CHAPTER - 8

11.56pm. We finally reached the park, where the others were supposed to wait for us. We neared them discretely, getting all the preparations ready. We heard the girls' voice, laughing and chatting along with Gautam and Shakti, while we walked slowly.

"By the way Naina, hope you won't mind if I ask you something.", suddenly their conversation sounded clearer for us.
"Sure go ahead.", Naina answered to Gautam with a smile.
"What do you really think of Karan ?", Gautam suddenly blurted out.

I immediately stopped Rahul walking further and stood behind the trees, curious to hear the answer.

"W-what do you mean ?", she replied hesitant.
"You know what I mean."
"H-he.. he is just a friend. A nice friend.", she stood up, facing her back to others.
"Really ? Just a friend ?", Kajal held her elbow on Naina's shoulder.
"Yes really. Anything else that you wanted to hear from my mouth maybe ?", she crossed her arms. "I am sorry to be destroying your false hopes then, but I think I-I have been clear about that."

Felt like a gun shot that was aimed at my heart straightly. No matter how many restrictions you might build in your heart knowing your feelings were not reciprocated, it would still hurt your desiring hopes when you hear her openly reject your love.

"Naina, Karan is not what you think. He..."
"Preet it doesn't matter. We have become friends. And that's all. N-nothing else. It should never step forward.", she continued. "I know I am being harsh... but I am not able to accept more. I-it will not work out. We are just so different.", she walked further from them continuing. "I don't want to spoil both our lives. He is far ahead of me, and I am meant to fulfill my family's dreams. I owe them this life. I want to do a lot of things for my family. My mother has just suffered a lot because of me. But not anymore. I can't break her hopes because of any stupid act of mine. I don't want any feelings to develop further."

Wait what ?! Did she just say ...

"Hey hey hey... Did I mistakenly hear that ?", Preet widely opened her mouth spreading her arms in the air.
"No Preet, you heard it very well. We all actually heard it", Gautam smirked
"What ?", Naina turned back to the others confused.
"Let me repeat your words : "I don't want any feelings fo develop further."", Kajal said as she crossed her arms smirking. "Now what are you even go to say as a lie ?"

She just realized her last words and nodded her head in no, while I looked amused at her.

"What ? N-no...", she looked so cute stammering. "I didn't mean that. I ..."
"Guys look at her, she's blushing.", Kajal neared Naina and held up her chin.
"I... NO! Kajal stop it.", she rubbed her pinched cheek.

She was still blushing as the girls surrounded her teasing, and she hardly hiding her feelings was enough for me to wait more.

I suddenly took out a switch from my pocket, and clicked on it...

Everyone looked up to the sky suddenly hearing the loud sounds and all looked at it satisfied while Naina, again facing her back towards us, was under shock. The firework that emerged high on the darkness suddenly illuminated the entire area. Slowly a message appeared in those lights.

"Happy birthday Nai...", she read discretely.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAINA !"

She heard loud screams, and turned back to us, who were smiling widely at her, as I joined the group holding the big cake box, candles turned on ready to be blown off. Surprised, she neared us and looked at the cake. "Many more happy returns of the day Naina" was written in white on the chocolate cake. She held her hands in front of her mouth and she hardly controlled her excitement jumping on herself, leaving us all amused. All by sudden, the serious and matured Naina turned into a little kid who got pampered, and that let us all smile.

"Oh my God guys you knew it!"
"Well guys didn't but why are friends made for then ?", Kajal pointed herself and Preet
"Ahem ahem! Then who did all the preparations ? Huuh?", Shakti told.
"We helped you right. So shut up!", Preet started.
"Come on, stop arguing!", Naina chuckled. "But seriously, thank you to each and everyone of you.", she hugged Kajal. "Thank you so much."
"Happy birthday sweetheart!", Kajal hugged back.
"Happy birthdayyyyyyyyy!", Preet composed the group hug and screamed loudly

The three of them hugged together, when Shakti took photographs of each of the moments.

"Thank you so much to you too guys.", told she hugging Gautam.
"Happy birthday Naina. God bless you.", he caressed her head.

