Heyloo!

Long time no see! But this time, it's because of the lack of votes. But anyway!

It is not edited.

Happy reading!

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November 2020

Amritsar

When everything seems to fall in place, our mind takes a dip in the shallow waters of blankness. The undulate to and fro of the serenity soaks us in the cocoon of incomprehensive and non -calculating mind. The state just lets us be; in the resting and lethargic space. Unsurprisingly, we can have our surprising moment of blankness amid the chaotic mess we are in.

Personally, this occasional blankness is good. It helps us unearth ourselves. We can become completely undone with no qualms and complains whatsoever. In these moments we follow the path of peace and allow our hassling self to taste and sometimes devour the scrumptiousness of freeness, with no thoughts racing a marathon in our heads.

Aur aisa hona bhi chahiye, nahi? Har din, ya phir yu kehlo ki har samay hum itna soch lete hain ki kabhi kabhi hume nahi sochke bhi dekhna chahiye. Ab kyuki mujhe khaalipan nahi istemaal karna toh shunyata ka woh pal aksar kai saari halchal bhi shaant kar deta hai. Meri maano toh thodi shaanti aur thodi shunyata, phir se naye sire se shuru karne ka lifafa hota hai.

(And it should happen, isn't it? We think every day, or let me say all day, so we should try and take a break from our constant thinking. Now because I didn't want to use emptiness as a synonym, I'd proceed with nothingness. At times, this moment of nothingness calms the stirring turmoil within us. And if you go as per my theory, then little calmness and little nothingness is the envelope waiting to opened to start everything from the beginning.)

Karan felt the same calmness that oozed out of the soft wisps of breaths of his wife. It was one such rare time when he was up before her. He did nothing, besides adjusting their quilt on their cocooned figures and folding his knees a little and placing his hands beneath his cheek, he silently sketched her serene face in his eyes.

The faint light from the mini table light allowed him to see the subtle contours of her face. With her eyes closed, slightly flaring nostrils and occasional light snores, which she would never admit, he found her adorable.

Had someone told him a few months back that the first thing he would do after attaining consciousness from his world of sleep, he would be staring at someone's face, this keenly, he would have just given them a look of disinterest. But the tables have turned now, and did he mind turning his back on his words? Hell no.

It was around 3:47 when he woke up but that shouldn't be a surprise since they had literally gone to bed at 10:30 at night. He took his time before zeroing at looking Monami, since the sleep had decided to abandon him.

Karan refrained from making any noise; neither did he make any attempt to caress her hair. He was well aware of the fact that she was a very light sleeper and any minute disturbance was enough to wake her up.

When it was close to 4:30, as his smart watch beeped, he thought to wake Monami up by himself and not the alarm. He raised his hand caressed her head a little as he whispered her name with all the softness in the world.

"Hume chalna hai na, uth jao ab." He mumbled in a clear voice, while still not withdrawing his hand from her hair.

(We have to go, get up.)

As if on the cue, their alarms rang too. With a little frown they turned it off and Monami nodded. Karan watched her as she quickly did her morning prayers before wishing him morning and going towards washroom.

They had landed in Amritsar, the day before in the evening. The four hour flight and the two hour wait at Airport and hustle to leave from their homes, was not really much but given that all these days of relentless visits to and from the relatives, the Diwali shenanigans and endless late nighters they pulled off.

Monami stayed at her place on Bhai Dooj and Deepak dropped them to Airport, picking Karan on the way the next day.

[Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the second day after Diwali. It is a festival to celebrate the affection of brother and sister.]

But a sweet smile tugged at Karan's lips as he recollected how come they are suddenly in Amritsar.

After the passionate, long due moments of togetherness, they were in each other's embrace. Monami was wearing a pair of casual shorts and a sports bra, which she was able to put on after a long pleading and -indulging session and was resting her back against the naked torso of Karan, as he only cared to wear a pair of shorts.

No, they did not breached every little distance between them, but the steps they took, made them more closer to each other. It made them a little more comfortable to be a more vulnerable in front of each other. Along with the intimacy in their physical relationship, it tightened the knot of their emotional intimacy.

With the calmness in mind and pleasurable tingles in their bodies, they drifted in their slumber whilst resting in each other's embrace. But as the chunks of the bright light sneaked into their room from the flittering curtains, the scene from the last night was nowhere in sight!

