Separated Love

Chapter 7: Swarna Crashes the Fresher's Dance

I look at myself one more time in the mirror, trying to make sure I'm completely ready. God I am so so so nervous. I hope Kartik thinks I look okay. Keerti di walks in and smiles looking at me.
"You know Kartik will think you look beautiful even if you're sick and in all baggy clothes. Don't worry Naira! I know my little brother. He's about to go crazy seeing you." I hope she's right. "Also, one more thing Naira. Tonight, please tell him what happened that day." How does Keerti di know? I look at her completely shocked. "Papa told me. Look Naira, at the end of the day it's your relationship and I don't want to overstep my boundary. All I have to say is that communication is such a vital part of a relationship. You two were always meant to be together. Don't keep putting yourself through so much pain for the sake of others. Take tonight and make the most of it. You were the one that advised me to give Naksh a chance to explain himself, right? You said to hear him out. Maybe it's time you both give each other that same chance." Keerti di doesn't understand. Even I know it's vital to hear each other out. The issue is that Kartik never gives me a chance to explain myself. He never once thought to find out why I wasn't there for Shubham's funeral. "And one last thing Naira, sometimes our egos can get in the way of our relationships. Don't let it prevent you from talking to him today. There is a huge difference between protecting your ego and protecting your self-respect." I think back to after Keerti di and Bhai got together. I told Kartik that having an ego can completely ruin a relationship. Am I doing the same? Am I mixing up my ego with my self-respect? I don't think I am.
"Okay, thank you Keerti di. I'll keep that in mind." I tell her. I know she's just trying to help, but this has left me feeling even more anxious and confused. I start making my way towards the door to leave when Papa stops me.
"Princess! You look amazing! I hope you have an amazing night. Please call me if anything happens and you need me. You know I'm only a phone call away." I love my dad. He is always so protective of me. I give him a big hug with happy tears in my eyes. This man has been with me and protected me since everything turned for the worst. I love him so much.
    "Thank you Papa! Don't be up too late tonight waiting for me. I'll be with Kartik so you have nothing to worry about. Where's Bhai?"
    "Naksh is helping Kartik get ready." Why does Kartik need help getting ready? "Looks like both of you are nervous about tonight." Papa and Keerti di laugh. I smile too at how happy they are and leave my apartment. As I start walking down I see Kartik and Bhai at the end of the stairs. Wow. Kartik looks amazing. Black suit, white dress shirt, with a blue bow tie that we selected together. I go to Bhai first. He tells me I look great, to have a great time, and then leaves Kartik and I. I nervously look up at Kartik. Kartik smiles looking at me and puts his hand on his heart. I think back to when he always used to do that same gesture and say, "hayye," realizing that's what he's eluding to. I smile and wink at him throwing him off guard again. His surprised look soon breaks into a huge smile, and we both start laughing.
    "Kartik, if we both go in the same car, won't everyone be confused? I'm not really sure how we are going to pull this off."
    "Don't worry Naira. I'll say your car broke down, and I ran into you on my way here. It'll all workout. Just trust me." He says this and becomes awkward. Trust is what we need to work on Kartik - I think to myself. We start driving towards school, and I turn the radio on. One of my favorite songs is playing. Shreya Ghoshal's version of Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai. I start to become emotional. Looking at Kartik and hearing the words, Na kuch poocha, na kuch manga, tune dil se diya jo diya. That's the way Kartik used to love me. His love was so pure for me. Keerti di's right, I need to talk to him about everything. Unfortunately, as I'm about to say something, we arrive at the dance. Right when we get out we run into Kabir.
    "Hey guys look! The star couple is here! Kartik sir and Naira!" What in the world? Where is this coming from?
    "How dare you say that!" Kartik yells.
    "Oh please. You have no right to say anything to me. You're a professor and having a relationship with a student. I saw you both at the mall together too. What's going on between you two, huh?" All of the students are gathering around. Who the hell does he think he is to be asking us this?
    "Shut up Kabir! This isn't any of your business!" Kartik is surprised but also smirks at me yelling at him. I look at him confused and he whispers, "sherni's back." I'm too angry right now to laugh at his joke.
    "Naira, it is my business. You told me you couldn't come to the dance with me because you're married. How does your husband feel about you coming with another guy?" People start laughing around us. Even the girls who I called my friends. This is why I don't trust anyone. One minute they act nice to you and the next they're stabbing you behind your back. "Tell me Naira! You're with your husband during the day and with Kartik at-" That's enough.
    "Yes, at night. I am with Kartik at night." Kartik looks at me shocked. I don't care, I have to shut all of these idiots up. "In fact, I'm with Kartik and our family every single day."
    "Our family?" I hear people say in the back.
    "Yes, our family. Because the person that I am married to is none other than Kartik." Everyone is shocked. "I am his wife so I will spend time with him where and whenever I want. We didn't want you all to know because he's a professor and I'm a student. If you guys had some decency and just asked me personally what was going on, I would have told you." I say this looking directly at Tanvi and Priya. "I don't owe any of you an explanation for why I'm here with him, but since all your cheap minds can think about is our relationship, I thought I should let you guys know. Has everyone enjoyed enough drama for the night or should I keep going?" Everyone looks down and starts to walk away. As people start to disperse, I stop in my tracks and see ma. Oh no. I didn't know she was going to be here. Kartik and I both look at each other and then look at her.
    Ma stands where she is. She's shocked. Probably at the sight of me and Kartik coming together to this dance. Immediately I see anger written all over her face. I don't know how to react. I remember when she slapped me and told me to leave her family. Even then, I have a soft corner for her in my heart. I have actually missed her. I want her to know I'm sorry I couldn't help Shubham.
    "Ma-" She raises her hand, telling me to stop talking.
    "How dare you? How dare you trick my son into coming here with you? Did you know that he's a professor and trustee of this college? Is that why you started school here?" What? No. I didn't know anything about that. She doesn't even give me a chance to answer. "Leave my son alone Naira. I don't ever want to see your face!" She yells as she comes walking towards me. I am struggling to find the right words to say right now to her. I feel Kartik move in closer to me so that our forearms are touching now. She continues to walk towards me.
    "Ma...I..." I feel tears start to roll down my cheeks. "Ma...Shubham..."
    "DON'T TAKE HIS NAME WITH YOUR MOUTH NAIRA!" She practically screams as she raises her hand to slap me. I quickly look down, getting ready for the pain that's about to sting through my cheek. I wait and nothing happens. I look up and Kartik is holding her hand. He looks angry.
    "ENOUGH MA!" He yells. Ma and I both stand there shocked.

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Author's Notes
    I don't have much to say except, I cannot wait to write the next part!!