Monami, who got shot accidentally by her boyfriend, Karan Shergill at the wedding in the village is all fine to go back to Parakram SAF from the hospital, but still very weak and a little upset. She helped Karan overcoming his guilt of shooting her accidentally and he's now all good about this fact. 

"Brooo..why are you sad? Ab to Walnut bhi gaye, ab kyu muh latka rakha hai?" Sid, who noticed some unusualness in his best friend's behavior when she took the injection without any fake cries and even took her medicines on her own, decided to question her again after several tries. 

Monami sighed and decided to open-up about her feelings in front of Sid. "Yahi to problem hai, Sid. Papa yaha se naraaz hokar gaye hain. He never wanted me to be a commando, anyhow he accepted it. Lekin jab Karan ne unke saamne meri itni care kari, he got to know about our relationship. Itna to mujhe pata tha ki vo hume accept nahi karenge lekin aise bina kuchh sunaye chale jaenge..it was all unexpected!"  Sid sighed at Monami's rant and slapped her forehead lightly. 

"Monuuu..kya tu bhi! Chhod na, Walnut ka to har baar ka hai. Abhi shaant hain, don't worry..jaldi koi hungama zaroor karenge. That's my assurance to you!" Sid winked at Monami playfully but was successful in his task of lifting up Monami's mood. She finally smiled at Sid's funny assurance about her father, and she nodded deeply. "Achha, where's Karan?" Monami asked Sid desperately, waiting for her boyfriend. Sid passed a teasing look to Monami to which she smacked his arm hard, and he chuckled looking at the red hew that formed on Monami's cheek.

"Karan bro, umm..sir to abhi apne ghar gaye hain. Vo chhoti billi bro (baby) ne bulaya tha, maybe for her Diwali shopping." Sid replied, receiving an understanding nod from Monami and both the best friends sat on the hospital bed with a thump to have a random conversation. 

On the other side, in a huge shopping mall, Karan & Baby were sitting ideally on one of the stools of some saree shops where Barkha was fondling with some sarees and couldn't decide which one to buy. They were getting bored and were staring at Barkha from the last 30 minutes. 

"Mumma, aur kitni der mein ek saree select karoge aap?" Baby asked having enough of her mother's confusion in choosing. 

"Bus 5 minute aur baby!" Barkha shouted back at the Chacha-Bhateeji duo. Listening to Barkha's sugar-coated voice and attempt of making them wait for some more time, Karan & Baby shared a look with each other with lifted eyebrows. "Aap pichhle aadhe ghante se 5 minute hi bol rahe ho Bhabhi! Aur kitni der?!", Karan stood up and blurted the fact and Barkha glared at him making Karan sit down again obediently. Indicating from her hands, Barkha called both Karan & Baby to her and both of them went to Barkha. 

"Baby, sachi-sachi batana ye saree mumma par kaisi lagegi?" Barkha asked Baby showing her a light blue saree, keeping it on her shoulder. "Meri mumma par to har cheez beautiful lagegi!" Barkha shook her head at Baby's cheesy reply and thought, "Bilkul apne baap par gayi hai!" 

Barkha handed over the saree to the shopkeeper and asked him to pack it. Karan and Baby took a breath of relief and thanked God that finally Barkha selected something after making them wait for hours.  

"Karan, main kya soch rahi thi..kyu na tu Monami ko diwali ke liye ghar le aaye?" Barkha said the statement casually but here Karan was elated. The thought of having his love at his home for Diwali, made his heart beat rapidly. But Baby's teasing look was enough to tell him that his reddened cheeks are very much evident for Barkha to catch their relationship and Karan quickly hid his over-excited expressions. Karan gulped and decided to ask Barkha the reason to bring Monami home, "K..kyu bhabhi? Monami ko ghar kyu?"

"Chachu, zyada bhi question mat karo. Pata chale mumma chachi ko ghar laane se mana hi karde." Karan shushed Baby who whispered this teasing statement in Karan's ear. 

