Part 41 | Trying Hard

Outfit 👆

^^^^^^

It's a disaster.

That will probably be the first reaction of anyone who visited the Oberoi Mansion in the past week would say.

It's been only ten days since Naira and Kartik got together under one roof and not a day had passed, ever since without the house witnessing a quarrel. It looked like they were having a whole lot of pending arguments of months, together all at once.

Good thing, the fights weren't anything serious, no one left the house in the middle of the night or ripped each other's head ! As of yet.

There were a few broken glasses, blaring arguments that Dory got used to by now, slamming of doors. The latest one left a hole on the wall but rest assured, They were only a series of petty fights.

So Who is at fault?

Both of them. 50-50

Well An unbiased honest opinion would be 80-20.

Naira quite seem to be in a mood. A fight would start literally out of nowhere. Not that she is fond of picking up fights but lately, For some reason Kartik couldn't comprehend, she ends up disagreeing with him on anything and everything.

Kartik on the other side was trying his very best to be cool headed but not always his ego was ready to go down without a fight. Sometimes frustrated, he would just lash out without a second thought, only to regret his words the next morning.

The dawn broke with Kartik waking up cheerful, determined to resolve things between him and his wife.

He was one hundred percent against the idea of spending his birthday tomorrow, locked horns with his wife.

Last year due to a business trip, he couldn't make it home on his birthday. So ideally this would be his first one with his wife.

Kartik had perfect plans for the day.

He would first hit the gym, then reach his office to attend the only meeting which he unfortunately wasn't able to reschedule. He had cleared his entire day beforehand so he could head back home early without delay for dinner.

Yes, a dinner with her was all he wanted. The wedding was the last time they sat down for a meal together. He was a person who preferred to dine alone but that was until she came. Kartik craved for the good old days when she no matter what, made sure they had atleast a meal a day together.

The conversation he had with his mother last night came flooding into his mind.

" It's pretty late already. You should head back now, she must be waiting. "

" She's probably asleep by now. Not like she cares. " Kartik mumbled. " Honestly I am done Mom. I don't know how long I can be the only one fighting for Us. "

Knowing her son wasn't having his best days of marriage, she sat down beside him. " Then don't. Just Quit and let her go. Can you? "

He chose to stay silent, for he knows the answer is a hell No.

" We both know she could have moved out of the house if she wanted to, but she agreed to stay. So much had happened in the past months and the wound is still fresh in her heart. The damage is still not repaired, Son. It's not gonna be a easy ride. "

The mother lovingly ruffled her son's hair. " No relationship is all sunshine, dear. The fights proves that there are strings attached, that your marriage is emotional nourished. If they care, they probably fight. "

Smiling she took his hands into hers.

" Remind her she is loved by the man she fell in love with. "

----

It was half past 7.

" Sir, I can do the dessert. You can rest. "

" It's fine Dory, it's almost done. " Kartik said while pouring the hot chocolate batter into a tray.

" You managed to do all the dishes in such a short time. " Dory said while Kartik placed the tray into the oven for baking. "

" Not without your help, Dory. "

" It was nothing, Sir. You did most of the work. I am sure ma'am would love this. " She said while setting the table.

I hope so.

With her favourite foods on the menu, The dinner table was set for the night.

As Kartik reviewed his preparation he felt something was missing. It didn't feel complete.

Main course - check

Dessert - Check.

Lights - Check.

Room fragrance - check.

As He ran a checklist in his mind, it struck.

" Oh shit, Flowers!!? "

Kartik quickly ran to his car to collect the flowers he had bought on his way back. Of course this should also be her favourite ones.

White tulips.

Dory chuckled silently seeing her employer on his feet to impress his wife. " Ahh there! Now it's perfect. Right Dory? " she nodded.

" It's nice to see you all excited and lively, Sir. "

That line got him thinking. Truly it had been a while since he remembered feeling this kind of a mix of emotions. Thrilled and enthusiastic with a dose of nervousness.