Forget about sleeping in each other's arms, he was sleeping on her. His face hidden in her neck, as his hair kissed the side of her face and neck, his one arm beneath his tummy and another, draped around her waist. And legs? Long gone was the entanglement, he had his legs, bordering hers on either side. While one was doable, another was literally flung across hers.

This was how she found herself in the morning; in an extreme level of cuddling with her husband, oh and by her husband. After a few minutes of flushing closeness, she pulled herself and got ready for the day, while simultaneously waking him up.

Since, the couple had met all their relatives, they were free. So, they stayed back with Atul and greeted the guests who visited them while Barkha, Param and Baby headed out for the obvious.

Soon, the day transitioned into night and they were leisurely sitting in the living room, tired with running around during the day. Karan and baby were sitting on the floor, getting their hair thoroughly oiled and massaged by Barkha and Monami respectively. Though, baby climbed up on her lap within a moment of her chachi asking her to do so.

"Accha beta, parso kab nikal rahe ho?" Atul asked Monami.

(At what time are you leaving the day after tomorrow, kiddo?)

"Parso? Papa, aap na buddhey ho rahe ho ab, isiliye bhool rahe ho aap ki hum parso nahi 4 din baad jaa rahe hain." Karan tried to be funny and spoke with his eyes closed.

(Overmorrow? Papa, you're becoming old day by day. We are leaving after 4 days and not the day after tomorrow.)

"Oh chup kar, ullu da pattha. Hun tu apne baap nu Buddha keh lagega? Khotta!" Atul tossed displeasure at his son's behavior.

(Oh, shut up idiot! Now you will call your father old? Brat!)

Frowning at the continuous appreciative words, Karan opened his eyes and as he scanned across, he only found everyone barely controlling their laughter, even Baby. Well, over the time, the little child has gotten a hold over the words her grandpa uses for her uncle while admonishing him.

"How is it even fair? All of you just corner me." He twitched his lips. "Huh! Bullies." He mumbled under his breath.

"Oye nautanki, agar tera ho gaya ho toh aage badhe?" Param said indifferently.

(If you're done with your drama, shall we continue?)

Karan just puffed out a haughty breath as he folded his arms. While Barkha just ruffled his hair with affection, his better half was having her giggle streak. Seeing this, he narrowed his eyes even more.

"Meri toh sirf bhabhi he hain." Karan softly held Barkha's wrists in his palm and dragged them down and the encircled around his neck. "Aur tum? Tum cheater ho. Bas mere he side kabhi mat rehna tum." He raised his right arm and pointed his finger towards Monami, making her laugh and him frown, more.

(It's only bhabhi, who cares about me.) (And you? You're a cheater. You'll never be on my side, will you?)

"Dramebaaz!" Monami lip synced, looking at him.

"Accha bas, ab bata bhi do varna yehi samajhna mushkil ho jayega ki chhota kon hai! Yeh ya woh." Barkha began softly but then mischievously, she pointed towards Karan and Baby, making everyone guffaw and Karan only tightened his hold on the lady as he whined.

(Okay enough! We should tell him; otherwise it would be difficult to identify who is the kid here; him or her.)

"Aur kya! Shaadi bhi hogayi hai ab toh iski, toh bhi bachpana gaya nahi hai." Param smacked his sibling's head from the side, making him scowl.

(Exactly! Even though he is married, his childishness says otherwise.)

"Oh please bhaiya! Don't you know ki hume humare andar ke bacche ko kabhi nahi jaane dena chahiye." Karan argued, clearly disliking the fact that he was the thrown under the bus for no reason at all.

(Don't you know that we shouldn't let our inner child go?)

"Chal cha lave." Param shrugged him off.

Now before Karan could open his mouth in protest, Atul interrupted. "Okay! That's it for now." He played the referee before turning towards Monami. "Bacche, tell him."

(My child.)

Monami nodded, as she wrapped Baby in her embrace and looked at her husband. "Hum log parso Amritsar jaa rahe hain." She paused, when she him confused. "Shaadi ke baad hum log Baba Ji ke mattha bhi tek ne nahi jaa paaye na, isiliye hum pehle wahan challenge and then wahan se wahi, jo planned tha."

(We are leaving for Amritsar, the day after tomorrow.) (We don't go there after our wedding to even offer our prayers, so now we'll first go there and then we'll follow up the plan.)

