We are one always- A Kaira Story- Part 6 Updated.. Please do read!!!

Karthik drove home happily... whistling her favourite songs.. He pulled into the house.. ready to open the car door and thought" Ok Jaan.. here are your favourite things. White orchids, red roses, pink balloons ,chocolate brownie and most important of all "ME". Come on.. Come out now and see me... He kept honking the horn waiting for her to come out.. But she didn't...

"Hmmm he thought Beta Karthik, you need to put extra efforts this time.. all this is not going to work out.. Just think how you blasted her today morning... You need to go to her.. All the best Karthik.. Be ready to face your sherni..." He said and chuckled to himself...

Carrying the big load of gifts he walked to the door and rung the bell... No response.. He rang it twice, thrice... then saw that the door was locked from outside.. A sense of uneasiness took over him.. She would never go anywhere alone without telling him.. Then why did she this time? He wondered...But she had called him.. 5 times.. and he had cut the call all the 5 times...

He felt extremely scared.. Taking out his spare key he opened the house went inside and called her.. The mobile ring seemed to come from inside the house.. It was in their room.." Idiot.. why did she leave the mobile home and go out? Does she realise Ill be worried about her? He grumbled.. Perhaps she went to moms place.. He thought and called Akshara

"Hello beta, I myself was about to call you.. How are you? How is Naira? I was wondering why she didn't call me today.. I also could not call as both Bhabhi Ma and Choti Ma were down with fever and I was busy.. All fine there na?

Sweat broke out on Karthik's forehead as he tried to compose himself and replied" Haan Ma, everything is OK.. I am just getting another call.. Ill call you back and cut the call...

He went inside the dining room.. The food cooked in the morning sat intact in the vessels. It looked like she had not eaten.. Karthik suddenly felt extremely worried and suffocated...

Just then he a call.. " Keerthi" he said.. No I cannot talk to her now.. She ll find out something is wrong.. I cannot tell her now.. He thought .. and ignored the call...

Keerthi kept calling him again and again.. Exasperated he picked up the call and snapped"What". Keerthi snapped back at him" I just called to tell you that Naira and I are coming back home in 5 minutes. I am wild at you.. Please keep some hot water ready for Naira.." and cut the call...

A wave of relief passed over him.. She was safe.. But why hot water.. Was she OK ? And why didn't she eat? He thought...

He kept looking at the door. Finally they came back.. But what he saw next shook him... Naira was not able to even stand on her own and was clutching to Keerthi for support.. He rushed to catch her.. but she shook off his hand...

Come on Naira, lets go inside to your room Keerthi told ignoring her brother completely. She took a weak Naira inside the house carefully and went to help Naira lie down on her bed.. She was just coming out of the room when Karthik stopped her and blurted out infinite questions

"What happened to Naira? Where did both of you go? How is she now? Why are you silent? Reply..."

Keerthi shot him a furious look and said" What happened to you? Is this how you treat the one who loves you? Scream at her? Cut her calls? Ignore her messages? What if it had been an emergency? In fact it was.. I had come as a surprise.. to surprise both of you.. I got the shock of my life when I came and saw the door open. And Naira had fainted on the sofa.. I tried to wake her up... She did not stir.. Then I had to rush her to the hospital.. Doctor told that she was weak because she had not eaten.. And why did she not eat? Because of you.. Because you shouted at her today so madly and did not even talk to her later.. She had also developed a fever because she did not have her medicine today

Karthik could not meet his sisters eyes; his heart filled with guilt for being the cause of all this.." Sorry he whispered; I never meant any of this this to happen..."

Keerthi's anger rose higher "Sorry? Sorry? That's the best thing you could come up with? If something serious had happened what would you have done Karthik? She fainted near the sofa and fell on it... Had she fainted while she was coming down on the steps? Can you even imagine? I get shivers even to think of it.. How can you hurt her so much Karthik? What mistake did she do? Talking about Papa? So you ll show all your anger on Papa at her? I don't want to get into the discussion about Papa now.. She yelled at him..