She hugged each of them one by one surrounding, and reached me at last and stopped seeing the cake.

"Happy b..."

The end of my sentence was left unfinished when she suddenly side hugged me, holding my arm.

"Thank you thank you.", she left the grip. "Thank you so much."

Why did I always have to get electrified at each of her moves ?

"I-it's ok. Don't... mention."

She suddenly got a call and became even more excited.

"Mumma?!", she answered the call excited and sets the loud speaker. "Hello, mumma !"
"Cheeku, happy birthday to you my baby !"

Cheeku! How cute.

"Thank you so much mumma!"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHEEKU BABY!", suddenly a young man's voice rang through the phone.
"Thank you so much Vishal bhaiyaa.", she laughed at his voice, and I felt reassured hearing her calling him "bhaiyaa".
"Hold on! Vaibhu also wishes you."
"Naina di! Happy birthday."
"Aww thank you Vaibhu. Miss you."
"Me too.", she smiled at his cute talks.
"How are you beta ? You sound very excited.", Naina's mother asked.
"Mumma actually..."
"Hello Sharda aunty! This is Kajal."
"Arey Kajal beta, how are you? Is everything going well ?"
"Yes aunty. We actually came out to celebrate surprisingly Naina's birthday."
"That's nice kids. Enjoy it!"
"Cheeku, you didn't even invite me. Ja, I am not talking to you.",
"Bhaiyaa even I got to know about it only two minutes before. And I know, you can't be angry at your Cheeku.", she smirked.
"That's also true.", chuckled Vishal
"Mumma, where are bade maamaji and chote maamu ?"
"Naina beta, happy birthday to you my child. May God bless you and give you happiness, success, and good health.", that must be her bade mama.
"Thank you maamaji."
"Hey hey it's my turn. Where is lovely niece ? Allo, Naina?"
"Haan chote maaamu.", she smiled hearing her uncle's voice.
"Happy budday bacha. I wish you all the happiness and good health. Come back soon."
"Missing you all also."

She seemed so happy talking to her family. Her smile underlined her sadness and how she suddenly felt all distant from her hometown.

Idea! "Naina why don't you talk via video call? They will take part in the celebration."
"Good idea. Call them.", Kajal supported me.
"Yeah.", she held her phone. "Mumma, let's talk via videocall. Let me call back."

She hung the call and immediately called to her mother's phone turning on the camera, while I put the cake on the table, around what everyone took their seat.

"Hey guys!", Naina waved at the people on her screen.
"Hi! Happy birthday once again!", her family wished more excited seeing her.
"Where are badi maamiji and choti maami ?"
"Beta, wishing you a many more happy returns of the day.", one older woman than her mother came forward.
"Happy birthday Naina.", and then one younger one, smiling at Naina.
"Thank you maami. Wait, let me introduce my friends."

She covered everyone and we all introduced ourselves.

"Alright, you guys enjoy together. Cheeku, we will talk later.", Sharda aunty went to cut the call.
"No aunty, please. We all can take part in the celebration.", I wanted Naina to have her family on her day. I would make her smile at any cost.
"Alright, let's cut the cake finally.", Rahul suddenly took the cake in his hand. "I was really hungry."
"Idiot! Wait.", Shakti again smashed on his shoulder

I took the phone from Naina and left it in the middle and while the 6 of us surrounded her ready to wish, we heard claps inside the phone. We all started singing and she was all smiling all over it. She finally blew the candles off and Shakti and Gautam bursted crackers, confettis falling on her. She then cut the cake and served her family before serving each one of us all, and so did we.

"Alright Cheeku, we will let you guys carry on. But don't get too late, and be safe. Take care.",
"Ok mumma.", she smiled.
"I will be waiting for my piece when I will come there.", Vishal voiced.
"Promise bhaiyaa."
"Bye aunty. It was a pleasure meeting you all.", Gautam followed.
"Same beta. Hopefully we will get to meet soon."
"Always welcome aunty. Or we will encrust one day with Naina in Bundi.", said Shakti.
"Beta this is your own place. You can come whenever you want.", Naina's bade maama replied smilingly.
"Bye Naina di."
"Bye all."

