Mine To Hold

Chapter 5

Naina's POV:

I force Karthik to sleep once we reach home. I hope he feels better once he is up. I was shocked with what happened at the cafeteria but now I am smiling thinking about our encounter. Although I was flustered and surprised initially, it's always fun to make Karthik blush. I really just want to pinch his cheeks when that happens and go awww, which I don't think he would appreciate.

I do some college work and help with a few household chores before sitting in the living room with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

"So, is Karthik up?"

"No mom, I checked on him 15 minutes ago and he's still knocked out." I tell her. I can see her concern for Karthik.

"I always tell this idiot to not do so much work but when will he listen to his mother."

"Mom, don't worry he'll be fine. I think he just needed to sleep for sometime." I try convincing her.

"Exactly Mom! You are worrying about him unnecessarily. You should worry about me now, I am going back in a few days. He has bhabhi to worry about him." I see Tara pouting, making me laugh.

"Well, if that's the issue, how about we find you someone. It'll be nice to get a break from you and have someone new in the family." We turn around to see Karthik leaning against the door frame and smirking. He knows what buttons to push.

"Ha ha ha, very funny. I am too young to be getting married just yet. Why don't you think about yourself!"

"Well as you said I already have Naina who is enough for me and polygamy is a crime if you are forgetting."

"I didn't mean that. I meant if you are so interested in having a new person, just have a baby. Don't jeopardize my life."

"Hmm, not a bad idea, atleast it'll be an intellectual addition to the family unlike you." I feel myself chuckling at the jibe that Karthik took.

"Oh my God Bhai! You are just so funny, I will die laughing at your jokes. Why don't you start working on toning them down so people can actually find it funny?!" Tara sarcasm has me and mom laughing loudly.

"This is why we won't have an intellectual addition in the family if it's you we are looking a groom for."

"Well then, it's good that I am not interested in getting married and not to forget, my dear bhabhi is roped into getting married to a humorless you. I hope the kids go on her so that they know what humor, beauty and brain is."

"Okay, stop it you two! Karthik how are you feeling?" Mom interrupts knowing none of them are going to stop.

"I am feeling better now."

"Clearly!" Tara comments.

Karthik pokes his tongue out at her before making his way towards the couch and sitting next to Mom. He leans into the L shaped corner to get comfortable in the sofa.

"Are you feeling better?" Mom asks him.

"Yup... I think I just needed to sleep for sometime." He turns on the television in front of the couch and we are indulge into watching some news, which I honestly find very boring, I think that is the reason I could never do UPSC. I am so unaware of current affairs. I am always amazed with the amount of knowledge others have about what's going around in the world, at times I do feel dumb too. I try watching news for some time while scrolling onto my phone. Sometime in, I realize I need to do a particular reading for tomorrow's class and I leave the room and go upstairs to do some reading. I open my laptop and take out my notebook and pen to make notes and start my reading.