Thank you everyone for your support and extremely sorry for being so late. Writing the entire intended update would have required more time. So I cut it in two parts. You can look forward to Kaira only in the next one. In rush, will fix any error later. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Their siblings made Kartik and Naira sit beside each other in the sofa comfortably. The elders also took their respective seats while the siblings knelt down in front of the center table and surrounded the couple in a half circle. There was already a golden colored, large-wide metallic bowl placed on the middle of the table. It was filled with milk and beautifully decorated with tri-colored rose petals that were floating on top of the milk.

Keerti dropped a simple yet elegant ring along with several other bands inside the bowl. As she looked up, she noticed the change in Naira's expression. Realizing her Bhabhi would protest do the rasam, Keerti requested with pleading eyes even before Naira could have opened her mouth to deny for the same "Please Bhabhi! Don't say no! Mera bohot maan hai, and we all want to enjoy this rasam with you and Bhai. Please, please! Mana maat karna!"



When Naira saw the bowl, at once she knew they wanted Kartik and her to play the ring finding game. At first she thought to make an excuse about her health. It wouldn't have been a lie either, because she was actually feeling unwell. Then dropped the idea immediately, as her husband's expected reaction crossed her mind.

No she didn't want to see an overprotective Kartik Goenka. Not right that moment at least! She would have been forced to rest without having a say in it. Given she was pregnant and unwell at the same time, even the family members would have supported him in this. What would have followed next, no one could tell really! After all her husband was an unpredictable man, typically in such situations and when it concerned her to be specific. Thus giving her no option. At the end guaranteeing her stay at Goenkas, which she didn't want of course. That's why it still made her wonder what are all the things that he did when she went unconscious that day, being well aware of the extent of his potential because only she knew what her husband was actually capable to do.

On the other hand if she did the rasam, then undoubtedly the devil would get a chance to come close to her and take full advantage of the situation. It wasn't not like he would care about their surrounding or the family members. No that wasn't who, Kartik Goenka was! He had always been fearless and bold about everything he did. And for that reason, they complemented each other so well.

Even if she looked past his action or how he would react to their closeness, what about her? What their proximity or his mere touch would do to her?! It would become impossible for her to calm down that racing heart of hers. So it was definitely a big No No! The only conclusion that she came up with was that Kartik Goenka was dangerous to her health; in other words a danger to her heart. There was no way that she could afford that. But unfortunately he was the only defined winner in both cases.

So for her own good, Naira wanted to refuse simply. Yet couldn't after looking at Keerti's cute adorable expressions and everyone's hopeful eyes. She couldn't bring her heart to disappoint them, and ended up giving them her approval.



Naira was the first one to dip her hand inside the bowl. As her hand made its way into the milk, she looked at him from the corner of her eye, briefly before focusing back on the rasam. She wondered what was cooking inside that clever head of his. He seemed so calm and composed. There was no victory smile, smirk or even a single trace of anger for her earlier cold behavior.

He didn't seem interested or was he not really?! She hated to accept it, but for the first time ever he was making it difficult for her to anticipate the state of his mind. Alas! Could she ever be wrong about his intention or not see through her husband? Impossible! She should have known that her judgment was so right about him. She really did know him like the back of her hand.

The moment his hand dived into the milk, straightaway it made contact with hers. In thousand years that wasn't unintentional! Her head snapped up to look at his direction as his hands started caressing the back of her hand with his thumb, almost holding her hand in the process. She was dumbfounded at his demeanor. The monster was sitting there cool as cucumber, as if nothing was happening. His entire focus was on the bowl. To the onlookers, it did seem he was enjoying the game with full concentration. Oh yes he was enjoying, but not the game! His little sinful task instead!



When she couldn't take his sensuous touch anymore, she tried to withdraw her hand. However he caught it in his clutch before she could do that. Though it went unnoticed by the elders, their siblings didn't miss the ongoing struggle between the couple. Without a doubt it wasn't for the ring. The siblings were well aware about their actual game. So they figured it was better not to disturb the couple and enjoy the fun as mere spectators. The teasing session could wait for a later time.

As the husband-wife silently continued their battle for dominance, Keerti peeped in "Sorry Bhai! I won't support you today because mein Bhabhi ki side mein hoon. I am sure she is going to win." "Aur mein bhi Naira ko hi support karungi." said Gayu next. Soon followed by her, Luv-Kush also declared with equal enthusiasm "Aur hum bhi!"



Naitik, who was sitting at a far distance from them, couldn't stop himself from supporting his son-in-law, who seemed to be in a one-man team. He pointed out in a surprising tone "This isn't fair Bachho! At least kisiko toh mera Damad ka saath dena chahiye!" "You are absolutely right, Naitik Ji! Sabne mere Bete ko akela chod diya hai!" stated Manish in agreement.

Listening to the fathers, the mothers thought not to hold back anymore. Akshara counterattacked her husband "Naitik apko toh khush hona chahiye, saab apki Princess ki side le rahe hai!" "Dekhna apka Damad bhi waise hi harega jaise aap har gaye the." she taunted him, making Swarna giggle. Swarna spoke with a suppress of laughter "Haan Manish Ji! Mein bhi apni Bahu ki side hoon!" "Trust me apka Beta hi harega, bilkul aap jaisa." she told him in a teasing manner.

