Thank you everyone for your votes, comments and love. Let's begin with their past. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Both Kartik and Naira's families were extremely conservative and strongly believed in their old ideologies. Kartik was working in a multinational company as a software engineer in Canada. Despite his family's insistence, he refused to join his father's company and started working somewhere else while he was still in India.

First he wished to explore options and gain some experiences. Thus Kartik decided to join his father at a later time possibly, since he also held a degree in business. When he had been offered a position in Canada from his company, he readily accepted it, much to his father's disappointment. Since Dadi loved her Kittu too much, she was the one to approve his departure.

There he met Naira Singhania, the Princess of her father and fell in love with her. She was really into fashion designing and her passion was dancing. In fact, she was a trained classical dancer. When she kept forth her wish of going to Canada, she was denied without giving it a second thought.

However, Naitik couldn't see his only daughter sad and heartbroken. So, much to his family's dismay, he let her go to Canada to continue with her fashion designing studies and obtain formal training in western dance forms.

Their relationship started off with casual meetings, but turned out to be a passionate affair. By the time they knew, they were madly in love with each other. When Naira and Kartik finally decided that they want to get tied down, they informed their families about their relationship separately.

It was a straight No from Naira's family. They couldn't approve of a love marriage. That too a daughter of their family doing such a thing, it was unheard of and unacceptable. To add to their dislike, she found a guy in abroad. There was no way that Singhanias could have trusted him with their daughter. The whole idea of Naira having a love marriage was wrong to them. As a consequence, without even finding out about the boy or his family, they disapproved of their alliance.

The situation was no different when it came to Kartik's family. They simply couldn't approve of a girl, who had been chosen by their son and was living far away from her family. Dadi was hesitant to say a no to her dear Kittu straight away. So she approached another tactic.

Naira's name or family background wasn't important to Dadi because she had already set her mind to reject her at any cost. Hence Dadi wished to know about Naira's future plans and her current interest. The moment she found out Naira was into fashion designing and loved to dance, she was enraged.

There was no chance for Naira to get accepted as Goenkas' Bahu, since she was into dancing. According to Dadi, it would have hurt the respect of Goenka Khandan. Besides, if they didn't let their daughter build a career, why would they ever welcome a career-oriented daughter-in-law in their family? Similarly, Kartik was also dismissed in one conversation. He ended up receiving the same answer as Naira.

Kartik and Naira knew their families too well. They feared Goenkas and Singhanias would try to separate them and it did happen. Soon they were asked to return back home. Kaira didn't even want to imagine their lives without each other. The mere thought of a possible sepration freaked them out. Going back to India would meant for them go on their separate paths. They didn't care if it was only for a short period of time. It just wasn't an option for them. Also, there was no telling what must have been awaiting them in their respective houses.

Kartik and Naira weren't willing to take another chance after the initial blows and got married in the presence of their friends. Kaira believed they would somehow convince their families and get their acceptance. They had high hopes that after marriage, at least her father and his Dadi wouldn't push them away for too long.

However, neither they received acceptance nor they were ever forgiven. Singhanias and Goenkas severed their all bonds with Naira and Kartik. Naira may have had a chance with her father, but Bua Dadi was there to destroy the last ray of hope. On the other hand, Dadi couldn't digest the fact that her Kittu disobeyed her wish and chose a girl over her. She also shut down Kartik from her life completely. After their families' rejection, Kaira settled down in Canada permanently.

Now more than 2 years had passed since Kaira were married. Kartik became a senior engineer, where Naira was running her own academy in partnership with her friend, Ananya. They were a happily married coupe. Everything was going smooth and they were blessed to have each other as life partners. Of course they would get into small fights once in a while, but those were just part of any married couple's lives. They had nothing to complain about. Loving, fighting and manofying...they were having a bliss.

A few months back Naira's academy decided to participate in an international dance competition. Even though they had already participated in several competitions before, an international competition made a huge difference. It did require hard work and time though.

Eventually Naira started spending most of her time behind the competition. She wasn't participating in the competition, but the majority of responsibilities were on her shoulders. She would often come home late and at times miss on their quality times. However, she made it a point to spend as much time as possible with Kartik during that time period. So no matter how late or tired she would get home, she would never give up on their personal moments.

On the other hand, Kartik was a very supportive and understanding husband. In fact he was the one, who encouraged and supported her in coming so far. However, slowly he started missing their old days and the new distance kept bugging him constantly. He would barely have her by his side nowadays.

Though he was not too happy about it, he never complained or discussed the matter with Naira. Kartik knew it was his Naira's dream and he wouldn't let anything spoil it. It was a new phase in their lives that would go away eventually. Yes, it wasn't a positive change, but not a permanent one either. For his Jaan, he could do anything and it was just a small adjustment that he needed to deal with only for a short period of time.

The only time he would reprimand her was, if he had ever noticed Naira ignoring her health. It was his only condition that she would never exert herself and of course he was always there to take care of her.

The time flew like that in Kartik and Naira's lives with everything being still normal. By now the competition was around the corner, but an unfortunate storm came and tore them apart from each other. It was the same day, when Kartik had proposed her officially and they started their journey as Kaira. That's why it was so very special, and every time they would spend the entire day together. Since it was extremely important for Naira to be in the academy, for the first time they made an exception. Kaira decided to celebrate the anniversary of their togetherness in the evening.

