Naira was in the office unaware of his plans..
"Nikki is Kartik i mean sir here?"
"Nai Naira"
"Oh..kahe gaye hai kya?" Nikki was sworn to secrecy. "No idea Naira he has gone out don't know when he will be back"
"Oh ok thanks" she said and walked off.
"I just asked for some time with him today  and already he is out of the office and woh bhi mere birthday par" she was feeling sad. Sometime passed and it was getting late..
" kaho Kartik, I will leave for home in a bit" Kartik didn't come and Naira went home, when she reached home her mummyji attended the door.
"You came early Naira Salil is asleep"
" how is he feeling now?"
"Better than before" she smiled.
"That's great news" she said in a genuine tone.
"I will just get fresh then come" Savitri nodded.
"Naira, before I forget to tell you Kartik came by." His name immediately caught her ears.
"Kartik why?"
"he said to pack a bag you are going on a business trip for a few days" this came as a surprise completely unexpected from his  side.
"Oh.. where exactly?"
"He didn't say much just you and some colleagues are attending"
"So you should start packing the flight is early morning the driver will drop you to the airport."
"ok mummyji" Naira went into her room.
"Kartik didn't say anything to me about this. hmm what shall I pack?"
She checked her phone and there was a sms.
"be ready we leave we check in at 5:00am, and flight is at 7am see you at the airport. Dress code it's a hot country so think summer." 
She thought why so formal. "Oh it must be a mass email" she thought. She started packing she could've messaged him but she got very busy, it was almost 12am she completed her packing.
" it's done finally" she set an alarm and went straight to sleep for a few hours. She wake up at 3:30am had a quick shower, and got ready she wore a polkadot dress, ankle boots, a black denim jacket, her hair open and subtle make up. She looked at her phone and saw a other message stating the meeting point at the airport. Shortly she reached the airport. She thanked the driver uncle as he helped her take her suitcase out of the back seat. She waved him off, then she started dragging her suitcase by the extended handle.
"Naira" she heard that familiar voice, it was none other than Kartik, he stood there with a cap and denim Jean's looking hot. She waved to him, he smiled briskly walking towards her.
" all ok?, I'll take that for you" she smiled at him how thoughtful he saw her struggling dragging her suitcase.
"Oh thank you" she said.
" dont be silly you don't need to thank me it's my pleasure darling"  she wanted to hug him, but they were in public..
"Did you have breakfast?" He asked as they walked together into the airport. She nodded.
" hmm little not feeling very hungry"
" yah same, we will eat on the plane" he couldn't help but slip his hand around her waist, feeling his touch gave her a warm feeling inside.
"By the way you are looking stunning in this look" he caressed her waist. She turned her face to him, and gave him a shy look.
"Ditto you are looking too hot" he smiled at her compliment, and now they were gazing at each other. The check in announcement interrupted their moment.
"Ahem, where are the others?"
"They are coming later on meeting us there" he said she nodded. Soon they got busy with check in etc. Now were waiting to board the flight, Kartik didn't even hint to her where they were going much to her irritation, she was falling asleep, Kartik saw her head flop on his shoulder, it got his attention.  he saw her scrunched up face, as they had a disagreement before she fell asleep, but he just laughed at her as he would not tell her where they are going, his Sherni was moody, she stirred and slipped her hand on his trying to get comfortable.
He smiled his eyes fell on her soft pink plump lip. He was tempted to taste them, but he refrained from doing so because it was crowded.
There flight was ready to board.
"Naira" he shook her a little, " hmm?" She looked up from her lashes.
" our flight is ready to board come" he held out his hand, she held it, they started making their way to the gate. Her phone started to ping..she saw all birthday messages arriving that were delayed due to WhatsApp being down.
