The Valentine day  party was in full swing.. Naira and her sisters were present with their better halves.

“Naira how is working with Kartik you know I’ve heard he has a reputation with the girls..” said Arjun (Salil's elder brother married to Arohi Naira's cousin sister)

“come bhabhi  so did my brother untill he met you”

“yeah Salil Is right all Kartik needs is a good woman in his life,let’s set him up..

“no Naira that’s not a good idea besides he’s not here… oh there he comes and he’s not alone.. said Salil

“Kartik beta glad you could make it and you have bought a date” said bua meeting her.

“who’s she’…?” asked a curious Salil

“I don’t know jo bhi ho.. maybe a work colleague.. anyway lets go dance..”Naira wasn't interested to know  she pulled him to the dance floor.

“wait first lets go say hi to bhai” Salil went pulling her with him.

“hey Kartik bro..”

“Hi,Salu.. bhabhi ji.. he turned to his date. “baby why don’t you get us some drinks”

“ok” she went leaving the three of them.

“what’s up Salu.. him and his cousin chatted for a bit.. just general  things. Naira rolled her eyes feeling bored she wanted to know something though.

“Hey Kartik who’s your date is she long term?”

“Naira leave him alone.. Kartik doesn’t do long term am I right bro” (Salil was always in awe of Kartik he looked up to him and his lifestyle) he looked at Naira “exactly who wants to be trapped in a life long commitment when… I’m not boring you with this talk go and have a good dance you two its your party.”. his date came back “we will join you shortly”   Naira danced with Salil but kept going on about Kartik.

“ok fine meri maa, find him a suitable bride and let me know the update”

“ok done.,

because the girl he is with clearly isn’t his type” she uttered.

“hmmm?”

“Oh nothing its not important” she started dance with him again..

*

Naira had been working with Kartik for over 2 weeks, he had been a gentlemen no rude remarks, at work he was very focused on work but also he  made sure she had lunch everyday if not himself asking directly he made sure from other workers.

Naira you should get home now its really dark outside chalo mein drop kardo”

“ok just want to finish this last..” he came over and switched her laptop off.

“home now!”

Ok  fine!” they were both in the car.

“so that girl who you brought at our house last week..

“before you get the wrong idea she is not my girlfriend..”

“oh I forgot you don’t do marriage.. well how about love then?”

“how about changing the subject.” they were both silent.

or better still let me ask you a question”

“ok..”

“do you love my cousin?” to his surprise she was silent he kept driving.

“what, what sort of question is that!

“obviously not the right one for you if your taking this long to answer”

“of—course I love h-him”

“ok”

“what.. you think I don’t?”

“I didn’t say anything.. he said taking a turn.

“and your bedroom life.. does my cousin make the earth move..

“oh Kartik I knew you didn’t change.. your still misbehaving asking such ghatiya questions to me..i’ll rather walk home”

“fine walk!” he replied and she opened the door. He sighed.

“god she can’t even take a joke…” he drove around.. for a few seconds.. ‘where did she go’ his mind thought. Then he spotted her, she drove near her.

“Get in the car Naira”  she ignored Kartik

“hey chamak chalo is this guy bothering you?” she turned around to a guy and Kartik this in the saw in the rear of his mirror and quickly parked his car in that spot and came out.

“you get in now!” he said with a serious tone holding her hand.. she was about to go with him, the guys blocked her.

“is he bothering you?”.. I’m taking the girl with me.. the guy held her other hand..

“Hey! Don’t touch her with your filthy hands!!.. angry Kartik pushed his arm off her.

“ok relax bro, she looks cold we can share her keep her warm” he laughed. Kartik was really annoyed, his hand became a fist. “aur raat bhi rangeen hojayegi ” that was the most vile thing Kartik heard and he couldn’t stop himself.. Smack went his fist knocking the guy out to the ground. Naira jumped back.

“what the hell don’t you know who you are hitting..

“a low life cheap man I know.”

“and you just standing there.. is he your yaar” Naira didn’t know what to say.

“her husband actually and I will kill anyone who misbehaves with my wife you got that” Naira looked upon shock.. then saw Kartik’s expression and she played along..

“hain sahi bola mere pati ne”

“suno” he took his jacket off and put it around her shoulders.. “tum car mein betho.. and don’t come out untill I get there..” Naira looked behind and saw 4 more guys..

“tum yaha akele esa kaise mein tumhe leave karke.” he just ignored her comments and walked off..he turned for a second ..

“please just go” he mouthed.. she began to walk to the car.

“oh look 4 more clowns.. you decided you want a make over too like I have done on him..

“sala.. grab him” said one enraging the rest.. Kartik was aware and thanks to his black belt in taekwondo he managed to hit all 5 of them, their own sticks became his weapon, he hit them, Naira sat in the car watching she felt uneasy 5 of them against just him..  he seemed ok but then one of them grabbed him and kicked him in the face.. Kartik fell to the ground.. he got up again, he didn’t give up.. watching all this Naira struggled she didn’t know what to do.. she was feeling bad for him, she tried to come out of the car, but stopped because it was just make him angry that she didn’t listen.. since when did she listen to him ever. Again he was being kicked and punched, in the chest, he still didn’t give up.

“ok grab him.. let’s just end him here”.. Naira eyes widened in shock when she saw one of them with a knife.. now she couldn’t just sit there she had to do something, she came out of the car with something in her hand.  Kartik struggled 2 men held his arms back and one was ready to hurt him..

“What is this b*stards name?”

“Kartik Goenka bhaiya”

“what?”

“go on then do it now”

“ahem we have done enough why should we get out hands dirty for the law.. just beat him to a pulp and leave him there”  Just then near the man's leg a fire bolt came..

“what the hell” he dropped the knife..

“something isn’t right let’s go from here..”

They pushed Kartik to the wall and left.. he was still conscious but hit badly.

“Kartik.. Kartik tum thek ho..”

“I t-told you to stay in the car..and this is your doing I suppose” she quickly put the fire out

“I had to do something I couldn’t...I” she sighed and then threw her arms around him.

“I thought they were going to kill you” she hugged him tight, feeling her warmth he hugged her back..  she squeezed her eyes to stop tears coming but it was too late they flowed.

“I’m fine.. he said releasing her, but she was still clung on to him, then she did, but her hands cupped his face.

“are you in pain?”  

“no” he lied but tried to smile. “but your tears are too precious don’t waste them on me”

“Kartik.. uhh..i” her thumb traced his lip, his eyes didn’t leave her, there was still feeling she didn’t know what it was but it was building up inside her. And to his surprise she smacked her lips against his.

How was this guys do leave your comments they keep me inspired to continue this story.