She let him lead, she didn't know what to do, his lips against hers felt wonderful.

'omg Kartik sir and I. we're kissing? it feels so good'her heart sang in happiness.

'Kartik what are you doing?' he felt his hand..

'she gets me I was able to tell her something I haven't told anyone.. I .. I what am I doing taking advantage of her?..'

as much as he was into the kiss his mind came back to gear. When he was about to break the kiss, her lips smacked against his again, he didn't stop.. he let the kiss linger, as it felt too good for him too. He could feel his body getting worked up. Wow after how long has any woman made him feel this way, he thought.

'but no it can't continue it's wrong' He slowly broke the kiss

"now that my sweetie is an example of what wonderful things happen in the darkness. She opened her eyes. He cupped her face and placed a chaste kiss on her temple.

"It's getting late I will drop you home?" she nodded shyly her mind still on the kiss as she got up. They walked back together, as he was about to drive his phone went off.

"Yes Preeti.. I know what time it is,yes..yes.. he rolled his eyes looking at her, and shaking his head at phone call, she smiled back sharing his humour. It felt great to know about him and Preeti that they were not in love. Kartik disconnected the call and began to drive. It was oddly silent neither didn't know what to say..

"so you've lived in basti all your life?" he said nearing Gauri's house..

"hmm yup we are one big family, its nice I guess" she said looking here and there.

"ok we are here" he said parking up. She turned to him.

"thank you sir for a lovely birthday" his lips breaks into a smile,

"your very welcome sweetie" she gave him a smile and was about to leave the car.

"wait a minute" he bent down.. "don't forget your gifts" he handed the bag to her.

"oh thanks" she took the bag, and unbuckled her seat belt. She turned to leave, "and.." he said which made her to face him again.

"and? She replied, waiting for him to speak further.

"and?.. and he unbuckled his own seat belt, he leaned forward, wrapping his right arm around her shoulders pulling her close, "Happy Birthday once again" he gave her a quick hug and released her.

"ahem ok I will see you tomorrow" he said being professional again. "ya see you tomorrow sir" she gave him a full smile, then got out closing the door.

" Naira couldn't stop grinning she was walking on air this had beaten all birthday's. She saw him wave to her as he drove off. She waved dreamingly at him, she didn't speak to him about what happened between them, how could she when she herself couldn't make sense of it. she unlocked the door to Gauri's house. Across the complex two women were watching. "I told you Sharda that is Naira"

"your right" said the other woman

" I have seen her many times she comes and gets out of a man's car"

"That is no ordinary man that is Kartik Goenka you know he owns Raizada enterprises.

"she is working for him or what?"

"yes it seems that, but he always drops her off late and today you saw her with the expensive brand bag, it seems she is offering more than just her work.

"what do you mean?"

"do I need to spell it out, it's typical she is luring a rich man into her bed watch when I see Kaushaliya tomorrow I will tell her exactly what I have seen, she has good reason to keep Naira away from her sons, she's clearly a bad influence. Both women agreed and walked away.

*
"Hey Gauri ki bachi you still awake don't you want to sleep?" she said placing her bags on her bed. Gauri took her specs off.

"and hello to you too..so how was today..i'm I forgiven for telling Kartik it was your birthday? Naira shot her a stern look. Gauri thought 'oh no she is still mad' Naira lips broke into a smile, "your totally forgiven"

"Yes!" Gauri replied, fisting both hands in the air as if she won a prize.

"is that a gift?" she asked curiously .."uh hmm" she replied.. "oh show me.." she said like a little kid.

"of course come here" Gauri landed on her bed with a bounce.

"here" Naira gave her the bag. "you go through that while I get changed into my night dress. Gauri nodded and Naira went into the bathroom. Shortly she came out..

"wow yaar Kartik got you a gorgeous and expensive sari, and the set is gorgeous , swaroski crystals wow yaar he went all out for you"

"Uh hmmm" she said looking down. And sat on the bed..

"ok you have been grinning ever since you came back kuch hua kya?"

"maybe?" Naira teased.. Gauri kept looking at her friend's shy face she was acting very coy.

"really?"..Gauri asked again which Naira nodded to looking up.

"tell me everything" Gauri was like a kid hyped up on sweets.

"not much to tell.. he called me in the car and surprised me with the gifts, then we had dessert, then a walk on the beach bas" she looked down shyly.

"walk on the beach that sounds romantic.." says Gauri nudging her.

"and then we kissed" she said in a soft coy tone.

"huh.. hold rewind back you guys kissed?.. she nodded looking down shyly .

"ya well he kissed me first.."

"wow Naira this is huge, so like what a proper kiss, was there tongues?, is he a good kisser? did he make you.. Naira grabbed on to Gauri's arms

"calm down no, no tongues, it was sweet a nice kiss.. really nice" she smiled to herself.

" and then?" Gauri asked with eager eyes.

"and then nothing, we didn't really talk about it, he dropped me off home but before it he hugged me in the car, but we connected it was lovely" she said.

"now I'm exhausted and you too look shattered lets sleep.

"but..

"Gauri if anything else happens I will tell you" she smiled. Gauri nodded and both girls went to sleep. The next morning both girls were in the kitchen standing near the counter.

"Naira what time you going to work?" Gauri said buttering toast.

"I'm leaving in 10 minutes why?"

"where going to Delhi for a family wedding soon, your more than welcome to come" she said with a big grin hoping she would.

"no Gauri it's a family wedding I don't want to impose and..

