Thank you everyone for all the love and support. I really appreciate it. Enjoy the next part!

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Despite Kartik's warning that no one must do or say anything that could possibly upset Naira, Chachi went ahead with her cheap tricks and nonsense talks. Singhanias were baffled by her words, where Goenkas were embarrassed. Some looked on with angry expressions, where some were apologetic about the same. On the other hand, Naira didn't like Chachi's tone at all. Particularly because she was talking rubbish about Kartik and her child, as well as their relationship. She didn't want to create a scene. Still she couldn't just stay mum.

She was about to give it back to Chachi, but stopped midway noticing Dadi. Dadi walked up to Surekha with a stern face and reprimanded her in an angry tone "Yeh kaisi battamizi hai Surekha?! Sharam lihaz saab bhul gayi ho kya?! Lagta hai umar ke saath saath tumhari buddhi bhi bhrasht hoti ja rahi hai. Kaab, kaha, kisse aur kya bolna hai, tumhe kabhi pata hi nehi hota! Maine kitni baar kaha hai, jab jaruri na ho toh apna muh band hi rakkha karo. Tumhe kabhi samajh hi nehi aati ye baat!"

She strictly told her as she continued "Bhulo maat Naira iss ghar ki Bahu hai! Hum Naira aur humari Kittu ke Bachhe ki khilaf ek lafz nehi sunenge, kisi ke muh se bhi! Samjhi tum! Jaab jab muh kholti ho galat hi bolti ho! Zaban toh kali thi hi, aab dil bhi kala maat karo! Aur kya bol rahi thi apne bare mein?! Agar mein saanch yaad dilaon toh sabke samne beizzati ho jayegi tumhari. Iss liye chup rahogi, toh tumhari izzat bhi bani rahegi aur huamri shaan bhi!"

By then Surekha had already bowed down her head and her apology came in a meek reply "I am sorry Maaji! Galti ho gayi. Mujhe maaf kardijiye, please!" Dadi told her in an indifferent tone "Mafi humse nehi Naira se mango!" Surekha felt humiliated and apologized unwillingly this time "Mujhe aisa nehi kehna chahiye tha Naira. I am sorry!"

Without wasting another second Chachi started walking to take a spot far from the door, but stopped in her tracks listening to her mother-in-law again "Aur suno! Ye zaroori nehi hai jo tumhare aur Akhil ke saath hua ho, wahi in dono ke saath bhi ho. Shukar manao Kittu tha nehi yaha! Warna aaj bohot kuch galat ho jata! So ayinda dhayan rakhna!"

And like an obedient-scared child, Surekha ran to stand near her husband after giving the old lady an affirmative nod. Akhilesh was really pissed off with his wife's stupid stunts. He whispered so only Surekha could hear "Ye kia bakwas bole ja rahi thi! Bhulo maat galti humari hai ki humnein unki shaadi ko accept nehi kia tha! Jo tana maar rahi thi na tum, bohot hi ganda aur ghatiya tha! Aur wo akeli zimedar nehi hai, humara ghar ka Beta bhi utna hi zimedar hai uski iss halat ke liye. Wo pregnant kyun hai, Kartik se poonch ke dekho! Jaab jawab milega na toh bolne layak nehi rahogi."

Akhilesh gritted his teeth as he kept scolding her "Unka jab marzi ho wo Bachha lenge, apna gyan batna band karo! And why didn't you tell the truth? Humnein late se nehi balki complications ke wajah se wait karna para."

He told her in a no-nonsense tone "Dekho Surekha saab bohot khush hai. Please humein baksh do! Aab toh sirf Maa aur Mujhse dant pari hai. Soncho agar Kartik sunn leta toh kia hota! Tum Janti ho na Kartik ko. Wo koi galat baat hote huye dekh hi nehi sakta. Upar se uska gussa. Aur koi uske apno ke bare mein kuch ulta sidha keh jaye wo usse kabhi bardasht nehi hai. Yaha toh baat Naira ki hai. Tumhe pata hai na Kartik ke liye Naira kia hai! Wo usse kitna pyaar karta hai! Naira mein Karik ka jaan basta hai. Unn dono mein haad se zayda mohabbat hai aur ye bilkul saaf saaf dikhta hai. Phir tumne toh unke Bachhe ko leke tamasha khara kar dia. Do you even understand what you were doing?"

