||Love That Brings You Back - ON HOLD||

Chapter 4: The Fateful Night~Cherishing Memories

Thank you everyone for your love and support. The next part is almost ready, I will wait for your views until then.

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Now Naira has kept both her palms over his chest and rested her chin on top of them. Kartik was leaning against the windshield of the car in a sitting position. They were looking at each other eye to eye. He began the conversation "Do you remember our first meeting?" She smiled "I came to USA leaving Mamma and Papa for my studies. It was the same for you. You were in your last semester. I was at your university for a tour before I could join, the following semester. I was lost and you were the one, who helped me."

Kartik blinked his eyes in approval "I did! Just seeing you I could tell you were nervous and looking for something. In other cases, I never paid attention to my surroundings. That day I just couldn't ignore you and pass by!". Naira teased him "Waise, did you help people all the time, especially girls?" Kartik chuckled "Nope! Apka advantage yeh tha that you were an Indian. It was written on your face. Maine pehli and akhri baar ek nervous Sherni dekha tha uss din". Fake sadness of not seeing a frightened Sherni ever again was evident in his voice.

In anger his Sherni was about to roar, when her Mendak spoke in a dreamy tone "It was different. It wasn't love at first sight. Still kuch toh hua tha mujhe. I saw your anklet fell down while you were walking away from me, but I didn't have the heart to return it to you. That day I kept it in my pocket thinking that some day may be our destinies will bring us together again".

Naira sadly, but honestly accepted "But I didn't feel anything, except that you were a nice guy." Kartik couldn't help but smile "Yes, you didn't! Though unknowingly, you did leave your anklet behind! For me!" He winked at her and she gave him a broad smile.

The next second Naira made a pout "That was my favorite anklet Mendak!" Kartik brought his one hand from her waist and pinched her nose "And I kept your favorite anklet close to my heart. Don't forget that Jaan!". She faked anger now "Whatever! In return, you got place in my heart Mr. Goenka!".

Kartik mocked her "Achha! After 4 years na, when you already finished your undergrad and a year of medical school. From New York, I came to Massachusetts to complete my 5 years residency. There I met you again, you were in 2nd year. Even then, nothing happened instantly. You took your sweet time. In fact, you never thought of me until we met again?!"

He paused before continuing "Once I got to know you, I always used to think; how did Papa and Mamma let you come to New York all by yourself? After all you are Papa's princess and leaving you all alone in an unknown place isn't something that Papa could do! At least I had Chachu, Chachi and my little Mishtu (Kartik's cousin sister), my BFF. Sometimes I think; if you never came, how would we meet Naira? How would have been this life like? Because I can't imagine my life without you!".

Naira was thoughtful "Hmm! When Mamma would let me come, but Papa wouldn't. You have no idea, how hard I had to try. Luckily there was a flat under Naksh Bhaiya's (Naira's cousin) name. He used to live there with his parents until they passed away in an accident. He was only 12 when he moved with us in India. Then I had my bestie Gayu with me. She came along for the same purpose and Papa also couldn't refuse his princess from pursuing her dreams."

Then suddenly her tone changed and she spoke with attitude "Now back to your first question! Naira Singhania never thought of anyone, she never had the time. And why would she think of some random guy, whom she just met for once?"

To her response, Kartik held her tightly by the waist "Achha some random guy! Huh! And who am I to you now? Bolo?" Naira whispered ever so softly "Mere sab kuch. You are my everything now. There was no one before you and there won't be anyone except you. Aab iss Mendak se hi uss ki Sherni hai. Tumhare bina ye kuch bhi nehi. Ye Sherni toh baas maar hi jayegi"

With the intensity with which she spoke, it shook Kartik to the core. He brought his hand and wiped the corner of her eyes "Itna pyaar karti ho mujhse!". "More than myself" came her reply immediately. He brought his face forward and dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

Once he went back to his position, Naira continued, "Yes, I never really thought of you again. But I admired you for helping me the way you did. That day I could tell that you were running out of time. Still you made sure that I don't get lost again. And I did recognize you when we met the second time. So you see, you weren't a forgotten chapter completely. It's just that I didn't get to know you earlier".

Kartik smiled "I was just teasing you Jaan". Naira nodded in approval to let him know that she understood. She just wanted to tell him her heart out today. So she spoke again " Kartik never ever think; what it would have been like without each other? We were meant to be. It was destiny that we both ended up in the same school. There, we became friends. Then best friends. Ek dusre se ladai ki, jhagra kia aur kheyal bhi rakkha. Par kab pyaar ho gaya, pata hi nehi chala!"

Before she could continue, Kartik spoke "Jab realize hua bhi toh, we couldn't muster up the courage to confess our love. We kept hiding it from each other. Thanks to Gayu for kicking some senses into us that you will be leaving for California in a few months time to complete your six years residency. And I did it. I proposed you. That was the most beautiful moment of my life" But Naira corrected him "Not yours, but ours".

He nodded with a smile while she continued, "Then I moved to California. After 2 years, you also came there and started fellowship for another 2 years. The following year we got engaged. You know, we are so blessed to have such lovely families. They had no problem with our alliance. As they kept visiting us time to time, they knew about us since the beginning. And as our friendship grew and turned into love, the bond between our families grew stronger. They were more than happy to accept us and bind us in a new relationship".

Kartik sighed and spoke proudly "I know Naira. No one is so lucky to have families like we do. Then you finished your residency and completed one-year fellowship in California itself. While in the meantime, I started practicing there in a hospital."

Naira shook her head at his craziness "Yes, because you weren't willing to leave me behind and come back to India. You could very well come back here and take your first step towards Mom's dream. Paar nehi! You had to stick with me and start doing a job there."

Once she finished speaking, Kartik just rolled his eyes "Yeah right! As if I would do that! Not even in your dreams, will I ever leave my Jaan and go somewhere! Didn't I make it clear already that together we will fulfill all the dreams?! And in those 3 years, I only gained more experience by practicing there. So there is nothing for you to complain about!".

She nodded in approval and smiled while speaking "Now finally we are back. I can't believe it's already 5 months since we came back!" Kartik then let go of her waist and motioned her to get up. He held her hands and pulled her to sit near him. He wrapped his one hand around her shoulders and another around her waist. Like this he held her close in his embrace. Her face was hidden in the crook of his neck. He whispered near her ear "Believe it or not. It's all real. Now in one-month time, we will become husband and wife from being fiancés. And..."

Before he could complete his sentence, he heard a beep sound. Naira's eyes were closed. She whispered shyly "And?". A smile was playing on Kartik's lips. Removing his hand from her waist, he used the hand to hold her chin and make her look up. He brought his lips near her ear and wished in a whisper "Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday Sherni! This is the day when my Jaan came to this world and that's why I have her in my life. So wish you a very, very Happy Birthday!" Then he kissed her on the forehead and Naira opened her eyes with a beautiful smile.

Precap: Last part of the Fateful Night! The ending of something beautiful! "Losing You"

May be some tissues are needed! I am going to find a hideout!