╔═════ °• ♔ •° ═════╗

𝘛𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧
𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴!

╚═════ °• ♔ •° ═════╝

Life is unpredictable. We can't tell or even predict what will happen next. Well same happened with Naira. After that day when she got the 2nd Sandwich. She grew suspicious. Just a little bit. But that suspicion just grew further when she used to get the Sandwich always. She wasn't fool to not know that someone was intentionally doing it and it was not just her luck that she got sandwich everyday on the bench at that particular time when she returned from her searching of jobs.

Sometimes she got daily wage jobs. And she got the money but still it wasn't sufficient to fill her tummy. But that extra sandwich she always got miraculously she didn't how it filled her belly.

Soon days passed and she felt the need to know who was this Sandwich-person. She was determined to know that. To thank him or to know what's the real motive behind all these tactics! She just can't believe someone. Can she? The person who has seen this much cruelty in her life. Can she believe someone? She kept this thought or rather question in her back of brain to think about it later someday. Because today she was on the mission of knowing who was this Sandwich-person.

She came a little early today trying her best to solve this sandwich mystery and was rooted to the spot seeing a lean,tall guy with such striking features keeping the Sandwich on the regular spot. His back was facing her and she never felt so curious to see who the person is!

And when he turned,she just couldn't stop the incessant beating of her heart at tremendous rate! Her body shivered just at the sight of him. His shocked face came in front of her.

And when his eyes caught hers. Her breath hitched. She didn't know that someone can affect her this much. She took a step back fearing. He could be a serial killer or something or again. No. Her heart did not agree to her. How can a person who is helping her without knowing her can be anyone of that?

But maybe it's just a trap for her or..and with this thought she took an other step back. His eyes unwavering as if piercing through her soul. As if studying her. When she was about to take another step back. A voice reached her ear and she was numb for few seconds and then slowly repeated his words in her mind to know what he is saying.

"Hey! Please don't think wrong of me! I am not any serial killer. I wanted to just help you." He said taking a step forward. She wanted to take a step back again but when she repeated his words don't-know-how-many times in her mind.

She was dumbstruck! What to do now? Believe him or run away from here. When her thoughts were again interupted by him.

"Please believe me! I just wanted to help. I saw you that day eating my sandwich and seeing you in that state. I couldn't resist but to help you." He confessed ever so softly and honestly.

She was in a mess. While her mind wanted her to just run away from here but her heart wanted to believe him. She couldn't oversee the genuiness in his eyes. She was just of 18 but she has seen this World in a way that no one of her age has ever seen! And she just couldn't deny the fact that he seemed genuine to her.

Seeing her not stepping back. He took a step forward towards her again and his heart danced in joy seeing her still rooted to her sport directly telling him that she believed him.

"Why did you do that? Why did you help me?" She asked the question which was bugging her.

His lips twitched at the corners as he smiled softly at her. And Naira felt his smile Beautiful.

"Helping each other. That's our duty. Isn't it? You needed help so I did." He said smiling at her while taking more steps forward. Towards her.

Naira was at loss of words. She had never seen a person like this. She has just encountered the cruel persons Especially guys who just for their ego,their self satisfaction can ruin anyone's life.

"And I can see myself you are in need of help,of care and of protection and I want to provide the same." He said looking at her as he neared her. And he just couldn't help but smile widely seeing her this closely. She even looks more beautiful from close. Naturally beautiful.

Naira was out of her trance abruptly when he came close to her. Her all senses shoot up as she became concious of herself. Taking all in his words and his presence.

"What do you mean? How?" She breathed out. It was just mere above a whisper but he could listen it.

"By giving you a shelter!" Naira's ears perked up and she looked at his piercing gaze with a confused countenance.

"See...You are in need of help badly. And I want to help you with same. Believe me. You can live some days in my home until you find a job, and a shelter to live in! And pls don't refuse because we both know how much in need of that you are..so pls consider it practically!" She didn't know what to reply back. Should she consider this offer. What will happen to her if she do that. Will he harm her like everyone? Or will he be this sweet which he is being. She wasn't able to decide.

He was waiting for her answer. He just knew that he wanted to help her
Badly! He wanted to take care of her,protect her but this can't be possible if she refuses his offer. And he was praying in his heart for her to accept that offer of him.