Akshilesh knew his wife wasn't smart enough to see things, as any normal people would do, unless you drill the matter into her head. So he reminded her "Yaad hai ya bhool gayi! Recently jo bhi kuch hua, at least wo saab cheeze toh tumhe yaad hona chahiye!"

He went on with his rant without giving her a chance to open her mouth "Uss din jab Naira behoosh ho gayi thi, Kartik pagal sa ho gaya tha. Hosh uski nehi thi aur Jaan uska nikla ja raha tha. Uske baad Maa ki wo friends, unka kia haal kar dia tha Kartik ne uss din. Yaad hai na! Aur kaal subha Singhanias ke yaha kia hua, maine bataya tha na ghar mein sabko. Phir Kartik ne bhi hum saab se sham ko baat ki thi. Humse clearly kaha tha ki koi aisa kuch na kare jisse Naira ko taklif ya koi paresharni ho. Uske waojood Bhi tum baaz nehi ayi! Dimag toh waise bhi hai nehi tumahre paas! Jo zuban chalti hai na kenchi ki tarha, wo bhi band ho jati aaj."

He visibly seemed frustrated as he warned her "Ek aur baaat. Naira kamzor hai ye sochne ki galti kabhi maat karna. Kyunki Naira bhi chup rehne walo mein se nehi hai! Itna andaza toh ho gaya hai mujhe! Wo bhi Kartik ki tarha hi hai. Galat ke khilaf aur apne liye ladna janti hai. Aaj tumhe kuch kehte kehte chup rah gayi. Agar kuch keh bhi deti toh galat nehi karti. Aab toh khud apna izzat banaye rakhna sikholo Surekha. Rishtey mein Chacha Chachi hai, but Kartik bhi Beta hai humara aur Naira Bahu. Iss liye apna ganda politics aur insecurities ko chodke, pyaar se raho! Aab bhi waqt hai samal jao! Kartik se na uljho toh tumhare liye hi achha hoga! Aur Naira se bhi dur raho! Samjhi!" Surekha gulped in fear and just shook her head in agreement.

In the meantime, Dadi apologized to Singhanias and asked Naira not to take Surekha's words to her heart. Soon Swarna approached Naira with a plate to do her aarti before the grah pravesh. She asked her lovingly "Bachha aab kaisi tabiyat hai tumhari?" Naira's eyes softened a bit hearing her motherly tone and spoke after a long time "Mein theek hoon!" Then looking away from Swarna she thought; "Everyone is here except him. But why am I even expecting?" She mentally yelled at herself for falling weak every time. Yet, could she ever stop thinking about him or not notice his absence?!

Half-heartedly she looked up behind everyone. As if on cue, Dadi caught her eyes seeking for a certain someone. She smiled knowingly and thought to put her search to rest. She told Naira with a hidden smile "Jisse tum dhond rahi ho na Naira, wo baas ata hi hoga. Kittu upar hai! Thodi der pehle hi bahar se lauta hai. Humnein Keerti ko bheja hai usse bulane. Subah se bechain ghum raha tha humara Pota, apni Biwi aur Bachhe ki aane ki khushi mein."

"Aab lagta hai uski ye bechani akele ki nahi hai. Koi aur bhi iss mein shamil hai." said Dadi eyeing Naira and suppressing her laughter at the same time. She turned to look at Singhanias and spoke "Ek baar wo ajaye neeche, phir hum grah pravesh ki rasam shuru karenge." Naira felt embarrassed on getting caught like that. She looked down shyly and to her luck Kartik started coming down exactly at that moment.

Before coming down he got rid off his coat. He was wearing a light pink shirt with a dark midnight blue tie. His sleeves were rolled up. As he approached closer and she came into his view, Kartik was awestruck seeing her. She was looking breathtaking and he couldn't take off his eyes of her.

