Part 15

“Hi Naira I have to get back to Arizona soon, so I was thinking that we go out to dinner tonight?”

“tonight?” she said. ‘she had promised Kartik he can spend time with his son but maybe being alone with him is bringing out feelings that she wants to avoid so its better she isn’t there.

“ok sure see you then”

“Rose I’m going out tonight can you babysit?”

“sure ma’am”  

Kartik was so excited to see his kid again, he stood outside the door. And Naira opened it.
“Hi”

“Hi, your all dressed up?”

“yes I am on my way out, but listen here is a list of Kittu’s things, and also I have Rose here to help you anything you need.”

“actually one thing I wanted to ask woh akela su su jata hai ya nai?"

“Kittu, Kittu” the little one called literally jumped up into his arms
“hey little guy, how are you?” he hugged him.

“abhi pull ups pehen ta hai, diaper nai, susu jata but he sits on the seat he hasn't learnt the other way yet, rose will help if you need her too, Ok baccha mumma will be back later, give me kissi” her little boy kissed her cheek.  Naira lovingly stroked his head.

“you won’t stay with us?” he asked.

“I have a date”

“with this.. Anant?” she  ignore his question.

“Rose I’ll see you later” she yelled. “any problems call me”  she walked off he heard the door slam.

“how very mature of you” he sighed, then looked at the cutie in his arms. “come on you, lets have some fun” he kissed his head and walked ahead.

*
At the restaurant Naira couldn’t concentrate, it took them 1 hour drive to reach there. “Naira, are you ok?”

“Anant I’m sorry I’m not feeling too good”

“was the food bad?”

“no I think I’m just tired”  

“oh ok, well I can drop you home then?” she nodded “thanks”  once they reached home she waved him off. She opened the door it was dark. “hello?”  the house was a bit messy. She walked over panicked when she didn’t see Kittu, she went into the living area and her heart melted.

There he was asleep in his dad’s arms.  Kartik himself had dozed off on the sofa, his legs stretched out and crossed at the end of the sofa. His Kittu sleeping on him, his little cheek resting on his father’s chest, his with thumb in his mouth.

Kartik had  both his arms around his little one protectively, she smiled seeing them she didn’t have the heart to ruin the moment.

She took a blanket and covered them with it and shut the light. She went into the kitchen and sat down.

(Kitchen)

She thought Anant is so nice and understanding he didn’t even question her why she wanted to come home. He is so in love with her, perhaps a bit too much she didn't whether that was a good or a bad thing... Naira got up and took  a glass of water. She heard someone come in. “did he behave?” she asked Kartik as he came in. He nodded.

“ yup we had lots of fun” he smiled. “you’ve done such an amazing job with him”

“thanks” she said rinsing the glass.

“how was your date?” she turned around to face him. “Wonderful” she lied. “I’m very lucky to have found him”.

“after everything” He turned her around in a haste her mouth dropped at his action. “we would’ve gone to India but once”

“Kartik I don’t want to hear it, things have changed, you can be a part of Kittu's  life bas that’s it” she moved from him. he sighed. He didn’t like her behaviour.

“I love Kittu and  I just want him to be happy he matters most to me”
he nodded.  “ok” he said in a small voice not wanting to push it.

“I think I’m going to leave now”

“oh ok then” she replied.  He started to walk. “bye” he replied

When she looked at his face she couldn’t help but feel guilty for being horrible to him.

“um listen what are your plans tomorrow?”

“Why?”

“you can spend more time with your son”

“yeah I would always love that”  

“Ok maybe you can, we can, I have a day off tomorrow I’m taking him to the park, come with us?”

“just you two?”

“yes, just us, well us three if you say yes”

“ok, I’ll see you tomorrow”

“yeah come around 11am we will be ready” she said.

“ok great I’ll see you then” they exchanged polite smiles. Then he left.

*
The next day Kartik got there early. “sorry I’m not completely dressed yet” she said opening the door in her gown.  He waved his hand, “nah its fine” he said coming in and closing the door.

