She knew they were hiding something. A whole week had passed and through all this she had noticed a change in her family's behavior. They were more tense, sometimes glaring at nothing for no reason and sometimes hissing in anger whenever the phone would ring.

Even Kartik was involved in that suspicious behavior. His eyes would fly to the door ever so often as if expecting for someone to arrive, yet at the same time there was a look of anger and frustration written on his face. Something was up, she knew.

What it was, however, she had no idea. She had tried asking everyone, heck even luv and kush! ... but no one answered. All remained lip-sealed, most of all Kartik. She knew he had told them to keep whatever secret they were hiding. And that it was something related with Suvarna.

She had asked everyone if they wanted to visit her in the hospital, and they had immediately disagreed. Yeah, sure, they didn't like her and all, but she was still family! She was in a coma, she needed everyone's support, why wouldn't they just agree?!

"Naira?" She jumped at Rajshri's voice and shook her head, turning to smile at her grandmother. Rajshri smiled back and handed her a cup. "Here. Devyaani behan said it would help you."

And then there was the other thing. Ever since she had returned, all of them had become more protective of her. Especially Kartik. He wouldn't even let her walk! She was only a month and two weeks pregnant for god's sake.

She smiled again and took the cup, slowly sipping the tea. Her eyes looked around, searching for her mendhak. Everyone was busy, Kirti talking to Naksh about something and Mansi with Anmol looking through some papers. She was quietly sitting on the couch, having been forbidden to do any work.

Where was he... he should be here... he-he doesn't have work so... she felt her heart sink at the thought of him being in danger. No Naira! Don't think like that, he's perfectly fine! He's perfectly- Her breath hitched. No. she needed to get out of here.

She rose to her feet and wordlessly rushed up the stairs, the voices of everyone else's protests and shouts not reaching her mind. She rushed to her- sorry, their room and looked inside.

He was soundless sleeping on the bed, perfectly safe and even hugging the teddy bear she kept on her bed. A goofy and calm smile was etched on his face, shoulders relaxed.

She sighed in relief. He was safe. She hadn't failed to notice how tense he was these past few days, not getting much sleep at all. Shaking her head and chuckling, she climbed up the bed with him and cuddled close to him, pressing a soft kiss on his forehead and closing her eyes as well.

What she didn't hear were the shouts downstairs. Kartik, however, did.

.....

Kirti frowned worried as Naira rushed up the stairs, to her and Kartik's room. She figured the girl was just worried, wondering where he had disappeared off to. Still, she should be careful. A simple fall would cost her her happiness. Like it did with her and Naksh's own happiness.

Shaking these thoughts off, she turned back to explaining the concept of her upcoming dress designs to Naksh when they heard a knock and the servants rushed to open the door.

She froze and dropped the folder as Suvarna stepped in through the doors, looking angry and bemused. Everyone's eyes turned to her and Manish frowned.

"... I think I had told you to stay away." He said calmly. "To not come here until your son calmed down." She frowned further.

"My Kartik will realize he's doing a big mistake by being close to her." She said bluntly. "I'm just here to help him realize more quickly, so he doesn't ruin his life completely."

"... done?" Naitik frowned after a pause. "If so, please leave." That was straightforward, but no one could blame him. She had tried to hurt his princess, throw her away. And he wasn't happy.

"Aap mujhse aise baat nahi kar sakte!" She yelled anger rising at his tone.

"To kaise baat kare?!" He hissed back. "You try to frame my daughter, my princess, try to get her arrested and thrown in jail even if she's-" He paused this time, grimacing. She couldn't know his princess was-

"I know she's pregnant." That simple statement from her surprised them all and only angered then further.

"You knew then why did you still try to frame her?!" Devyaani glared at her. "Are you THAT heartless, that uncaring that you just continued with the act even WHEN knowing she was in a frail position?! Insaniyat bachi hai tum main ya nahi?!"

"You have no right to ask me that!" Suvarna snapped back. "It's my son's life, i'm only doing what's best for him-"

"Suvarna." Her husband's voice stopped the war of words. Manish glared at her emotionlessly. "Leave." The venom in that word took her aback and she said nothing.

"You heard what papa said, mrs. Goenka." Her eyes widened at the familiar voice and they all turned to the stairs, where Kartik was. His eyes still on his mother, he slowly descended down the stairs. "Leave."

"Kartik!" Happiness flashed through her eyes and she was about to go to him when he raised his hand, stopping her.

