Part 11 | Nightmares

NAIRA

I couldn't sleep. I glanced at the clock, it was midnight.

Should I read some story book?

Nah..... too tired to walk and grab a book.

Grab something to eat?

I just brushed my teeth.... I can't do it again... Nope

Should I call someone and bore them?

Aditi?

Wake up the girl and she will eat you alive.

Dhruv?

Unavailable! Boy is busy with his Girlfriend.

Did I say Siya accepted Dhruv's proposal last month? Well She did and they are together now. I am so happy for him. They make a cute couple.

How about Jason?

Sleepyhead! Must be fast asleep by now.

Sunday's dinner with Jason went pretty good. Kartik didn't talk much with Jason, just occasionally replied to his questions. Dhruv and Kartik were getting along so well. They talked as if they were some long lost friends meeting after ages.

There wasn't anything eventful last week but it was relaxing. Me and Kartik, we were doing fine or say great. We even watched a movie on Netflix one night and I found out,

Mr. Oberoi is scared of Horror films.

I am not scared, I just don't like watching horror films. They are rubbish!!!

I wonder if he slept already. He came home late today and would have slept by now.

I started counting sheeps like my mom taught.

1 sheep... 2 sheep... 3 sheep.... 4 sheep....

My sleep was disturbed when a vase breaking sound hit my ears. The clock showed 3'o clock. Rubbing my eyes I sat on the bed. I jumped out of bed when there came yet an other breaking sound.

Kartik?

I rushed out of my room and slowly opened his room door. I was startled to find him tossing in his bed, drenched in sweat. A clock piece and a vase lied shattered in pieces in the floor beside the night stand.

" Kartik.... Wake up " I called out softly as I shook him.

He was mumbling something I couldn't understand. His facial features clearly revealed his troubled state. He was probably having a nightmare.

" Kartik.... Hey... look here" I shook him again but he didn't open his eyes instead he just held my hands tightly.

I ended up beside him on his bed.

He slightly opened his eyes muttering something in sleep.

" Don't leave me. "

" I'm Sorry.... Please don't. "

I grabbed a tissue from the stand beside and gently rubbed off the sweat from his forehead, " It's fine.... Kartik... Relax... It's okay. "

Slowly he calmed down, his breathing steadied and soon he fell into sleep, clutching my hands. I tried to pull my hands from his hold but he wasn't leaving me.

" Stay.... Don't... Leave " he muttered sleepily.

What's hurting you Kartik?

I slept beside him, covering both of us with the duvet. Watching him drift into slumber I didn't realise when I feel asleep.

----------------------------

The next day,

" Rudy ! what are you doing here? " I asked him as I saw him waiting in lobby of Marco company.

" Since I was super bored and jobless today, I thought why not to give a ride to this Beautiful girl. " he gave me a cheeky smile and I laughed on his lines. We made our way to the parking lot and he started the engine.

The drive wasn't a silent one at all, obviously because Rudra always has something or other to engage you. Just then his phone beeped with an message notification.

" Here you go! I don't know how Your husband finds I am enjoying my time with you and comes up with a way to ruin it. " I chuckled.

It was Kartik's message asking Rudra to get an important file from Oberoi company. So we took a right turn and headed towards his company.

I remembered how we woke up today morning. I planned to wake up early before Kartik and rush back to my room in order to avoid the awkward moment when he finds me beside him in his bed.

But I simply wasn't lucky enough.

I opened my eyes to see him looking at me intently. I hurried to get down the bed but he held my wrist and pulled me back to the bed. The morning freshness and messy hair making him all the more handsome.

" Where are you running ? " Saying he caressed my cheeks.

" I... You had a nightmare yesterday... So I came in to help you. I didn't mean to intrude into your privacy.... It's just that I couldn't leave you in that state." I spoke without looking at him.

I felt his fingers sliding under my chin to gently lift my face. " Were you worried for me? "

" I was. " I said after a few seconds.

" Why? " He asked.

" B-because I care for you. " his lips curved into a small smile.

Pecking my cheeks he got down the bed.

My thoughts broke when the car halted with a slight jerk. Since Rudra had a call from his coach, I told him that I will get the file from Kartik's cabin. He nodded with a thanks and I made my way to the cabin.

He wasn't there and Tina informed me that he went out with Arjun. I searched for the file in the drawers.

I spotted the required file and pulled it out but along with it a few other files beneath it fell on the floor.

Grunting I dropped to my knees to pick up the things when my eyes fell on a pile of photos. I pushed the other files to take a look at the photos.

There was around 15 photos, Some was of his parents, in some he and Rudy was with their grandparents, some was his childhood pics where Rudy, Arjun and he were playing happily. What caught me was this particular pic.....

It was the same women as in the portrait I saw in Kartik's room.

The pic showed a young women in a bridal white flowing dress holding a flower bouquet, Kartik stood beside her in a black suit.

They stood embracing each other, his hand wrapped around her waist, her head rested on his chest. They were all in smiles. Rudy was also there grinning, it looked as if he was photo booming their pic.

There was another photo Probably clicked when they were sharing a dance. One of her hand rested on his shoulder, He held their intertwined hands close to his heart. They were looking into each other's eyes as they swayed.

So that wasn't a portrait of some random girl!

But who is she??

Does this mean, Kartik already had someone in his life?

I don't know why but I didn't want to know the answer to this question.

I again looked at the first photo of theirs, they looked really happy together.

" That's Nisha! " I turned around to see Rudra standing at the door.

-------------

It was 6 30 in the evening when Rudra stopped the car before the villa. It was already dark since it's winter season. I entered the house, lost in my own pool of thoughts. The house was unusually dark and silent.

" Dory ?? " I called out. She usually leaves at 7 only.

I switched on the lights and my heart skipped a beat when the party poppers bursted as a shower of glitters and sparkling crape paper bits covered me and the floor beneath.

" HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAIRA!!" the yelling wish filled the air and my eyes roamed on the smiling faces around me.

Rudra, Arjun, Aditi, Dhruv, Kartik's mom and dad. Finally my eyes fell on him.

Kartik walked towards me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

" Happy Birthday my Beautiful Wife" he wished with a smile.

*********

Gear up,

We are heading closer to some of his past revelations !

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