Kartik stayed back all night watching her. It was too late to leave he realized when he heard voices coming from below the window sill. He could get caught if he tried to leave now. He peeked around, Naira wasn't in the room. He stepped into the room, hoping to stay hidden until the voices left & he could too. What he didn't bargain for was bumping headlong into Naira, finding themselves entangled together on her bed.

Her hair was wet, the towel she had on her hair had covered his face. Strangely, she didn't scream. Instead, she gently removed the towel with one hand curious to see the face of the person who had made her heart beat so rapidly. It was only the second time she had felt it, first being when she felt someone holding her when she fainted. It was the same person. She knew it. Her mind was clear of memories and thoughts, but it held the advantage of being highly tuned to senses. With nothing to stop her, she felt a pull towards this man. She saw his face and immediately felt a deep sense of attachment. She took a finger & traced his face.

Kartik's heart was hammering into his chest. Naira, his Naira, was lying on top of him. He could barely breath, a mixture of emotions and memories rushed in but here she was casually mimicking actions she used to do when they were together. If he didn't spot the questioning look in her eyes he would've thought she remembered him.

Kaun ho tum? She asked breaking the moment. He sighed. He tried to push her aside just a little so he could sit up. But she refused to budge.

Mein woh plumbing check karne aaya tha. Kartik fibbed wildly. Tumhara nal shayad kharab hai ? Mentally kicking himself for what he was doing.

Tum pehle insaan ho jo mujhe anjaan nahi lage. She said trying to sound matter of fact but confusion & helplessness crept into her voice. Kartik needed only seconds to melt.

"Naira" He whispered. The huskiness in his tone sent shivers down her spine. A sense of familiarity crept in. "Mein woh" Whatever he wanted to say remained unsaid as devyani dadi was calling out to Naira. She quickly moved away. He placed a finger on his lips asking her to be quiet about his presence. He hid inside the ever reliable  cupboard while she opened the door to dadi asking her to come down for breakfast. She also took her time checking with Naira how she was doing. Naira, however was so preoccupied by the thoughts of the guy in her cupboard that she could barely answer. Dadi chalked it up to her current condition and left asking her to join them for breakfast soon. Naira nodded.

Kartik stared at the insides of the cupboard. How vastly different was this from the last time he was here! He tried to gather his thoughts. Naira had recognized him in some sense? Did he want to lie about his identity? He didn't nor did he want to spring a truckload of information on her and cause her mental stress. The doctor had told him that he had to be careful to not overload her with information. It would be better to ease her into things. Though he wasn't sure Naksh was doing a good job. The only information he seemed to have withheld was that he, Kartik existed.

She opened the door of the cupboard gazing directly into his eyes. He thought he might just combust under her questioning gaze.
Ye pehle bhi hua hai na?
She asked not with any surety rather with hope. He gave her a small nod.

They sat down to talk. It felt odd. They either talked cuddled up in bed or fought standing up. This awkward middle ground felt completely alien. He felt like a stranger to the situation.

Kartik decided to be as honest with her as possible when she asked "kaun ho tum"

Kartik. He said simply.

Aur humara rishta?

Mein tumse pyaar kartha hoon. He stated in a calm manner. She looked slightly startled but not quite as much as he expected. She seemed to nod as if in understanding. A lot of things seemed to make sense to her suddenly.
Tum Yaha raat bhar the, Haina? Mujhe girnese bhi tumhine bachaya tha?
That was not the response he expected to his declaration but he nodded anyway.

Kya hum ek doosre se bohot pyaar karte the? She then asked again changing the topic back to their love. He stared dumbfounded. When he knew of her memory loss this was not the kind of conversation he expected.

Tumhe itna yaqeen kyun hai ki tum bhi mujhse pyaar karti thi ? He asked gazing at her intently.
She looked confused then she simply put her hand to her heart. He smiled in response. His Naira. She may not remember him but her heart had recognized his. He wanted to engulf her into a hug but thought  it might be too soon and she may not be ready.

Kartik. She said as if testing it out. She was still figuring things out. He on the other hand was having a mini meltdown. Hearing her call his name sounded heavenly to him.

Yaha jo rehthe hai. Unko patah hai tumhare baare mein? She asked confused as to why she hadn't seen pictures of him nor seen him around. He wasn't sure how to answer this question without giving out too many painful details.

Unhe lagtha hai tumhari ye haalat meri wajah se hua hai. He said as truthfully as possible.

Tumhe kya lagtha hai?

Mujhe bhi yehi lagtha hai. He sighed. Of course he held himself responsible for her condition. No matter what anyone else said or felt he would never stop blaming himself. He should've been there for her. He should've saved her.

Par doctor ne tho kaha mere brain mein clot tha isliye Ye hone ke chances the?
She had reached out to him and put her  hand on his. She didn't know what transpired and what led to her condition but she couldn't bear to hear the pain in his voice. This man she didn't know but her heart had recognized instantly seemed to have taken over her whole heart. It was confusing but unlike earlier it wasn't frustrating. If anything, she felt at peace.

He had interlocked their fingers out of force of habit. He looked up at her. She was trying to comfort him. He was here to look after her but she was the one doing it? He felt a surge of emotions for the woman next to him. His sherni. His Naira.