She waved at all of them and hung the video call before leaving her phone back on the table.

"YAAAY FINALLY! Let me serve myself a big piece.", Rahul jumped.
"Foodie!", Preet cut a big piece and gave it to him. "Here you go. Eat!"

"Don't burn inside, I feel your bad eyes on me.", a mouth full of chocolate, he answered.

And she also smashed on his shoulder.

"Eyy! Where is Karan ?", Naina suddenly asked.

Everyone looked around and he was nowhere to be close to them. "Haan yaar! Where is he gone ?", Kajal wondered.

I was looking at the lake in peace, when I suddenly heard her calling my name.

"Karan, what are you doing here ?", she neared me.

I turned back and looked at her smiling.

"Have it!", she forwarded a piece of cake to me.

And I just took a little piece of it and fed her.

"Happy birthday!"

She swallowed the chocolate piece. "Thank you, for this and for everything. I had one of the best birthdays ever, and that too, not missing my family.", she looked at me emotionally.
"There is no need at all to thank, but just a smile of yours and we will all feel satisfied."

She immediately smiled widely and looked down. She looked so cute.

"Let's go there. They might look for us."
"After you."

We joined the others and continued enjoying the moment. Kajal turned on some music and girls started dancing, and we also joined them later. She looked so happy and that's what I wanted. I would make sure she was on her day, and the other 364 days.

We reached girls' hostel to drop them before going to Shakti's parents' guest house to stay for the night. It was already 1am and we would have been scolded by hostel wardens. And we actually planned so much in the belief we still had a place to stay in. Yet girls had to be left safe at the hostel.

"Ok, see you on Monday guys.", Naina said before going.
"Good night birthday girl, and the two other too.", Rahul said.

She chuckled. "Good night."

Everyone wished each other and they went inside, trying to sneak in their rooms discretely.

"I just hope they don't get caught.", I wished.
"Don't worry, warden might be sleeping. And before anyone could see us, we should head home.", Rahul reassured.
"Yeah let's go."

We reached the guest house when my phone beeped having received a message, her message.

'Hey Karan
Just wanted to tell you we got in without any major issue. Hope you all also reached home safely.
Thank you so much once again. Good night.'

I just smiled entering the house, fingers typing the reply message.

'Hi
I don't know how many thanks you would have said since the evening, but there is no need to at all. We are glad to have been part of your birthday celebration. Now it's time for you to go and sleep.
Good night.'

———————————————————————————
SPECIAL
¡ SURPRISE !

Author's POV

Tuck sitting on her bed while others were already asleep, she was smiling and laid her head on her knees. She was feeling strange reminding this night, and all the moments spent with him. She opened the drawer and took out a small and cute gift box that she kept hidden from others.

Flashback
"Naina!", Karan called her before reaching the others. "Here for you, a small gift. I am sorry I couldn't buy much better, because of lack of time."
"Karan, you already did a lot for me on my birthday. I swear that's already priceless."
"You are.", both looked at each other intensely.
"Karan I..."
"Please Naina! I swear if I could have done more, I would have. But for now, accept this at least."
End of flashback

(Voiceover in echo as the scene in present continues : Naina smiling remembering.)
"And yeah! Open this when alone. Back home!"
"As you wish!"

She delicately unwrapped it and fell on a small sculpture of Ganeshji made of porcelaine. She held it in her hands and looked at it carefully, a smile creeping on her face.

Thoughts filled her mind as she still looked at his gift. "What is happening to me ? Why are my feelings towards him so confusing ? I don't want to go into his life as a trouble yet circumstances make me near him.", she expressed confusion on her face, gnawing her nails. "Are... the others actually saying the truth ? Do I really ... like .. ? Oh God I am so confused. Help me!", she cover her face with her hands.

Suddenly she felt something holding both her hands, taking them off her face and her eyes closed, something held up my chin as if asking me to open them. Curiosity won over her little mindset and she opened her eyes to fall on that beautiful figure. "Oh my God, what the hell was he even doing here ?", she thought.