Every though she wasn't her usual happy self, there was some kind of glow emanating from her face. It just made her look even more beautiful. He thought; "How could she look this gorgeous every time and mesmerize him more than the last?! A rare beauty, but a serene one!" He smiled thinking; "This woman in front him is a gem of a person. A beautiful soul inside and out! And she is his! Indeed he is really lucky!" Kartik was so delighted by his wife's presence that he remained glued to the same spot forgetting everything else. He was completely lost in his own world.

He couldn't help but think about something that Naira and he had discussed back in Canada. A dream that would come true in a matter of few months! She was finally pregnant with their first child and he couldn't control his excitement to see the little bundle of joy entering their lives soon! As he stood watching her, Kartik started imagning one of their future moments right then and there.

Naira was 7 months pregnant. She was wearing a light blue overall with a white t-shirt. Her long silky hairs were tied in two cute ponytails, and head was covered with a cap. Naira wore it upside down, giving the full view of her adorable-beautiful face. There were paints in several areas of her face. However, she didn't care and slowly kept painting the wall. Kartik, who was in a pair of jeans and a dark blue half-sleeve shirt, came from the back and encircled his arms around her baby bump.

He whispered near her ear "Didn't we decide that we are going to paint our Baby's room together?! Until my return, you were only to pick the colors and come up with a combination for the walls. Yeh toh cheating hai Jaan!" Naira rubbed her cheeks along with his as she spoke "Nope! I just started painting, as I couldn't wait anymore. It didn't take me long to come up with the design. So no cheating! Let's do it together now!"

When she rubbed her cheeks with his, Kartik felt something sticky on his cheek and touched it. When he noticed paint on his fingers, he motioned her to turn around in order to confirm his doubt. His wife happily obliged and encircled her hands around his neck once she came face to face with her husband. She had this huge grin adoring her face and oh my! Kartik couldn't help the smile that had spread across his lips. His Naira was looking super cute with those stains of paint on her cheeks. Undoutebdly, it was a memerizing view for him.

He immediately surrounded his hands around her waist and carefully pulled her close to him "Were you painting the wall or your face Mrs. Goenka!" She replied sheepishly "I think both Papa Goenka!" With that both the husband-wife burst into fits of laughter. Kartik shook his head still trying to control the unstoppable laughter. "You are impossible, you know! Mein toh soch raha hoon tum ek Bachhe ki Maa banne wali ho ya khud hi ek Bachhi ho! My cute little Naira!" as he said so he pinched her nose slightly. In turn, Naira's lips formed a pout as she complained "Very funny Kartik! Don't call me a child! I am going to be a Mom, all rite!"

Kartik smiled looking at her baby like lovely face and brought his one hand to hold her chin. Looking into her eyes, he spoke softly "Hey Mumma Goenka! Don't be upset! You know your husband. I was just teasing you. Trust me you are going to be the best Mom. I mean it Jaan." In no time, Naira's face beamed with joy. With a broad smile she hugged Kartik and rested her head on his chest. She genuinely praised him "And you are going to be the best Dad. I also mean it, Mr. Goenka."

Kartik's heart swelled with happiness and very lovingly he just held her close to him to enjoy the moment. After few minutes, he spoke "All right, we will paint later! Let's go, your food is ready!" Still remaining in his tight embrace, Naira merely shook her head in no "Mujhe nehi khana!" Kartik was perplexed "Paar tumne hi toh kaha tha! I made it just the way you love. Toh mana kyun kaar rahi ho?" She looked up and spoke making a puppy face "But abhi nehi! Please hum paint kare?!" Kartik chuckled and thought; "his wife and her mood swings."

Giving her one strict look he made her promise first "Ok! But after an hour, you have to eat!" And before she could open her mouth to protest, Kartik cut her off "No arguments in that!" Naira made a disgusted face while speaking "Fine!" He instantly pulled her into a warm hug "That's like my Jaan. And guess what, I will make whatever you want." This made Naira really excited and she just held him tighter to show her contentment. She almost yelled happily "I love you!" to which his reply came instantly "I love you too and our little one!"

Soon he was again backhugging her and held her hand in his as she was holding the paintbrush. Together they were painting their unborn Child's room with the color of their love.