Karthik felt overwhelmed and sat down and buried his face in his hands.. Keerthi despite having given him a piece of her mind felt bad and sat down behind him... She kept his hands on her shoulders and spoke softly this time" I am sorry Karthik.. I was really rude to you.."

Karthik's voice choked.. " No, You are not wrong, I am wrong.. I am a heartless person.."

Arey who told you are heartless? No that's not you.. You are the sweetest person on earth.. Just a little short tempered.. that's all.. Just think.. With gods grace she was safe today.. What would you have done if things got complicated? How will you forgive yourself? What will you tell her maternal family? Wont her brothers anger be justified then? She said as Karthik was on the verge of tears.

No.. No.. come on.. cheer up... Go to Naira and speak to her.. She needs your love and affection now.. And all these gifts wont help.. Just you.. can help... She convinced him..

Karthik took a deep breath and went to see Naira... She was lying down.. Her faced turned towards the other side..." Naira.. He called out softly.. She did not reply.. but got up and sat on the bed facing away from him..

Karthik came in front of her. Smiled sheepishly and caught his ears and said "Sorry" She again looked away.. Karthik sat near her and talked looking at her baby bump..

"My princess, please tell your mumma that papa is sorry and he feels really bad for what he has done.. Tell her that I am sorry..."

Naira replied looking down" Tell your papa that everything is not ok if he says sorry. I would have almost lost you today.. Tell him if something happens to me one day and I am not there with him, he will understand my worth"

Karthik broke down at this and closed her mouth with his hand" Naira what is this? Why are you talking like this? What will I do without you? I am nobody without you.."

Naira once again replied to her baby bump" Tell your papa that he should have thought this before he shouted at me? Princess you also heard na how he shouted at me? Tell him how upset mumma was..Mumma did not even feel like eating food and was very scared that Papa will not talk to Mumma...

Karthik replied" Papa loves you both a lot.. Tell her Papa also did not eat anything today.. Papa was very sad that he shouted at mumma and was extremely guilty and could not eat even a single morsel of food"

Naira now replied to him directly and panicked" Karthik? You did not eat anything? Matlab you stayed hungry the entire day? Oh my god.. you ll get weak.. You ll get acidity.. Come ill serve you food.."

Karthik still replied to his kid" Tell mumma that I wont eat until she eats.. How can I eat when my queen and princess are hingry.. Tell mumma that I love her a lot.. More than my life.. More than anything.. More than anyone..."

Naira melted instantly and fell on his shoulders" I am sorry Karthik.. for being angry at you..Sorry"

Karthik told" No Naira.. I am sorry.. Please say you have forgiven me... Please" and he held his ears once again..

Naira took his hands and put it around her shoulders and rested on his warm chest . Its okay Karthik. Only you shouted at me na? Its okay.. Come lets go and eat.. Keerthi di must also be very tired.. Come..

Karthik spoke to his kid again" Looks like Mumma has forgiven Papa.. But ask Mumma if that's it.. Nothing else? He asked as he leaned forward.

"Arey Mendak.. too much you are.. don't you know what to talk to our kid? Just go away " she pushed him as they both burst into laughter and shared an eye lock...

Holding each others hands tightly they walked out of the room.. Keerthi was just arranging plates on a table and shot Karthik a dirty look as he came to the table..

Naira spoke up" Di, we have made up.. Ab please you don't be angry..."

Keerthi was surprised" What Naira? So soon you melted? Come on don't do this.. Only because you do this , this man takes you for granted and repeats his mistake"

Karthik told" I promise.. I will not be mad at Naira for so long again.. I know fights are inevitable but even if we fight I will never ignore her. Once again sorry"

Keerthi was amused at the Tom and Jerry couple who were loggerheads at each other but still could not live without each other.."

Naira kept looking at Karthik.. She wanted to talk about his Papa again.. But Keerthi signalled her not to talk about it. Lest he flung up again in anger...

