Inside the kartik and naira's apartment at evening time
The room is calmer now the family has left kartik and naira are sitting close on the sofa both lost in soft conversation the exhaustion of the emotional day evident on their faces Just then little kaira walks in her expression innocent yet determined
Kaira: (softly) Mumma Papa mujhe bhi Dadu Dadi aur Par Dadi ke paas jana hai sheha ne bola unke saath khelne mein maza aata hai woh mere bhi Dadu Dadi aur Par Dadi hai na
Naira's smile fades kartik's body stiffens instantly his eyes darken and his breath sharpens The very mention of those people those faces the wound is still fresh
Kartik: (anger rising voice stern but not shouting yet) Kaira woh log tumhare Dadu Dadi aur Par Dadi nahi hai
Kaira blinks confused
Kaira: (softly) Kyun papa
Kartik: (gritting teeth struggling to stay calm) Maine pehle bhi kaha tha aur aaj phir keh raha hoon woh log hamare kuch bhi nahi hai tumhare kuch bhi nahi hai
Naira: (placing a gentle hand on kartik's arm trying to calm him) Kartik
Kartik: (shaking his head voice heavy) Nahi naira ab aur nahi
He turns his gaze back to kaira crouching down to meet her eyes his voice softens but is still firm
Kartik: (gently) Beta jab koi tumhari mumma ki jaan lene ki koshish kare toh kya hum unhe apna keh sakte hai
Kaira stares eyes wide
Kaira: (softly) Mumma ki jaan
Naira: (kneeling beside them softly brushing kaira's hair) Haan baby kuch log hote hai jo sirf naam ke rishtedaar hote hai lekin pyaar nahi karte aur jab pyaar nahi hota na toh rishta sirf ek naam ban ke reh jaata hai
Kaira: (upset) Par Sheha ne kaha dadu aur dadi ache hai
Kartik: (looking away voice low and broken) Shayad uske liye honge par hamare liye woh log sirf dard hai nafrat hai
Naira: (to kaira softly) Tumhara yeh ghar tumhara parivaar hai mumma aur papa yeh sabhi pyaar yahan milta hai sirf yahan beta
Kaira stays quiet for a moment visibly confused but trusting her parents
Kaira: (slowly) Toh main unke saath kabhi bhi nahi ja sakti
Kartik takes a deep breath and cups her face gently
Kartik: (soft but serious) Jab tak tumhare Papa zinda hai tum waha kabhi nahi jaogi
Kaira nods slowly not fully understanding the depth but sensing the seriousness she hugs him tightly
Kaira: (hugging him) Mujhe kahin nahi jana main aap dono ke saath hi rahungi
Kartik closes his eyes holding her close Naira places her hand over both of them Silence falls again heavy emotional and protective
Naira: (softly) Kartik zakhm jitne gehre ho baccho ke sawaal aur gehra kar dete hai
Kartik: (nods voice low) Haan aur main kabhi nahi chahunga ki Kaira usi andheron mein jaye jahan se humne mushkil se apni roshni dhundhi hai
Kaira is still in kartik's arms her tiny hands clinging to his shirt as if fearing he might disappear her innocent heart is conflicted she slowly pulls back looking into kartik's eyes
Kaira: (confused) Par Papa agar woh ache nahi the toh aap unke saath kyun rehte the
Kartik: (sighs holding her hands) Kyunki beta kabhi kabhi hamein sach jaanne mein der lag jaati hai aur kabhi kabhi hum uss sach ko maanna nahi chahte
