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(MoRan's look for the evening.)
 
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December 2019

Resort

The greens of the garden were hidden under the shimmering fairy lights on the dry branches of the tree, there was soft rock music playing in the background, the bar was set with a neon board of “Drunk in love” hung on the top. The openness of the garden was bifurcated in the two sections with a pathway in between. One was with the buffet and a spectacular sitting arrangement that seemed so pleasing for the audience. The other one was the bar in the end of the space; with music system set on is right and an empty space followed in front and some couches placed on the other side, for rest.

The much in love couple decided that it would be better with one cocktail party for their friends, because they had almost all mutual friends, instead of having separate bachelor and bachelorette for the two of them. Hence they came to this conclusion.

Sidharth and Sanjana’s parents although had a small families but their friend circle was massive. Hence, the main functions and the reception were to be filled with huge mass of people, unlike these celebrations.

Almost all the people were there in the lawn, where the party is held, except for the certain someone and his brother and sister in law. Also, it won’t be wrong to say that more than Monami it was Sidharth who was looking forward to meet Karan, along with Sanjana and Vedant; for this trio, who works in the same company didn’t wanted to leave this hands on opportunity to corner the Cricket sensation. Although Sidharth had made sure that none of people from their side will mob Karan or cause him any kind of inconvenience.

When Karan and the people accompanying him reached the location and parked the car, they didn’t know whom to approach directly, so they didn’t make any move to step out of the car. Funnily enough, all the three were looking at each other for some further information and sighed when they realised that either of them did not have any prior conversation with Monami or her family.

“Param, call Deepak Uncle and ask about it na.” Barkha began to which Param nodded and called the said person.

“...Okay, Uncle. Thank you.” Param hanged up and turned to look at the people who were already staring at him. He shook his head and said, “Uncle told that he will ask Vedant to be here and he have forwarded me Vedant’s number and did the same for him.”

Barkha nodded and Karan settled his hair looking at the mirror hanged in the front, while sitting in the backseat; albeit his hair were very much tousled and set, just the way he wanted, and Param was just tapping his index finger on the steering wheel when his phone rang and he picked it up in some 5-7 seconds.

After hanging up on the call Karan gestured both the people to move out for which they nodded and before actually moving out, Karan again checked his hair in the mirror, along with Param and received a disinterested face from Barkha; to which both the brothers shrugged.

Vedant received the three of them and greeted the Shergill brothers with a subtle handshake and asked them to move in with him, after ensuring that Karan going in won’t be any inconvenience .He was walking in front with Karan, letting the couple follow them.

“Vaise just to prepare you a little, you are in for a full fledged interview tonight.” Vedant started off, by giving Karan a subtle warning.

“Uh?” Karan widened his eyes, confused.

“Zyada kuch nahi, bas aapko Sid bro aur Sanju Bhabhi ke sawaalo ke katghare mein khada kar diya jayega, jahan se bina un sawaalon ke jawab diye aap bahar nahi aa paaoge. Aur usme di bhi aapki help nahi kar paayegi. Aur mai toh vaise he unki team mein hoon.” Vedant dramatically said.

(Nothing much, it’s just that you’ll be standing in the palisade of questions of Sid bro and Sanju Bhabhi and without answering to those questions, you won’t be able to come out. Oh and even Di won’t be able to help you in this and I am as it is in their team.)

“Thanks bud, it helped me so much.” Karan sarcastically said to which Vedant chuckled.

“Just be yourself. All this is happening because Monu di and you are giving a chance to yourself at this.” Vedant simpered at him.

When they entered in the garden at the back of the resort, Karan was pleasantly surprised for the sight in front of him.

There, in front of his eyes was Monami, who was held as a shield by a guy in curly hair and a goofy smile and in front of Monami was a girl, perhaps the guy's fiancée, who looked like one because of their somewhat co-ordinated clothes, chasing him; although he failed to notice that was colour coordinating with someone too. But what caught his eyes was a heartily laughing Monami, because this was the very first time he was witnessing her like this and this sight was definitely an eye pleasing and heart warming one.

Maybe, just maybe, this is one of those moments of her, which Karan will never forget.

As if sensing someone’s gaze on her, Monami turned her face and sucked in a deep breath looking at the owner of those eyes, Karan. It wasn’t making her uncomfortable but rather, it was warming her insides in a way like never before.

Locked in each other’s eyes, forgetting the chaotic world around them for a few seconds they just looked at each other, taking in the attire they were adorned in which was so different, an alluring different.

