An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 89

Manik, Nandini, and Naira sat quietly in the airplane, ready for takeoff. Naira's silence and the nervous tension etched on her face were impossible to miss. Sensing her distress, Manik nudged Nandini, who sat between them, signaling her to look at Naira.

"Naira, take a deep breath. It's just family," Nandini reassured her, gently rubbing her shoulders.

Naira exhaled slowly, nodding. She had no choice but to face this moment, and despite her apprehension, she knew it was inevitable.

Before she realized it, they had landed in India. While for most, time had passed swiftly, for Naira, it had felt like a blur—too fast for her liking. She wished for more time to prepare, but reality offered no such luxury.

Standing before the imposing Murthy Mansion, Nandini and Naira hesitated. Manik had gone to the Malhotra residence to drop off their luggage and bring the rest of the family. Nandini had insisted that everyone be present.

Naira, however, stood frozen, staring at the grand entrance. Seeing her reluctance, Nandini sighed, took her hand, and gently led her inside. The house was eerily silent.

"Mom, Dad!" Nandini called out, but the hall remained empty. A moment later, Ishita emerged from her room upstairs, adjusting her bun. She had heard Nandini's voice and rushed to finish dressing, eager yet surprised. As she descended the stairs, her gaze locked onto Naira—more specifically, the unmistakable bump beneath her clothing.

A myriad of emotions washed over Ishita. Her initial joy at seeing Naira turned into astonishment, followed by overwhelming happiness.

"Naira, my dear! You're pregnant! What a beautiful surprise!" Ishita exclaimed, rushing down the stairs and enveloping her in a tight embrace.

Naira swallowed back the tears threatening to spill as she returned the hug.

"Wait right here! Oh my God, I need to call Raman and Abhimanyu! Sweets, I'll be back in a second!" Ishita gushed excitedly before dashing towards the kitchen.

At that moment, Naira lost her composure, silent sobs shaking her frame. Nandini quickly guided her to the couch.

"Enough, Naira. No more crying," Nandini consoled her gently.

Hearing her daughter's sobs, Ishita hurried back, concern replacing her joy.

"What happened, baby? Are you in pain? Nandini, check on her!" she said, patting Naira's head worriedly.

Naira wiped her tears and motioned for Ishita to sit beside her.

"Mom, I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Sorry? For what? Not telling me? I understand—you must have wanted to surprise us. But tell me, how far along are you?" Ishita asked, her tone laced with warmth.

"Two months, Mom."

"Two? The bump is already showing quite a bit. Have you been to a doctor?" Ishita questioned, eyes scanning her with concern.

"I'm carrying twins, Mom," Naira revealed.

The happiness doubled. Ishita hugged her tightly once more but pulled back when she noticed Naira's sniffles. Something wasn't right.

"Where is Kartik?" Ishita asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Silence fell over the room. Naira lowered her gaze, unable to form a response. Understanding her turmoil, Nandini intervened.

"Mom, let's wait until Dad and Bhai get here. Manik will be back soon, and Kartik is expected by two. We'll explain everything then," she said calmly.

Ishita, now visibly anxious, looked between them. "The Malhotras and Kartik? Why does it feel like something is terribly wrong?" she questioned.

"Mom, please trust us. We'll explain everything soon. Naira, go rest for a while," Nandini urged. Naira simply nodded and headed upstairs.

Soon, the living room was filled with family—everyone except Kartik. The shock of Naira's pregnancy was evident, but happiness prevailed. Raman and Abhimanyu were especially thrilled at the news of twins, their excitement palpable. However, an unspoken tension lingered. It was clear that something was amiss.

Manik, sensing Nandini's unease, sat beside her, offering silent support. He could feel her guilt weighing her down—if only she had spoken up earlier, perhaps things would have turned out differently. He gently squeezed her hand, kissed her temple, and rubbed her shoulders, providing the comfort she needed.

Abhimanyu finally broke the silence. "Naira, when did you find out?"

"Bhai, on Di and Jiju's reception," she admitted hesitantly.

"What? And you didn't tell us?" Raman's shock mirrored the rest of the family's. They had assumed she discovered her pregnancy in LA. If she had been in India at the time, what had stopped her from sharing the news?

"I knew," Nandini confessed. "She told me the moment she found out."

Ishita turned to her daughter, her eyes narrowing. "Why didn't you tell us, Nandini?"

All eyes were now on her, and the pressure of their questioning gazes made her stomach churn. Manik squeezed her hand reassuringly, but Nandini hesitated, looking to Naira for support. She wanted her to speak her truth, to share her side of the story.

Naira understood the silent plea and forced herself to speak. "Mom, I wanted to, but—"

A low, husky voice interrupted her, choked with suppressed emotion.

"But you didn't. Not even to me, Naira."

Everyone turned toward the entrance. Kartik stood at the doorway, his eyes red, unshed tears brimming as he struggled to maintain his composure.