Keerthi took a spoon and fed Naira food.. "Offo. Your girls are a team.. Now I feel so lonely" Karthik sulked.. Naira and Keethi burst out laughing.. You' ll always be my Chotu.. Keerthi smiled and fed him also.. They had a happy contended dinner...

Naira thought of how lucky she was to get someone like Karthik in her life.. With him by her side; she knew she will not have to worry about anything in her life.. He would take care of everything..

If only she could solve the two things that troubled her.." Her bhai and his Papa" she thought as a silent tear rolled down her cheek.. "Hey Ganga Maiya.. Please provide an answer to my prayers soon " she thought..."

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Part- 4

Naira quickly wiped off the tear before Karthik could see it; however Keerthi saw it and understood it.

"Ok. Both of you go and take rest now. I shall clean-up" Keerthi told them.

"No di. I shall help you" Naira offered and got up only to lose her balance and was about to fall down when she was caught by Karthik.

"Nothing doing. You go and take rest. I shall help Keerthi and come. Please sleep." He took Naira inside made sure she was comfortable on the bed, covered her with a blanket and watched her drift into sleep. He was filled with guilt looking at the innocent face to whom he had caused lot of pain that day.

He went back to the kitchen and helped Keerthi clean the dishes. "Karthik? I want to talk to you about something."

"Keerthi, please I don't want to talk about it. You yourself saw na? Naira and I have fights only because of him. Do you understand now why I don't want any interference of him in my life?

"No Karthik, not that. I was about to say that I am going to be awake tonight. Doctor has told that Naira might get fever again in the night as he could not give her antibiotics since she is pregnant. But that fever needs immediate attention. We need to take care of her and control the fever without allowing it to increase. I don't want to disturb your privacy; I shall be in the hall working. Please call me if she gets fever. I will come and help you. I hope she does not get fever and has a peaceful night though." Keerthi told him.

"No Keerthi, you sleep, I shall stay awake and take care of her" Karthik replied.

"But how can you do it alone? You ll not know what to do" Keerthi told

"I know Keerthi. I remember how you have taken care of me when we were kids. When that woman used to beat us , I would shout back at her for the way we were treated, she would burn my hand with a hot ladle she would not give me food. Then I would develop high fever which she would hide from her husband. You would take care of me the entire night. Keep a cold cloth on my forehead, monitor my temperature, massage my palms and feet with balm I remember everything Keerthi" he told keeping his eyes focussed on the floor.

"Karthik, why do you talk of those things now? Those were bad days and that was the past'. Keerthi told caressing his face affectionately, with a choked voice and moist eyes.

"Exactly Keerthi, that's my point. Those were bad days and the past. I don't want to talk about it or the people from the past. Hope you understand and so does your sister in law. I'll take care of her. As it is I have lot of office work to catch up on. I'll keep awake by working. In case I am not able to handle, Ill wake you up." Karthik told and left the kitchen with Keerthi smiling sadly.

He went inside the room and sat beside Naira, kept his hand on her forehead. Temperature seemed to be normal. She was fast asleep. He held her hands and said "I have hurt you time and again. But please know that I love you. You filled my life with happiness which I have never known before. I am sorry, I am sorry and I am really really sorry"

Sighing, he took his laptop to finish his pending reports which he had not been able to work that morning. However his eyes kept drifting back to her again, to make sure she was alright.

Past midnight, he had dozed off for a quarter of an hour, sitting, when he heard a small moan from her. Alarmed, he checked her temperature and her body was blazing with fever. Scared out of his wits, he rushed to get her a thick blanket and started giving her a sponge bath. He took care of her just as his sister would take care of him and in a couple of hours her fever started reducing. Relieved, he continued the same till morning. However she was moaning something the entire night. Her fever had brought out her hearts secret wishes and fears unknowingly. He sat by her every second, taking care not to doze away even for a second till dawn broke.

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Naira woke up and whimpered "Good Morning Jaan" and looked to the left, but Karthik was not there. Yawning lazily she got up and sat just to get herself knocked out of her senses to see the person sitting on the sofa opposite to her bed.

