Episode 23
‘Arey, nothing bhai. Karthik just wanted to punish me.’ Naira said, turning around to look at Karthik, a smirk on her face.
‘punish? What for?’ Naksh asked, looking perplexed.
‘puh puh punish? What are you talking about?’ Karthik asked, looking scandalized.
‘I think keerti just called me.’ Karthik said running, even though all three of them knew nobody called him.
‘what’s with him?’ Naksh asked.
Naira began to blush. ‘Bhai, it’s official’
‘Oho! And when were you planning on telling me?’ he asked as he bumped his shoulder into hers.
Naira looked down at her entwined hands.
Naksh and Naira walked back to the temple together.
‘what took you so long Naira? You missed the entire Pooja!’ dadi asked.
Naira struggled to come up with an answer.
‘the car’s Tyre got punctured dadi.’ Naksh always rescued Naira.
The two families had lunch together while Naira and Karthik secretly glanced at each other, at every given chance.
On the way, Naksh called Karthik to drive back with him.
Naira kept worrying about what they might be talking about. As soon as they got home, she called Karthik.
‘what did he say? Why did he call you?’ Naira asked.
‘the same thing that I told him the first time we met. He told me to look after his sister, or else he’d break my teeth.’ Karthik said.
‘oh thank God. I was so scared!’ Naira said.
‘all of that is fine. But just tell me those three magical words again.’ Karthik said.
‘you’ll have to earn it.’
‘how?’ he asked.
‘accept your love in front of everybody. Maybe then I’ll consider.’
‘challenge accepted. Everybody will know after the Sangeet that I’m in love’
Naira couldn’t wait for the next day. Sangeet has always been her favorite part of any wedding and this time it was all the more exciting because he’d confess his love to her.
‘but if I do that, am I only going to get an’ I love you’ in return? That’s not fair.’ he whined.
‘okay tomorrow is the mehendi function too. I’ll make sure that your name is on my palm.’
‘we have a deal Sherni. See you tomorrow. I love you.’
Naira blushed at that. She had always underestimated the power of those words, but now she knew how powerful they were.
The next day arrived. The air was filled with a mood of festivity today at Naira’s house because the functions were organized here. The Goenka villa was occupied with being prepped up for the wedding that was to take place the next day.
Naira was ready with her lehenga. The lehenga was no less than what a bride would wear on her mehendi function, but being the only daughter of the household she always had to get dressed up like a princess. The jewellery theme was floral. All the women of the household looked stunning and the men as usual looked dapper.
The Goenkas arrived at Singhaniya sadan.
Karthik was spell bound looking at Naira, yet again. She’d never cease to amaze him. But today, he was prepared to blow her off her feet.
The function began and all the family members performed to various hit songs from the recent movies.
Naira danced to the tunes of retro songs, being different as she was always. Then she sat down to get her mehendi done. Aaradhya came and sat right next to her.
Naira whispered something into the ears of the mehendi artist.
Karthik walked upto her. ‘are you sure you want this? I’m gonna do it now’ he said.
‘go on. I’m waiting.’ she said
He ran towards the stage.
‘attention, ladies and gentlemen. I have a special performance lined up for you guys. Keerti and jeeju’s love story is not hidden from Any of you. So this is a performance dedicated to them’
He brought his guitar and began his performance.
“Haan aa
Haan hasi ban gaye
Haan nami ban gaye
Tum mere aasmaan
Meri zameen ban gaye
Haan hum badalne lage
Girne sambhalne lage
Jab se hai jaana tumhein
Teri ore chalne lage
Har safar har jagah
Har kahin ban gaye
Maante thhe Khuda
Aur haan wahi ban gaye
Haan hansi ban gaye
Haan nami ban gaye
Tum mere aasmaan
Meri zameen ban gaye
Pehchaante hi nahi ab log tanha mujhe
Meri nigaahon mein bhi hai dhoondte wo tujhe
Pehchaante hi nahi ab log tanha mujhe
Meri nigaahon mein bhi hai dhoondte wo tujhe
Hum the dhoondhte jisey wo kami ban gaye
Tum mere ishq ki sar-zameen ban gaye
Haan hasi ban gaye
Haan nami ban gaye
Tum mere aasmaan
Meri zameen ban gaye
O.. aa… ”
Karthik looked at Naira throughout his performance and Naira couldn’t help but smile. Tears welled up in her eyes. This boy loved her beyond limits. The soul in his voice, the love that was clearly evident made her emotional.
Her mehendi was almost done and so she began to walk out of the hall before somebody would notice. She signed to him that she was going upstairs.
Karthik went to the food counter, took a Plate along with him and walked straight up to her room, making sure nobody looked.
As soon as Karthik walked into the room, Naira ran towards him and was about to jump in his arms but stopped because of the plate of food in his hands.
‘keep that on The table.’ she said.
‘yes ma’am.’
She ran into his arms and hugged him making sure her mehendi wouldn’t get ruined.
‘I love you. I love you. I love you. Why do you love me so much?’ Naira asked, Now teary eyed.
‘how can i not? There is nobody else that I can think of. You’re perfect. You’re beautiful. And you’re mine.’ he said pulling back to look at her face. He wiped all of her tears.
‘what about the other condition?’ Karthik asked.
Naira lifted her hands up , palms facing outwards.
There were two tiny frogs drawn on each palm.
‘but that’s not my name!’ Karthik protested.
‘arey, you too didn’t exactly confess that you’re in love with me. You just confessed that you were in love with somebody. Only we knew who it was. Just like that only the two of us will know that this frog represents you.’ Naira said.
‘we’re made for each other.’ Karthik said.
‘that we are!’ Naira agreed.
—–author’s notes——-
Hope you guys liked this chapter.