Part 52 | Last kiss

" I can let the kids go. " The room turned dead quiet as Malhotra spoke," I'll never bother your husband or family, and I'll put an end to all my illegal business. "

Naira looked at him bewildered, so did the others. His statement didn't end, she knew there was more to it. He wouldn't give up so easily.

" But On one condition.

you'll have to sign, yet an other documents apart from the property transfer. "

Malhotra adjusted his glasses, corners of his lips lifted in a slick smirk." I haven't done a sloppy work, Mr. Oberoi. Have I? "

Kartik tightened his fist, muttering a curse.

Damn it! How did he know!

It was supposed to be a confidential matter. Someone from the board must have leaked it to Malhotra. Kartik made a mental note to investigate this matter, at no cost can the board be filled with heinous people who backstabs their CEO.

" The CEO has recently amended the Board's policy. And it states that in his absence, his wife,

Mrs. Naira Oberoi, can make a call regarding the company's affairs. "

" W-What! " Naira looked at Kartik flabbergasted.

What was he even thinking while bestowing her with such a huge responsibility!? The kind of faith her husband has on her overwhelmed her. It's beyond what she had read in romantic novels.

" So sign the documents and put an end to this. " Malhotra handed her the documents.

" And You'll let them go? " She cocked her head.

" I will. "

Her gaze darted to the papers and then back to her uncle.

" And If I refuse to sign. "

" He dies. " A monotonous reply.

" She will not Sign. " Kartik denied firmly, afraid she'll make an impulse decision in order to save him.

Lighting a cigarette, Malhotra took a long puff. " Well the choice is yours, Naira. I'll give you a minute. "

Flipping through the pages of the document, Naira did not care to even read it's content.

The decision was already made.

" I don't need a minute. " She spoke taking the pen in her hand.

" No, Naira! " She heard her husband's whispery plea.

Rudra was in a dilemma. Kartik would want him to stop her. But How can he stop her from taking a decision that is gonna save his brother, who's life is at stake.

" you don't have to do this. " He mumbled in her ear unsure.

" I know. " She gave him a small smile, stepping forward. Rudra still stood close to his sister in law. He wouldn't dare lower his guard.

" You know I can go to any lengths to save my husband. And it was smart of you to use me as a bait. But what you didn't know is that.... Mr. Malhotra I can be really clumsy sometimes. " Malhotra frowned.

" Like this. " Ink soaked through the paper as Naira struck the metal nib deep in, causing the pen to penetrate into the paper, creating a hole.

" Oops! " She dragged the pen diagonally with a force, tearing the paper into two shreds.

Kartik looked at her amused. Despite in shock, Rudra couldn't contain his laugh, " Woah! Beautiful! "

Kartik glared at his brother.

This Idiot yet hasn't learnt to control his laughter in serious situation.

" What made you think I'll believe you, huh? Once a liar always a liar." Malhotra was berated by Naira with a scowl.

" You always love learning it the hard way, Brat! Well then, this is on you." Raghav snarled in rage.

Kartik hissed when the blade tore his skin, plunging just deep enough to cause blood to ooze out from the cut and form a patch on the side of his shirt.

" Take your hands off him! " A dangerous threat left her lips. She didn't think twice to pull out the killer weapon and take an aim, straight at the man who dared to touch the love of her life.

Raghav stood froze, eyes widened like saucers in shock so was his dad, in a state of total disbelief.

" Don't try anything stupid. Drop the gun, Naira. " Malhotra warned her.

Raw angst took over her features.

" Hands. Off. My husband. Now! " She roared, punctuating each word with an anger that could burn the hills.

Kartik was dumbfounded at the sight of Naira threatening Raghav with a gun. A freaking loaded gun! Inarguably she would move mountains, give up anything for him. But His wife with a calmness and warmth as early spring getting her hands dirty for him, was something he never imagined.

All eyes were set on Naira as she moved her arm, changing the target. Now the barrel was aimed at the sadistic man who found pleasure in other's pain, who dared to risk the lives of innocent kids, Her uncle Who was hell bent of ruining her life.

Raghav looked at her petrified as the rifle nozzle, once again, shifted back at him. He manipulated Kartik's position so as to use him as a human shield.

Coward.

" Drop the f****ng gun or he's dead! " A hollow threat escaped his lips.

Her index finger looped around the trigger while rest of her fingers and palm curled around the frame of the weapon in a strong grip.

Kartik watched intently at the women who was ready to kill for him, who stole all his words away, who time and time again, make him bow in admiration.

The fierce anger was mellowing down.

She was scared, He could see.

The trembling fingers somehow managed to hold the weapon steady.

His pain from the stab long forgotten When he saw fear and distress in those brown orbs, which she successful hid from the world but not him.

Her facade served no use.

Like an artist who could read the story buried in a painting,

He read her naked truths,

diving into the depths of her soul.

Sparing a painful glance at him, Naira swiftly moved her arm and without thinking twice pressed the trigger, firing a bullet.

She was thrown backwards as a defending sound of a gunshot echoed in the air.

A loud howl of agony echoed in the air followed by a piercing screech of siren.

" Dad!!! "

Shot beneath his knees, Malhotra succumbed to the ground bleeding.

Arjun and Dhruv charged into the place along with the police force.