"I understand and don't worry you can still sleep here while we are away."

"thats so sweet and I love you all but I feel I should go and stay with papa for some days, I miss him it feels like forever since I have stayed and after that.."

"you will come back na after we are back?" she says with a hopeful expression. Naira looked down, 'how do I break this to her?'

"not exactly I was looking at my balance and I have enough money to look for rented accommodation" she said with a smile.

"oh" said Gauri a little disappointed.

"Gauri I love you, but I can't stay here forever I have to look out for myself na and do what I need to do.

"yeah yaar I understand completely I will miss you"

"oh baby" Naira hugged her.

*

Kaushaliya what are you saying?!

"what I'm saying?.. Saurabhji its all people are talking in the temple area"

"I don't believe it"

"or you refuse to believe, isn't it weird how Naira is able to pay for the bills and buy treats for the twins now and then?"

"I don't believe you" he moved his wheel chair to the other direction, not wanting to hear anymore.

"the truth is your Naira Is sleeping with her boss for money"

"No!" he shut his ears.. then opened them again as it went silent. Kaushaliya kept on going.

"Yes that is what he is paying her for, I know it's bitter but that is the truth it's bitter, Sharda saw with her own eyes she was seen yesterday getting out of a lavish car, with expensive gift bags"

"oh woh Sharda! you know she is a gossip queen I will not believe her over my Naira"

" Sharda come here" Sharda came from the side room"

"bhai saab I know you think I gossip but I swear on my son's life I saw Naira come out of a lavish car last night and this man I have seen him drop her home late at night not just last night but a number of times, I don't know what to say but I know you don't trust me but you do trust Prena and Prena said they both came late from a hotel one night.

"Now do you believe me" Kaushaliya screamed. Saurabh was silent.. "get out of here both of you just get out!" he shouted. Sharda fled fast into the other room.

"Look I don't care, all I care is for my sons I do not want Naira coming over anymore, she is not welcome anymore, I'm keeping her away from Mohan and Kirtan for good, she is a bad influence, a curse on this family she killed your first wife with her inauspiciousness!" Saurabh wheeled his chair away from her vile mouth.

"loose character, all money from her burn it! I don't want it for their education it's tainted money of a prostitute!

" Kaushaliya!!!!" he shouted.. she never heard him rise his voice. "stop! Stop talking just shut your filthy.. mouth!! Aahhh! He held his chest..

"my filthy mouth how.. dar.. Saurabhji? What's wrong oh my god.. Sharda call an ambulance. He was passed out clutching his chest sinking in his chair.

*

Naira had not seen much of Kartik, she saw him come in the drawing room, he smiled at her which was nice at least he acknowledged her. He was so busy in his office that day, and Siya was crawling all over the place, and right now she was playing up she would not stop crying, Naira didn't have a chance to think anything else, she finally calmed her down and she fell asleep on the couch. She sat down next to her.

"Hi beta" dadi whispered. She waved her to come and sit in the hall.

"dadi?" Naira hugged her.

"Baccha how was your birthday I hope my Kittu made it feel special" she nodded "yes very special" Kartik heard voices and came out of his office.

"what are you both gossiping?" he said with a sense of humour tone. Going through a file, then he halted.

"Gossiping.. we don't gossip beta, I was just asking her about her birthday"

"yeah it was great, you both carry on I need to get back" he didn't make any eye contact with Naira. Although she sensed the feeling and it was not good. It was approaching 8pm. She went passed Kartik's room, he was not on any call and his laptop was shut

'Just go in and ask Naira what you need to' she opened the door.

"Sir?"

"Naira, im busy make it quick.."

"Sir, have I done something to offend you?"

"no.. why do you think that?"

"I feel your avoiding me.." there was silence in the room. "is it me?.. is it cause of the kiss?"

"that was a mistake, my mistake sorry if you felt I led you on, ok I'm with Preeti bas that's it"

"ok fine I understand" she left the room without a word further. Kartik looked as she walked off. He sighed heavily, followed by a loud bang of his palms on the table.

What is going on why did he just brush me off, maybe I did read too much into it, just a birthday kiss?'

Kartik couldn't concentrate on his e-mails he closed the laptop.

'why was I being so rude, but it's good I set the record straight, I can't be with her, it wouldn't be right, she will understand I did it for her own good'

*
Gauri I don't care about anything, I'm just going over to papa's and I'm going forget all about these problems, Kartik just everything. Its family time with me papa and the boys. She said as Gauri parked up.

"and your bitch step mum.." said Gauri Naira gave her a disproving look.

"Gauri please no name calling I don't like her but she is still my brothers mum na"

"ok fine but you enjoy" she smiled and hugged her as she dropped her not too far from the chawl.

Naira walked through the chawl a nice calming feeling, but then the feeling felt a little odd, people were watching her and pointing, but she didn't think anything of it. She went close to her front door, as she was about to knock she saw a lock on it, she put her suitcase down confused to why that was.

"Naira when did you come?" It was Lakshmi kaki, she was the most polite lady on the chawl, and knows Naira's family since she was born.

"just now, kaki there is a lock where is everyone?"

"oh so no one told you anything?"

"about.."

"it's your father beta" She explained what happened, tears started to stream down Naira's face.

Tbc 

Precap Kartik dismisses Naira from her job

Guys I wrote this last week..I know it's sad but it's purely coincidence if you know what I mean

How was it? Please still give your votes and comments ♥️🤗👇