Part 24 | What's the Truth?

KARTIK

It was becoming difficult to drive though the wipers kept continuous clearing the pouring rain on the windscreen.

With every passing minute I was becoming more impatient to find her, an unexplainable restlessness gripping my heart.

Unless I don't hold you in my arms and make sure you are safe, I am not going to be fine Naira.

" When was the last time you heard from her, today? " Arjun questioned Aditi.

" 4 hours back. She sounded a bit low but didn't elaborate anything. All I knew was that she had gone to meet Rob.... "

" Kartikk.... Look! " Dhruv had all our attention as he pointed at something... Or rather someone who stood in the middle of the road.

" Nairaaa" I screamed rushing towards her, drenching myself.

Standing on the other side of the road, I saw her shivering violently, her hands tightly clutching the sling of her hand bag. She looked on both sides, the cars were honking furiously but she refused to move an inch.

Is she out of her mind!

" Nairaa move away!! " I yelled but my voice imperceptible against the clatter of the heavy shower.

The pedestrian signal was lit in red, random vehicles moving past the crossing making it impossible for me to reach her immediately.

" Oh no! Nairaa " Dhruv exclaimed.

" She is astraphobic ! This isn't good, she might have a panic attack. " I looked at Aditi wide eyed.

I knew she is scared of thunders but I never know it was this worse!

Her trembling form made my stomach churn in worry.

Suddenly a loud thunder cracked overhead that made her shudder in fear. She shook her head frantically with her eyes shut in fear. Covering her ears with her palms, she crouched to the ground being oblivious to the beaming lights of approaching cars.

In a blink of eye, I swept her off the ground, landing on the wet platform with her body clasped close to mine.

Relief spread across my nerves when she pressed her face on my heavily panting chest.

" k-ka-ar-tik " her lips quivered as she cried with a hiccup.

" breath baby... I have got you! " I rubbed her back to soothe her.

I kissed her wet hair as I saw her slowly slipping into unconsciousness.

--------

" For How long she's been astraphobic? " Arjun asked.

The doctors had checked Naira and reassured that she was stable and will be awake by morning.

" Since five. " I looked at Dhruv startled.

" It was the day after her 5th birthday. Naira always wanted a brother, so her parents decided to adopt a year old boy from the Home of Hope. She was very excited.

It was a stormy evening, when they left for the orphanage. Minutes after they left, She ran behind her dad's car. We tried to stop her but She was adamant saying they had forgotten to take along her handmade welcome card for the baby.

But then her parents met with an accident. She stood froze there in the rain watching their car go up in flames. since then this fear had made a home in her heart. From that day, she always avoids going out during rainy days. " I was shocked beyond words at that point.

To know what she had faced at such a young age pricked my heart.

" Don't worry Kartik. She is safe now. My girl is stronger than you know. " Aditi said with a smile placing her hand over my shoulder. I nodded at her.

" It's already late, you all should stay back tonight. " It was already 12 at midnight and everyone were tired.

Once they all left the room, I closed the doors and sat beside my wife, watching her chest rise and fall in a gentle rhythmic manner as she slept peacefully.

I pulled out my phone and dialled someone, " Did you find something? "

" No Boss, nothing suspicious. Everything's under control. "

" Good! Keep me updated. " I ended the call.

I tucked Naira under the duvet placing a kiss on her forehead. Placing my head on her stomach, I drifted to a much needed sleep.

-------

Next day

I woke up to see her smiling at me, her fingers ruffling my hair.

" Good morning. " She said and I sat up immediately.

" Are you fine? "

" Yes "

" Is it hurting somewhere? "

" No "

" Do you want something? "

" Yes "

" What is it? "

" a hug and if possible a kiss from my husband. "

I fake glared at her, " 10 hours back you scared the shit out of me and now you are flirting. Not done Mrs. Oberoi. "

" Really? So even the billionaire businessman has fears. " A short giggle escaped her lips.

" This isn't funny, baby. "

" Okay Okay. I am so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. " She pouted.

How in the world can I resist this girl!

" Never do this again. " She crawled and sat on my lap.

" Sorry. I Promise. Now can I get what I asked for? " I chuckled and connected my lips with her soft ones, kissing her until she was out of breath.

