Karthik asked, worried.
‘she stayed back because there was no charge. She said she would come with you once you’re awake. She told me about your drinking, Karthik. I didn’t expect this from you!’ Keerthi said,
sounding pissed.
Naira told Keerthi about last night??!!
‘what exactly did she tell you?’
‘she told me you were drunk enough to pass out on her and that she had to carry you back home. What were you thinking?!’
She hadn’t told Keerthi Anything! Was this supposed to be a good sign?
‘I’ll tell you about it later. Naira knows the way to the temple right? We’ll be there.’
He quickly changed into his Pooja clothes and rode on his bike towards Naira’s house.
The door was open. It was as if she had anticipated that he would arrive at this moment.
He quickly ran up towards her room, calling her name. She didn’t respond. Was she really that upset? Karthik could feel his heart pounding in his chest.
He knocked on her door. What stood behind the door blew his mind away. Naira stood there wearing a traditional lehenga choli, with minimum make up and minimum jewelery. And yet, Karthik was unable to say a word. He stood mesmerized by what he saw.
He knew that Naira was a beautiful soul, inside out. But now, he was equally captivated by how beautiful she looked.
Naira quickly went back to her dressing table, smiling a little;the smile having escaped Karthik’s notice.
Karthik was now terrified. She walked away from him! She had never done that to him. Ever. Was this the end of it all?
Naira went back to her dressing table to wear the second earring, which she was unable to wear before, as she had to open the door for Karthik.
She turned to find Karthik looking at her, hesitant but scared.
‘Okay. Let’s go’ she said and began to walk out of her room.
Karthik didn’t know what to do. How was he supposed to broach the subject? Was she actually okay with whatever happened last night?
‘Naira!’ Karthik called.
‘yeah?’ she spun around, blushing.
Why was she smiling so much today?
‘I Need to apologize to you about yesterday. I should never have forced myself on you, yesterday. I’m so sorry. I’m ready to accept whatever punishment you’d like to give me.’ Karthik said lookin down at his hands.
‘you want me to punish you for our first kiss? You don’t remember anything that happened after the kiss?’ Naira asked, now blushing harder.
It came flashing back to him then. She had said… She said that she..
‘that wasn’t a dream? You lo..ooo..’ Karthik began to stammer. This could be the moment he had been waiting for, for two long years.
‘I love you, Karthik. I love you so much.’ Naira said.
‘this is a prank, isn’t it?’ Karthik asked flabbergasted, but secretly hoping that whatever she said was true.
Naira Walked up to Karthik.
‘look at me. Look me in the eye. Do you see even a hint of a Joke in there? I’ve had these feelings for quite some time now but I didn’t know that this was what it meant. When I used to see you with aaradhya, I wanted to rip her eyes out for looking at you like that. I wanted to look pretty for you, so that you would notice me and not her. And last night, when you almost fell, I was broken. Shattered to even think about what would happen without you around. That’s when I knew, that you had to know immediately. You had to know that I am irrevocably in love with you. ‘
Karthik looked on, shocked. A tear escaped his eye.
Naira rubbed the tear with a kiss, standing on her tiptoes.
‘ how can I not? How can I not love somebody who loves me so much? How could I ever not fall in love with somebody who has been there for me every single time? I love you Karthik. I Love you!’ Naira said before she got engulfed in his arms.
He held her in a bone crushing hug. She was finally his.
——–author’s notes——–
Hey guys
Long time no post. So here was the much awaited confession.
Do comment and let me know what you feel.
Have a great day 🙂