Barkha noticed this whisper-conversation between Karan & Baby but decided to ignore because they wouldn't disclose it even if she asks. "Ek baat dekh Karan, Diwali week hai, sab celebrate karna chahte hain aur Monami apni family ko bhi to miss kar rahi hogi na. Upar se academy mein uski dhang se dekh-bhaal bhi nahi ho payegi, she's still not fine. Tu jakar use ghar le aana shaam ko. Humare saath rahegi to thoda achha feel karegi aur jaldi recover bhi kar payegi." Barkha, who has started considering Monami her younger sister after their first meet, genuinely cared for Monami and hence ordered Karan to bring Monami home. Karan nodded normally but deep down his heart, he was touched by Barkha's care for his Rani Sahiba and was also excited to celebrate their first Diwali together. 

Coming out of the saree store, the trio entered another store of suits and shararas and Barkha started looking some Diwali outfit for Baby. While Barkha was busy with Baby, Karan's eyes fell on a pink shimmery suit on the mannequin and started imagining how heavenly Monami would look if she wears this. Karan subconsciously moved towards that dress and imagined Monami standing in front of him wearing the same suit and smiling shyly at him. Seeing Monami's charming smile, Karan's lips too curved into a smile. Karan then imagined as if Monami is tapping on his shoulder. First slightly, then a little hard and then with the last and hardest tap, Karan came out of his imagination and saw Barkha standing beside him and looking at him as if he's an alien. He closed his eyes being embarrassed and started thinking of some excuse to make Barkha believe it. 

"Karan, kya hua? Tu aise pagalo ki tarah kyu muskura raha hai? Vo bhi iss suit ko dekhkar!" Barkha enquired Karan and his heart started racing at a faster rate but in fear of getting her doubted. But before Karan could say something to cover up his acts, Barkha herself stated what was in his mind, "Vaise..achha lag raha hai na ye suit? Monami par to bahot achha lagega!"

Karan's face instantly lightened up and he nodded with a big smile. "Haan haan, bhabhi! Le lete hain Monami ke liye!" Barkha started checking the quality and size of the dress and got it packed after Karan's confirmation. The shopping was all done and after all billings, Karan, Barkha and Baby came out of the mall with many-many bags being carried by Karan & Barkha and Baby being too engrossed in devouring her delicious ice-cream.

"Karan, ek kaam karte hain. Main aur Baby cab se ghar chale jaate hain aur tu Monami ko hospital se discharge karvane ke liye chala ja.", Barkha's statement was kinda making sense, but Karan's heart wasn't ready to let them go alone. "Nahi bhabhi, main aapko aur Baby ko pehle ghar chhodkar aata hoon, fir chala jaunga hospital." Being aware of Karan's over-caring nature towards his loved ones, Barkha smiled and lovingly caressed Karan's cheek. "Hum chale jaenge! Tu ja!" Barkha again said the same thing and Karan was about to reply in negligence but one glare from Barkha was enough to make him change his decision. He agreed and went in his jeep but not before booking a cab for Barkha & Baby and ensuring that they are comfortably seated, and Karan also took the cab driver's number.

On his way to the hospital, Karan was thinking how much Barkha cares for him. Not just being his sister-in-law or being like his brother, but she also shows her motherly love to Karan and showers on him the way she does on Baby. One more thought was making Karan excited was him taking Monami to Shergill house for the first time and that too as the love of his life. Being lost in Monami's thoughts, Karan didn't realize when he reached the City Hospital.

Karan was fast in his steps and desperate to meet Monami after just a few hours of being away. He was about to enter her room when he heard SiMi's conversation.

"Bro!! What do you mean by Karan sir Diwali nahi celebrate karte?! Aethist hain?" Sid enquired from Monami when they were having a conversation on Diwali and specially, her first Diwali with Karan. "Aethist to nahi hai but he told me once..Param bhaiya ka favourite festival hua karta tha Diwali and Karan aur Param bhaiya ki kafi yaade judi hain Diwali se. Param bhaiya ke baad se...Karan Diwali nahi manata!", Monami sighed thinking of Karan and his PTSD which is much improved by hers and God's grace but still whenever he misses his bhaiya, he isolates himself being drowned in the leftover guilt.

