Separated Love

Chapter 31: Swarna Comes in Naira's Defense

"What is going with you two?" Dadi yells. Kartik and I look at each other. Why is Dadi so mad? 

"Dadi, why are you yelling?" Kartik asks. In the meantime Chachu, Chachi, Papa, and Ma join us. 

"Ma, what is going on?" Papa asks. 

"I don't know what I'm more angry about. Naira's relationship with Arjun or the fact that these two are planning on leaving for the U.S." I get frustrated hearing what Dadi has to say. Arjun is like my older brother. 

"Dadi, Arjun is like an older brother to Naira. I made the same mistake before, but I know that Naira can never love anyone else but me." 

"Kittu, I don't want to hear anything from you. When did you two meet Naira?"

"Naira, you don't have to answer her questions. You don't owe anyone an explanation!" Kartik yells. "Dadi, you told me to take care of Naira. You know she's not feeling well after the surgery. Why are you yelling now then?" 

"Kittu, you always come in Naira's defense so I'm not going to talk to you. Let Naira speak." Kartik is about to say something, but I hold his hand to get him to stop.

"Dadi, I met Arjun in the U.S. Him and Gayu Di already knew each other. She introduced us. There is nothing between us Dadi. He's literally like a brother to me." 

"Naira, I know nothing is going on between you two. I am not accusing you of that." This further confuses me and Kartik. 

"Then what issue do you have with Arjun and Naira, Ma?" Papa asks. 

"My issue is that I heard Arjun ask Naira if Kittu is treating her well. This isn't the first time I've noticed this. I saw how he didn't like Kittu too much when we went to their apartment in Mumbai." I look down in guilt, and I can feel Kartik looking over at me. "Naira, your husband's respect is in your hands. What you tell others heavily reflects on him." I understand what she's saying. It's just that when I spoke to Arjun, it was like me talking to Bhai or Keerti Di or Gayu Di. It didn't feel like I was talking to an outsider. I'm about to say something but Ma interrupts me.

"I don't think Naira did anything wrong." This has the whole family surprised including me. Ma is coming in my defense in front of everyone. "The issue is that we are seeing this as if Naira talked to an outsider. I've seen Naira and Arjun interact. She takes him like her brother. He's her family."

"Swarna-" Dadi is about to say something, but Ma doesn't let her. 

"No please. Let me say what I have to say. I used to confide in Kartik all the time. I was so angry at Naira, and slowly I've been understanding that the hatred wasn't justified. I felt most comfortable talking to Kartik about all of this. We all have a person that we speak to during tough times. For Naira, that must've been Arjun. Naira didn't have bad intentions when talking about Kartik. She still loved him. She was just so hurt that Kartik made her leave. The same thing happened with me. I loved Naira. It's because of her that I got Shuhbam in the first place. I was just so upset though. I kept thinking again and again that had Naira just told one of us about Shubham's drug addiction, we could've saved him that day." I begin to start crying and Ma sits on the seat next to me. "No Naira don't cry. If we play the blame game, I'm the most to blame for everything that has happened. You and Kartik kept telling me that something was off about Suhana. Had I just listened to you two, and I had stopped Shubham from so heavily falling in love with her, he may not have resorted to taking drugs. This isn't anyone's fault. I'm so sorry for constantly blaming you. I'm sorry for keeping you apart from Kartik for so long Naira. I'm sorry." Ma breaks down and cries hard. Her words have everyone in tears. 

"Ma please. It's okay. We all made mistakes." I struggle to get the words out as I continue to sob. Kartik joins both of us to help us calm down. 

"I'm glad that you've accepted this Ma," Kartik says. 

"It took me time, but I'm glad I've finally realized it myself." I see Ma genuinely smile after so long which in return makes me happy. 

"Now if three out of the four important women in my life are happy, can we work to make the most important one smile again," he says this looking at Dadi. Dadi has tears streaming down her face but hasn't said anything. 

"Kittu, I understand now why Naira spoke to Arjun. I just can't tolerate anyone having a problem with you." Kartik goes up to Dadi and gives her a hug. "And why are you two going to America? You haven't even told anyone."

"Actually Ma, Kartik and I were discussing this today in the study. We want to expand our business in California so Kartik is planning on going to California for a month for that." 

"Then why is Naira going?" Chachi asks. 

"Because Naira wants to start a dance academy there as well. She wants to build her own brand out of this dance academy and continue to expand it. Indians there want to learn our traditional dance forms," Kartik tells her. 

"Naira, what need do you have to work and get into business?" Dadi asks. 

"Dadi, I have an interest in all of this. I can't just be home all of the time. I want to work as well. I want to accomplish certain things in my career." 

"But Naira, you are the daughter-in-law of Manish Goenka. You have no need to work," Dadi responds still not understanding what I'm saying. 

"Dadi, God forbid if anything happens, and I have to take care of myself - I want to be financially stable where I don't have to turn to anyone for help." Kartik looks over at me when I say this. I'm not sure if he disagrees with what I said, but I know he'd rather discuss it when we're alone. "Plus, Kartik has been my professor so I'm learning from the BEST teacher." I say this because the best way to make Dadi happy is to compliment her Kittu. "I went to college to understand business. I come from a family of businessmen, and I've entered a family of businessmen. I also want to carry the legacy forward." 

"Naira, I think you've made an excellent decision. You and Kartik should definitely go and do this," Ma says giving me her support. I missed her always having my back. 

"I agree with Swarna," Papa exclaims. 

"But Naira, what about babies and starting a family?" Her question has both Kartik and I looking down. 

"Dadi, we will cross that bridge when we get there. Right?" Kartik looks over at me for affirmation.

"Right!" I say quickly. The entire family starts laughing. 

"Well it's not like anyone listens to me in this house anymore. Go ahead and do what you want." 

"Dadiiiiii," I say in disappointment. 

"You have my blessings Naira," Dadi responds with a smile on her face. I look over at Kartik in excitement, but his excitement doesn't match mine. I can tell that something I said made him upset, but I'm not sure what it was. I think he notices that I'm keeping a close eye on him because I know he's faking his happiness right now. 

"Kartik, can you take me upstairs? I've been feeling really sleepy since I took my medicine." I know I've said this to get him alone and ask what's wrong, but my eyes have been closing since Arjun was here. Kartik nods his head and takes me upstairs. 

Author's Notes

I remember I told you all a long time ago that I would make Swarna slowly accept Naira again. I thought this was the perfect time to finally have her accept Naira and further accept her mistakes. I wanted to dedicate this chapter to Swarna since we have slowly been seeing her warm up to Naira. I also wanted to show this sense of independence that Naira wants. Often times in relationships we let our own sense of SELF go because we get so busy accommodating to the needs of our partners and adapting to a new lifestyle. Naira has always been portrayed as a very strong character which is why I'm showing her have certain career aspirations of her own. The next chapter will jump into this concept of being independent as a woman while being in a relationship, and how Kartik will react to all of this.