Goenka villa at kartik's room
Kartik enters his room shutting the door behind him with a frustrated sigh his jaw clenched hands curled into fists as his family's words echoed in his mind
Dadi: Tumhe vedika ke saath dance karna chahiye tha
Manish: Ye dosti hadd paar kar rahi hai Kartik
Swarna: Humein yeh pasand nahi aaya tha
He rakes a hand through his hair trying to control the storm of emotions inside him his heart ached not just from anger but from the pain of being forced into a life he never wanted a life without naira by his side at least not openly
Just then a soft knock on the door breaks his thoughts he doesn't respond but the door opens anyway naira steps inside her eyes filled with concern
Naira: (softly) Kartik.
Kartik turns away not wanting her to see the vulnerability in his eyes But Naira wasn't someone who could be ignored not by him
Naira: (stepping closer) Mujhse mat chhupa mujhe pata hai tumhare andar kya chal raha hai
Kartik exhales sharply shaking his head
Kartik: (bitterly) Sab kuch sun toh liya tumne unka kehna hai ki mujhe tumhare saath nahi vedika ke saath dance karna chahiye tha
Naira: (placing a hand on his arm) Unka kehna unki jagah sahi ho sakta hai par tumhare dil ki jagah sirf main sahi ho sakti hoon Kartik
Kartik finally looks at her his eyes clouded with emotions his hands come up gripping her arms as if she was the only thing keeping him grounded
Kartik: (hoarsely) Mujhe yeh sab bardasht nahi hota naira har baar unki baatein sunni padti hain har baar apne dil ke against jaakar jeena padta hai
Naira: (cupping his face) Par main hoon na Kartik Jab tak main hoon tumhe kisi cheez se ladne ki zaroorat nahi hum dono milkar ladenge
For a moment Kartik just stares at her her touch soothing the fire inside him naira strokes his cheek gently making him close his eyes
Naira: (whispers) Tumhe yaad hai pehle bhi ek baar aise gussa ho gaye the Tab bhi maine tumhe shaant kiya tha
Kartik slowly opens his eyes his lips curling into a faint smile
Kartik: (teasing) Toh ab bhi waise hi shaant karogi
Naira raises an eyebrow pretending to think
Naira: (playfully) Pata nahi tum deserve karte ho ya nahi
Kartik smirks and suddenly pulls her closer their bodies almost touching
Kartik: (husky) Main proof de sakta hoon
Naira gasps as his hands snake around her waist pulling her flush against him Their faces are just inches apart breaths mingling The air around them thickens with unspoken emotions and longing
Naira places a soft kiss on Kartik's forehead then his cheek her fingers tracing his jawline Kartik's hands tighten around her waist his eyes darkening with desire
Kartik: (whispers) Naira
Before he can say more Naira closes the distance between them pressing her lips against his in a soft lingering kiss Kartik stiffens for a second surprised but then melts into the kiss his arms locking her in place the world fades away as they get lost in each other their love overpowering every pain every obstacle
After a moment they pull back slightly their foreheads resting together breathing heavily
Naira: (smiling) Ab toh shaant ho na
