Kaira OS : Starry Night | YRKKH OS | Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai OS | Kartik Naira

Kartik was supremely excited! It was an extremely special day after all! It had been a whole year since Naira had finally expressed her feelings! He could remember it like it was yesterday.

Naira's phone buzzed on her bedside table. It read, " Happy first anniversary my jaan! I will pick you up at six. Be ready! Love you! :) ". Naira couldn't help but smile. A scarlet blush crept over her cheeks as she thought of their year together.

They had only just started their journey together when tragedy struck and her mother passed away. Her mother had been the most beloved person in their household and with her gone, it had seemed like the happiness, the laughter, the warmth had also gone. It had become cold, and gloomy. Naira was going through unimaginable grief and pain but she had to be strong for her family. She missed her mother dearly but she couldn't fall apart in front of her family. Kartik had been her rock all through out and in him, she found someone who not only shared her grief, but understood her loss, having lost his mother a few years back. Kartik was extremely proud of her about the way she had handled herself and kept the family together. Their relationship had only strengthened and grown over the past year.

Things had started to settle down in the past few months. They had gradually come to terms with the situation and the grey clouds looming over their house were beginning to disappear.

Kartik was busy making arrangements for their special day. He wanted this day to be memorable and was doing everything just to see Naira smile. She deserved it after everything.

He had planned for a dinner on a private rooftop. He had booked the chef from Naira's favourite restaurant to prepare a delicious meal for them. He had even arranged for a live violin player so they could dance under the moonlight! But the highlight was that he had planned a helicopter ride over the city before dinner! It was quite unlike him to be this extravagant but he thought this day called for it! It was for his Naira after all!

He dressed up in a blazer and kept his hair a little messy, just the way Naira liked it.

He drove up to the Singhania house and waited. And then he saw her! She took his breath away! She looked absolutely resplendent in a royal blue gown! He couldn't take his eyes off her! She had to snap her fingers to get him out of his trance!

"You are looking exquisite!" he said. It made her blush crimson. He liked the effect.

 

She tried to ask him multiple times on their way what his plan was. But he was adamant that it has to be a surprise.

They had parked in the basement of a sky-high building. He couldn't wait to take her on the helicopter ride. The timing was perfect and so was the weather. The sky was crimson but it wasn't dark yet. So they could watch the sunset and the lights below. It would be an amazing view! Naira wondered what is going on while Kartik seemed like an excited child in an amusement park! She smiled at how adorable he was!

They entered the elevator to make their way up and as it was ascending, it suddenly came to a halt with a jolt. Kartik's face fell while Naira was confused. The lights went out and Naira suddenly held his hand.

Thankfully, there was an emergency power supply and the lights flickered back on.

Kartik: Naira, tum daro mat. Sab thik ho jayega. I will take care of it.

Naira: Tum mujhe samjha rahe ho ya khud ko? Main Naira hoon! Main darti warti nahi hoon!

Kartik: Achha fine meri sherni! Ab mujhe ye phone chal raha hai kya dekhne do.

Kartik used the emergency phone in the lift to call maintenance. They said they would see what the problem was and fix it as soon as possible. Meanwhile they need not worry as there was an air vent in the lift and the emergency power supply was working so the lights would remain on.

Kartik was getting frantic by the minute as time was going by and he so wanted this evening to be special. Finally, both of them sat down side by side as there was nothing to do but wait. Naira looked at Kartik's upset face and held his hand giving him a reassuring look.

Naira: Waise ab to bata do ki plan kya hai?

Kartik: Nahi! Jab thodi der mein lift thik ho jayegi to tumhe apne aap pata chal jayega.

But alas! It took the maintenance people three hours to get things fixed. By the time they got out of the lift, it was too late for the helicopter ride! Kartik had no option but to proceed to the next part of his plan. He was disheartened but he was determined to make at least dinner memorable!

Of course, fate had other plans. They got stuck in terrible traffic for another hour and by the time they reached the venue he had booked, it was already shut!