Monami’s eyes raked over Karan’s figure, impressed by his choice of outfit that suited him in more than perfect manner. He was dressed in a silk maroon shirt, paired with jet black trousers with black shoes. His signature watch was clasped on his wrist and hair settled to its perfection; courtesy of checking the mirror a thousand times. But what made his look a little more swoon worthy for the on lookers was his first button, which was open.  

Karan’s state was no different seeing Monami. She herself was dressed in an aesthetic maroon off shoulder one piece, with her hair pulled in a half bun on the top, her wrist in a smart watch and feet in simple white block heels.

They both were actually appreciative of the other one is looking, although none of them gave two flying fucks to the outer appearance, but one should praise what’s worthy. Their eye lock was disturbed again; for Karan it was Vedant’s throat clearing and his raised eyebrows that led him to straighten his back and fumble with his hair and Monami’s attention was diverted to her doofus friends, whose party it was. But nonetheless, they were thankful to it, reprimanding themselves in their minds as to not to make a fool out of them.

Though Sanjana caught a whiff of her friend’s lack of attention for those few seconds and ceased her actions, eyeing Sidharth to do the same. They stealthily turned their eyes to where Monami’s were settled on and smirked to each other before feigning the banter, which seemed to break Monami out of her trance.

The moment Monami was back to her natural self, she looked at her best friends, clearly seeing through their charade and folded her arms, giving them a disinterested look, but when she was rewarded with their smug faces, wiggling eyebrows and folded hands, she dropped her hands, “Uh What?”

“No need to pretend, Mona Darling! What we saw was enough. We didn’t expect this from you.” Sidharth began over dramatically and Monami looked at him, unable to figure out the reason behind his nonsense.

“Haan Monu, matlab ek baar tera banda kya aagaya, teri toh nazre he nahi hat rahi uss sey.” Sanjana teased, making Monami’s cheek stand in competition with cherries. “You see Sidharth? It is like a dream come true, seeing Monami stare someone like this; not in anger.” Sanjana boasted, too pleased with what she witnessed and earned a chuckle from Sidharth with a nod.

(Yes Monu, just because your guy is here, you can’t seem to take your eyes off him.)

“Uhm, guys please aisa kuch bhi nahi hai. Mai koyi stare ware nahi kar rahi thi. I just saw him entering with Ved; nothing else.” Monami tried to reason, but it was way too vague for even her to believe. “Yeah and I am Harry Potter with a magic wand.” Sidharth mocked his pal.

(Oh please guys, it’s nothing like that. I wasn’t staring anyone.)

"Aur woh mera Banda nahi hai." To which Monami was blatantly ignored with rolling eyes of her friends.

Sanjana held back a chuckle seeing Monami’s face and said, “Okay guys, its fine. Now shall we make a move towards them? It won’t look good.” Hearing this both the people agreed and began walking towards the entrance.

Meanwhile, when all this was happening on Monami’s front, our main man was also not left behind. As it is, once he was welcomed back in the present from his dreamland, courtesy of Vedant, a figure bumped in him. Actually Barkha and Param were following the boys in front of them when with a gust of wind, Barkha’s open hair swept on her face, so while steering them away from her face, she couldn’t look in front and thus bumped into Karan.

Barkha glared at Karan for stopping in middle for no reason, she was about to say something but Param held her back and gestured her to look at Karan and then she noticed his eyes, which were time and again stealthily glancing in a particular direction and when she followed his gaze, she chuckled along with her husband.

Karan looked at Barkha and tried to act nonchalant, as if it was her fault that she bumped into him, but nonetheless, passed her a slight smile when she raised her eyebrows at him.

“Chhotey saari raat yahi khade rehna hai aur ussey aise niharna hai?” Param teased.

(Karan do you plan to stand here and stare all night?)

“Heyyy, I was not staring at her. And anyways, let’s go.” Karan hurried his words, making Vedant, Param and Barkha chuckle with a teasing nod of their head.

With this, the quad began to move in the direction and they spotted Monami and the bride & groom coming towards them only.

When they finally reached near each other, they greeted each other and Barkha embraced Monami in a sweet side hug, making her a little stiff but then a little happy at this unexpected gesture.

When the ladies pulled back, Monami did the required introductions and unknowingly they were standing in a circle but with conscious efforts of the bride and groom Monami and Karan were standing side by side, with their arms brushing each other’s occasionally; although, the couple tried to be sneaky, but Monami caught it and gave a look of disbelief to her friends.

The star couple of the event and Vedant left after a few moments to give Monami some time with the Shergill’s and went away.

After having some casual chit chat and a few sneaky, unintentional glances of the couple in making, even Barkha and Param excused themselves when Monami asked them if they would like to have a dinner together.