Everyone giggled noticing Kartik's state. He was totally lost in admiring his wife and dreaming about their future. Dadi brought him back to the world as she teased, "Kittu Beta humari Bahu ko baad mein nikhar lena. Tumhari hi Biwi hai! Muhurat khatam hone se pehle rasam puri karle!" Now it was Kartik's turn to feel embarrassed. Giving a fake smile, he quietly walked pass their families' members. And Finally Naira had the chance to get a full view of his face.

Though she would deny it, but she had been longing to catch a glimpse of this man. Yesterday he was so close; yet she couldn't take a look at his handsome face. Even now when she was angry with him, just one look at him and her heart had melted already. In a brisk moment he took away all her worries. For the time being she didn't want to think about their deifferenes. Neither her heart had let her, proving that indeed she was hopelessly in love with her husband, Kartik Goenka.

As they came face to face, they shared an eyelock for a brief moment. It was broken by Dadi again as she asked Kartik to stand beside Naira. Before taking his spot, he came to notice Naira's empty neck. Her forehead was also covered with a mangtika. So she had chosen not to wear the symbols of their marriage. He was really hurt and realized at once, he wouldn't be forgiven so easily.

Despite being upset, he remained quiet and stood beside her to perform the rasam. After all he had created the mess. So shouldn't be complaining now. He also knew this matter has become a very delicate one. That's why he told Dadi earlier that no one should force Naira for anything or make her uncomfortable under any cirumstances. In fact, he had warned everyone against hurting Naira's feelings. Still he just couldn't stop himself from hoping. As of now he was happy that she had come at least thus far. The rest he would take care.

After aarti, Naira entered inside hitting the pot with her foot. She carefully put her feet inside the kumkum. As she started walking, only after taking two steps her right foot slipped and she was on the verge of falling, but Kartik caught her in the nick of time. Since He was keeping a keen watch on her steps, he was quick to act. While Naira's left hand immediately clutched the sleeve of his shirt, her right hand automatically went onto encircling her stomach. She started into her husband's eyes with her fearful ones, and found his brown orbs reflecting the same fear as hers.

Knowing fully well she was safe in his arms, Naira's hand that was holding her stomach protectively, it went to grip Kartik's shirtfront for support. Before she could have attempted to get up on her own, Kartik made her stand properly by gently pulling her close to him. He asked with concern "Tum theek ho na?"

His question broke her trance and she realized their position. Naira let go of his sleeve and shirtfront from her clutches. Then one by one she removed his hands from her waist with the help of her both hands. She looked up to see their families' worried faces and answered their questioning gazes at once "Aap saab chinta maat kijiye, mein theek hoon." Listening to his wife's indifference tone toward him, Kartik looked at his hand and made a fist. He didn't want to be angry, but her behavior wasn't really going down well with him.

As they walked side by side, Naira thought; "You are thinking wrong Mr. Goenka. I didn't come back to you and certainly won't stay here." She stubbornly told herself "Only few more hours. Then I will be leaving your house, because I am a guest here only. Nothing more!"

On the other hand a determined Kartik spoke to himself "Itna toh mein samajh gaya ki tum yaha puri apni marzi se nehi aayi ho! Tum aab bhi bohot naraz ho! That's why I wanted to clear all our misunderstandings first. Mein tumhe manana chahta tha. I wanted to apologize for hurting you. So when you enter your house, you do it happily and willingly. Paar mein tumhari Mumma Papa ka haq bhi nehi chin sakta tha, and moreover couldn't take away the moment that you had been waiting for so long."

Then thinking about something Kartik sighed, as he knew his wife very well. He was confident as his innerself repeated, "I know you must be thinking about leaving already. But I won't let it happen. Tum mere saath hi rahogi aur wo bhi apni marzi se. Hum jaha bhi rahenge saath rahenge. Aab tum mujhse kabhi dur nahi hogi. And I will make sure of it."

No Precap But......A hurt/stubborn Naira or a determined Kartik? Naira's gussa/narazgi ya Kartik's pyaar? Who do you think will be the winner of this love-war game? Or or something else? Don't forget about Kartik's anger in between! You think it will create a new mess?

Feel free to let me know in comment section and don't forget to vote and comment, if you like the update. Thank you!