"Karan, you...", her mouth in an "o" shape.

But she got stopped by his one move as his finger glued against her lips, making her stay quiet. Both eyes of hers popped out and she stared at him totally nervous.

"Naina, you seriously talk too much rules. Just live it darling!"

She glared at his reaction which amused him as usual, and she took his hand off her.

"What if someone saw you ?", she asked.
"Then I would say I came to meet my friend."
"At this time ? We can meet tomorrow right. What was the need to come here ? And... how did you reach up?"
"Say thank you to the ladder standing by the wall, that someone has forgotten."
"You could have hurt yourself coming here, do you know that ?"
"Hmm so much of care for me. How sweet and romantic!"
"W-what ? Nothing is romantic. You're just my friend, and I care for my friends."
"Not for so long."
"What do you mean ?"
"Means that feelings are growing inside someone. Something like ... being in love ?"
"Wha... NO WAY! I don't."
"Oh really ? Then why were you thinking about me right now, and smiling on your own ?"
"I was... I was not."
"Liar!", he smirked.
"Karan! I beg you. Go away from here."

He nodded in negative. "First say you love me."
"I won't."
"Why ?"
"Because I don't l... I don't."
"Hmm alright. I'll leave you this time.", he laid on his back on the bed. "But don't think I will leave you so easily. One day I will certainly make you realize, accept and tell it."
"Oh really ? And... and how can you be so confident ?"
"Because ..."

He stood up fast and slowly neared her, making her hit the headboard, looking at him anxiously.

"... I can read it cristal clear in these two glistering eyes of yours, that don't miss to shine at me."

He slowly yet effectively caressed her upper arm nearing his face closer to hers.

"Because...", he whispered near my ear. "... I can see how you react to my approaches."

His talks were sending such incredible sensation. Both were completely lost in each other's glare, and she felt her heartbeat running faster than usual hearing his. Hair flying in the air and covering her eyelashes, he blew on her face making her turn it to the side. His breath spreading on her skin, she shivered and closed her eyes again.

And a sudden jerk on both her shoulders woke her up.

"Naina! NAINA!!", Kajal screamed.

She turned her head to look on the right, opening her eyes, and fell on Kajal and Preet looking at their friend all worried. She checked around and there was actually no Karan in the room. But how was that possible ? Was I ... dreaming ?", she thought immediately, feeling embarrassed.

"What happened ?", she just asked covering up the situation.
"We should ask you that . What happened to you ? You were all... smiling alone and shivering and jerking.", Preet looked at her weirdo dost confused.
"I-I don't know. Nothing happened."
"Dreaming awake ?", Kajal scratched her messy hair in her sleepy mode.

Was she ? But it felt so real.

"What? No... ok I am sleepy. Good night!"

And she immediately covered myself under the sheet, while she heard them yell for waking them from their own dreams.

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End of Chapter 8

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L E T ' S H A V E S O M E F U N !

Hey guys!
Hope you're doing all well.

It has been long time, like really loooooooong time I havent even come on Wattpad. College work and other occupations kept me out of this for a long while. But today I got free time to come and finish the chapter and post.

I don't know how many of you were actually waiting to read the next chapter, but sorry to you guys. I have literally updated after 2 months. *facepalm* I am posting one longer chapter, so I guess I would be forgiven.

If you find any language, spelling, grammatical mistakes, please do let me know. I couldn't check once fully. And if the chapters are boring, do tell me also.

QOTD : Which kind of track did you want to have in the show ?
ME : I have always wanted to have one Bundi track where Karan-Naina would be spending few days with her maternal family. I wanted Karan to bond more with his in-laws, because the only times we had NaiRan scenes in Bundi was :
1- when Karan&Naina were not still friends, Karan had his disease, and both kept fighting.
2- when Karan&Naina married again as Karan was cured, but still they were fighting.
Oh ! How I wish our show still existed. I pray for any miracle to happen.

Lots of love and hugs for all the readers and votes while I disappeared.

SEE YOU SOON FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OF  "She, the one for me."