Naira tucked him in bed properly. She sat there for sometime caressing his hair and observing him. He was sleeping like a child and her heart was pounding in her heart seeing him. Her heart was longing to know the reason so that she could make everything fine. His every tear acted like a dagger for her heart. She sighed and stood up but his hand was clutching onto hers. And her lips curved into a sad smile. She carefully Took out her hand from his firm grip. But just when she did that. A frown adorned his forehead. She bended and tried to straighten those lines,remove those frowns from his forehead but it didn't help. She gazed at him for sometime and finally placed a small kiss on his forehead and those frowns straightened and his lips curved slightly.

"Maa" he mumbled. Naira stood confused there for sometime but then she left from there shrugging off her thoughts. She came downstairs and saw Kartik's father sitting on dining table in a deep thought.

"Uncle!" She called. And he looked up.

"Oh beta ,tum kab aayi upar se. Kartik se baat hui..?" Naira felt so good listening to beta. he reminded her of her father. She felt loved by his small gesture but then she wanted to know many things. Should she ask from him?

"Uncle agar m kuch puchungi to aap bataenge??" She asked hesitant.

"Kya beta?!" He asked hesitant anticipating her question.

"Kartik aise ..mera matlab ...wo aisi halat m kyu h...I saw him..wo ro rha tha..aisa kuch h kya jo ussey disturb kr rha h...Ik..m aapke personal matters m interfere kr rhi hu...pr please mujhe jaanna h..uski aisi haalat dekhne k baad...m yeh jaane bina nhi reh sakti."she asked him hesitant but determined to know the reason of pain.

"Aaj uski mumma ki death anniversary h."  Sameer replied looking at nothing in particular.

Naira stood rooted to her place. She didn't know that his mother.... Kartik never told her about his parents. She thought he didn't want her to be disturbed as her parents' topic is very sensitive for her. so she also never asked him about his parents. And now  she could understand his pain. Her parents are just some metres  away from her. She can go and see them but Kartik can't see her mother again. Can't feel her again.

She sat beside Sameer and kept her hand on his shoulder trying to give him strength because it was also difficult for him.

He looked at her with soft eyes and patted her head endearingly.

"Can I ask you a favour,beta!" He asked softly.

She nodded.

"Kartik ka kabhi saath mat chodhna." He asked her rather pleaded her through his eyes.

"I won't uncle. Mai kabhi uska saath nhi chodungi." She answered earnestly.

"Thank you so much..beta...he never gets opened to anyone easily.... Humare sab k hote hue bhi..woh akela h...apni mumma k death k baad.. .bilkul shaant shaant sa rehne lga..but then I tried...or hum close as gye...but ek din kuch aisa hua..jiske wajah se ..usne mujhe apne se dur kr liya...And I am so guilty for that...all that was my fault."  He replied guiltily.

"Kya uncle ? aisa kya hua??"

"I can't tell you beta,Mai bahut guilty hu...uss sab k liye ..I can't "  he said and walked away to kitchen.

Naira was lost in deep thought.

Why is everyone's life so messed up?

"Beta, Kartik ne subah se kuch nhi khaya h... please kya tum ussey khila dogi.. warna wo nhi khayega.." he requested.

"Ji uncle!" She answered  and took the food from him and went to his room.

She entered his room,kept the tray of food on side table. Just then her eyes caught a photoframe of a lady. She held that in her hand And she was sure that it was Kartik's mother. She caressed that frame and then kept it back.

And then took a view of him. Tears filled in her eyes. But she blinked her eyes several times to prevent them from flowing. She caressed his hair and he held that hand in his sleep. She gasped at his action but then her heart cried when she heard him saying

"Maa.. please chodhkr mat jao ..mujhe... please maa" 

She cupped his face and wiped the tears as they rolled down on his cheek.

"Kartik!" She called him gently. After her sometime of calling. Finally he fluttered his eyes and then opened them slowly. He sat on bed while she sat beside him.

"Naira..tum yhan kya kr rhi ho? .....then he realised something..I am really sorry Naira...tumhe ye sab kuch..." Naira shushed him by keeping her finger on his lips. And her heart did somersaults as her finger was in contact with his soft lips. She shouldn't feel this..now right? But ...damn hormones!

"Pehle Tum khana khao..hum baad m baat krte h..". She said softly.

"Nhi..Naira...I don't want to eat now!* He said.

"Nhi...you will eat now!" She emphasized on now. And held a bite for him.

He looked at other side still refusing. So she cupped his face with other hand and made him eat forcefully. He unwilling ate and then took a bite for her,and made her eat. And her heart warmed with such concern.

While he adored her. How can someone be so caring?

After having food,she kept the plate at other side. And stood up but he pulled her and she dropped to his lap. Her jaw widened at his action.

"Please mere paas baitho na aise!" He whispered and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. They both sat up looking at each other, adoring each other and he neared his face towards her and kissed her cheeks.

"Thank you Naira!" He whispered. And his gaze dropped to her lips. While  hers too but then he embraced her again seeking warmth and she happily provided that to him!