" Have a great night, sir. " With that she dismissed herself.

In the next ten minutes, Kartik came out of his room in a White shirt, two of its top button left open paired, paired with a causal pant.

He glanced at the clock. 8:30 PM.

Then at the doorstep. " She should be home in a while. "

So He waited.

And waited for some more time.

-----

Kartik jolted from sleep. Realising he had slept waiting for her, he rubbed his drowsy eyes and looked at his watch.

10 PM

He stood up frantically, like his butt was on fire.

Why isn't she home yet?

Naira declined to work with Oberoi Industries, instead had rejoined Marco designers and Dhruv was more than happy to get her back on board.

Usually she returns home early, never this late. There was no call nor a message from her.

Kartik dailed Aditi to find out if Naira was still at the office. Just as she picked, Kartik bombarded her asking about his wife's whereabouts.

" Naira told she would stay back for a while, but texted me about an hour ago that she reached home. " Kartik shifted on his feet uneasily. " Isn't she at home?" He could sense Aditi starting to panic.

" No no, Perhaps I didn't check properly. " He paused for a good few seconds.

" Gotcha, She's in the shower. " He lied to prevent the pregnant women from freaking out, before disconnecting the call.

Damn It !!

Kartik grabbed his keys and hurried to the main door when he ran into a familiar face " Are you heading out somewhere?"

He heaved a breath of relief. " No I was just- It took you long today. "

" Yeah, had to finish a design layout today so I stayed back." She answered walking past him.

" You took a cab? " He asked noticing a taxi leave the mansion's main gate.

She stopped and turned around, " the car broke on the way. I left it at a mechanic shed and took a cab. Now if we are done with the question-answer session, I would like to go to my room. "

" You could have called me. I would have picked you up. You do know it isn't safe - "

" I am not a kid, Kartik. I don't need your surveillance 24/7. " Kartik shook his head defeated.

" That's not what I meant. "

" Tell me, Is there any guarantee nothing will happen to me when you are around?

I can get into an accident while crossing the road, or get on a hijacked flight or end up taken hostage at a mall. " She argued.

You should seriously quit watching web series. Dramatic AF!

" Anything can happen and certain things aren't in our hands. "

" Naira listen- " she interrupted not letting him speak another word.

" No you listen. I don't want to be in constant fear and forget to live while I am still alive. You shouldn't either. So just stop trying to control what happens to me and Go live your life!! " She made a clear statement.

An official call left Kartik with no option but to give their conversation a breathing space and attend his phone.

From a distance Naira watched him yell at the person on the other side of call. Sighing tiredly, She strode up to her room but her foot steps faded when her eyes landed on the dining table stacked with dishes around the elegant flower centerpiece. The crystal chandelier and it's golden low light adding an enticing charm to the place.

Taking the bouquet of white tulip lying on the chair, Naira grazed her fingers over it's soft petals.

He did this for me! But why?

She couldn't understand. They were fighting. They still are.

Did he get a promotion or something!

Girl, He's the boss!

Right.

Did he crack a Colossal deal or something?

He was waiting.

Or is it any memorable day?

For you....

what it could be? I don't see a reason for celebration today.

Girl!! He was waiting for you !!

" Can you stop hating me for sometime so that we can talk about this like adults. " The despair to resolve the tension between them was evident in his tone.

" I can't. " She said, her eyes glued to the floor.

" Oh come on!! " He exasperated. " what's the problem with you! Tell me so I can fix it. "

Her insides churned in guilt as she held the flowers. He was making efforts, while she was trying to find reasons.

Reasons to hate him. Break away and run far. Really Far.

Taking in a staggered breath, she lifted her teary orbs to murmur,

" I can't do this. "

**********

Aren't they hurting too much 🥺

It's just about Time they talk it out.

How does a back 2 back update sound?

*********

" As much as I want to hate you, I could only love you. And that hurts. " She chocked a cry.

" Accidentally meeting you was the best thing that happened to me."

*********

Coming up tomorrow !

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