"Anjali I will give you one more chance, if you get your daughter to stop living in sin without marriage she is in a live-in stop it and you are in" said Savita. Anjali nodded. She pulled her phone out.

"Anant I need a favour call me" she cut the call. "Kartik tu toh gaya"

*

Kartik heard silence "seems everyone has left"  he had just placed Kittu to sleep. Naira was seated on the sofa with her head in her hands.

"Jaan?" she looked up seeing him in front of her, she remained quiet. He came and sat next to her, taking her left hand and held it to his chest.. what happened?" She looked at him.

"Mumma took their side" she sniffed. "she didn't defend me or anything, my own mum" she sniffed and the tears came. "Am I that bad Kartik" she cried.

"No, no, sweetheart" he took her into his arms and comforted her, he just held her close. He turned slightly and kissed her temple.

"Listen to me" he made her sit, "you are amazing"  he wiped her tears. Then held both her hands.

"what you have done, how far you have come"  he cupped her face.

 "I'm so proud of you jaan" he touched his nose with hers. "You have given me so much" he kissed her cheek.

"You gave me Kittu Naira, despite everything you had him, you studied and became a lawyer at such a young age baby" he kissed her other cheek and pulled her in a bone crushing hug. Kartik's hugs felt so loving always and it's exactly what she needed. She smiled whilst she hugged him back.

"I just love being here, my favourite place in the world" she said he wanted to see her pretty face. He came out of the embrace and admired her face.

" where?" He asked

"In your arms" she smiled

"That's better, my Naira smiling acchi lagti hai" she leaned more into him, then remembered.

"oh Kittu he must be" she lifted her head yawning

"Asleep" he finished her sentence. "You relax you must be tired it's been a long day for you you have been up since 6am"

"Hmm, tomorrow too I have to go" then Kartik remembered he needed to tell her something but seeing how exhausted she is he thought to leave it.

"you should have an early night baby" he held her hand and they went up the stairs. She quickly got changed, they both got ready to sleep. She came out of the bathroom in her night dress, he was reading something in a book. She stood admiring her man, she went and got in the opposite side of the bed. '

"What are you reading?"  She said,with glinting eyes, Kartik saw that glee in her eyes.

" nothing much" he put the book to the side,

" good" she came into his welcoming arms, she ruffled his hair.

"Did Kittu behave himself, I didn't really get a chance to ask" Kartik nodded.

" yes I love spending time with him" she smiled.

 "I'm so glad he is bonding with his daddy" she rested her arm on his chest. "Me too" he smiled at her."Kitna handsome daddy hai" she complimented.

"aur mumma" he flipped them, her underneath him, she giggled at his action. He gently moved the hair strands from her forehead, the sensation of his fingers running across her forehead was making her giddy.

 Kitni gorgeous hai meri Kittu ki mumma" he leaned down admiring her pretty face, "Meri Shreni" he kissed her forehead.

"Ek second just in case Kittu decides to say hello" he turned around and pushed a button on the side, it was now pitch dark, he came on top of her again, and covered them both with the quilt. Naira felt his loving arms hold her,  she could feel his hot breath close to her cheek.. he kissed her cheek, then lifted his head.

" I'm feeling hot" Naira laughed,

" well if you have the whole covers on top of us then what do you expect"  she pushed the covers off.

" that's better" she said pulling him down. "Now where were we" she kissed the corner of his lips.

"Naira wait, what if Kittu comes"

"Nai ayega, humara accha baccha haina, don't worry"

"Nai, what if he does and we are getting close" Naira rolled her eyes.

" then what shall we do.. "

"Wait I have an idea" he removed his t-shirt.

"Now it won't be hot" he pulled the covers over them again.

"Now it's just kittu's mumma and dadda's  time"  he kissed her cheek lovingly, Naira smiled  enjoying his kisses all over her cheek. At one time this bed was cold, with no one to share it with, her pregnancy was lonely days, post pregnancy new born Kittu slept with her, but she didn't have anyone to share the experience with, she look aftered him but there was no one  to look after her, to love her, to shower affection on her.

Her mind can't believe Kartik her Kartik,is in bed with her right now showering his love on her, how lucky she is feeling, she wrapped both her arms around him feeling him close she loved this feeling . Kartik's warm lips left her cheek briefly. He turned her chin with his hand, she felt his hot breath fanning her lips, she parted her lips, they engaged in a soft tender kiss. The kiss became heated in seconds, their bodies creating friction, they enjoyed the closeness, their lips smacking, they needed to stop for air, they reluctantly broke the kiss, Kartik wanted to do more but then he remembered..

