Unconditional love

Our Naira

Kartik was still thinking about his conversation with Naira as he sat down to talk to his grandmother on video call. Dadi's smiling face appeared on the screen and he felt a rush of warmth and affection.

"Hello, Dadi," he said, smiling back at her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, beta," Dadi said. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing okay," Kartik said. "I've been busy with work and trying to keep myself distracted."

Suhasini looked at him closely. "Is everything okay, Kartik? You seem a little bit troubled."

Kartik hesitated for a moment. He wasn't sure if he wanted to share his feelings with dadi. But he knew that Dadi always had a way of comforting him and giving him wise advice.

"I spoke to Naira yesterday," he said finally. "She called me out of the blue."

Dadi's eyes widened. "Naira? As in, our Naira?"

Kartik nodded. "Yes, Dadi. It was so strange. I haven't spoken to her in years, and then she just calls me like that."

"What did she say?" Dadi asked, her curiosity piqued.

Kartik took a deep breath. "She said that she misses me. She liked me.

Dadi looked at him intently. "And how do you feel about that, Kartik?"

Kartik shrugged. "I don't know, Dadi. I mean, I still care about her too. But so much has happened since we last saw each other. I don't know if it's possible to go back to how things used to be."

Suhasini said . "I understand, beta. But you should listen to your heart. And if your heart tells you that you want to be with Naira, then you should follow that path."

Kartik looked at her gratefully. "Thank you, Dadi. You always know just what to say."

Dadi smiled. "That's what grandmothers are for, beta. We're here to support and guide you through life's ups and downs."

Kartik felt comforted by her words. He knew that he still had a lot to think about, but he also knew that he had his dadi's love and support behind him.