"Don't worry Siddharth, ab Rani Sahiba ka Khadoos Shergill Diwali manayega! Aur apni Rani Sahiba ke saath hi manayega!", Karan said entering in the room and surprised SiMi. Monami smiled widely at his presence and immediately hugged him tightly. Karan smiled and reciprocated the hug with equal intensity and love. Sid smiled admiringly at MoRan and just wished for their togetherness. Being in the hug & feeling each other, MoRan soon broke the hug and stood facing each other and staring directly into each other's soul conveying all the love. "Bros, aap log ek dusre ko dekhte hi rahoge kya?" said Sid being enough of the love-filled eyelock of MoRan before him. Monami & Karan immediately started to look here and there and that's when Karan realized why he's here. 

"Aapke liye ek good news hai, Rani Sahiba!", Karan being all happy and excited wanted to convey the reason of his happiness to his Rani Sahiba but before Monami could reply, Sid was fast enough and exclaimed before her,"Woahhh sirrr! I thought good news kabhi Monu sunaegi but yaha to aap hi...aur vo bhi itni jaldi! Kya baat hai!". Karan glared at Sid dangerously making him zip his mouth, while Monami blushed hard getting the meaning behind Sid's words. Monami controlled the increasing hew on her face somehow and questioned Karan through her eyes, who just smirked looking at the cherry-red cheeks. 

"Good news ye hai ki aaj Monami hospital se discharge ho sakti hai and...", Before Karan could complete, Sid being extremely excited hugged his Monu bro and started hooting. Karan shook his head being fed-up of Sid & Monami's childish behavior. "Cadet Siddharth Ganju, if you don't want to be punished right now then stand straight and let me finish first.", Karan's stern voice immediately made Sid stand straight just like how an obedient kid stands in front of his school teacher. Karan just warned Sid because the world knows he cannot dare to warn his Rani Sahiba.

"Ek aur good news hai! Bhabhi ne Monami ko ghar par bulaya hai, to celebrate this Diwali with us!", Monami's lips parted in surprise by the end of Karan's sentence and immediately flung into his arms being elated with happiness and excitement. Karan caressed her back with a wide smile because it's a big thing for both of them and especially Monami to be at her boyfriend's place and celebrate Diwali with his family. Sensing the needed privacy, Sid left the room but not before stroking his Monu bro's hair once.

Karan and Monami stayed like that feeling each other and all of a sudden, Karan hears some sobbings from Monami which shocked him the most. He immediately separated her from himself and saw tears in Monami's eyes and being worried, he instantly cupped her face. "Rani Sahiba, kya hua?! Nahi jaana ghar to koi baat nahi. Ro kyu rahi ho jaan?!", Karan asked in an extremely worried tone, wiping Monami's tears. "Ja..ana hai na mujhe tum..hare ghar! Bi..Bilkul jaana hai!" Monami replied still in a crying tone. "To ro kyu rahi ho tum?", Being obvious, Karan asked her again the reason behind her tears. 

"Karan, I never expected ki mumma ke baad main kabhi kisi ke saath as a family Diwali celebrate karungi. Mumma ke baad, Papa Diwali par humesha friends ke saath chale jaate thhe, leaving me alone. Main akeli hoti thi aur ek sirf Sid hota tha mere saath, to celebrate and share. Magar iss baar...iss baar main apne parivaar ke saath manaungi Diwali!" A fresh layer of tears again formed in Monami's eyes depicting the loneliness she felt in all these years and especially on festivities. Karan smiled as he heard Monami addressing his family as hers and again hugged her and she snuggled in his chest feeling the love and warmth. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and they both had to break the hug unwantedly. Karan opened the door and frowned realising that Sid is there and disturbed their moment.

"Ahm ahmm..I'm sorry guys. I didn't want to disturb your lovely moment but the receptionist gave me this", Sid teasingly apologized for his deed and showed Monami's discharge papers. Karan sighed and took the papers from him and started reading the description of medicines and about the timings.

"Rani Sahiba, main ye medicines lekar aata hoon neeche se. By that time, tum Siddharth ke saath apna samaan pack karlo, hum 10 minute mein nikalte hain." Monami nodded at Karan with a smile and Sid looked at Monami being confused. Karan took a few steps ahead but turned back again and said, "And Cadet Siddharth Ganju, it's your responsibility to look that she doesn't stresses on her wound much. One 'ouch' from her mouth and you'll be in hell! Mind it!" Karan warned Sid and Monami was amazed by the way he dared to threaten her bestfriend that too in front of her. Sid saluted him in being attention position as a agreement to his words.