Naksh interrupted as he realized his father wouldn't stop the argument so soon. He spoke before Naitik "Aare Papa, don't worry! Mein hoon na! I love my sister a lot, but aaj mein Kartik ke saath hoon. After all Jija Ji hai wo mere!" And that got Mishti excited! She almost yelled "Then I am also with you Bhaiyu. I mean Jija Ji ke team mein hoon." "Achha! Bari aayi Jiju ki chamchi! Naira Di ke liye saara pyaar khatam ho gaya?! Wo toh teri favorite sister hai na!" asked Gayu with a raise of an eyebrow.

Mishti was way too smart to fall into Gayu's trap and give into her silent threat. She happily explained it to Gayu "But Naira Di bhi toh Jiju ki hai. So technically, mein Di ki team mein hi hui na?!" Listening to her reply, everyone had to nod in positive, including Gayu, while Keerti spoke in her support "Yeh toh saanch hai Mishti. There is no doubt in that."



When everyone was engrossed in the conversation, Kartik's two little confused brothers, Luv-Kush's loud frustrated voices caught everyone's attention "Aare stop it! Why are you all even fighting? Yeh dono ring thodi dhoond rahe hai! Bhaiya ne toh already Bhabhi ka haath dhoond liya hai aur aab pakar ke bethe hai."

Instantly Naira looked at the two munchkins with a horrified expression, but their insignificant declaration didn't seem to have any effect on their elder brother. He was still going strong in his will and was focused like never before. Finding herself out of luck, Naira dug a few of her long sharp nails in his palm, forcing her husband to release her hand and uttering an internal groan.



Still he was a man in mission. Kartik was already thinking two steps ahead. Before she could pull it away from his marked territory, he held on to her hand one more time. This time the grip was really tight, but soft enough to make sure that he didn't end up hurting her anyway. Throughout the whole rasam he didn't look at her face even once. Nevertheless what he did next, it really surprised Naira! He started searching for the ring, taking her hand along with his and only stopped when their hands made a contact with the ring in concern.

Soon he freed her hand as he had already guided her to pick up the ring. Then he brought out his empty hand, proclaiming his Naira to be the winner of the game. As much as he was teasing her, his primary motive was to make his wife win.

Naira thought; as if his thoughts and love imprinted on her mind and heart weren't enough that every time he had to do something incredible to swept her off her feet.

While Naira was still staring at the ring and his silent gaze was on her, Mishti spoke in a teasing tone "Ye dekho, hum yaha inki team banane chale the. Paar ye khud hi Di ke team mein chale gaye." Naksh gave an as if you don't know look to little Mishti, and joined her in pulling Kartik's leg. He reminded his little sister "Samjha karo Mishti! Naira ko jeetane mein unka khud ka hi fayda hai. Akhir janab joru ka ghulam jo tehre!"

"Kyun Kartik Ji?!" asked Naksh with a chuckle, making Kartik shift his attention from his wife to them. He found Keerti smiling at Naira and him. He passed her a slight smile as she praised them and wished for their future "Pyaar ho toh aisa. Apni Biwi ki jeet mein hi mere Bhai ka jeet hai. Dua karta hoon aap dono hamesha bohot khush rahein."

Next she asked her brother to put the ring in Naira's finger. Everyone was perplexed for a bit when he didn't do so. Instead Kartik took out the handkerchief from his pocket and started cleaning Naira's hand with his right hand while holding it in one place with his left one. In the process, startling Naira a bit and making her aware of their surrounding. Surprisingly, Naira didn't object or pull away her hand from his. She silently watched him repeating the same action all over again. When they got married and first time did the rasam, Naira was overwhelmed by this same gesture of his. Then how could she not feel what she had felt earlier?!

Everything he did for, it was always full of love and affection. And like always his care and tender touch were doing something to her senses. She didn't know how to explain that warm fuzzy feeling inside her stomach. For her no one else existed now, but only Kartik and Naira – Kaira in their little world.

Every single memory of their wedding day came rushing in her head. From Kartik's carrying her inside their house during the grahpravesh to making sure that she won every single rasam or game. Him not letting her miss the presence of their families by remaining by her side throughout. Then taking care of her with utmost love and later carrying her to their room.

It was the most beautiful and special night of their lives. She could never forget the concern he had for her in those caring eyes of his. His eyes held such warmth and tenderness that thinking about it even now melted her heart. Her Kartik understood her feelings without her even telling him anything. He made her so comfortable and showered her with his selfless love that out of her will, happily she let go of her all inhibitions.

A few years to their marriage and nothing has changed. He was the same since the time they met and fell in love with each other. Their love was still the same. If anything, their love and care for each other have increased tenfold. In their relationship, they have come far and together brought it to a new height. They were on their way to relish parenthood, and nothing could be more beautiful than this. Yet the fear that gripped Naira's heart, it stopped her each time to take a step forward to the way of her happiness, to her Kartik.

Once he was done, Kartik shove the handkerchief inside his pocket, something he did earlier during their first ring finding rasam as well. Then finally he looked deep into her eyes. She didn't realize when he took hold of the ring and slipped it in her finger. When his warm soothing lips came in contact with her cold skin, she came back to her senses and finally pulled away her hand. No words were exchanged between the two while all the family members present there looked at the couple in awe. Indeed it was a moment for everyone that needed to be felt and not fathomed.