“Kittu” called the little one when he saw him, Naira smiled. As Kartik waved to their son who was sitting on the sofa. “I won’t be too long”

“take your time” he replied. She nodded and was heading up the stairs. “Hey dude what’s up” he said picking him up.  Naira smiled at them, she felt this warm feeling whenever she saw the two of them together. 10 minutes later Naira came down wearing a dress and high heels.

Their look except kartik has a t shirt imagine that guys 😉

“Let’s go” she said closing her ear-ring”  but it was stubborn. “This thing” she yelled. Kartik didn’t know if he should but he couldn’t see her struggle.

“you ok?” she nodded,

“you’re not” he walked over.

“give it here” she reluctantly gave it. He pushed it into the earlobe hole and gently put the patch on, Naira relaxed so much under his touch, she slowly closed her eyes, relishing his fingers brush against her lobe. He saw her eyes closed, she looked so beautiful.  She slowly opened her eyes, as she did they met his. “done” he replied softly with his hands on her shoulders.

They were in trances. “thanks” she replied. He brought his face closer. “Your welcome”. Their eyes locked, their gaze slowly falling on each other’s lips, she felt nervous when his gaze fell on hers, her breathing quickened. He angled his face more, their lips very close, he wasn’t sure, but once she closed her eyes , and her hands were touching his waist, he knew it was a mutual feeling. He leaned forward, their lips just about touched.
“Mumma?” their child’s voice bought them to reality.

“baby?” she said as they both quickly stopped what they were doing. She quickly carried him up and turned to Kartik. “ahem thanks for..yeah”

“Yeah anytime” he replied.  He smiled seeing her cheeks redden.    He ruffled his hair with a smile.

*
“Um, you take him I’ll just get his stroller from the other room and also there is a picnic basket rose prepared I think she did but I  think we can just have lunch here.”
"ok” she rushed off. He looked at the little one. “your mumma is crazy, crazy beautiful he chuckled. “Kittu had no idea what he was saying but just giggled. “mumma?” he said in a cute tone. “Yesh, yes mumma is coming” he held his son close.  Naira came out with the stroller.
“Let’s go, seat him in there” Kartik sat him down in the seat and fastened the belt.  “how far is this park?”
“not very far its  walking distance” she replied.  They left the house and walked up.

“do you want me to steer?” he put his hand on the bar, as she felt her hand brush with his she took it away. “I can manage have been all this time” she replied. He shook his head  at her dig, and took his hand back. the park was big and spacious. “its nice” he said seeing it.

“so you both come here often” she smiled “ yep just me and my little boy”  was that another dig she had at him?

“kick, kick” he said, and Kittu kicked the ball to him.” Naira watched them from the bench. Then Kartik scooped him up and twirled him around kissing his soft cheek, he walked back to her holding him around the waist, curled up under his arm. “come on tiger”
“I think he’s thirsty”  he gave him to her. “my baccha thirsty” she kissed his little face, then took a juice box out and gave it to him”  Kartik took him back on his lap. Naira smiled, she didn’t say it loud but she could see how much Kartik had bonded with their son.

“you must be thirsty too” she handed him  a orange juice bottle.

“thanks” he replied.  Kartik played some more with his son, taking him on the slide and swings, and Naira snapped  photos for him along with videos. Kittu fell asleep in his arms. So instead of taking the stroller he carried him all the way home. She slowly opened the door and guided him up to his room. Naira opened the door.

(Kittu's nursery)

He gently placed him down.  Both of them stood in front of the crib just admiring him. He turned to her. "Tum ise tumhare saath nay sulati?"

"Haan I did but then mumma said now he should sleep on his own because he will turn 3 very soon"
"Rose said woh bottle se peeta hai doodh?"

"Haan just evening time na if he asks for it, otherwise he doesn't have it" Kartik nodded, and Naira felt happy to see how interested he seemed in knowing all about his son.

“thanks for today, I had fun”

“me too” she smiled back.

“he’s just the coolest little dude” he said and she smiled at his comments.

“yeah he is precious” she said looking towards him. “I got pregnant young, but  I wouldn’t swap him for the world, he is just perfect” Kartik placed his hand on hers.
“we made a wonderful  son” hearing him say that she turned to him.
“we did, and I’ll always be thankful for him, now I can’t image my life without him” she said. She slowly took her hand away.

