The aftermath of the incident was a mix of warmth and freedom. For the first time since the two met, there were no secrets, no looking over the shoulders to check for familiar faces seeing them together.

Naina was standing by the window of their penthouse when she felt a presence behind her. Kartik wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.

Naina smiled and leaned back against his chest, resting her head over his shoulder.

"Aaj aapne jo kia...I never imagined you could so impulsive. Aapko chot bhi lag skti thi, Kartik."

(What you did today....You could have been hurt, Kartik.)

Naina whispered. Kartik buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent. She felt shivers down her spine and closed her eyes.

"When it comes to you, my brain stops working. Uss waqt mere liye bas ye important tha ki tum safe ho...meri baahon mai ho. So I did what I had to, to make sure of that."

(At that time, the only thing mattered to me was that you were safe…in my arms.)

He turned her around in his arms so she was facing him. He traced her jaw with his thumb. The touch was soft, barely there but she felt it till her bones.

"You're ok, right?"

He asked with concern. Naina smiled and nodded. She clutched his t-shirt from the waist, as if it anchored her.

"Haan. Mai bilkul thik hu. I'm more than fine, Kartik. Aapke hote mujhe kabhi kuch ho bhi nhi skta."

(Yes. I am absolutely fine….Nothing can ever happen to me when you’re there.)

She replied. Kartik's gaze softened with affection. He leaned in, his forehead resting against hers.

Naina moved her hand up, her fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck. She pulled him closer, making him open his eyes and look into her desire laden ones.

He understood the unspoken words but wanted to make sure she was truly fine.

"Naina, maine kaha tha main intezaar karunga. Aur main aaj bhi wahi kahunga. Mujhe koi jaldi nahi hai."

(Naina, I told you I can wait. And I will say the same again. I am in no hurry.)

"I know. Par ab mai aur intezaar nhi krna chahti, Kartik. I want to be yours, completely."

(But I don’t want to wait anymore.)

She confessed, her voice trembling with love for him. Kartik didn't say a word. He simply picked her up and carried her toward the bed.

He laid her down on the silk sheets as if she were the most precious thing he had ever handled.

He air in the room tightened with tension. Kartik joined her, propping himself up on one elbow as he looked down at her.

"You know...when I saw your picture for the first time...I knew. Somehow mujhe pata tha ki tum hi ho. You're the one for me. And I was right. Because you're my life, Naina. And I don't want any other life without you in it. I love you."

(Somehow I know that you were the one.)

He whispered and she looked at him with tears in her eyes. She cupped his face and brought it down to rest his forehead against her own.

"I love you too, Kartik. I love you so much."

Kartik leaned down, his lips brushing against hers in a kiss that started as a whisper. As the kiss deepened, his hand moved to her cheek, his fingers trembling slightly. He was just as moved by the moment as she was.

"I love you so much that I am scared...I'm scared that I might hurt you. And I don't want to hurt you, ever."

He whispered against her lips. His palm covered her waist, which moved up and down due to heavy breathing.

"Don't be scared. You're never going to hurt me. I'm sure. Aur kabhi koi baat hui bhi...toh hum milke sort out kr lenge."

(And if anything ever happens…we will sort it out together.)

She replied. He smiled and pulled her in. When his skin met hers, it wasn't just a physical contact, it felt like two souls finally finding the missing pieces of a puzzle. He was patient, stopping to look at her, to check if she was okay, and every time, her eyes gave him the permission he sought.

"Are you ok?"

He asked again, his voice strained with concern and love as they laid under the duvet, devoid of any clothes and ready to be each other's in every sense of the word.

"I'm absolutely fine, Kartik."

She breathed out, pulling him closer.

The night moved in a blur of soft whispers and gentle movements. There was no rush. In the quiet of the room, they explored the new language of their bodies. 

The aftermath of it was sweet and shy. Kartik pulled the duvet over them, tucking Naina into his side. She was curled against him, her head resting on his chest, listening to his heartbeat that worked as a lullaby.

He kept his arm tightly around her, as if afraid she might float away if he let go.

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

Kartik asked, kissing her forehead. Naina let out a long, contented sigh. She felt a sense of belonging that went beyond words.

"I'm fine, Kartik. You didn't hurt me. It was...beautiful."

She whispered shyly. He smiled and kissed her forehead again, before they both slipped into slumber, knowing this was just one of the many nights of rest of their lives together.