The day of the meeting finally arrived. For Naina, it was a nervous start. Usually, she was the one helping others feel comfortable, but today, her own hands were trembling as she tried to apply her eyeliner.

She wore a simple, peace-coloured suit that made her look like a dream. Her mother walked into the room, holding a pair of jhumkas.

"Kitni sundar lag rhi hai meri laado. Bilkul jaise pari."

(My princess looks so beautiful. Like an angel.)

Her mother whispered and put a kala tikka behind her ear, warding off the evil eyes. 

"Mujhe bhut nervousness ho rhi hai mummy. Kuch galat ho gaya toh? Unhone mujhe pasand nhi kia toh?"

(I am very nervous mummy. What is something goes wrong? What if they don’t like me?”

Naina asked in a small, scared and nervous voice.

"Pagal hai kya? Andha hoga wo jo tujhe pasand nhi karega. Phool jaisi bachi hai meri."

(Are you mad? The one who doesn’t like you would be blind. My daughter is like a flower.)

Her mother teased, though she could see the genuine anxiety in Naina's eyes. Naina took a deep breath and prepared herself for what lay ahead.

She didn't know why, but she hadn't felt the urge to say no. Maybe it was the way her father's face lit up when he spoke about Kartik's family, or maybe it was just a gut feeling that this was the right path.

Meanwhile Kartik, who was waiting at the cafe they were supposed to meet, was uncharacteristically fidgety. He kept adjusting his watch and checking his reflection in his phone.

"Kartik. Bas beta. Itna nervous maine tujhe kisi business meeting ke liye bhi nhi dekha."

(Enough beta. I have not seen you so nervous for a business meeting also.)

His mother said, chuckling from across him. He looked at with a small smile.

"Business meetings asaan hoti hai mummy. Wahan mujhe pata hota hai kya bolna hai. Yahan... yahan kya baat karunga main?"

(Business meetings are easy mummy. I know what to say there. Here…what will I say here?)

He admitted. His cheeks gaining an unfamiliar red hue. He had seen Naina's photo a hundred times over the last few days. Every time he looked at her smile, his heart did a strange little flip.

He felt no reason to deny the marriage.

When Naina walked in, Kartik stood up so quickly he almost knocked over his chair.

She was even more beautiful in person. Her eyes were cast downward and when she finally looked up and caught his gaze, she felt a jolt.

The man looked more handsome than he looked in the picture. 

Their parents chatted away, but Kartik and Naina were locked in an awkward silence. Finally, Kartik's mother suggested.

"Bachon ko thoda akele mai baat krne dete hai. Hamare saamne khul ke baat nhi kr paayenge. Hum andar hai...tum log yaha open area mai baith jaao aaram se."

(We should let the kids talk alone for some time. They won’t be able to talk comfortably in our presence. We are inside…you can sit in this open area.)

As the elders left, the silence became deafening. Kartik cleared his throat, looking at the plate and crockery on the table as if it were the most interesting thing he'd ever seen

"You...You look different. I mean you look much more beautiful than in that picture. It certainly didn't do justice to you.

Kartik blurted out, then immediately wanted to face-palm. Naina blushed, her fingers playing with the edge of her dupatta.

"Th-thank you. Aap bhi...you look good."

(You too…)

'Good? He looks like a freaking model. Look at that jawline, Naina!'

Her subconscious quipped. Kartik took a sip of his water, trying to find his confidence.

"Mumma told me you work. What do you do?"

A smile formed on her face, proud of her job.

"Main ek cabin crew member hoon. Aura Air mein."

(I am a cabin crew member. In Aura Air.)

Kartik froze. He blinked, looking at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"Aura Air? My airline?"

Naina looked up, her eyes wide.

"Your airline? Sir are you The Kartik Khanna? The CEO of Aura Air?"

The sir made Kartik cringe.

"Please don't call me sir. Call me Kartik. But yes, mai wahi hu. I had no idea you work in our airline."

(That is me.)

Naina was still shocked. But she composed herself and said.

"Mujhe bhi nhi pata tha. Waise...aapke baare mai bhut achhi baatein nhi suni maine."

(I also didn’t know. By the way…I did not hear many good things about you.)

His smile fell and he looked at her in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean sab log kehte hai ki aap bhut khadoos hai. Very strict and rude. Maine nhi kaha. Mujhe toh pata bhi nhi tha aap kaun hai."

(I mean people say you are very rude….I didn’t say that. I didn’t even know who you were.)

She quickly explained, trying to clear her image. Kartik laughed, a loud, genuine sound that startled even him.

"Khadoos? Rude? Maybe...but kaam ke waqt."

(Maybe at the time of work.)

The ice was finally broken. They spent the next hour talking, and the conversation flowed smoothly.

She told him about the time she had to handle a baby who wouldn't stop crying, and he told her about the stress of launching the first international flight.

Suddenly, a small kitten from the garden wandered near their table, meowing near her leg. Without thinking, Naina knelt on the grass and started petting her.

"Arre! Cutu...bhook lagi hai?"

(Are you hungry?)

She cooed, her voice dripping with maternal sweetness. She took a small piece of bread from the saucer and offered it to the kitten.

Kartik watched her, mesmerized. He saw the way she handled the tiny creature with such gentleness. In that moment, he knew. He wanted to see this kindness every day of his life.

He knelt down beside her, his hand accidentally brushing against hers as he tried to pet the kitten. A spark of electricity shot through them both. They looked at each other, and for a second, the world stopped.

"Naina..."

He started softly. She looked at him with a shy gaze.

"I don't have any reason to say no to this. Do you?"

Naina looked away, hiding her shy smile and that gave him all his answers.

When their parents stepped out, they saw the two laughing as the kitten now sat comfortably in Kartik's arms. They didn't need a formal word, their faces said it all.

As they walked back to their cars, Kartik leaned in and whispered.

"Kal flight par milte hain? Main check-ride par aa raha hoon."

(We will meet on the flight tomorrow? I will come on check-ride.)

Naina giggled, a sound that Kartik decided was his new favorite sound.

"Phir toh aapko extra hospitality milegi. Benefits of being the CEO."

(Then you will get extra hospitality.)

Kartik winked at her, and as his car pulled away, Naina stood there, biting her lip, knowing her life was about to become a beautiful and wonderful adventure.