The Billionaire's Bride

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.

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" 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.