Karan took a moment to let it all sink in. Yes, it did cross his mind too. But he was uncertain, given he had his surgery to undergo and she also has limited time of her vacation. All in all, he didn't want her to rush with anything.

For a few seconds, he thought that someone from their family would have asked her to do so, so as a reflex, he looked at everyone with slight bit of question lingering in his midnight orbs.

Barkha, who clearly understood the sudden pause in his body language, gently caressed his hair, making him turn towards her. "Hum mein se kisi ne bhi kuch nahi kaha. Monami ne he humse baat ki thi."

(None of us said anything. It was Monami, who talked to us.)

In return, he nodded his head and then looked at his wife, who was sitting across him for a fleeting moment before lowering his eyes and then looked back at her, simpering tenderly.

As they came back to the confines of their privacy, after calling it a night, Karan bolted the door and looked at his wife, who was placing the water bottle on his side of the side desk and fetching out his medicines from the drawer.

He unzipped his jacket, revealing his vest underneath and folded it before placing it on the table near mirror and walked towards her, who just turned towards him and raised her hand.

Curving his lips in a lopsided smile, he shook his head and gulped in the medicines. Then, as she was about to make a beeline towards the closet, he halted her moments and gently nudged her to sit beside him and stared at her wordlessly for quite some time.

"How come you planned all of this so suddenly?" He was curious to know.

"It was not sudden, okay! The day you asked me to book my tickets, taking all my offs for this trip, I thought, why not we can do this as well?" Monami shrugged her shoulders in the end like it was absolutely casual.

When his unwavering gaze, refused to move away from hers, she exhaled. "I know, ki tum bhi chahte the ki hum ek baar "Harmandir Sahib" jaayein, mattha tek ne, lekin itne time se ho he nahi paa raha tha. So I thought, why not now?"

(I know that you too wished for us to visit "Harmandir Sahib" and offer our prayers, but it was getting delayed for something or the other.)

As he leaned back to rest on the head rest, he held her hand, making her lean on to him too. He raised their entwined fingers, before peppering a small peck. "And how did you manage this?"

"I just had a word with everyone here and then after doing the necessary, I simply combined our plans in a weeklong trip!"

The moment she finished, her lips were held captive in his. How can he not? When she puts in so much thought, every time. The entanglement of their lips was like a soft caressing of fingers on a piano. It was rhythmic and gradual, sans any hurry.

His free hand found the skin beneath her ear and she rested her hand on his thigh. The subtle, not so innocent brush of his index finger left a shiver down her body and let out a moan, which he effectively captured. This made her tighten her grip on his thigh, pushing him to use his tongue.

After a few moments, they pulled back and rested their heads against each other, as they took the breaths with much effort. Then, Monami freed herself out from his warm, comforting, alluring and addictive embrace disinterestedly, as she had to change and pack.

Karan rested his head against the head rest as closed his eyes with utter serenity. A couple of minutes later, Monami came out of the closet with a few clothes and toiletries in her hand. She kept the stuff on the bed and straightened herself. She was dressed in her night tracks and a tee that allowed him to have a peek- a- boo with her toned navel and this is why, how can Skipper Shergill can look elsewhere?

Monami fetched her suitcase that was kept near her side of bed and dragged it in front of the bed, before opening it. She bent a little forward to grab the things, when she finally looked back into his unmoved eyes.

Since she was slouched down a bit, her décolletage was direct in the line of Karan and it was then, when his eyes travelled from her visage to the visible valley. She shook her head, obviously no matter how much of a saint a man is; sometimes resisting his woman becomes quite demanding, isn't it?

"Tumhara ho gaya ho toh, thoda pack karlo?" She got back in her position and neatly packed her luggage.

(If you're done, you should also pack your stuff?)

"Naahhhh. I'll do tomorrow night." He lazily said as he stretched his limbs in a weird twisted manner, letting out a scream, showing how indolent he was actually feeling.

Monami yet again, shook her head and placed back her luggage before walking towards the table before grabbing her backpack and checking it once. She turned and looked at him, who was just being a couch potato. "Suno, mere earphones tumhare drawer mein rakhe hain, toh pass karo toh."

(Listen, I have my earphones in your drawer, pass them to me.)

Sure he did took them out and was about to give them to her, when his gaze fell onto the long hanging drawstrings of her joggers. Seeing them, he fell back on his place.

"Tch. You come here and take it." He nonchalantly fiddled with the neatly ringed wires of her earplugs.