That day Kartik returned from the office earlier than usual and planned to have a romantic evening within the privacy of their house. After preparing dinner, he finished setting up everything and got ready for the evening. He was waiting for her to come back and run in his arms, where she belonged. Ah! He just couldn't wait anymore to see that ever so charming elated smile of his love.

After waiting for hours, the clock struck half past ten and she was still not home.

When he had called earlier, she didn't pick up. Only informed him through a text that she will be late. Afterwards all his calls and texts were ignored. At first Kartik was annoyed, but patiently maintained his composure, as he didn't want to ruin the evening. He kept pacing in the living room thinking she would be arriving any minute. Then waiting for hours and looking at the time, his resolve was broken. He went to their room when he lost all his patience.

Kartik was seething in anger. He threw away his coat on the bed and loosened his tie in frustration. He couldn't help as his eyes started skimming the beautifully decorated room. He did it for her with all his love, but what was the use? Now Kartik had this blank expression on his face. He was looking nowhere at particular.

Then his eyes flew to the bouquet of flowers that he had kept on the nightstand earlier. On his way back home, he got it customized just the way she would love to have it. Kartik approached the nightstand and picked it up harshly. Giving the bouquet one last look, he threw it away with such force that it landed on the doorstep near Naira's feet. She stared at the flowers first and then at his face with astonished look. She asked him with concern "What happened Kartik?"

Without answering her, he walked to the cupboard and started looking for something. Naira understood he was angry. She silently picked up those beautiful flowers and kept them back over the nightstand. She caressed the flowers lovingly and looked around the mesmerizing view of the room for a while. Then Naira turned to find him still engrossed in looking for something.

Kartik felt her approaching him, but he didn't bother to look back. Now she was standing right behind him. Without any word, she back hugged him tightly and asked "Mein help kardun?" After a minute or so when he didn't reply and continued with his search, Naira again asked slowly "Naraz ho?" The moment she asked the question, his body stiffened. He slowly pushed away her hands from his body and started walking in the direction of he bathroom.

Naira hurriedly went behind him and caught his arm "Please! I am sorry! Naraz ho, paar aise chup to maat raho?" Kartik freed his hand from her hold and told her sternly "Look Naira I need rest. Let's talk about this later."

She came in front of him now "Aise kaise? Mere husband ne itne pyaar se ye saab kia hai mere liye, aur kitna special day hai aaj. Aab toh sirf ek ghanta bacha hai! I know, I am late....." Just the mention of it made his blood rush again. He cut her off rudely and shouted "Toh tumhe kya fark padhta hai? It was just a bloody day. Nothing important! Just an anniversary! Aur mein naraz hoon ya khush, why do you even bother?"

Naira looked on shock at his accusations. She asked him slowly with broken voice "Aise kyun bol rahe ho? Mujhe fark nehi padega toh kis se fark padega? Why are you reacting like this?" Kartik spoke arrogantly "Ye first time toh hai nehi! So there is nothing to explain explicitly. Aur agar aab bhi tum anjan ho, toh bolne ka fayda hi kia hai? Anyways I am not in the mood right now. So you go to sleep and let me sleep too."

Though Naira knew he just dismissed the conversation, she needed to know what was going on in his head. She didn't want to let go now. She asked with determination "No! Now you have to tell me what's bothering you? I know, I am late! But you never behaved like that. Toh aaj kya hua hai?"

Kartik lost the last ounce of patience and couldn't keep calm anymore. He burst out at her "Tumhari dance academy hai problem. Tumhari late hona, hum se zayda academy ko priority dena, ye hai meri problem. Jab se ye competition shuru hui hai, jaise tumhari koi life hi nehi hai. Jab dekho competition ke preparation mein busy rehti ho. Sham ko late ati ho, subha jaldi jati ho. Last time kab humne ache se ek saath time spend kia hai, bata sakti ho mujhe?"

He paused before continuing "And what did I ask for? Only today's evening right? But nehi tumse toh wo bhi nehi hua because your academy was more important than us! In fact, you don't even have the time to pick up my calls or reply to my messages. Aab time kia hua dekha hai?"

He glared at her "What do you expect from me? Khush ho jao ki finally meri biwi ne ek ghanta nikal liya mere saath spend karne ke liye. I should enjoy?! Chalo celebrate karte hai, cake kaat te hai aur phir dance karenge! We should make the most out of this last one-hour. Hai na?!"

He was so upset and angry at the same time. "Thank you so much Naira. Thank you for giving me an hour from your busy schedule. I am so lucky! Akhir mein bohot matter karta hoon na tumhari life mein!" Kartik said the last sentence looking into her eyes.

Naira's eyes welled up by now. She wanted to tell him the real reason behind her being this late, but she didn't have the courage anymore. Not after his outburst. He had bottled up so many emotions inside him. How did she fail to notice it?

Yes, she got out a bit late from the academy. Not as much to become this late in reaching home though. From the academy, Naira went to her doctor to pick up her reports and do a regular check up. On her way back home she was stuck in traffic.

She already knew he would be angry. Lately they hardly had spent some quality time together. To Naira's luck, she was again late when in reality they were supposed to have the entire day to themselves. Still she was sure he would have no complains after receiving the good news. The news of their little bundle of joy arriving would melt away all his anger.

That's why Naira didn't receive his calls or replied to his messages. She wanted to surprise him. She thought to give him the biggest gift of his life in their anniversary. Naira was overjoyed to tell him that he would soon become a father and there would be someone to call him Papa. Never in her wildest dreams she thought he would be this angry.

Precap: Past ~ When things turn ugly!

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