Kartik's spirits were completely dampened now. All his plans to make this day special were falling through. They walked back to the car and he leaned on it utterly disheartened. Naira saw this and leaned beside him.

Kartik: Maine kya kya plan kiya tha! I wanted this day to be our best day together!

He narrated all his plans for the night. She beamed listening to all his plans thinking of all the trouble he went through. She took his hand in hers and kissed it.

Naira: Tumhi to hamesha kehte ho na. Ye humari love story hai! Ye normal kaise ho sakti hai! Kuch na kuch gadbad to honi hi hai! Phir upset kyun hona? I take this as a sign that everything is great between us! Agar gadbad na hui, to pakka gadbad hai!

Kartik smiled hearing this.

Kartik: Par humari date to adhoori reh gayi!

Naira: Arre! Hum done abhi saath to hai! We still have an hour before our anniversary is over. Aur waise bhi hum dono ka saath hona is the most important thing. Baki sab to add-ons hai. Its alright.

They looked around and realised they had parked on a beautiful road. It was empty but for the two of them. There were trees on both sides of the road making almost a canopy above. It was beautifully tranquil with just a couple of street lamps lighting the way. The entire setting seemed right out of a fairy tale.

The opportunity seemed too good to waste and Kartik was struck with an idea.

The radio in the car started playing the song,

"Main agar kahoon, tumsa hassen,

Kaynaat mein, nahi hai kahin,

Taarif ye bhi to, sach hai kuch bhi nahi"

Kartik went down on his knees and asked for a dance. Naira took his hand and they both got lost in each others arms, swaying to the soft tune in the moonlight.

After a while, a sound broke their reverie and they turned around to see a chaat vendor making his way home. Naira excitedly exclaimed "Pani puri!" as it was her absolute favourite! They were both ravenous after the happenings of the evening and ate to their heart's content. They started walking down the road hand in hand. Naira's hand fit in Kartik's like it was made for her. There was cool breeze in the air and Kartik noticed Naira was shivering a little. The gentleman that he was, he gave her his blazer. 

Their idyllic walk was interrupted when they came across a small 'chai ki tapri'. They both sat down to have a steaming cup of tea. The hot 'adrak wali chai' helped bring some warmth into the chilly night.

Just then, Kartik had an idea. He had a spare blanket in the back of his car. He took Naira back to his car. Then both of them sat on the bonnet of the car with their backs against the windshield with a cozy blanket wrapped around them.

They looked up into the sky and it was magnificent! It was clear and shone bright with stars. They lay in the silence beside each other taking in all the beauty.

After a while, Naira sat up and broke the silence.

Naira: You know I always thought that people become stars when they leave us. Kya mumma bhi taara bani hongi, Kartik?

Kartik sat up and took both her hands in his.

Kartik: Mere paas tumhare liye kuch hai. Socha tha, uss rooftop par dance ke baad tumhe ye anniversary gift dunga.

Tumhe uss sabse bade taare ke bilkul bagal me woh cute sa, chhota sa taara dikh raha hai? I had it registered online and named it "Akshara". Ab tumhe jab bhi mumma ki yaad aye, tum bas uss taare ko dekh liya karo. Aur wo bhi humesha tumhe dekh sakti hai. I am sure she is very proud of you Naira. And so am I!

 

Naira's eyes glistened with tears listening to this. She couldn't find words to thank him and she didn't need to. Such was the beauty of their relationship. They understood without words. She hugged him tight and poured all her emotions into the hug. She said a simple 'Happy anniversary Mendak' and melted into his arms. He kissed her forehead and understood everything she didn't say. They were best friends, they were soul mates.

They just lay down in the starry night reveling in the beauty of the night, the comfort of the silence, the safety of their togetherness and the warmth of the blanket. That night, that star 'Akshara' shone the brightest for them.

And in the end, it indeed turned out to be a memorable night of their lives.

Miraya