Heart Beat

Kith and Kin

Kartik

I am seated in the car with my family. Kairav is sleeping and is in my lap, Naira has laid her head on my shoulder. I can feel her emotions and I know it is going to be hard for her to meet all. I wish I could introduce Kairav in a better circumstance. I am broken from my train of thoughts by the voice of Naira. 

"Kartik, I am scared," Naira whispered and I peck her forehead. 

"Don't worry, Jaan. We will face them together. I am sure nobody would be pissed at us, and even if they are, Kairav's cute face will melt all their anger." Naira giggles after hearing me and soon I join her infectious laugh.  Naira and I join our hands and lay them on Kairav. She closes her eyes and I pray to Lord Krishna that all ends well. 

Naira

The Goenkas and the Singhanias are in the hospital as Dadi's condition is not well. Kartik and I walk towards them while Kairav is in my arms. He had hidden his face in the crook of my neck and tightly wrapped his arms around me. I run my hands on his back in a soothing manner to calm my baby. I can see that everyone's face is covered with shock. All are distressed by seeing me, I want to run away after seeing them. I feel Kartik's grip on my hand tightened and I look into his eyes and nod at him. I will face the situation tonight no matter what.  Some of them have tears welling up in their eyes and the same for me, but I have to be strong. 

"Kairav, baby, mamu is here." I nudged my little boy and he eagerly turned his head to face Bhai. He squirmed and I put him down, he ran to Bhai who welcomed him in a warm hug.  

"How are you, champ?" Bhai asks him. 

"Mamu, I enjoyed it a lot with Mumma and papa. We played games and papa made bread pakoda for us, though my favorite is Mumma's kachori." I laugh at my baby's rambling and run towards Bhai. He gives me his bear hug and I cherish it to the fullest. Soon, I have to face everyone but I don't want this moment to end. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I feel that it is Kartik, I understand his meaning. Slowly I end the hug and wrap my fingers with Kartik's. 

I could feel the rage of our family towards us and I flinch. I put on the CEO look and don't let any emotions pass through my face. I messaged Liza to come and take Kiarav as I felt the conversation we are having is not appropriate for Kairav. 

"Baby, Mumma is hungry. Can you get me some food? Liza will take you and make sure that she does not eat the food in the way." I asked him and he eagerly nodded his head. He laughed and gave me a high five. He kissed my and Kartik's cheek and ran away. 

Badi Dadi walked in my direction in fury and slapped me. Okay, I was expecting some yelling but not a slap. 

Thud. 

"Why did you punish us for many years, Naira? What had we ever done? You were little when you made this mistake for the first time. You were naive and terrified. Hence, we had forgiven you. But this time, why did you do this Naira?" Badi Dadi accused me while shedding tears, I wished to wipe her tears, but I was not in any position to do so right now. 

"Five years, Naira. For years, we had presumed that you," Choti Dadi cried, "Not a single day passed in our house when anyone did not miss you. Every time someone thought of you their eyes were welled up with tears. But you, how did you become so cold-hearted?" No dadi, I wanted to come and tell you the truth but I had that disgusting snake on a trail to kill me and my child. I will avenge him for all the tears he made us weep.

"Naira, we want the answer. We lived every moment in sorrow after Akshara's demise. Do you remember? We would hope she would return one day. Every day, Naira. We wept all day long. Despite all this, how dare you put the family through the same suffering again? You never thought about anyone." Choti Dadi demanded.