Monami casted him a look of sheer disbelief as she was befuddled with his bratty self. He was being too difficult. She heaved out a sight and took her steps in his direction.

As she covered the desired distance and raised her arm forward to take her earplugs from his hand, he swiftly, with his free hand, tugged at her drawstrings with a force that not only unfastened them but made her fall upon him.

Monami was not the one who could be shook off her balance easily, but being with a certain someone for all these months, had made her to be a little less uptight in his vicinity. It was a beautiful transition! It made her heart flutter most of the times but it annoyed her, too, at some moments. Like now!

After regaining her composure, she smacked his shoulder blade, raising her head from his chest. "Karannn!" She chided. "What is wrong with you?"

Pulling an innocent smile on his face, he let the fingers of his right hand tame her baby hair before wrapping them around her waist and clasped it around his left wrist, to strengthen his grip.

Feeling his grip and no other response, she looked at him, incredulously. "Ziddi bacche he hona tum bilkul? Kya time pass kar rahe ho?" She paused as his grip started to loosen a little. " Chhodo mujhe, kaam hai phir sona bhi hai aur..."

(Aren't you a stubborn kid? Why are up to this time pass? Leave me; I have work to do and you...)

She was cut off in between, as his notorious fingers deftly invaded her already rose up tee shirt. His mindless ministrations drove her mind into the valley of thoughtlessness.

"Hmm, kya keh rahi tum?" He gruffly asked. "Baccha?" He let his palm flatten on her waist as he raised his other one to cup her neck and pull her more on to him. He then whispered on her lips, "Konse bacche aisa karte hain, Monami?"

(Hmm, so what were you saying?) (A kid?) (What sort of kids do stuff like this, Monami?)

Karan didn't let her say anything, as he briefly placed a peck on her trembling one, after putting a little force on her neck. Also, it's not like she was going to say something either.

He removed his palm from her neck and held hers, freeing the straps of his vest. And then his eyes sparkled up with a new glimmer. Her eyes could read it, yet she failed to comprehend the sudden transition. But before she could say something, he yet again silenced her by scraping his teeth on her cheek and then on her finger and then his grip on her was no more firm.

"Ouch!" Monami pulled away from him in, as she looked at him with her crinkled eyes, clearly offended! "Yeh kyu kiya?"

(Why did you do it?)

"Ab bacche, I mean ziddi bacche toh aise he karte hain na?" Fake pearls of innocence were dripping from his voice. "Gudgudi karta toh tumhe hoti nahi, huh, no fun!" He mumbled under his breath, though his wife heard him.

(Now kids, I mean stubborn kids will behave like this only right?) (Even if I would have tickled you, you wouldn't have been affected by it, huh! No fun.)

"Tumhe pata hai na mai sunn sakti hoon?" She narrowed her eyes and then quickly took hold of her earplugs from the bed, near his shoulder before getting up.

(I can hear perfectly well, you know that right?)

Karan just sprawled a bit more carelessly on the bed in response, ignoring her. Which yet again earned him a faint remark of 'kid', but did he care anymore? No.

Monami quickly wrapped up her work and was making a braid, after opening up her bun, as she walked out of the closet, when Karan turned a little sideward and rested his head on his hand, placing his elbow on the bed and said naughtily, "Vaiseee... tumhe pata hai na ki this 'grown- up' baccha can help you make more bacchas?"

(By the way, I hope you're aware that this 'grown-up' kid can help you in making more kids?)

Monami's cheeks flushed red, at his blatant display of unfiltered shamelessness and her hands which were securing the hair tie, paused. What was this man? She thought incredulously.

Her tongue glided across her lips, as she pulled them in before gulping the lump in her throat. She shook her head as she stared at him. "Nihayati besharam ho tum!"

(You are absolutely shameless.)

"Hadd hai, ab isme kaisi besharmi? Aur tumne suna nahi? Jisne ki sharam, uske foote karam!" He shared his pearls of wisdom. "Moreover, family planning is good for our future and there is nothing to shy about!" He was teasing her relentlessly.

(Woah, how is this even shameless? Haven't you heard that the one who feels shame, his actions fail!)

By now Monami had gotten a hold of his antics and she was just waiting to see how this scene will further unfold. She just nodded at his words of useless wisdom.

Curving his lips in a hoax bashful smile and down casting his eyes, he traced the creases bed sheet with the fingers of his other hand before looking back at her. "Kya kehti ho? Ek cricket team theek rahegi? Kyuki..." He just paused.

