The atmosphere in the headquarters of Aura Air was tense. On the top floor, Kartik was sitting in his cabin, scrutinizing a quarterly review.

His eyes were steel hard and fixed on the presentation that showed a 2% decline in fuel efficiency.

The HODs around him were sweating even under AC. Kartik's face was unreadable and his jaw was set in a hard line.

"I don't want excuses. Agar maintenance ka kharcha badh raha hai, toh efficiency kyu gir rhi hai? I want the solution by tomorrow."

(If maintenance expenses are increasing, why is efficiency decreasing?)

Kartik said sharply. Suddenly, a faint distant alarm began. A security officer knocked and entered after receiving permission.

"Sir, lift number four mein technical glitch hua hai. Kuch log andar fase hue hain. Power surge ki wajah se emergency brakes lag gaye hain."

(Sir, there is a technical glitch in lift 4. Some people are stuck inside. Emergency breaks are on because of power surge.)

The officer said seriously. Kartik didn't even look up from his laptop.

"Technical team ko bulao. Get those people out safely. Arrange medical checkup and compensation for them. Everyone back to the presentation now."

(Call the technical team.)

To him, it was a problem to be solved by the right department. 

Meanwhile, two floors below, the air inside Life 4 was growing thinner and tense. Naina had come to the office to surprise Kartik with lunch and drop off some paperwork she was required when the lift came to a halt with a violent jerk.

Naina was claustrophobic. She tried to keep her breathing steady, remembering her flight safety training, but the heat and the darkness were closing in. There were two other people in the lift, a young intern who was panicking and an older courier man.

"Mujhe...mujhe saans nhi aa rhi."

(I…I cannot breathe.)

The intern, a young girl, whispered. Her body trembling with fear and suffocation.

"Shh...kuch nhi hoga. Help aa hi rhi hogi."

(Shh…nothing will happen. Help must be on the way.)

Naina said, trying to keep the girl calm although her own breath wavered. She felt faint, her vision blurring. She leaned against the cold metal wall, clutching the tiffin box she had packed for Kartik.

Back in the boardroom, Kartik felt a strange restlessness. He couldn't focus on the charts anymore.

He opened the CCTV feed on his laptop, something he did when he was bored or anxious. He glanced at the reception camera from twenty minutes ago.

His heart stopped. There, on the screen, was a woman in a simple blue dress, carrying a tiffin box.

She was smiling at the receptionist. It was Naina. He watched her walk toward the elevators. He watched her enter Lift 4.

The colour from his face drained, which was noticed by all the members present.

"Sir? Everything ok?"

One of them asked. Kartik didn't answer. He looked at the live status of the lifts.

Lift 4: STALLED BETWEEN FLOORS 2 AND 3.

He pushed his chair back so quickly that it toppled over and bolted out of the room.

"Naina!"

He shouted, his voice echoing through the silent hallway. He didn't wait for the other lifts. He ran to the heavy fire exit doors and began sprinting down the stairs, three steps at a time.

His heart was hammering against his ribs. His mind numb with a fear he had never felt before.

"Move out of the way! Hato saamne se!"

(Get out of the way!)

He roared as he reached the third floor, pushing past the employees and interns who stood confused in the lobby. The tech team was hovering around the elevator doors with tools.

"Sir, hum koshish kr rhe hai, bas paanch minute and everyone will be out safe."

(Sir, we are trying, just 5 minutes and everyone will be out safe.)

The lead engineer stated. Kartik grabbed the man by his collar, his eyes wild with panic and desparacy.

"I don't have fucking five minutes! My wife is inside! I want her outside now! Do you get it? Naina! Naina can you hear me?"

The lobby went dead silent. The words 'My wife' travelled through the corridor like a shockwave. People started whispering. 

Kartik ignored them. He began pulling at the heavy metal doors with his bare hands, his knuckles turning white.

"Naina! Answer me Naina! Thik ho tum? Can you hear me?"

(Are you ok?)

From inside the shaft, a faint, weak voice came through.

"Kartik?"

Kartik couldn't describe the amount of relief he felt at that moment.

"Haan! Haan mai hoon. Mai yahi hoon meri jaan. Darna mat bilkul bhi, we're getting you out."

(Yes! I am here. I am right here, my love. Don’t be scared, we’re getting you out.)

Kartik shouted, his voice breaking. He turned to the engineers.

"Ye darwaza mujhe agle ek minute mai khula chahiye. Warna apne liye dusri jobs dhund lena."

(I want the door open in the next 1 minute. Otherwise find other jobs for yourselves.)

The engineers worked frantically. After about 2 minutes the doors finally opened. The lift was stuck about four feet below the floor level.

Kartik didn't wait for a ladder. He jumped down into the dark, dusty space on top of the lift and pulled the ceiling hatch open.

Naina was slumped in the corner, her face pale and hair dishevelled. When she saw Kartik's face appearing through the hatch, she burst into tears.

"Kartik...I'm so scared. I was so scared Kartik."

She sobbed.

"I know meri jaan. I'm so sorry. Mujhe pehle aana chahiye tha. You're safe now. I'm here."

(I know my love….I should’ve come earlier.)

He whispered. He reached down and hoisted her up with a strength born of pure adrenaline.

He was pulled back with the help of the rescue team, still holding Naina tightly against his chest, not caring about the employees and interns staring at them.

He sat on the floor and pulled Naina on his lap. He tucked her head under his chin, his hands shaking as he stroked her hair.

"Tum thik ho? Kahi chot toh nhi lagi? Pani! Pani laao! Koi jaldi pani laao!"

(Are you ok? Are you hurt somewhere? Water! Get water! Someone get water quickly!)

He yelled at the crowd. A junior staff member rushed over with a bottle. Kartik took it and held it to Naina's lips with the tenderness that new to all of them.

"Aaram se! Sab thik hai ab."

(Carefully! Everything is fine now.)

He murmured. Naina took a sip, her colour slowly returning. She looked around and realized where they were.

"Kartik...sab dekh rhe hai."

(Kartik...everyone is looking.)

Kartik looked up at the crowd. He stood up, but he didn't let go of her. Instead, he swept her up in his arms, carrying her bridal style.

He didn't bother explaining anything to anyone and started walking towards his office, ignoring the gasps and clicking of phone cameras.

Once inside the privacy of his office, he sat her down on the sofa and knelt before her. He took her small, cold hands in his and kissed them repeatedly.

"I'm so sorry, Naina. Mujhe jaldi aana chahiye tha. I'm so sorry, meri jaan."

(I should’ve come earlier.)

He whispered, his forehead resting on her knees. Naina smiled, reaching out to wipe a smudge of grease from his cheek.

"You saved me, Kartik. Aapne meri jaan bachayi. Just like a hero."

(You saved my life.)

"I am no hero, Naina. I am just Kartik. Tumhara Kartik."

(Your Kartik.)

He whispered, looking up at her with eyes full of love.

He left the office early, holding his wife's hand, while people at the office still talked about what had happened that day and the reveal.