“we should go downstairs and let him sleep”  she said leaving the room and he followed after her. Once they reached downstairs. “
“you hungry? I’ll just check what there is for lunch, you can go have  a smoke break if you want”
“I quit.” She turned back.
“really?” he nodded. “yep once I found out you gave birth I quit”

“I’m impressed” she said with a little smile. “so um I’ll go check and here you can watch tv if you want” she got the remote control and handed it to him.  

“ok” he replied . Shortly she came back. “Lunch is ready, rose made pasta I hope it’s hot enough” he made his way to the dining area, sat down and they ate.

“its nice” he said taking a bite, she nodded.

“what are you doing now, I mean working, studying I hope your business line has changed?”

“I’m in a business a legit one its with my friend Ian, in LA  we are partners and the business is doing very well, so I will be flying back soon”

“good I’m glad your getting your life together” she said taking a sip of  her water.

“Its hardly together if your not a part of it” she looked up at him. “Well things have changed..”

Lunch went quiet she cleared the dishes away. He was sitting in deep thought. Then all of a sudden he got up.
“I’ll get going now” he said and made his way  into the lounge area. She went after him.

“Kittu is asleep don’t you want to wait till he wakes up?”
“um..”
“Actually I want to show you something take a seat I will be right back.

she came back and handed him a book.  He smiled when he saw it. “His baby photos” He looked through them.

"Oh wow" he said "kitna chota tha ye and tum. haay yeh smile to par mein maarta hu Sherni" she smiled.

“oh yeh kitna golu molu tha" he chuckled. Naira looked at him. “yeah we dressed him up as Krishna”.  

She smiled seeing him light up on each image.

“cuties” he commented.

She looked over at what photo he was seeing. Now took a seat next to him.

“your wearing a saree?” he said looking up at her?”

“yeah masi had a pooja at her house”

“I love this photo and you look stunning in a saree, its first time  I have seen you wear one” he said admiring it. "

“thanks” she blushed pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. 

"Aur yeh mera baccha kitna cute lagra hai yaha" he kissed the photo.  Aur dono red mein ho" she smiled

"You remember?" She commented.

"Yah of course I can't forget important details like that" she smiled

He looked at many photos. Then stopped at one.

"Ohh this one is so cute, mwah so naturally pretty jaan"

"Actually yeh video tha"

"Ohh bahut sweet hai every photo and video kitni hogi na" he asked

"Haan I'll show them too you right now my phone is on charge."

"That's ok next time" he said. He turned to the last page.

"They change so much, yeh janab day by day handsome hi hota jara hai"

"That's his 2nd birthday studio mein liya tha"

"Aur Yaha kitna naughty lagra hai"

"Yeh Mumma ne liya last year, I can't remember which event.

"I missed so much" he became emotional. She felt bad for him.

"What ever happens we can't change but you can make many new memories hmm."  She held his hand, and he nodded.

“being the mother of my child doubles your beauty” she looked up from the booklet to find him gazing at her. Her eyes locked with him. “how was the pregnancy?”  her eyes started to fill up. "

“hey..” said in a soft voice and gently grasped her neck. “Hard I needed you” she said. A tear drop fell on her cheek. “I’m sorry” he rubbed her tear away with his thumb.

“I’m so sorry I wasn't there” he touched his forehead to hers and she let him, she closed her eyes,.  Her hand went on to his nape

“Sorry you had to go through it alone” he apologised. She opened her eyes.

“So am I “ she deeply sighed and she removed her hand. “I was weak for a moment” she got up from the sofa, wiping her tears, ashamed at her action.

She sniffed and then swiftly turned to him. "but I’m stronger now and whatever life throws at me I’m ready for it”

He got up too. “but you don’t have to be I can be there for you if you let me”

“you have to go, I have to organise Kittu’s birthday my mum is coming over in 10 minutes she can’t see you” he nodded.

“ok” he went quiet.

“can I come to his birthday?” she looked up.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea, it’s a family event”

“I got it, loud and clear” now he was losing patients with her.