" You had gone through so much alone, at such a young age. Why you never told me about all this? "

" By saying it earlier, be it unknowingly, this would have become  one of your various reasons for loving me." She cupped my face.

" When love is born out of sympathy it becomes a favour. I didn't want that. I wanted to see love in those eyes for me, not sympathy. "

Yet an another reason why she makes me bow my head in admiration.

Dipping my head in the sink of her neck, I wrapped my hands around her waist, " I love you so much. "

" I love you Kartik. "

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

After a week,

NAIRA

" Does he know you are here? " Robert asked. We were in a park and it was usually quite empty at this time of the day.

" No, he thinks I am out with Aditi. We need to tell Kartik. How long can I hide this from him. What if he finds it out from someone else! " I am now tired of holding this truth a secret.

" what's the use, It's been more than two years now. I don't want to hurt them again. "

" He has the right to know, his family has to know. " Robert sighed.

" For how long will you be taking the blame for something that's not true. You are a good man Robert, you don't have to do this anymore. " I pressed his hands.

" Think about Ana. She will have a beautiful family to love and pamper her. Don't you want that? " I said looking at Ana who was playing with Jason.

" I sure do! But I am afraid Naira, what if.... " his words abruptly ended when a hand held his shirt collars.

Arjun! How was he here!

" Why are you back? Wasn't What you did enough !! " Arjun roared.

Seeing Arjun's anger only made me fear the consequences of what might happen when Kartik gets to know about Robert.

" Arjun listen to me. I didn't do anything. "

" Oh really! you know what Robert, this time we aren't going to be fooled by your fake words. "

" Trust me... "

" Trust you? After what you did! What made you think Kartik will forgive you huh? "

" Arjun let him go... " I pushed him hard making him stumble back a little.

" Naira you stay out of this! You don't know... wait! " He looked at me in disbelief, " you know him?? "

" I know! Robert Andrews! I know who he is. " I said.

" what!? For how long? " he questioned me.

" A month back, I met him in the Charity Gala! " I revealed.

" You can't be serious. Does Kartik know this?? " I lowered my eyes and my silence gave him his answer.

" Arjun I- "

" What have you done Naira? How can you hide this from Kartik after he had opened up every f****ng thing of his past to you. Do You realise that you have lied to him! " I lowered my eyes.

" I know... I know but It wasn't my intention. I wanted to tell him but... " I was short of words.

Arjun rubbed his forehead with his fingers in irritation.

" I must say you have a great effect on people you meet. " Kartik's voice boomed in the air spending chills down my spine.

No! please No!

This shouldn't be happening this way.

I am doomed!!

I turned around to see him staring hard at Robert. If eyes had the power to burn, I am sure Robert would have turned into ashes by the way Kartik looked at him.

" You have turned my wife into a liar just like you. " He sharply shifted his gaze at me.

He thinks... I am a liar !

" Shopping with Aditi huh? " I gulped.

" Kartik I can expla- " he ignored me. Completely.

" You snatched my sister away from me, Aren't you satisfied? " His jaw clenched as he gritted his teeth in anger.

" Kartik it's not the truth. Nisha... "

" Don't ! Don't you dare take her name. After all you did to her, you should be ashamed to even spell her name. " I flinched at the rage his tone held.

I held his hand, " Kartik Listen to me please, He didn't do anything wrong. Just listen- " abruptly he pulled his hand out of my hold.

" You knew I hated him. You knew everything that had happened in the past, but still... " His eyes was void without any emotions.

" I didn't know there were secrets and lies between us. " He sounded defeated.  Tears slipped out of my eyes.

" I am sorry. "

" Sorry! " He scoffed.

Why didn't I tell him earlier.

I didn't know what to say, he wouldn't listen or believe anything I would say now.

Will he think we did not share a honest relationship?

Will he hate me now?

" Daddy.... " Ana rushed to her father gaining all our eyes at her. Hiding her small frame behind his leg, she looked at Kartik.

Kartik stared at the little girl for a minute or two before he turned to walk away.

" Nisha knew she was dying. " Robert's words made Kartik stop on his track.

" She knew. " Robert whispered.

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

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