"You have an early start we will continue this tomorrow night" he kissed her forehead. Naira smiled, he is so sweet and considerate, she thought.

"You better continue it tomorrow I mean it" they both laughed at her comment.

"Mmm I love you mendak" she said resting her head on the side of his chest.

" love you more" he whispered. Both falling asleep in each other's embrace.

*
"Dadda loves Kittu so much" he kissed his cheek. He closed the garden door, they both had just played kicking the ball around. The door bell rang.

"Mumma agaye itni jaldi, surprise hogi, Naira said she is working till late today pakka, maybe she finished early today also." He opened the door.

"Kartik remember me Anant?" Before Kartik could react he barged in..

"Hi Kittu" he said "remember me beta?" Kartik was relieved to see Kittu cling on tighter to his shoulder.

 "he is fine with me, why are you here?" He asked.. as he was closing the door.

"Kartik beta, Naira called and said you needed help" said Anjali entering in and closing the door.

" she said what,when?" She ignored Kartik's question.

" so here we are" she walked ahead acting like she owned the place, Kartik followed them both his mood wasn't good. He felt irritated seeing Anant sitting on the couch.

"Aunty Naira said she didn't want to see you again so what- " his words were cut off.

" yeah right, they always argue it's never serious" said Anant

"Exactly, you have a lot to learn about my daughter, she has a short fuse and says things she doesn't mean like yesterday"

"Its an habit of theirs, anyways we are here to help" said Anant.

"You spoke to Naira?"  Anant got up.

" I did, she specifically told me to bring Anant over as he was there with Kittu he knows how to handle him"

"Haina beta, Kittu look nani"  Kittu eyes lit up seeing her, he came to her immediately. Kartik didn't know what to do, he was about protest then got distracted by Anant.

"mummyji remember this click" Anjali went over.. she laughed seeing the album.

"Yes of course, Naira holding new born Kittu, you clicked them so nice" Kartik was feeling angry hearing them discuss the photos that he couldn't be part of.

" he was so cute, remember Naira was cute also she played yashoda to our lado gopal"

"Anant you came at all the times it mattered and she knows it" said Anjali. There words were getting to Kartik. It was effecting him big time, especially seeing Kittu in Anant's arms now. Kartik left the room, Anjali smiled at Anant

see its working" she whispered to Anant.

'Naira wouldn't call them to help, she knows i'm capable abhi clear karta hu, abhi Naira ko bol deta hu" he called Naira but her phone was unreachable, he rang again, still no answer, after several attempts he gave up. He went back in the room.

" no what are you doing, Kittu isn't suppose have juice right now."

"Dadda" he called, reaching out for Kartik, Anjali noticed and stopped him.

"The schedule might be for you, but I can spoil my grandson."

"No ,said Kartik "it will ruin his lunch" he said holding the glass.

" it's fine!" said Anjali and on purpose dropped it on Kartik's shirt.

"Aunty look what you did, you ruined his shirt" said Anant Kartik looked irritated.

" it's ok, I'll change and come" he said as it was sipping through.

" give Naira a miss call from my phone and your phone" Anant quickly did that. Kartik put a fresh t-shirt on. 'Maybe Naira does doubt me as a father, no she knows I can look after Kittu, then why did Anant say her and her mum always patch up.." his mind was confused all thoughts went out of the window when he heard a commotion downstairs.

" Kittu, Kittu kaha ho tum" Kartik raced down the stairs.

" matlab, where is he huh, where is my son aunty?" He asked.

" I don't know he was here, I checked the whole house kahi nai hai woh..

"Kahi woh..

Kya?! He shouted.

*
Naira looked at her phone, " 8 calls from Kartik, 3 from mumma 2 from Anant itne sare calls, oh no what if something has happened to Kittu" the mother in her panicked, "It must be otherwise why would Anant call, I better get home" she gathered her thoughts and left. Naira heard voices when she opened the door,  she barged in.

"Mumma what's going on what are you doing here?"

"Beta Kittu?"

" kya hua Kittu ko?"

" ask Kartik"

" kyu Kartik ko, where is Kartik?" Her mum didn't answer.

"Kartik? , Kartik kaha ho tum? She called. Then she saw the garden door open.

" Kartik?" 'Naira is here, oh God what am I going to tell her" he panicked.

"Kartik, what's going on?" Where is Kittu huh?" Kartik saw her panicked state.

"I thought he might've gone in but he hasn't thank god" he said.

"where did he go, is he missing? Kartik speak!" She said getting worried. Kartik didn't know what to answer.

"Naira" she turned around.

"Oh thank God" she saw Kittu in Anant's arms she took him in hers. Kartik raced over.