"You were right mendak, no one forgot, aww even masi maa messaged"
" see mera cutie I told you no one forgot, and how can they tum ho hi itni pyaari" he said looking at her face. She smiled not knowing what to say, this side of Kartik was still new to her, but she was liking it.
"You think I'm cute?" She asked shyly.
" very like a tweety bird jo chapar chapar bolta hai"  she pushed him.
" shut up"
" kya darling mujhe tweety bahut pasand hai" she giggled.
"ok fine mera hottie" they walked over to the gate.
They showed their boarding pass to the lady, then entered the plane.
"Do you want the window seat" she nodded. They both sat down, the plane took off..
"When will we reach give me hint and will there be a meetings and.. he kept a finger to her lips.
"Bas bas darling trust me don't worry I'm there na?" She nodded, they exchanged a cute smile. They started talking about random things from work to personal things.
" you know even when I was drunk the first time I met you, you were the most gorgeous guy I had even seen" she said caressing his cheek with her knuckle. "So handsome, such a cutie" she smiled. He started smiling back.
"I was lost in your beauty that night and we just connected" he held her free hand in entwining their fingers. He kissed her hand.
"Hi would you like your breakfast now?" Said an airhost. Kaira looked at each other.
"Yeah we would" he said for them. They enjoyed breakfast together, then relaxed a little in their seats, holding hands they nodded off a little.
*
He smiled at her, she returned a cute one back, he turned to her in his seat, came towards
 her, he put his right hand on her left knee, and gave a lingering kiss on her right cheek, he then kissed her jaw, then his mouth came close to hers, their lips were just inches apart.
"Baby, baby wait." He traced her soft lips with his finger. He looked at her puzzled,  taking his finger away.
"Why, something wrong?"
"No nothing like that, i just think we should do this later, right now everyone can see us." He looked around.
"so it doesn't bother me." She looked at him with bright eyes, she felt they shouldn't but at the same time it was hard to resist him, she could feel his hot breath tickle her lips, their eyes locked and and they shared a kiss, even thought it was just one it was long lasting, he felt his body yearn for more contact, he felt like touching her all over but they were on the plane and they had to restrain themselves.
"Naira, I need to control.. your making me too excited. She knew exactly what he meant they both looked a little red and she stopped immediately making some distance, they still held hands. He held her hand and kissed it and pulled her close, they had their dinner, and watched a movie on the screens in front of them, the movie came to an end, the sky started getting dark and the lights started to dim in the plane.
"Excuse can we get one blanket" he asked the air-hostess.
"yes sir" she went to get it, a few seconds later she came and gave it.
"blanket for what? Baby here there are blankets, your feeling cold?
"no this blanket is for something else, no disturbance
." She looked at him confused.
"come here." He affectionately pulled her close by the hand she went along with him she was still puzzled.
He took the blanket and covered them with it.
 "now we can" he kissed her lips tenderly.
"do this as long as we want"
she finished his sentence. they couldn't see each others faces,but could feel the sensation they were both feeling. He held her face with both hands,and let his lips write a love letter on her soft ones the whole night.
*
After a long flight they finally landed, in the early evening but the journey to their hotel was a little distance from the airport. They both came out of the airport, dragging their suitcases by the handle, whilst holding handbags in other. Naira could not stop grinning since she heard the flight say Italy.
"Italy is beautiful I can't believe we are in venice!" she smiled seeing the sight. He smiled seeing her.
"Hmm baby and did you know venice is the most romantic place in the world?" They stopped in their tracks getting lost in each others gaze.

