NAIRA

Sea shells.

I love them. They were the reason I often visited the beach in my childhood.

Back then, Dad would take me to the beach every alternate weekends and I used to start my hunt for shells right away.

I had a whole collection of them. A lot of shells. Different shapes, different colours.

I Never once, returned home empty handed.

Standing on the shore under the bright blue sky, in a fresh floral gown that came till my knees, I wrap my arms around me as the morning breeze kissed my cheeks. The waves washed my feet and recede back into the ocean.

I felt a head dip into my half-wet hair and rest on my neck. A pair of strong arms circled around my waist, as a soft kiss is planted on the sides of my neck, making me giggle.

" Kartik. " I breathed as I felt a trail of butterfly kisses on my collarbone.

He only hummed in response, not willing to stop his activity. Resting his chin on my shoulder, one of his hand still wrapped around my waist, Kartik took my right palm and placed a seashell.

" Gosh! This is so beautiful. " I squealed.

The convex, oval shaped shell was gleaming and shiny on the inside. It's striking multicoloured appearance left me in awe.

" Just like you. " He smiled brushing his nose against my cheek, pecking my temple.

We didn't talk much, Just stood on the shore watching the waves crash against the shore.

" I love you. " I heard him whisper in my ear and he let go of me. My body winced at the lose of his touch.

" Kartik? " I turn around, but there was no one. The shore was deserted.

I stood there looking at my empty hand and everything started fading away.

---

The cold floor beneath me made my muscles ache. I miss my bed.
I miss his arms even more.

Gathering my weak self I sat upright, my back leaning against the dirty wall. Guessing by the dark night sky, it must be around midnight and except for the two men guarding me, the warehouse was aloof.

My stomach churned, a sense of nausea overpowered me. Probably because I haven't even had a morsel of food ever since I was abducted.
So it wouldn't be wrong to say that my system is basically functioning on fluids. Precisely water.

The creak of the door alerted me and I snapped my head up to see someone approaching me, suprising a feminine figure. It took me a while, but as I recognised the person before me, I was surprised.

" Rumi? "

What is Raghav's Sister doing here?

" I wanna talk to her. " She ordered the guards in a stern voice. " Alone. " She stressed.

" But Ma'am... " The guards went silent at her glare. " Do you want me to repeat! Out !! "

The intensity in her tone made me flinch. She sounded furious. The guards gave a curt nod before leaving us alone. Once the door closed behind her, she walked up to me.

Unlike her sibling, Rumi is short. Probably shorter than me by a feet or so, but her attitude was precisely why no one would question her surname.
Rumi Malhotra.

She has got the temper of her dad, looks of her mother. Wheatish skinned, honey brown short hair and a diamond face. No doubt being the only daughter of her family, she is a pampered princess.

I was waiting for her to spit venomous threat at me but yet again I was stumped when pulled out an energy bar.

" Here. Have it ! " She offered.

I clicked my brows, staring at her suspiciously. " It's not drugged. You can eat them. " She shrugged her shoulders.

" What do I owe to this visit, Rumi? "

It's not like she would come here to have a chit chat with me.

Rumi inhaled a deep breath before sinking to the ground, and so we were face to face.

" Naira " She held my palms, " Do not sign the papers, Please. " Her plead caught me off guard.

" You don't know about the deal, do you? " Upon Seeing my clueless face, she elaborated.

" My father has placed a proposal before your husband, to sign the merger of Malhotra and Oberoi industries and to declare him as an official member of the board of committee in Oberoi industries. " I gasped.

What the actual f**k !

" And In return, either the case against Mr. Oberoi will be dropped or you will be set free to leave. Your husband has to make the choice. "

What kind of deal is this!

" But I know my father and brother. Dad won't let you go unless he gets all the properties transferred to his name." I am not surprised, I kind of expected it right from the beginning.

Her shoulder hung in defeat, " I'm sorry Naira. I don't favor their actions but alas, I am powerless to stop them. So I'm here Begging you, not to sign the papers Because." Rumi paused to gulp in a huge breath, " that would mean a hundreds of kids losing their future, even worse their life. "

My eyes widened like saucers. " W-What Kids? I'm so confused. "

Rumi narrowed her eyes at me, "Didn't you know by signing the papers, not just the property and the rights of the company mentioned in your dad's Will, shall be transferred to my father. You'll lose the orphanage too, Naira. "

" And Dad's intention with the orphanage aren't good. " She whispered after a pause, playing with the hem of her top.

Oh god!

" You might wonder why It concerns me. I do care Naira, because the orphanage gave me a son, 2 months ago. " A smile crept of her lips, perhaps at the thought of her son.

" I can't let the other kids to suffer. I tried, Naira but they wouldn't listen. " Her voice cracked but she was quick to mask it.

" what are they upto, Rumi. Just tell me, please. " Desperation evident in my voice.