"Let's get you inside" she walked in leaving Kartik behind, Kartik followed on..

"Is he ok?" Said her mum.

"Yes, what happened I just came and"

" it's good we came, who know what could've happened" 

" thanks Anant" said Naira.

"Kartik left the door unlocked anything couldve happened he couldve fallen in the pool or worst" Naira saw Kartik's face had dropped.

"Ok mumma it's fine nothing happened Kittu is safe, that's the main thing."

"No thanks to him"

"mumma thats enough, this is new to Kartik still" Kartik shot her an annoyed look and left. She immediately went after him,

" Kartik" she called, both ended up in the kitchen. "Kartik wait"

"why Naira, if you thought I was incapable of looking after Kittu then you could've just said it directly"

"What, I don't think that" she replied. She took a step closer.

" and you know that.." she caressed his cheek, but he removed her hand.

"Oh really then why did you send your mumma and Anant to come help me"

" what, when what are you talk.. he cut her off,

"no Naira, don't please, just don't try and deny it now!" Naira was so confused by his words.

Kartik was about to storm off...

"Its ok Kartik we don't all have it in us to be a parent" Anjali came  holding Kittu with Anant next to her.

"Mumma stop this nonsense how can you judge him, he is great with Kittu" protested Naira. Kartik looked at her, it was nice to see her defend him.

"Whatever happened today was an accident" she shouted to get her mum to understand.

"If anything happened to this little boy Kartik I swear I would've killed you"

"Mumma!" Shouted Naira. Kittu started crying. "Dadda" he called to Kartik.

"See how much he loves him, Kartik take Kittu he is calling for you" but Anjali turned him away.

"Naira listen to me, one day you will regret this" Naira was getting so annoyed, she walked up to her.

"Mumma give him to me, now!" Naira took her son.

"Shhh baccha kuch nai hua" she comforted the  little one. "Bas beta"

"Kartik is the love of my life he is Kittu's dad, how can you say such things that hurt me, what sort of mum are you!" Her tears started to form.

"I don't want to hurt you, but he hasn't changed he is still in his old ways!"

"How dare you"

"Enough" screamed Anant. Everyone was silent.

"I can't take this anymore" he ran his fingers through his hair.

"Anant don't"

"I'm sorry aunty I can't, Kartik you are a brilliant father, i can see how much you love him and Naira. He continued.. Kartik was taken back, it was bringing up old memories of him with his family.

"Naira I have no interest to get back with you, but your mumma wanted me to do something to get rid of Kartik, but I can't do that I can't be so cruel. He turned to Kartik.

"Kartik, bro Naira didn't call me it was  her mum it was all Anjali's idea, and..

"Shh Anant what the hell are you saying" Anjali lost colour in her face.

"No Anant continue, what else" said Naira  in a calm voice, but inside she was fuming.

"Kittu wasn't missing it was all, fabricated, the miss calls everything, sorry aunty but I can't lie to this extent nor can I fault Kartik he hasn't done anything wrong"

"Anant I can't believe you would do this to me, but you came clean so i um thank you" Kittu had fallen asleep on her, good she thought it's good  atleast he didn't hear all this.

"I'm extremely sorry Naira" she nodded. Seeing his apology it seemed genuine.

"Mumma, you are unbelievable apologise to Kartik right now!" She said in a low yet harsh tone. She turned but Kartik was no where to be seen.

"I have to leave so sorry again" Naira didn't utter a word, Anant left. Anjali was lost for words

"So  you pleased with yourself, i had such a long day still in my work clothes, I cut  my meeting short because I thought something happened to Kittu, my client wasn't happy with me. you have upset my Kartik, made Kittu cry  just get out I don't want to see you again!"

" Beta please I.. "

"and if you come anywhere near me or Kittu I will call the police, you are not fit to be called a mother" Anjali really messed up and nodded and left the main room. Naira followed her up to the front door.

"Goodbye Anjali don't show your face around here again" she closed the door. She was feeling so low. "What have i done to my own daughter" she sobbed leaving the property.

"Now mission make it up to your dadda" she said carrying Kittu up the stairs, she opened his  nursery. "Mumma knows how to manav your dadda, and dadda loves your mumma alot maan jayenge" she smiled placing him down in his crib. Naira wanted to just sort things out nothing was more important to her right now than Kartik. She walked into their room and heard the sound of a zip.

"Why have you packed your stuff?" She questioned, but no answer, he pulled the suitcase off the bed. She walked over to him.

"Nai Kartik not again your not leaving me again!"

Tbc

How was it? 🙏😘👇