 A driver immediately spotted them. A boy called Steven in his 20's came towards them, Kartik had arranged a personal driver with their hotel booking

"Hiya, Carrr tick?   He said holding a little card. Naira pressed her lips together trying her best not to laugh, before he could correct his name.

"Hiya I'm Steven Turner you can call me Steve for short, I'm your driver . He said in a strong British cockney accent, He took his hand out to shake. Kaira shook his hand.

"I'll just get your luggage for you. He was quick, and put their luggage in the back within in seconds, Kaira stood close next to each other.

"All done , just yous two hop in the back and we'll get this show on the road."  He said shutting the boot and opening the back door for them.

"I didn't understand a word he just said"  she whispered to him.

"Me either kya bola pata nai"

"come on love birds, you have all the time for that at the hotel its well classy" Yelled  Steven from the driver seat.

Kaira got embarrassed and quickly sat down, she went in first and he sat next to her, They made small chit chat, their arms were interlinked, they asked a few questions to Steven he was so down to earth, they started to develop a comfort zone, he was helpful in answering her questions about the area. After 15 mins Naira started feeling sleepy, and her head gradually fell on his left shoulder, Kartik noticed and looked down, she looked so cute like a little child. Looking at her he too felt sleepy.
"So you here on your honeymoon then?" asked Steven
"no, just a holiday"said Kartik his eyes started to close'

He turned a corner and they went onto a bumpy road. The car jerked going on the humps, Kartik threw his arms around his g securely holding her, she stirred a little her hoody came off, and the car jerked a little harder making her head bop up and down, as the car became steady, she slowly turned towards him leaning into his chest.

"Speaking of girlfriend, she's a bit quiet." Said Steven

"yeah she's asleep" he replied.

"oh mate, soz, you should get some shut eye and all, look at me rabbiting on, my apologies.

"its ok" said Kartik, Steven seems really chilled out and down to earth but too much of  a talker though. He tried to get some shut eye, he felt exhausted too from the long flight, but Steve kept commenting something or the other, about the roads, or traffic,or something, it seemed he needed to speak, so poor Kartik didn't get to sleep, he tried but Steve's strong accent rang in his ear, unlike Naira who had fallen asleep for the past hour, her right cheek leaned on his broad chest. she had been asleep like that since, he enveloped her in his arms to make her more comfortable, her left hand gripped his chest, touching the material of his tshirt.
"Mate you know what?" kartik sighed 'I won't be getting any sleep!'
hmm what?"  Steve went on to speak'  They reached outside the hotel,. He parked the car.
"You've reached your destination guys"  he said. Naira was still asleep.
"Alright wake up your Mrs; I'll go unload the back. He said opening the door.
"Naira?" he caressed her cheek, she stirred a little.
"baby, we are here. He pushed a few falling strands away from her eyes.
"Hmm?" She responded opening her eyes looking up at him with sleepy eyes.
"we have reached" He kissed her forehead, she sat up yawning.  They heard the boot door shut.
"come."  He said, they removed their seat belts, and came out, he held her hand and helped her out, all their luggage was gathered in front of them. They thanked him and went inside, Kartik went and got the hotel keys and someone sent their luggage to their room. Naira excitedly inserted the card and opened the door. She gasped at the view, it was pleasing to the eye. The room was lavish, with blue decor, a big bed, a balcony at the end of the room, and a sofa area, a ensuite bathroom and an outdoor private pool.  Naira looked around, she sighed feeling two strong arms around her waist. Kartik back hugged her. "Do you like our room" he nuzzled her cheek. She was still getting use to this soft side of  Kartik, but she found it sweet.
"hmm it's so nice" he kissed her cheek.
"I want to see the restroom" she smiled all excited. He let her go.
" by the way when are the others coming"
" there not" she turned around with a confused look.
"Happy Birthday baby"
"Matlab ko business trip"
" nai hain" he said.
" means Italy is just us" she couldn't believe it. He nodded with a grin.
" ahhhh, oh my God!" She ran to him and he picked her up twirling her. She cupped his face.
" when did you plan all this?"
" I wanted to make your birthday special baby" she looked at him, she felt emotional.
" I love you" she said hugging him.
" love you too" he hugged her tight. They just stayed like that then Naira went washroom and shortly came out too.
"So Sherni I was thinking ke we can go..." He turned around and saw her.
"Uff wow" she came to him and looped his neck, but then all of a sudden  pulled back.
" what's wrong?" He said seeing her expression change.
"I don't know I.. I.. " next thing Kartik saw she puked all over his shoes.

Tbc

That's it 👇🙏🙋‍♂️