7 years later

7 years had passed since the day Kartik jumped down a broken lift to save Naina. Since that day, their home had changed a lot.

The expensive vases had been replaced by colourful plastic building blocks, and the white walls now featured a few artistic crayon marks near the floor level.

Kartik sat at the breakfast table with a serious expression, staring at a small, stubborn face that was a mirror image of Naina's, save for the mischievous glint in the eyes that was purely his own.

6 year old Tara, or Mini Naina, as the office staff called her, was wearing a miniature Aura Air uniform that Naina's mother had stitched for her. She was currently refusing to eat her paratha.

"Tara! Ek bite toh khaao beta. Dekho flight delay ho rhi hai."

(Eat one bite beta. See flight is getting delayed.)

Kartik said, holding a piece of paratha and making a zooming sound with his hand.

"Nahi papa! Aaj mai pilot hu. Aur pilots paranthe nhi khaate, wo sirf coffee peete hai."

(No papa! I am pilot today. And pilots don’t eat paranthas, they only drink coffee.)

Tara declared, crossing her small arms with a frown that looked exactly like Kartik's face in the boardroom.

Naina walked in, looking beautiful as ever. She had retired from her flying duties a year ago to join the training department at the headquarters. 

She leaned over and kissed the top of Tara's head before leaning down to press a quick kiss on Kartik's cheek.

"Hi, my love!"

Kartik grinned at Naina, pulling her closer with one hand, completely forgetting the parantha in his other hand and a now pouting Tara.

"Papa! Mumma ko huggy baad mai krna, pehle mera plane land karwao!"

(Hug mumma later, first land my plane.)

Tara shouted, pointing at the paratha. Kartik laughed, knowing very well that the little girl was jealous on seeing the attention being diverted elsewhere. He finally managed to feed the pilot her breakfast. 

This was the man the world still saw as the powerful owner of an aviation empire, yet here he was, covered in flour and paratha crumbs, completely wrapped around the finger of a six-year-old.

Later that afternoon, the family headed to the Aura Air private hangar. It was a special day. Kartik was unveiling a new line of regional jets, and he wanted his family by his side. As they walked across the tarmac, Kartik held Tara's hand on one side and Naina's on the other.

The staff watched in silent admiration. In all these years, they had seen a completely different side of their CEO. He didn't care who was watching, he would constantly fix Naina's hair or whisper something in her ear that made her blush like a bride all over again.

"Hamari pehli flight yaad hai?"

(You remember our first flight?)

Kartik whispered teasingly as they stood near a jet.

"How can I ever forget? Seat 14B wala ko ajeeb passenger."

(That weird passenger in Seat 14B.)

She teased back, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Ajeeb? Please! I looked like a hero."

(Weird?)

He replied, pulling her closer for a quick, stolen kiss on her lips.

"Eww! Papa, Mumma!"

Tara squealed, hiding her eyes with her tiny hands, though she was peeking through her fingers.

"Achha ji! Batau mai eww!"

(Really! Should I tell you what’s eww!)

Kartik said, picking Tara up and settling her on his hip while keeping his other arm firmly around Naina. He nuzzled his nose into her little stomach, making her giggle uncontrollably.

After the event, they returned home. After Tara finally fell asleep, Kartik and Naina stepped out onto their balcony.

Kartik sat on the chair and pulled Naina into his lap. She rested her head against his chest, listening to the heartbeat that had been her sanctuary for seven years.

"We've come so far, right?"

Naina asked softly, tracing the wedding band on his finger. Kartik smiled, his chin resting on her hair.

"We have. Mujhe laga tha meri zindagi sirf business deals aur growth charts mein nikal jayegi. But I was wrong."

(I thought my life will end with business deals and growth charts.)

He turned her face toward him, his thumb stroking her cheek with tenderness.

"Thank you, Naina. Mere saath yeh safar tay karne ke liye."

(For travelling this journey with me.)

Naina's eyes filled with tears of joy.

"Thank you toh mujhe kehna chahiye. Aapne mujhe sirf pyaar nahi diya, aapne mujhe meri apni ek duniya di hai."

(I should be saying thank you. You did not just give me love, but a world of my own.)

Kartik leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that felt like a promise. It was deep, passionate, and filled with love. As they pulled apart, Kartik smiled, a naughty glint returning to his eyes.

"Waise...kuch din pehle Tara keh rhi thi ki usse ek chhota bhai chahiye. Har pilot ko ek co-pilot chahiye hota hai na."

(By the way…some days back, Tara was asking for a younger sibling. Every pilot has a co-pilot right.)

Naina hit his chest playfully, her face turning crimson.

"Kartik! Aap kabhi nhi badlenge na. Besharam!"

(You will never change. Shameless!)

"Arre! Mai kyu badlu? Jab meri life aur meri wife itni perfect hai, toh badalne ki zaroorat kya hai?"

(Why should I change? When my life and my wife are so perfect, why change?)

He whispered and winked at her, picking her up in his arms and heading inside. In that moment. nothing else mattered.

They were home. And in each other's arms, their journey would never end.