He just can't see her anymore struggling and he just doing nothing and seeing her suffering. He wanted to be with her, supporting her. She was just a stranger to him and he was to her! But something was connecting him to her which he wasn't able to decipher.

She wasn't able to decide. What to do. Believe him or not? She has suffered so much in her life that she just can't believe anyone now. But something in her told her to give it a shot. To give him a chance. Maybe! He won't disappoint her. A ray of hope was in front of her. And her little heart doesn't know why it wanted to grab that hope and fly.

After a lot of pondering over it. She squeezed her eyes shut while his nervousness was taking a toll on him.

"Okay...I will!" She answered and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you!" He said with relief and happiness bursting inside him.

"Btw I was supposed to say that" she said and they both chuckled. His lips curved in a wide smile seeing her happy even for few seconds!

"So thank you! I can't thank you enough. What you are doing" she was cut off by him.

"You can thank me later.. let's move.. shall we?" He asked and she hesitantly nodded.

"Follow me!" He said and she did.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

It's been quite few days since she has come but she was ever so quiet. Not speaking anything. Just nodding and thanking. However she was growing More close to his Grandma. But something was there which was disturbing her which didn't get unnoticed by Kartik.

She was in his garden, quietly sitting on swing and gazing at nothing in particular. Now when she was given a shelter,clothes to wear and when she finally had peace in her life. Her thoughts weren't ready to let her happy.

All those bitter memories are haunting her everyday,every night. She spent many sleepless night. Whenever she closed her eyes in a hope to get a wink of sleep. She was just awarded with the nightmares. Nightmares of them coming near her, touching her inappropriately. Scaring her. This all was scaring her and disgusting her even more. She has started hating herself. Her body. Herself. Everything related to her.

Just then she felt swing side dipping and saw him! He smiled at her and she returned albeit fake.

"So what's happening?" He tried to make a conversation.

She just shrugged in an answer. So he left speaking more and just gazed at her who was staring in front at nothing in particular.

"Why are you staring at me?" She asked timidly.

"Because you are worth staring for!" He said and shrugged smiling at her softly.

She chuckled bitterly and said." I am not!"

He frowned. "How do you know?"

"Because I know. Because it is reality. It is the truth!" She said looking at front.

"I don't believe the same!" He said and at that she looked at him.

"You don't know about me. That's why!... That's why..you don't believe the same!" She said trying to blink back the tears.

"What do I not know about you?" He asked and she didn't reply. Just avoided his question. She couldn't resist and stood up to go inside. But just then a hand enclosed around her wrist.

"Wait!" She turned to see him.

"Tell me! What do I not know. Pls..tell me." He begged trying to let her all out.

"I can't" she turned and wiped her tears preventing them from his gaze.

"My grandma says that the pain lessens by sharing! If you will not share it then you won't be able to get over it. Now you have to decide. Do u want to get over it or want to live with it whole life!" He said and took his hands back making her free to make her decision.

She just stood there. Thinking. Repeating his words in her mind. And after seems like ages. She finally sat beside him and he just couldn't feel more happy.

He looked at her and gave her an assuring smile. She smiled back albeit shakily. She knew it was difficult for her but she wanted to take it all out. She didn't want to live with it but it was easier said than done.

She let out a shaky breath and started. "When I was 16, one day at night. I was taking the washed utensils in my home. Just then someone closed my mouth and some guys held me." By now she was digging her nail in her palm as those bitter memory flashed in front of her eyes.

Kartik held her that hand and squeezed it giving her assurance that he is here. He is here to support her. And it did help her So she continued! " I was pulled by them in a car and soon they took me to a barren place. I screamed,shouted, protested but they didn't listen me. They... They beat me when...when I tried to resist. Her tears Welled up in her eyes and now she was literally shaking. Kartik shifted closer entangling their fingers. Wiping her tears.

"I tried to resist Kartik!" She told him to believe him that she didn't want that..she protested. She ..did everything she could do.

"I know Naira..I know" he said cupping her face and hugged her. She didn't mind hugging him. That hug comforted her so she continued.