"Bhai ? She shouted and tried to stand up on her feet not believing what she saw. Being weak, she was about to fall, but Naksh ran and caught her

"Just because you have not tied rakhi for the past 3 years does not mean I won't protect you Chotu..." He smiled at her

"Bhai, is it really you?" Naira exclaimed, still not being able to register what has happened

"Arey 007, stop investigating it is true, I am here you stupid " He replied

Nara could not bear it any longer Throwing herself on his shoulders she started sobbing " I missed you so much Bhai. I am really sorry I hurt you so much, I have not been a good sister to you. I am sorry, I am sorry. Please say that you won't leave me again. "

She took his hands and put on her face as if to slap her" Bhai, beat me if you are angry, slap me till all your anger goes, shout on me, push me, do anything, but please don't be without talking to me. I miss you so much" she cried

Naksh got teary eyed " I am sorry Naira. I am the one who is wrong. You are lucky to have a person like Karthik. I understood his love for you and his real intentions. Please, I am sorry Naira, I am really sorry" They both hugged and cried till they vented out all the locked up feelings for 3 years.

" Excuse me, can we come in" said a voice. Naira turned to see Keerthi, Karthik, Akshara and Naithik smiling broadly at them. Naksh went to Karthik and gave him a big hug. " Sorry Karthikji, he told"

Karthik folded his hands and said" Please don't call me ji. I am younger to you. Please don't make me an outsider by giving respect"

Nara blurted out the question she had been wanting to ask" Bhai, how did you come here"? How come you forgot all anger suddenly?

Naksh pointed to Karthik who smiled ." Anything for you Naira" he told

Rewind 3 hours : Morning 7 am

"Duggu, my phone is ringing, please see who it is,? Akshara shouted from the kitchen where she was kneading dough

"OK Maa, it is " Naksh started and stopped seeing the name.

Looking extremely angry, he showed his mother the phone

"Duggu" Akshara scolded him." Put it on speaker and hold the phone"

Naksh was about to turn back, but Akshara told "Do it if you respect your mother"

Having no other choice, he put it on speaker with the phone on hand and turned his head away

Akshara:: Hello beta, what happened, how come you are calling so early on a Sunday morning?

Karthik: Maa, wo...wo..

Akshara: What happened beta? Why are you fumbling? Naira is OK right?

Karthik: Ma, Naira has been having a high fever from yesterday night. Can you please come here? She ll feel better if she sees you

Akshara (panicking): Fever? Oh my god. You did not tell me anything yesterday? Naitik and I will come right away

Karthik: Maa, one small request. I don't know how to ask

Akshara: Tell me beta, you want me to cook and come? Ok, I shall cook. Why do you feel so shy for this?

Karthik: No ma, not for that Keerthi is here. I wanted to ask if...

Akshara: If what beta? Please tell me. I am getting worried

Karthik: Maa, can Naksh also come? Naira is missing him very much. Yesterday night till today morning, she was fully moaning in her sleep, saying Bhai, I miss you. I am sorry. I don't know what to do ma

Akshara looked at Naksh, who was holding the phone with trembling hands and teary eyes

Akshara: Beta, Wo,I don't know what to say. You know Naksh. I am sorry beta .Dont mistake me

Karthik:: Maa, I'll go out when he comes. I won't even fall in his eyesight. I know he hates me only and he loves his sister very much But I am not able to see my Naira like this. Full night ma, full night she was asking for him.

Akshara: Bur beta, you did not sleep in the night? How come you were awake the whole night and know this?

Karthik: How can I sleep when she has fever? I was up the whole night ma. But that's OK. After all its for my wife. If I don't do who will do? But I don't know how Ill satisfy this wish of hers. I feel so guilty for separating the brother and sister. I am sorry Ma, But I love Naira. I'll do anything for her. I just hope Naksh understands this

Akshara: I think he will one day Karthik. I am coming there in one hour. Don't worry". Akshara told and looked at Naksh who was now looking at her with guilty eyes

End of rewind

"There you go. Your husband made me understand how much you love each other. I understood what a big fool I have been not to understand you and have been punishing you both for 3 years. So stupid of me. My 007 is going to have a junior 007. I did not even wish you both for that. Congrats both of you and I am really sorry" he told as he folded his hands in front of them.