She looked at me and nodded. " I don't know their plans Naira. But I heard them talk about Child trafficking. "

I breathed into my hands that now covered my mouth.

So Kartik was right about Malhotra plotting something bigger than the property.

I felt dread knot in my stomach. How can Malhotra think of using innocent kids for his spiteful plans? What does he gain out of this?

" Do you have any other information that might help us. Any location, date, Anything. "

" No I -I don't.... " She paused to recollect, " I heard Raghav talk to someone over Phone and he mentioned something about visiting the old palace harbour on Sunday to settle payments. Perhaps...." Her sentence trailed off.

I mumbled an 'oh' , putting on a thinking face. I have to do something. The Home of hope, is my mom's dream.

" Rumi, you have to do me a favor. " She nodded. " Do you have a pen and a piece of paper. "

She only had tissues, nevertheless I quickly wrote a message on a tissue.

" Will you be able to pass on this note to my husband by tonight? " She exhaled deeply sparing a thought for good few seconds before she gave me a firm nod.

I do understand her hesitation. If the kids are saved, her father and brother would be behind the bars. And Kartik wouldn't spare them no matter what.

Some decisions are hard to make. One of them is To chose between what's right and what gives you happiness.
Not all decisions have favourable outcome, but we still make them. Not because it makes you happy, because it is the right thing to do.

Sometimes you have to make that call, no matter how much it hurts.

I squeezed her palms, my voice gentle.
" I can't Promise to save your Father or brother from getting punished. But know that if the kids are saved, it will be because of you. "

She reciprocated with a soft smile.

Rumi might be betraying her father today by telling me a truth that can cost him a hell lot, but atleast she wouldn't be living a life of regrets. Atleast she will be able to sleep with a good conscience.

" Rumi, can I borrow your phone for a minute? "

I quickly punched a few digits on her phone and the ring went on.

The sound of heavy footsteps alerted us. Rumi's gaze snapped her head back to look at the gates and then again at me.

Damn it!!!

Pick up, Kartik.

The footsteps grew louder. Rumi's gaze shifted between my face and the phone.

" Kartik" I breathed when I realised the line got connected.

" Babe!? "

My body shivered hearing his voice after 2 freaking days. And yet again I was reminded how much I yearned to return to him. Despite not wanting to, I quickly hung up the call, thrusting back the device to her before we could get caught.

I watched her stand and move towards the gates. She paused to give me a final glance before leaving the room as I looked upon her retreating figure.

I hope you get the message before it becomes late, Kartik.

-------

" Wake up, cupcake. "

Can someone just shut this man with a duct tape!

I cringed at the nickname. I couldn't sleep, without knowing whether my message had reached Kartik or not. Thus there goes yet an another sleepless night.

I slapped his hand as he tried to fix the loose tendrils of my hair.

Raghav chuckled, " You should quit trying to avoid my touch, Naira.
Afterall, you will spend rest of your life with me." He whispered, tucking the hair strand behind my ear. " Seems like your beloved husband doesn't mind exchanging you for his company. "

My eyes met his hollow orbs, that screamed lust and venom.

" How stupid are you to believe he would stay." With his every step forward and I retreated back.

" Given any day, he would choose his business over you. His Family is his priority and looks like you aren't a part of it. Else he would have chosen you, fought for you. "

Don't listen to him, Naira.

I reached a dead end When my back met the wall, trapping me.

" That's not true. " I hate myself for the meek reply that escaped my throat.

" Are you certain? As far as I know, the billionaire get anything in a snap of fingers. "

Don't listen to him, he's playing with your mind.

"Why didn't he find you sooner? Aren't you his wife who he claims to love. " I felt my legs go weak.

He leaned in closer, "I won't be surprised if he had replaced you by now. Maybe you were just his cute little bed warmer. "

" Raghav!! " I yelled but I went dumb when he held me by throat, his fingers squeezed my neck for a few seconds making my body panic.

" Shh.... Do not raise your voice, babygirl. " I coughed when he loosened his grip, releasing me. I closed my eyes and fought back the pooling tears.

Don't pay heeds to his words, Naira.

I could see the vein in his neck popping in anger as he held my jaw harshly, " You were meant to be mine, cupcake. "

He was leaning close enough that I felt his breath fan my face. " I would rather die. "

Raghav chuckled darkly, stroking my cheek. " You won't. Unless you don't wanna meet your husband for one last time. " He smirked.

I felt a sharp pain around my neck when he snatched my platinum chain, gifted by Kartik.

" You won't need this anymore. Nor him.

It ends Tonight, Naira."

It takes more than his mere words to break you. Hold on Naira, a little longer.

*******

Raghav is delusional, Isn't he!

Did kartik get her message?

Are we heading towards their much awaited meeting!?

Next update soon!

Don't forget to
Vote and comments

Stay tuned
❤️