"They did..that...they touched me disgustingly....they beat me when I tried to protest or scream...They..they did..". She was now Crying in his arms. While he was rubbing her back and saying sweet nothings to her. His heart pained unfathomably seeing her in this much pain. While his blood boiled listening how much she has suffered and about those rascals.

"Since then....Kartik.... Someone or..the other... kidnapped me..and they did...the same!" She said crying in hiccups. Her sobbing increased.

"Naira! No one can do anything now..I am with you...We will punish them..the law will punish them.. don't cry doll! It's ok! I am with you now! Ok!" He said calming her down. She nodded hugging him...and trying to calm herself down. Trying to compose herself but it was very difficult for her as those scenes were flashing in front of her eyes..

After sometime,

She pulled away from hug when she was Fully composed and answered. "That's why I am not worth staring for! Adoring for!...I am just a piece of shit. I am disgusting. I hate myself Kartik..I hate this body..I hate myself!" She said looking away. He cupped her face turning her face to him.

"You are not! You are not disgusting. Naira. You are strong. You are beautiful. Heck! You are so pure.. I can see a strong,a fierce Naira inside you. I can see your inner beauty. And who said that you are not worth adoring for! Even you are worth loving for! Never ever think about yourself like this Naira.. you have suffered a lot..but you didn't give up. This all tells that you are strong. I can see the real you and I don't find it disgusting. I find it lovely, Beautiful, strong. Everything that can make a person love her! " He said gazing in her eyes softly. Admiring her. Caressing her cheeks with his thumb.

For the first time,She felt Beautiful.. beautiful with someone's touch. Her heart thumped in her chest. Seeing him admiring her. Her lips slowly curving into a smile. A soft smile. A smile from her heart.

"And never hate yourself Naira.. love yourself. I have never met someone like you. So strong and so beautiful. Do you want to stay happy Naira? Do you want to live ? Tell me Naira!" He asked her waiting for her answer.

"Yes kartik! I want to live.. I want to stay happy. I don't want to live that life again!" She said desperately waiting for his answer. Maybe he has some answer.. some trick..some magic to make her do that.

"Then love yourself Naira. Love who you are! Accept yourself then only you can stay happy. Then only you can see the most beautiful side of this world. Discover yourself. Once you will start loving yourself. You will love this life!" He explained.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

She was gazing outside the window. While the cool breeze came from the window and passed through her which made her smile. She smiled whole heartedly seeing the Beauty of nature. She never saw nature with this perspective. She was smiling ear to ear seeing the whole view outside. Trees dancing on the rythm of winds. Birds chirping as if singing for her. She felt Beautiful.

"Ahem ahem" she turned to see him. Giving him a quick glance. She again continued doing what she was doing.
And soon felt a hand engulfing her from behind. She leaned back in his embrace in content.

"I got your admission done!" He whispered in her ear and she squealed.

"Really!"

"Yes!"

She smiled at him, turned and kissed him on his cheeks.

"What do I get in return?" He asked!

"I gave you!" She said confused.

"What?" He asked with a pout.

"A kiss!" She answered.

"Nope you gave me a kiss on my cheek..but I wanted...(he engulfed her more) a kiss here! (He said pointing on his lips)

"Ohkay!"She said and tip toed to kiss him. He closed his eyes but then she pushed him and giggled lightly.

"What.. it's not fair!" He grabbed her hand making a pout.

"It is fair!" She said and again looked in front continuing to look at the enchanting view outside.

"Isn't it Beautiful?" She asked looking in front.

"Yes! You are beautiful." He said kissing her cheek. And backhugging her.

She looked at him with a beautiful and enchanting smile on her face ." Yes! I am Beautiful!" She repeated his words.

He chuckled. "Self praising, aren't we?" He asked chuckling again.

"No..self loving.." with this she crashed her lips on his and they both got lost in each other. In each other's Beauty.

And then Naira understood! That loving herself is the only key to happiness. Sometimes you understand it yourself and sometimes you need people like Kartik in your life who tell you, teach you that.

❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀

So finally the End!
Guys..yay...do tell me your views about it..
Did you like it!
Hope I didn't bore you with this long chapter!❤️
And don't forget to love yourself for who you are!
Thank u so much for all the love❤️