"Bhai, please, don't say sorry. You were never wrong. Even in that anger, you had love for me only, I know" Naira told and pulled Karthik to her side.

"Please bless us Bhai, for our wedding, for our child and for our happiness" Naira told as they bent down to touch his feet.

"Idiots, I love you both". Naksh told and hugged both of them tight as the others shed tears of happiness

Naira gave Karthik silent stares filled with love

"Ok, come on guys, a romantic movie is going to happen here and I am sure none of us want to see it. Let us leave the love birds alone for some time" Naksh said as he chuckled and left the room with the others.

Karthik kept looking at Naira's happy face" All Happy" he asked her?

Naira hugged him and said "Thank you Karthik, This is why I love you. I love you lot. You are one awesome person and my adorable mendak "

Karthik turned his naughty mode on and talked to his kid "Sorry or thank you, mumma knows only words. Nothing else, no actions,no return gift for what Papa did" he cribbed and leaned forward

"You mendak, Just see what I do"she laughed and pecked him on the cheek.

"Fine enough for now. Get ready and come down for breakfast. We shall all eat together" He told and left the room

"You made my wish complete Karthik. You united me. I shall clear all the misunderstandings with your Papa. Just see Karthik. The day is not far. You will understand your father like how Naksh understood me. I will make it happen and repair the wounds of your past. Naira swore to herself.

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Part- 5

Naira had a scrumptious breakfast with her parents, brother, Karthik and Keerthi. Naira felt a sense of satisfaction in her heart. She did not care for money, wealth or a comfortable life. She wanted to live a happy peaceful life with her loved ones. The years she lived in Rishikesh had taught her lessons for life that the having people who loved you was the greatest wealth one could have in life. She kept looking at Karthik who understood every one of these things except his own family.

"Keerthi, can I ask you something" asked Akshara, breaking the silence

"Yes aunty why unnecessary formalities between us" Keerthi told surprised.

"I am sorry to ask this, but If Karthik is like my son, you are also like my child. I am asking in that right, please do not mistake me" Akshara told and continued "You have been alone for long. Why don't you think of a new life for yourself? You deserve that happiness"

Everyone was taken aback. Keerthi dropped the food she was holding in her handing "Aunty no wrong in you asking this. But I don't want to venture into the marriage chapter again. That chapter is over in my life."

Naira watched Karthiks reaction of he was hurt with what her mom had said. He seemed in agreement at least mentally to whatever Akshara was saying.

"No beta, don't get dejected in life like that" Akshara advised

"Aunty it is not easy to forget what he did to me. Being abused physically and mentally by him and his family is one thing, but him cheating on me with another woman, no I could not accept it and I started the long divorce fight which has finally ended. I am happy now aunty. I have a job I like; I have my brother and Naira with me always. This small world is enough for me. Do you think aunty that I am bad because I dress very modern, wear sleeveless clothes and hence you want me to marry?"

"No Keerthi, nothing like that. What has dressing got to do with it? I have never even thought about your dressing..I am sorry to hurt you" Akshara told

"Ma, why don't you understand others perspective? You do the same thing with me also. Marriage is not everything in life Ma. Keerthi, I agree with you. I was also cheated by the one I loved; I know what it is to be betrayed and how difficult it is to come out of it, you stay like this Keerthi, that's good. I am proud that being a woman, you are different" Naksh told.

Akshara looked really worried now that she had brought up a sensitive topic. Naksh seemed to be more upset "I am going now. I have work at Krishna he told" and left abruptly.

Karthik seemed to be angry now "Ma, everyone seems to be asking me to forgive my mother. The marriage trap my sister fell into was because of my father. He and my step mother emotionally blackmailed her to marry that guy just for more wealth and status. I can never ever forgive my father" He told angrily and walked away.

Akshara seemed on the verge of tears. Naitik took her hands and said everything will be OK.