"I said... leave." She froze and looked heartbroken yet again. No, he wasn't falling for it. He had once, she had hurt his Naira. Now, he wasn't falling for it again. "Just leave."

"P-per Kartik-"

He turned his back on her, giving a clear indication that he had said what he wanted to say.

"You heard what he said maa." Kirti frowned. "Leave. Until you DO realize your mistake, you're not welcome here."

She slumed back, feet dragged her body out the door yet her eyes still lingered on her son, looking heartbroken. Then, her expression turned that of anger. "... she'll pay." Everyone stared at her surprised. "That girl will pay! Mark my words, she'll pay!"

A shiver ran down his spine as he heard his mother's retreating steps before she was gone, her words still ringing in his head. The tension around him was evident. Why did her warning seem dangerous? Why?

.....

Night came and everyone peacefully fell into slumber, having forgotten that days encounter with Suvarna.

Kartik, however, couldn't sleep. Her words were still ringing in his mind, repeating themselves over and over again. Was she even worth worrying over? He knew well enough she had lost it, she had gone completely crazy especially after pulling that kind of stunt.

His eyes fell on his sherni who had fallen asleep. He grinned. She looked so freaking adorable, hugging the same teddy bear he had been hugging a few hours ago. And soon, that teddy would be replaced by their own child, hah! He could already imagine a baby girl (well, he wanted a baby girl, a mini sherni who he'd love to death) in her arms as she rocked her around, singing a soft lullaby-

A crackling sound interrupted him and his thoughts. He frowned and got up, walking out the room to check what it was.

The hollow figures' feet touched the floor and untied the rope around the waist, the same rope the figure had used to climb up to their room. The impostor's hands reached for the dagger around the belt and pulled it out, slowly stepping near the peacefully sleeping girl.

The impostor shadowed over her angelic form and raised the dagger high, ready to impale her with it. The impostor brought it down-

A hand grabbed it's own and the impostor's head snapped to the other person who had intervened. Kartik growled lowly and pushed the impostor off. Naira was startled awake as the impostor slammed into the desk throwing off the vase on it. It crashed on the ground in pieces and the impostor looked around obviously surprised and panicked, before running to the same window it had climbed in...

... and effortlessly jumping out. Kartik stumbled to the window in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the impostor, but the impostor had already fled. Slamming his fist in frustration, his attention snapped back the surprised and trembling Naira and worry overtook anger, as he rushed to her side.

"Naira! Are you okay?! That impostor did nothing, right?! Are you hurt?! Naira say something!" He panicked at her trembling form, hands frantically wrapped around her, caressing her face and hair and desperately trying to hear at least an 'i'm okay' from her.

She at last took in deep breaths to calm her racing heart and smiled reassuringly at him, wrapping her arms around him for comfort. "I'm okay my mendhak. With you by my side, no one can dare hurt me."

"That impostor is lucky to have run off or sherni would have attacked him beforehand." Kartik joked relieved and she playfully whacked his arm. A frown over took her face however.

"But Kartik... who was that?" Her question made him frown as well.

"I... don't know honestly." He sighed. "But, I promise, that i'll keep you safe. That impostor is after you, and i'll give my life to keep you safe Naira. You're my everything, I can't imagine losing you, I can't imagine a world without you." He pressed his head against her own. "I won't lose you." He wouldn't. And he meant it.

She smiled, her eyes tearing up like his own and she threw herself in his arms. Just then footsteps came rushing to their room, likely because of the noise...

..... Okay yaaaaah i've been absent for a few days, apologies😶😶! But I was just being lazy and stuff, so sowwy for that😶😖! Naira's noticed everyone's behavior, Suvarna visits but everyone shoos her away and a random impostor tries to attack her. I know there hasn't been much Kaira romance but I promise i'll make it up to you! Now that that's over with...

OH MY GOD KAIRA IS BACK IN THE ACTUAL SHOW I'M SO HAPPY I COULD ACTUALLY JUMP OFF A CLIFF IN MY HAPPINESS❤❤❤! OUR KAIRA IS BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-

Okay that's over with😄😄! So sorry for this late update and for this crappy chappy, I tried to make it longer! Please forgive me😶😶! And sorry for any mistakes! Also, I published a new book called 'Kaira: It All Started With A Dare', and i'd really appreciate it if you went and checked it out😄😁❤! I seriously love you all for your support and love, comment below if I should continue or not!😙😙😙❤❤