Kaira - Two Years Later

Chapter 7

"Please Naira, one day, you and I alone. For old times sake? Consider it as my last wish, I'll be like a lifeless body after the divorce anyways. Naira, I know I don't deserve your love. Just look at you, you're the most perfect woman on earth. My anger destroyed our love, and i'm suffering the punishment. Please.."

He was cut off by Naira who, to his surprise, nodded her head 'yes'. Of course she was upset at him, but she couldn't see her love in such a vulnerable state, especially if she could help it. His words touched her heart. For the first time in two years, she felt happy. She felt loved.

"Really?! Thank you so much Naira. For the whole day, can we please forget about all our misunderstandings, all our anger, all our pain and live as the old Kartik and Naira? Can we live as the old Kaira."

No matter how much she tried to hide it, Naira also wanted this. She smiled slightly showing her approval. Kartik's heart felt at peace seeing her smile, though minimal. He pulled out a little silver box, and seeing it Naira got shocked.

The box that held so many memories, the box that held a symbol of love & togetherness, a symbol of her being married. Her vermillion box.
Tears immediately dripped out of her eyes seeing how the box that was once so familiar was now so distant.

"How do you have this Kartik?" Naira asked, holding back her tears.

"This is my only physical memory of you, Naira. In these two years whenever I felt the void in my heart reopen, I went and saw this box. It made me think about how we are apart but still together. Naira, for the last time in this life, will you please let me fill your forehead with vermillion in my name?"

Naira simply nodded as she was still recovering from the blow she had received. She couldn't believe how much Kartik loved her. Naira felt so much regret for giving Kartik the divorce papers ; she had hurt her mendak.

"Okay Kartik, you can."

Kartik happily opened the box and took a long look at the bright red powder. They remembered MahaShivratri 2018 when Kartik filled Naira's mang. They remembered their wedding, and all those broken promises.

Kartik took a pinch of vermillion on his fingertips and brought it to Naira, filling her mang once again.

They both tried to hide their pain and tears from each other and kept staring. Naira felt complete after two dreadful years. When she felt like she couldn't hide her tears any longer, she excused herself to go to the bathroom.

Kartik smiled remembering their freshly brewed moments. Then, reality hit him and he pulled out his phone. Kartik opened WhatsApp and texted Swarna.

"Maa, I am ready to marry again. Please come to Rishikesh and meet me along with our family at the hotel on Ganga Ghat. Bring Keerti's family too.

He quickly hit send and put his phone away. "I'm sorry Naira. This might hurt you but it is needed."