Three months had passed so quickly that neither of them realised. The wedding was done. And the two were back at Kartik's penthouse.

The scent of roses and incense lingered in the air of the master bedroom, which had been decorated with traditional floral strings for their first night.

Naina sat on the edge of the bed, her heart drumming against her ribs. She was still in her heavy red bridal lehenga, the weight of the gold jewellery making her neck ache.

She looked at her hands, dark with mehndi designs that hid Kartik's name . She was no longer just an airhostess for the airline he owned, she was also Naina Kartik Khanna.

The thought made her stomach flip out of nervousness. The door creaked open, and Kartik stepped in. He had discarded his sherwani jacket and was down to his white silk shirt, the top buttons undone.

He looked exhausted but handsome. When he saw Naina sitting there, he paused.

"Hey."

He said softly, his voice echoing in the quiet room. Naina looked up and gave him a small, shy smile.

"Hey."

Naina replied, her voice barely a whisper. Kartik walked over and sat on the bed, leaving a respectful distance between them.

He could see her hands trembling. He was just as nervous as she was.

He loved her. The realisation had dawned on him during their engagement. But he didn't want to be just a husband who demanded his rights. He wanted to be her partner.

"Are you okay? You look really tired."

He said. Naina gave him a weak smile and said.

"Haan...thoda sa. Aur...thodi ghabrahat bhi ho rhi hai."

(Yes…a little. And…a little nervous too.)

Kartik smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached his eyes.

"Sach kahoon? Toh mujhe bhi. I've never felt his nervous in my life."

(Honestly? Me too.)

Naina let out a small, shaky laugh. The tension in the room loosened just a little.

"Kartik...mai...mai aapse kuch kehna chahti hu."

(Kartik…I…I want to say something.)

She began, her fingers nervously picking at the embroidery of her lehenga. Kartik moved a bit closer, listening to her attentively.

"Haan bolo na."

(Yes tell me.)

"Aap bhut achhe hai. You make me feel comfortable and at ease. Par...ye sab...ye intimacy...I need some time."

(You are really nice….But…all this…this intimacy…)

She confessed, her voice small and vulnerable. Kartik felt fiercely protective of her. He reached out and gently took her hand, his thumb tracing the patterns of the mehndi.

"Naina. Look at me."

He said firmly but kindly. She looked at him.

"Hamare paas puri zindagi padi hai ek dusre ko samajhne ke liye. We are not going to do anything until you're comfortable."

(We have all our lives to know each other.)

He promised. Naina felt the weight lift off her chest. She exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Aap sach mai bahut achhe hai. Log aapko rude kyu bolte hai?"

(You really are very nice. Why do people call you rude?)

Kartik chuckled, his thumb still stroking her hand. 

"Wo isliye kyunki wo mujhse darte hai. Par tumhe dara kr kaha jaaunga mai? Tum toh meri boss ho na ab."

(That is because they’re scared of me. But where will I go after scaring you? You are my boss now.)

Naina giggled, the shyness slowly turning into the playful comfort they had developed over the last few months.

"Achha? Toh ab aap mere nakhre uthaoge?"

(Really? So you will bear my tantrums now?)

She teased, her eyes sparkling.

"That's not even a question. Baaki baatein baad mai krenge. Pehle tum change krlo. Ye heavy jewellery se itching ho rhi hogi na."

(We will talk later. You change first. The heavy jewellery must be itching.)

He said and stood up. He helped her get off the bed and moved behind her.

"Mai help kru?"

(Should I help?)

Naina nodded. She felt his warm breath on the nape of her neck as he carefully unhooked the heavy gold necklace.

When the necklace came off, she felt a physical sense of relief.

"Thank you. Ye actually mai kaafi heavy tha."

(This was really heavy.)

Naina changed into a simple, soft cotton nightsuit in the dressing room. When she came back out, the decorations were down. Kartik cleared all the flowers from the bed.

Kartik had already changed into his pajamas and was propped up on the pillows, reading a book, or pretending to.

Naina climbed into bed, feeling small on the king-sized mattress. Kartik put the book away and turned off the main lights, leaving only the warm glow of the bedside lamp.

"Naina, idhar aao."

(Naina, come here.)

He said, opening his arm when she stayed rooted at her place in a corner of the bed. She hesitated for a split second before sliding closer to him.

 He pulled her into his side, and she rested her head on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat. It was fast, just like hers.

"Aapka dil bahut tez dhadak raha hai."

(Your heart is beating really fast.)

She whispered, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Tumhare paas hone ka asar hai."

(Because of your proximity.)

He admitted, kissing the top of her head.

"Mujhe abhi bhi yakeen nhi ho rha ki hamari shaadi ho gyi hai. You're so rich and famous. And I'm just an employee of yours. Kitne different hai hum."

(I still cannot believe we are married….We are so different.)

"Hum different nhi hai. We were two people written in each other's destiny."

(We are not different.)

She smiled and then looked at him with a teasing smile.

"Waise, I am happy ki aap wahi same Kartik ho. The one who flirted with me in pretext of checking his safety belt."

(By the way, I am happy you are the same Kartik.)

Naina teased, snuggling deeper into his embrace. Kartik laughed softly, his arm tightening around her shoulders.

"Wo toh sirf trailer tha, madam. Picture toh abhi shuru hui hai."

(That was just the trailer, madam. The picture has just started.)

Naina felt a sense of peace she had never known before. She realized that intimacy wasn't just about the physical act, it was about this, being able to talk, to laugh, and to feel safe enough to fall asleep in someone's arms.

"Kartik?"

"Hmm?"

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Naina. Humare naye safar ki pehli raat mubarak ho."

(Congratulations on the first night of our new journey.)

 In that moment, surrounded by the scent of roses and the warmth of a new love, they both finally felt at home.