(What do you say? A cricket team is a good option, isn't it?)

Monami narrowed her eyes; as she walked on her side of bed and urged him too say more. "Kyuki?"

(Because?)

"Ab hum battalion toh bana nahi sakte na?" The moment he finished, he received a flying pillow smacking on his face and he too, intentionally let his head fall on his now flattened arm and fell into the pit of laughter.

Monami couldn't resist joining him in his mad laughter too. She sat on bed and hit him with pillow for a couple of moments before falling next to him. They calmed down for a second before they did the mistake of looking at each other and then again, the room echoed with their guffaw.

The darkness and the silence of the night cloaked their precious moments of shared laughter, before replacing it with the quietude. The next day, Monami left for her house and then the day after, they boarded their flight to Amritsar.

Karan came out of his reverie as he heard Monami call him. He looked at her, as she came out properly dressed up in red attire, like a proper sardarni.

(Here: A Punjabi lady.)

She wore a red on red attire. Her kameez was fell an inch or a two short of her knees, paired with a flared salwar, accompanied by a thin dupatta. The kurta was embellished with rich embroidery and motifs, and the dupatta too, had scattered imprints of the similar embroidery.

(Kameez is a shorti kurti and salwar is a lower for the same. Dupatta is veil/scarf.)

She had pinned her dupatta on one shoulder and from the falling veil on the back, she had covered her head, draping the remaining portion on her pinned shoulder, loosely. She had made a pony tail and left two strands, kissing her cheeks from either side of her face.

Karan got up from the bed, simultaneously picking his toiletries that they had placed the previous night on the rack beside his side of bed and walked towards her with a soft smile playing on his lips. He stood at a distance of a step away from her.

He raised his free hand and just caressed the part of her dupatta on her head and gently removed the invisible creases. He then brushed her cheek before planting an affectionate peck on her forehead and then went ahead in the shower room to get ready for the day.

Once Karan was in, Monami quickly adorned her wrists with some bangles and wore her anklets. She was feeling no less than a bride again, and well, she should feel like one. After all, they are here to offer their prayers and have the blessings of the almighty, the first time after their marriage.

Then she folded the unnecessary stuff and placed them back on their places, while fetching out a small tiffin box, which contained a mix of dry fruits.

In a few minutes, Karan came out too, all decked up for the day in his plain red embroidered Kurta and white lower. He kept the washroom door slightly ajar behind him, while clearing the crinkles of his sleeves.

Monami, like every other time when she witnesses him in accoutered in ethnic, her insides have a mix of cartwheels and multiple flips. He literally looks swoon-worthy.

She got up from the bed and walked towards him, with her eyes on him. Hearing the clinking of her bangles and the beats of the bells of her anklets, his midnight orbs followed the moments till they got transfixed on her similar ones.

He raised his eyebrows when her feet didn't cease their moments until they were touching his. But soon, a smile tugged at his lips as she corrected the collar of his kurta.

Then amid the congenial silences, soft smiles and tender grazes of fingers they had their dry fruits and carrying their masks, they left after carrying their masks, wallet and phones.

Reaching outside the hotel, Karan and Monami took their seat in the cab which the former booked before stepping out. Soon, they found themselves crossing a few vehicles and occasional barks of dogs, courtesy of the early morning.

It was around quarter past 5 in the morning, when they first stepped in the premises of the sacred Harmandir Sahib a.k.a Golden Temple. The freshness of the morning breeze of November, mixed with the soothing hymn and the purity of the holy place, instilled a sense of tranquility within them.

Karan pulled out his white handkerchief and wrapped it around his head and Monami also adjusted the veil. Then, they walked towards the sarovar (the sacred pool) in the temple and washed their hands and feet and made their way inside, but not before pulling out their masks.

With joined hands and bowed heads, they approached the Guru Granth Sahib and kneeled down, before offering their prayers. They sat down for a while, listening to the hymns. Then, they made their way out in the kitchen to offer Seva.

(Seva- Sikhs perform sewa in a variety of ways, such as helping the sangat. and the local community. Many Sikhs perform much of their sewa by helping at the gurdwara. Literally, the 'doorway to the Guru'., including cleaning, washing dishes or serving in the langar. )

While Monami went ahead with the kitchen duties, Karan opted for washing the utensils. A lot of people did recognize Karan, but they did not invade his privacy, respecting that is at the place of serving the almighty.