Taking advantage of Raghav's momentary distracted state, Kartik elbowed Raghav's jaw before punching square on his face, the force sending him sprawling back to the land.

His wrath resurfaced. " You sick prick!!"

Balling his fist, he connect it to Raghav's lower jaw. Grabbing him by collar, kartik rained punches on his face. " How dare you lay your filthy hands on my wife! "

He saw red. All he could picture was the fear in her eyes, the bruises on her wrist and neck he noticed while she confronted Malhotra minutes ago.

Sound of rib cracking filled the air as The heels of his shoe struck Raghav's gut in two successive kicks. A strangled scream escape his mouth, a result of Kartik violent assault.

" Kartik! Stop it. You'll kill him." Arjun pulled his violently raging  bestfriend away.

" He doesn't deserve to live. " Kartik sneered.

" He is gonna suffer but right now, go after your wife! Go get her. "

Blood dribbled out of his mouth as Raghav whimpered pathetically on the ground, slipping in and out of his consciousness.

Kartik straightened jerking his bloodied knuckles. " This isn't gonna end here, you sick son of a bastard! If at all you live to see an other day, I'll make sure you regret surviving. "

He didn't feel guilty seeing the Malhotras sheding blood. They deserved it for laying hands on the women he loved more than anything and everything.

-----

NAIRA

Silence.

Everything was muted, I could see but hear none. It felt like watching a silent film.

I could see a rush of armed men entering the frame, red blue lights of siren, a wailing Malhotra who was bleeding from leg, losing consciousness.

I shot him.

Oh god!

I started hyperventilating, the gun dropped from my shivering grip.

" Naira! " I heard a cry and In a blink of eye, my body is pressed against his hard chest.

" I'm here Babe. Breath for me." Kartik rubbed my back, asking me to focus on my breathing. I melted under his warmth. His Cologne, a reminder of my safe place, hit my nostrils rejuvenating my cells.

Pulling back, He palmed my cheeks, worry etched on his face. " Are you hurt? "

I shook my head in a no. " I -I'm fine."

Relief spread across his nerves and his facial muscles visibly relaxed.

But truth be told, I was feeling nowhere near fine.

I felt light-headed. A throbbing ache in the back of my skull. It was getting difficult to even stand with my limbs becoming weaker every passing minute.

I felt cold.

" You should get treated. You are wounded. " Blood stains on his shirt wasn't alarming but I felt weirdly nauseous at the sight.

"Come here." Leaning in, he dipped his face in the crook of my neck. His arms circled around my waist closing every inch of distance between us.

" It doesn't hurt anymore. " his lips grazed my collarbone as he muttered into my skin.

I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my stomach.

This man!

" Kartik-"

He pressed his forehead on mine. I could hear and feel his laboured breath, due to all the running and adrenaline rush." Say it now. "

Bringing my hand to his chest, Letting me know how crazy his heart was racing, he breathed out with his eyes shut. " I deserve more than a voice message. "

I love you, Kartik Oberoi.

From his shoulders I moved my hands up, locking it behind his neck. For two reasons. One, simply cause I love to do so. Kartik on our first bonfire night, blamed the night sky  beautifully embellished with stars and moon to have all my attention. So he made me stand on his feet and loop my arms around his neck for a slow dance.

" Now I have your undivided attention, Mrs. Oberoi. " He said before capturing my lips.

Every since it has became our routine on every bonfire nights.

And the second reason, I was losing my balance. Had he not be holding me right now, I am pretty sure I would collapse.

I let my eyes roam across his face, taking a good few seconds to observe his features. Despite him standing right in front of me, holding me close, The thought of never seeing him again still lingered in my mind.

I desperately wanted to see those hazel brown orbs. I feared if not now, I'll never be able to see them again.

So I confessed in a whisper, the phrase he was desperately waiting for months.

" I love you, Kartik Oberoi "

Those eyes I could die for, flung open, twinkling in child like joy. A huge grin crept of his face.

" I want to jump and yell so badly, but more than that I wanna hold you. So we are gonna stay like this for a few minutes. Okay. "

" I would like that too. " I mumbled in a barely audible voice.

I sag against him, suddenly overwhelmed with relief and fatigue. My eyelids drooped and I didn't fight, letting my eyes close to a much needed rest. I smile softly enveloped in his arms, there is no place I'd rather want to be.

" Do you want a reply? "

" I already know. " I mumbled in a tiny voice. I felt his chest rumble in a chuckle.

Kartik planted a feathery kiss on my temple. It felt like time has frozen, The chaos around us just vanished and it was just him and me.

When was the last time you told your loved ones how much you love them ?

We usually can't recollect our 'lasts'. It's always a blurry picture.

That's because we fail to register the moment, simply because we don't know it's going to be the last time. The end comes when least anticipated.

" I-I can't remember.... O-our last kiss. "  I quavered sleepily. My parched throat made it difficult to articulate.

My breath became shallow and I could feel my limbs going numb.

He slightly pulled back his head. "You don't because it isn't going to be our last. "

And then I felt the sweetness of his lips on mine as he kissed me deep and slowly, cradling me in his arms.

Everything stopped hurting. I didn't know whether it was my body which was turning into a cold stone or because I was finally back home.

Avalanche of warmth consumed me the last thing before I am pulled into a blackhole of darkness and silence.

***********

In each other arms!

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