Of course, Karan and Monami both understood that this was nothing but an attempt to give them some time with each other but they refused to comment anything and let them stay in their bubble that they are really wily.

Not knowing how to begin with, for the first few seconds both looked here and there. Clearing his throat and flicking his nose, Karan began, “Hey, how have you been?”

Monami was amused at this question because they’ve literally met in the morning; nonetheless she answered “I’m good and way too happy.”

Karan or anyone for that fact could easily guess it from her twinkling eyes and a constant grin, albeit very small but that seems to be permanently settled over the corner of her lips for the evening, and why not, after all it’s her closest pals getting hitched.

“Aap kaafi close hain na Sidharth aur Sanjana ke?” Karan asked.

(You're very close to Sidharth and Sanjana, aren't you?)

Monami with a smile and a nod of her head, “Haan.” She was not going to utter a word more but having seen Karan’s hopeful face and his efforts; she added “Sid and I are friends since we were crawling. We have been attached to hip since then and we met Sanjana on the first day of college. Earlier it was like a normal group of friends but then Sanju carved a place in our hearts, and Sid’s mind too.” She chuckled. “So yeah, I am very happy to see these two souls finally settling on a forever; although marriage is just the label because their souls are already sealed with each other for nothing less than an eternity.” Monami was really happy and the way she ended with a fond look at her friends revealed it all.

“No wonder I can feel this happiness. I too had lived a moment like this and it is literally more than enough to make your heart burst with happiness.” Karan said.

“Oh, this means even you have a childhood friend?” Monami questioned.

“You can say, actually we have been together since our school. We’ve played cricket together and we continue to do so. His name is Faizi.” Karan placed his palms in his trousers pockets.

Since the time Karan had entered, he had garnered a lot of attention but since the guests were strictly informed and asked to not to bother him, they were refraining themselves.

When they heard the music getting loud, Monami gestured Karan to follow her and lead him towards one of the corners which was a little less filled with audience and noise of the music. While they were walking alongside each other, their closed ones could literally without blinking can say that how perfect they looked with each other; so calm, so peaceful and so belonged.

For some time, Karan and Monami indulged themselves in a slightly awkward but a decent conversation, when Karan scratched his right eyebrow with his right index finger asked about her memory they affirmed to share about.

Karan was open to any kind of anecdote Monami would share with him and so was the case with Monami, because they wanted to feel the rawness which they would after hearing from the other person. And so Karan was amused and shook his head while laughing when he heard her saying about how she and her other two companions sneakily burst the firecrackers in the bright daylights of the lunch hours in the lawn, full of crowd, on the day they would begin with their Diwali break and because it was all chaotic and because of little to no surveillance in the backside of their college, how they escaped by jumping off the wall.

All this while when Monami was speaking, she no doubt maintained an eye contact but Karan noticed all the sub expressions that her face displayed; widening her eyes, tucking her stubborn strands of hair that would time and again disturb her because of the wind, or chuckling softly. By far this is the most open she has been in front of him and he was more than happy to admire this side of her.

So when Karan began after ceasing his chunks of laughter that escaped him after listening to Monami, he shared that because of his state and national level tournaments, he was not a regular student but he had an understanding faculty of teachers and there was this one teacher who was not too old from them, and it was his birthday so they decided to prank him. They especially got a custom made cake, which by the way was a bloated plastic/ balloon material, iced and decorated as a cake. So when they asked their professor to cut it, it blasted and almost all the cream was splattered on the birthday man.

Except for Karan and Faizi all were shocked but within a few seconds, the classroom erupted in the roars of the laughter. Just a look at the mischievous duo, the professor understood but then he himself laughed at this madness and later they celebrated his birthday in a proper manner.

Although Monami tried to keep her voice low and she succeeded, but she laughed on it and on this, even Karan joined her, though a bit louder than her of course.

Their guffawing stopped when they were approached by Vedant, who was giving them curious looks, but when Monami raised her eyebrows after getting a grip, he shook his head.

“C’mon you guys also have some food, almost everybody else has finished.” Vedant said and that’s when the duo noticed that it’s indeed quite a time and that’s when they shared a look and glanced back at Vedant, nodding.

When they went for their dinner, although it was just two of them who were supposed to eat but after a few peaceful moments, they were accompanied by the bride and groom and Vedant too, who took turns in questioning Karan and turned the dinner in a sawalo ka katghara.

(The court of questions.)

They were later joined by Barkha and Param and they had quite a time.

This night has indeed unleashed yet another change of perspective in both of their lives. Let us now see how fast the night changes, and what is stored in for them.

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2.9+ words.

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