After some time, keeping the time obligation and increasing public in the mind, they moved out, for their next destination but obviously, not before making a video call at home so that others can also have a glimpse of the Harmandir Sahib.

From there, they set out on their new destination. They visited the NGO, supported by both their fathers and many other retired officials. Not too long ago, Karan also joined their group and so did Monami. This NGO focused on the growth of young, underprivileged fellows, be it academic or non academic. This was one of a few NGO's among the country that they supported.

On their way, they stopped nearby a shop and Monami made a call to the person she contacted for a few things that they'll be taking. Once, everything was perfectly settled, they made no further delay.

After reaching the NGO, Nehmat, they first met the couple who is the in-charge of the place and got the stuff they got, noted down. It consisted of a few reading books, notebooks, stationery, some sports equipment and some snacks.

(Nehmat- blessings)

Nehmat was looking after 30 children, at present. They used to make a fair decision after collaborating with the orphanages and local slum children, after giving them a month full of various activities. In order for them to meet Karan and Monami, all were present; otherwise, a few would have gone back to their homes.

When they got out of the room to meet the little bubbles of happiness, Karan had pulled on his mask, yet again. Stepping in the room, they saw all the little goofballs, standing in discipline, making the couple smile.

When their in-charge informed them that Karan and Monami had come there to spend time with them, they got all excited. But when Karan revealed his face, some -hawws and gasps of wonder echoed in the room as a few of them identified Karan.

"Bhaiyaa, aap toh Yellow team mein khelte ho na IPL mein?" A kid around 8 years old asked, making Karan smile.

(Bhaiya, you play in yellow team in IPL, don't you?)

"Abbey, woh Yellow Team nahi CSK hai." A boy around 12, although smacked the back of his head, gently told.

(Ah Oh, it's not yellow Team, it is CSK.)

"Bhaiyaa, itne paas se aap ekdum mast lagte ho." Another 10 year girl told, in a complete fan boy voice.

(You look very handsome from up close, bhaiya.)

"Bhaiyaa, maine bhi aapko bat- ball khelte huey dekha hai TV par." A 6 year old boy said, showing that even he knew who Karan was.

(Bhaiya, even I have watched you play bat- ball on TV.)

"Lekin maine toh aapko Dairy Milk ke ad mein dekha hai." A 9 year girl said with confused expressions.

(But I have watched you in a Dairy Milk advertisement.)

A few more said a bit or a two about Karan while others just stood in curious silence. It was then, their guardian had to step up to make them calm down. She then asked each one to introduce them.

But, in between all these, the one who felt utmost level of raw love and pure affection was Karan. It was as if, he never knew he needed it, until he had it. He has to stay away from the game for another month and he was already away from it, since a last couple of days... no matter what anyone say, it tampers your spirit. So, a few words from the people who are honest with their feelings can legit cheer up the mood to another level.

All this while, while Karan felt a plethora of warmth hit him, Monami found herself in awe. It was obviously not the first time that she was seeing her man in this light, but it was so different from all the others. It was peaceful and to an extent, it did fill her up with a little pride.

"Bhaiyaa, yeh didi kaun hain?" A voice from the little heighted crowd, asked.

(Who is this didi, bhaiya?)

[Didi- A term for elder sister.]

"Aap bhi bhaiya ke jaise khelte ho?" The 6 year old asked.

(Do you also play like bhaiya?)

"Nahi, yeh aasmaan mein plane udaati hain, humari jaan ki bhi rakhsha karti hain aur humari jaan bhi saath leke udti hain."Karan was instant to talk about his wife, knowing she would probably talk, taking an eternity. Though the last part that escaped his lips, he had his eyes fixed on hers, and made her a little fuzzy.

"Oh, toh aap pilot hain didi? Accha, vaise yeh didi hain ya bhabhi?" The 12 year old boy from earlier asked with mischief.

(Oh, so are you a pilot, didi?) (By the way is she our sister or sister-in- law, bhaiya?)

Hearing him, Monami and Karan's eyes widened, as their ear tips got smeared with a heated hue. Coming back from the trance they were lost in, Monami nodded with a sweet smile.

Then gradually, they both began answering their questions and had their own satisfactory share of laughter and innocent teases, along with having a pizza party.