“you know Naira your not my Naira anymore, she would never have treated me this way” she saw him ahead

(tut)“Kartik I didn’t mean to..

“you think only you have had it hard, lets not forget you also have a rebellious nature your not exactly perfect.”

“ok fine  I deserved that” she said when she gave it some thought, in her teens she was no angel either.

“You know  that day I was coming to collect you so we can start a fresh in India” she walked over to him.

“and?” her tone softening a little

“I went to print of the e-tickets, Shakti ‘s men found me and ..  hearing him speak about that day, brought it back, she wanted to know what happened. She turned around to him.
“they found you?” she asked now serious..

“hmm and hit me,  bad and also knew that we were an item they threatened me and worst of all they threatened you and your family.”  Her mouth dropped, Her eyes widened from his revelation.

“they hit you” her heart cried hearing that, He nodded. “hmm”

“but I didn’t stop I decided  I won’t let anyone stop me taking you with me, so I took the short cut to reach your house”

“and then someone fired”  she covered her mouth with her palms shocked to hear that.
“ and next thing I know I was shot in the stomach and then ended up, somewhere else and then.. she could see his voice breaking.

“Kartik I’m so sorry I had no idea” she walked forward and took him in her arms. She hugged him, she felt her own tears again. He held on to her tight, taking comfort in her arms.
“and do you know how hard it is seeing you again, knowing everything, but being followed all the time.  She blinked and released him, taking a step back.

“and ahem, Shakti where is he now?”

“He’s dead and no I didn’t do it, a lot happened after, I went to meet with my family to battle my inner demons, my dad realised about Shakti’s truth and also my step mum’s doing and he couldn’t take it, he’s in a coma, my step mum is in jail and now I am finally free to live my life.”

“Kartik I’m happy you are free now you deserve it you’ve been through hell” she gave a soft smile.

“so have you” he replied.

“hmm I’ll manage  I have my mum, masi and varun,everyone.”  He was still in regretting mode.

“how could I , how could  I take you away with me , knowing my bastard brother was holding all the cards”  she was quiet. He sighed. He could see the change in her, she really had distant herself from him.

“but no matter what I say you won’t forgive me so what’s the point”  

“Look I can’t go through all that again, yes you had it tough but you could’ve made contact somehow anything to tell me you were alive” she did feel bad for him, but still she wasn’t sure if you could go backwards in her life.

“your right what am I even asking of you, I only give you stress, that’s all I do, I can see that clear” he said walking off.  She followed him.

“hey buddy when did you wake up” he went to carry him but he went to Naira instead. Kartik chuckled at his kismat.

“tell him I tried and that I loved him” he smiled.  “what, wait what are you saying” she said adjusting Kittu in her arms, as he started to whinge.

“Have a good life”

“that’s it, you are already giving up on him, what do I tell him when he asks about you?”

“You’ve done well so far I’m sure you will ahead in life too”

“Kartik please wait for his sake”  she said in a teary tone.

“what so now you do want me to be a part of his life, as his dad?”

“yes, but not as his dad, I can’t tell him that yet, but you can spend more time with him”  
“its not enough” she walked over to him.

“come to his party its in 2 days ”

“I thought you said its only family remember?” He was quiet.

“we are his family, look at him, he’s ours he at least deserves his  parents at his party, and

“I don’t know..  hearing him talk like this worried her.

“please” she said in a soft tone which was the most genuine he had heard her.

“I’ll try” he turned to go but then turned back he deliberately put his arm around her, her arms were occupied with holding the little guy.

“see you soon” he said, to her surprise her cheek brushed his and she air kissed him.  

Kartik smiled “laters bacha” he said kissing the back of his head and rubbing his little back.
He opened the door, and Naira stood with Kittu,

“wave bye to him” she said holding his little hand. Kartik saw them and waved. Naira was smiling more at him now. "Maybe there is a chance for us yet" She closed the door. “Hmm maybe telling you the truth isn’t such a bad idea” He whinged.

“Mumma..” she hugged him. ‘After your birthday party you can meet your dada’

she thought

Tbc
❤❤❤
🙂👇🤗