Part 19 | The Headlines

NAIRA

"Nah, This sounds too old fashioned, doesn't it? "

There goes the 50th idea!

" That's it! I am done. " Aditi threw her hands up in air defeated.

" Not my fault, your ideas are so dumb!" She glared at me.

" Nairaa!! " Rudy and Arjun barged into the room excited.

" Guys please not anymore. Is it really necessary now to propose him ? "

" YES!! " they said in unison.

Apparently these three want me to confess my 'newly realised love' to Kartik and let me tell you, they are way more excited than me for God knows what!

" There is no way out? "

"NOO! "

I slumped back on the couch, gesturing them to continue.

" The Grand annual charity Gala is day after tomorrow. As always even this year we have accepted their invitation. " Arjun said.

" Okay. So.... " I dragged my words.

" But Kartik wouldn't be back until this weekend right. " Dhruv stated.

" The deal has been signed so he will be coming back a day earlier. He will directly reach the Gala venue. " Arjun replied to which Dhruv just hummed.

So I can see him early than planned!

" That's where my bestie is gonna propose your best friend. Perfect!! " Aditi grinned.

" Wait Who ? Me!! "

" Of course Beautiful! " Rudy piped up.

" No no... I am not doing that, it's just one day away! Why will I attend the party in first place? "

" because Mom and dad wants you to! " Rudy said.

-------

Earlier that day

"Mom ? Dad? " I opened the door to see kartik's parents at our doorstep.

Every since I returned from the Swiss trip, I found myself feeling comfortable with addressing them as Mom and dad. It did feel foreign for the first time but truth be said, It gave me a sense of belonging. More than that the delight I saw on their faces upon hearing me address them as Mom and dad was heart warming.

" Is everything okay? I mean you are here suddenly so ... "

" Everything is amazing dear. We actually came over to give you something. Here! " Mom forwarded me a jewellery box.

It contained a set of diamond Earrings.

" Do you like it? " She asked.

" It's beautiful! But if I may ask, what is this for? "

They shared a smile before dad explained.

" There is this annual charity Gala which happens every year. It is something we attend as a family every time without fail. "

" And this time we want you to come along with us. " I looked at them a bit shocked.

" Me... No Mom, it won't look nice... " I started hesitantly.

What could I possibly do in a land of strangers with suits and richness?

" Why will you not join when you are part of the family ! " Dad spoke.

" Exactly! We mean it when we say you are like a daughter to us. If Nisha was...... " Mom's words trailed off with sadness.

" she never misses any family parties. " She said with a sad smile as Dad rubbed the sides of her arms gently.

I could sense their agony of losing their daughter to the clutches of death.

They say time heals almost everything but grief is a peculiar thing. Grief truly never ends. As long as love remains, so does grief - timeless.

It gets softer and gentle with time, somedays it's overwhelming and sharp. You accept what is lost and rebuild around the shattered pieces. You will feel whole again but you know it's never going to be the same again.

I placed the box aside and held her hands, " I know you both miss her. Be whatever I can't fill Nisha's place in your heart nor can I give you a love like her's. But I promise to fulfill a daughter's place and love you like a daughter would. " I smiled at them.

" Now this daughter doesn't want to see you both sad! Where's my cool crazy parents! " They chuckled and hugged me.

Whoever said it , said it right.

There's always a reason why you meet people in life. Either they change your life or you are the one who will change theirs!

Or maybe both.

--------

Present

" But how do I propose him? "

" that's the only job you have. Figure out girl!" I pouted at Aditi.

" Our designers will take care of your outfit and other accessories. " Arjun said

" Getting her ready is on me. The businessman is going lose his mind seeing the lady. " Aditi added with wink.

" So princess get ready to speak your heart to your man. Rest all we will take care. Come on guys, we have a lot of work. " With that said Rudy left my room followed by Aditi and Arjun.

I sighed and turned towards Dhruv.

" What's wrong? You seem a little bothered. " I asked him.

" No no, It's just... work. " He replied.

" How are you doing with Siya? " He smiled at me.

" We are doing great. I am fine Naira, really. It's just work related, nothing else." I nodded at him.

" It will be okay. " I patted his shoulders. He hummed in response as he walked towards the door.

" Naira? " I turned to his direction.

" Yes. " He looked at me for a few seconds, before nodding his head in a no.

" Good night. " With that he left my room.

Weird. He is worried about something but what?

I sat on my bed, the clock striked 11. I called Kartik and I sighed as once again the call went unanswered. It's the 7th time I am trying to call him in the past two hours.

Maybe he's busy with work.

I sent him a goodnight message and placed my phone aside.

I smiled seeing a red rose lying beside my diary.

My mind drifted into thoughts about what I'll tell him when I meet him again.

How do I propose him? All my attempts to put my feelings into sentences failed.

What do I tell you about, the butterflies I feel just at a whisper of your name or the flip flops my heart does at your smiles.

How do I tell you what my diary knows, for your glimpse make me forget the very existence of this universe.

Should I tell you about the pink tint that spread across my cheeks or the stupid grin I secretly try to hide.

Do you want to know how I am stuck between my fear of rejection and the weight of the unsaid love?

What why when where how, you may ask but I don't have an answer.

Is there a need for words, when all you have to do, is to look into my eyes to understand this cryptic feeling which can't be explained but only be felt. Love.

Smiling I traced the soft petals of the flower before I placed it inside a random page of my diary.

" I Love you, Kartik "

I switched off the light and tucked myself into the bed, pulling a pillow closer to my body.

I miss him.

-------

Next day,

" I can't believe this. How dare he! " I heard Aditi's voice as I was about to enter her cabin.

" Sweetheart, please listen to me. There must be some misunderstanding, this isn't true. " Oh Arjun is here.

Maybe I should leave them alone.

" You are justifying this! Seriously Arjun it's all over the news. Do you even realise how this can affect her. " She fumed.

" I know... I don't understand what's happening. He isn't picking up my calls. Babe pls, Naira shouldn't know about ..." his words trailed off as I entered the room.

" What should I not know about ? " I asked confused. " All okay guys? "

Of course it's not. Their silence and worried expression said it all.

Sighing, Aditi held out a magazine article to me.

My head completely went blank upon the bold lines that conveyed a news I never saw coming.

The Heartthrob Billionaire seen cozy with his rumoured model-actress Girlfriend, Sarah Grace at a premium party in Italy Last night.

The article stated they were spotted coming out of the party 12 at midnight surrounded by bodyguards.

He didn't pick up my calls last night.

It further told about how they had been spotted together in various occasions and even quoted a line by Sarah's manager that there were talks about marriage proposal few days back.

" Work! I have to go, it's important! I am sorry Naira...."

My eyes trailed to the photo which showed a beaming Sarah leaning over a suited Kartik with her head dipped in the crook of his neck, her hands over his chest. He had his hands wrapped around her waist against her knee length body hugging dress.

That moment I felt something break within me.

Perhaps my hopes.

Or maybe just my heart,

which was fooled to have found it's reason to beat with passion.

***************

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