After that, naturally, an idea to play cricket was proposed and of course who would let this chance slip when they have a cricketer in house? So unanimously, two teams were formed between the senior most children; Avin and Riya, who were not more than 12 and 13 years old, respectively.

Riya, being the elder one, got the advantage of picking the first player and without a doubt, she went ahead with Karan and Avin too, picked Monami first and then the further team was distributed.

The kids along with the couple, moved out in the lawn. While the kids were setting up the field, Karan and Monami stood together, watching them. Monami adjusted her dupatta diagonally and made a secured knot of it, at one side of her waist.

Seeing her do so, Karan's countenance perked up. "You sure, you'll be able to manage?

"And you are asking this because?" Monami raised her brows.

"Officer Sahiba, balla chalana hai, plane nahi udana." Karan pulled his lower lip beneath his teeth, as he teased.

(Officer Sahiba, we have to use the bat and not fly the plane.)

"Aisa hai Kaptaan Sahab, bachpan mein gali mein aur bade hoke, regiment mein... Dono jagah thoda toh experience mujhe bhi hai." Monami gave him a side with a saccharine smile.

(What you don't know is the fact that Kaptaan Sahab, I've a bit of an experience form the gully cricket in childhood and a bit in the regiment.)

"Accha ji? Chalo phir yeh bhi dekh lete hain. Aapko thoda humare andaaz mein bhi dekh lein." Karan said with a smile and bopped her nose, before he minded his steps to become a kid in between kids.

(Is it so? Let's see how you'll look akin to me, in my role.)

The little game was a bang on. Since Karan was advised against running, he had managed to walk in between the wickets. It was also easier because there was hardly any distance of more the 7 steps for his long legs.

Also, Monami did manage to surprise him with her skills. It was a clumsy mix, but it was endearing. He had to admit, that she was looking like a patola with that bat in her grip, as she held it on her shoulder was a sight that his memory might never erase. He had to literally pat his heart for the abrupt dishevel in its beating.

Karan sat on the chair that was placed on the threshold of the backside. He had his elbows placed on his knees, while his fingers resting on one another set, as he stole the glances of Monami, giggling and chirping.

Monami was well aware of his charcoal orbs fixed on hers, because the tingle sin her insides and a heat that refused to leave her neck, clearly witnessed in the favor of his corollary on her.

She finally looked at him and with a smile intact on her visage; she widened her eyes and tilted her head. She then poked her tongue in almost an invisible moment, before tugging her lower lip in as she wiggled her eye brows, asking him to not to do, he was doing, to her.

Karan chortled, as he shook his head. He looked at the time on his watch before gesturing her and as she followed his actions, she bobbed her head in realization. Then, they both bid their adieus to everyone, with a promise to meet the next time they'll be in Amritsar.

It was around 1 in the noon, when they left. They arrived at the hotel and quickly took the bath. First went it Karan and till then Monami packed both their remaining stuff. And as Karan came out, she asked him to place the order for their lunch and in the meantime, she'll be done with her bathroom business.

They quickly had their lunch and checked out of their hotel and boarded the car they've booked for their further destination for the upcoming getaway from the rest of the chaotic world.

A new ambience of calmness, awaited them, not only on this car journey but even more to that. They've started to read in between the lines, to understand without looking at each other and to weave their moments of tranquility in the relentless clamor.

A blanket of warmth and pleasant blankness enveloped them in its embrace, both literally and metaphorically, as they rested their heads against each other, after having a rightful use of their energy!

•°•°•

@karan.shergill

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vedant _26 Bohot he pyaare darshan 🙏
|| barkha_shergill Sach mein 🙌

param.shergill Rab Rakha, chhotey 🙌

siddique_faizi ❤️

sid_g 🙏🙏

sanjana.21 Baba ji mehr kari 🙏

shergillboyfc_ He was in my cityyyy skdbisn. 😭

kshergill.fc Haaye, ek aisa Banda toh mai bhi deserve karti hoon 🤌😭

karanshergill.fc Baba ji humesha mehr banaye rakhe ❤️

•°•°

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6.1k+ words.

How was the chapter guys? Your honest opinion will be much awaited!

A word about the edit? Because I couldn't find anything relevant!

Also, it is a sincere request for all the readers to at least vote, if not comment. It's like I'm hardly getting even 10 percent of the effort I'm putting.

But this was for all those who've supported me throughout! Thank you for all the love, a big hug! 🫂

Much love,
Nehal.