"Ma, I shall take care." You don't worry. Naira told her mom

Akshara and Naitik left with a heavy heart, for causing unnecessary worry to the kids

Naira went to Keerthi "Di, I am sorry for what mumma asked. She did not mean bad but was just concerned about you. Please don't take her wrong Di" she requested, folding hr hands

"Naira, what is this? Is this what you have understood about me all these years? How will I take her wrong? You stop worrying about me and go and pacify the angry young man upstairs" she said and smiled.

"Haan de, aap teek hai" Naira told and went to see Karthik

Karthik was still angry looking out of the window "Naaraz ho kya" asked Naira from behind

"Not at you" he told her without looking at her.

"Then meri taraph dekho" she told him and turned him towards her. She was shocked to see that he was crying

"Karthik? You are crying? Why? What happened? Karthik, please tell me. I can't see you like this" Naira cupped his face and started crying herself as she tried to wipe off his tears.

"Naira, I am reminded of my mother. I miss her so much. Why did God take her away from me? I loved her so much Naira. I miss her, I miss her" Karthik totally lost control and sat on the floor breaking down completely.

"Karthik," Naira told sitting down near him as well. "She is with us Karthik,. She is always watching over you, watching over us, protecting us"

Karthik continued to sob. Naira took his head and placed it on her lap. She ran her hand over his face lovingly." Cry Karthik" she told him. "Cry harder if it is going to ease the heaviness in your heart. Cry how much ever u want. I am there for you always" she told him breaking down herself as he continued crying and finally slept in her lap. Fatigue of the previous days emotional turmoil and physical tiredness from not sleeping the entire night took over his entire senses.

Naira continued to pat his forehead, she sat in that position for how long, she didn't know. All she knew was she was looking at his tear stained face, the eyes which bore so much pain which was often hid from everyone.She wanted to take away all the pain he had, just like how he had always removed all her pain, keeping her protected. All she knew was that she loved the man on her lap. Being the sherni she was, she would fight with him always but beyond all that, she loved him with all her heart.

It was finally three and a half hours later that Karthik woke up and he saw that he was on Naira's lap and got worried." Naira, you were sitting down for so long? Why didn't you wake me up? Arey why did you take so much stress for me?

"Karthik, I love you. I love you so much. It pained me to see you cry. Waise bhi, doctor never told I should not sit down. So stop doing too much drama and come, lets have lunch. Your princess is asking for food"

"Naira, I love you. You'll not leave me na? I cannot live without you Naira" Karthik told, taking her hand.

"Karthik, I can't leave you. I will not leave you. This is a promise" Naira told looking into his eyes.

The day passed by with spending quality time with Keerthi.

It was dark and the night. Naira was seeping sound, secure that her Karthik was with her. She woke up, thanks to a kick by her princess and was startled to see that Karthik was not there. Karthik? She called out.. No response. She walked out of the room and was nearing the stairs when someone closed her eyes with a cloth.

"Just be silent and come with me. I was supposed to come and wake you up according to the plan. Who asked you to wake up idiot" Karthik whispered in her ears and led her carefully down the stairs.

Slowly he opened the blindfold and she saw a cake in the middle of the hall.

"Happy birthday honey" He kissed her on the cheeks.

"How do you like my surprise? See, this time no blunder in my surprise planning. Come, cut the cake"

Keerth di? Naira asked?

"O yeah, I totally forgot? Karthik blushed and went and called Keerthi..

"Naira, happy birthday sweetie" Keerthi came and gave her a big hug.

Thanks di, Naira told hugging her back

Come Naira, cut your cake

Naira cut the cake and fed it to Karthik and Keerthi who in turn fed her.

As they went back to bed Naira could not thank all the gods enough for granting her a wonderful life and such loved ones. She even wondered if she deserved to be so lucky.

"Thank you Bhagwanji' she sent out a prayer to God

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Part-6

Karthik had planned Naira's birthday in detail. He took utmost care that nothing would ruin her day. However fate had other plans. Little did he know that this birthday of her love could bring unknown dangers.