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Days had passed by the Goenkas except Kirti had left. Karthik took full care of Naira's burn. Before he left for Uni and she for school. Karthik used to make sure she had packed the ointment in her bag so that she could apply it any time she got the burning sensation. When they were at the orphanage after every 15 minutes he used to come and check on her and ask her if about her hand. He used to take utmost care of her. Naira had mixed feelings regarding his concern. She loved it when he cared for her but sometimes his over protectiveness used to irritate her.
"Naira what are you doing in the kitchen", he questioned
"Preparing lunch", she answered continuing to touch the vegetables.
She reached out to turn the stove on but what pulled back by Karthik. She gave him a what the hell is wrong with you look.
"I'll help, you have done all the work I just have to cook it", said Karthik stepping infront of the stove.
"What now I can't even cook. What do you think I can't take care of myself I will catch fire if I stand near the stove. Why are you being so damn protective. You suffocate me", she said annoyed pushed him out of way and ran out of the kitchen. Karthik felt bad for her, he knew he was being a pain. But he was selfish, whenever he closed his eyes the image of the care ride to the hospital came infront him. Though she hadn't screamed once, he remembered how hard she gripped his hand in her unhurt hand, her strong hold showed her pain. He remembered her teary puffy eyes when she opened them. He remembered the pain in her eyes. He couldn't go through all that again. He couldn't see her in pain.

It was night by now the two had talked after the kitchen incident. 0Karthik thought alot he realised in his want to protect Naira physically he was the one hurting her mentally somehow.
Karthik went out the front yard of the orphanage. He saw Naira sitting on the swing. That was her usual routine to swing staring at the sky for a while before going to bed. Karthik sat beside her.
"Am sorry", he said holding his ears.
Naira turned his face away from him, "for what", she asked.
"For being an extra protective idiot. I didn't want you to get hurt but somewhere I myself have ended up hurting you. Am sorry", he apologised.
"It is okay. Just next time don't do that I don't like being upset with my best friend", she told him with a smile.
Karthik was very happy when she said she forgave him. He immediately hugged her and whispered multiple thank yous in her ear. She was taken aback by his action. She felt at peace in his arms. She liked the feeling of his hands around her. She liked herself in his hold. A sense of completion filled them as they held each other closer to their hearts.
They broke the hug after some time. Both felt a bit awkward none of them said anything. Karthik went in, while Naira sat on the swing again.

"What the hell is wrong with me. How the hell could I just hug her like that of the blue. What must she be thinking. But she hugged back as well. So she must have not felt bad. Maybe am just over thinking", Karthik said to himself as he sat on his bed.

"Whatever, holding her close to my heart felt heavenly" Karthik said dreamily.

"Why was this so different. When ever a stranger would even touch me I would feel disgusted, but now I felt protected.", she thought while swinging.

"He isn't a stranger, he is your best friend", her inner conscience reminded.

"Yes but I don't feel like this when I hug Pungi or Kirti di, they are also my good friends.", she replied back.
"I felt so safe in his arms like I used to feel with my family before they broke my trust. But also there was something different, something special, something extra, my heart was racing, beating 10 times faster then usual. It was a weird feeling, that gave me a weird sense of happiness.", she said to herself.

"Maybe I should just forget these questions and enjoy the bliss. Remembering him holding me close to his heart.", she said to herself as she went back in the orphanage.

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Almost a year passed by, this unknown feeling grew in their hearts. It wasn't that they couldn't name this sensation, they didn't want to.

There was something like a prom at Karthik's university. It was not a couple thing but all students could bring a friend. Neither Karthik nor Naira were interested but Kirti pushed them to go so they agreed.

Karthik was ready he was waiting for Naira near the car. Though he used to take the train daily for Uni as it was in the next city and always denied when Kirti asked him to take the car as she might be needing it and plus Karthik never misused Goenkas love for him but this type Kirti convinced him to take the car as she didn't want the two to ruin their clothes before they reached the party.

He paced around near the car. Looking handsome in complete black.

As black was the dress code for boys and gold for girls.

Finally Naira came to him. Dressed in a light gold lehenga. She looked like an angel.

He stared at her as if in trance. He couldn't get his eyes of her.

"Where are you lost Mendak", she said clicking her fingers infront of his face.
"In you", he replied dreamily and then only realised what he said and bit his lip. Naira giggled a bit hearing his response and without saying anything sat in the car. Karthik lifted up her lehenga a bit and pushed it in the car so it would not stay out when the door was shut and closed the door, then himself got seated on the driver's seat.

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Car Ride

"God ek compliment nahi de sakta budhu", thought Naira.

"Mann kar raha hai ke batadu ke how pretty she is looking. But usse weird tho nahi lagega. (Pause) weird Kyun lagega. Friend hai tu bas compliment de raha hai. What is so wrong in that", Karthik said to himself.

"Tina", he called nervously as he stopped the car as the signal got red but got no response. He called out again. She looked at him.
"What", she said irritated
"Mood off lag raha hai, shayad chup rehne mein bhalai hai (pause). Khe hi deta hun waise bhi sherni humesha mujh par dahadti rehti hai. What is new", he thought
"Tum bahut khubsurat lag rahi ho. Waise tum humesha hi pretty lagti ho. Lekin aaj kuch zyada hi. Dad tumhe angel bulate hai. Aaj tum sach ki angel lag rahi ho", Karthik said in one breath
"Signal green ho gaya hai. Gaadi agge badhao", was the only thing that she said.
He concentrated back on driving and she turned to face the window, smiling to herself. Happy that he had praised her looks.

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Party Hall

The two entered together. Karthik's friends gathered around him.
"Hey bro what took you so long", said one of the boys keeping a hand on Karthik's shoulder. Before Karthik could answer.
"And who is this pretty lady with you. Your girl friend", the same friend continued speaking.   
"No, my best friend", Karthik answered back. Naira felt hurt when Karthik denied about her being his girl friend, she didn't know why. After all he had only spoken the truth.
"Then I can try my luck", said another one of Karthik's friends jokingly.
"Come Karthik, I was waiting for you", said a girl walking up to them. She hugged Karthik and Karthik too hugged her back but only for a second. Naira felt a pang of jealousy as she saw that girl close to her mendak. The girl tried to drag Karthik with her but he stood firm.
"What's wrong", she asked
"Nothing Natasha but I would like to be with Tina here. She knows no one except me", said Karthik
"Am sure she won't get lost. She is no baby. You don't need to stick to her all the time", said Natasha
"Yes, I don't need to but I want to, I like spending time with her", Karthik admitted honestly and it made Naira very happy.

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