As Karan went out, Sid moved a little near Monami and whispered in her ears, "Broooo! Your Khadoos Shergill is totally majnu for you!". Monami blushed like no before at Sid's words and fake glared at him. "Sid! Shut up! Will you?" Monami warned Sid and he keeps a finger on his lips.

Sid, ensuring that Monami doesn't bends much ending up stressing her waist wound, helps Monami packing all her goods in her bag. Also, all the teasing and interrogation happened in this span. As the stuffing got completed, Sid forcefully made Monami sit on the wheel chair and placed her Gappu on her lap. Sid then dragged Monami's wheel chair towards the parking lot where Karan was ready with his jeep. Kara opened the trunk and stuffed everything Sid was carrying all the way. Surprising Monami, Karan slided his one hand under Monami's waist and one under her hips and lifted her in his arms. Before his Rani Sahiba could utter something, Karan was fast enough to make her sit comfortably on the passenger seat beside the driver's one.

Sid chuckled seeing his Monu bro being treated with full of love and whispered a silent prayer for these love birds. "Chal bye bro, enjoy Diwali with your to-be family! Bye sir! Happy Diwali in advance!" Saying so, Sid waved his hand at Karan and Monami who were already inside the jeep. "HAPPY DIWALI!!!", MoRan replied back the heartfelt wish of Sid and drove off to their destination.

On their way to Shergill house, Monami and Karan were having a good quality time with each other. Karan was driving while enjoying the feeling of having his love beside him and keeping her head on his shoulder and Monami was just enjoying her Khadoos Shergill's crazifying cologne along with the evening cold wind brushing through her warm skin.

"Kya hua Rani Sahiba? Kya chal raha hai aapke dimaag mein?", Karan asked being curious seeing Monami thinking something deeply.

"Karan, aaj dhanteras hai, right?", Karan nodded and Monami too nodded being right. "Main to ye soch rahi thi ki main Bhabhi aur Baby ke liye kya gift lu? I'm going to meet them for the first time, kuchh to dena chahiye na." Monami described about her confusion to Karan and he looked at her in surprise.

"Rani Sahiba, aap koi gair nahi hain jise ghar mein aakar gift dene ki formality karni pade. I know Bhabhi ko abhi humare baare mein nahi pata, but main bahot jald bata dunga. So, no formalities!", Karan replied Monami in a determined and authorative tone making Monami look at him with utmost love.

I know Karan, I know I'm already family to you. But gifts dekar main koi formality nahi kar rahi, it's just a small token of love. So, Agent Shergill, aap koi nahi hote jo hum devrani-jethani ke beech aao! Understood?", Karan rolled his eyes back and nodded accepting his defeat in front of his girl. But deep down his heart, he was feeling blessed to have Monami as his partner who considers his family as hers and before everything.

In a span of 2 hours, Karan & Monami reached to their destination along with dozens of gifts Monami bought for Barkha & Baby after arguing a lot with Karan. She couldn't decide what to buy and what to not, so she ended up buying everything she liked for her soon to-be family. This act of hers was enough to irritate Karan as she was wasting a lot of time in deciding, making a sweet-sour argument start between the two. But their love made their grudges fade away soon.

Baby, who saw Karan parking the jeep from the window, shouted in excitement the moment she saw Monami stepping down. "Mummmaaaaaa!!! Dr. Girllll!!!!", Hearing Baby's scream Barkha opened the door and smiled seeing Monami and Karan coming. Baby ran towards Karan with full power and seeing her coming, Karan smiled and opened his arms to hug her. But...surprising everyone, Baby hugged Monami instead of Karan and Karan made a pout & Barkha tried controlling her chuckle seeing the scenario.

Monami lifted Baby in her arms and was about to hug her when Karan took Baby in his arms from Monami forcefully making both the girls whine. "Aeeeee!!!", Monami & Baby whined with shrinked eyebrows and Karan glared at both of them in return. "Kya 'aeee'?! Monami, tum doctor hi ho na ya farzi degree hai?! You are already hurt fir bhi Baby ko lift kar rahi ho. Neeche rakhkar bhi to hug ho sakta hai na?!", Karan scolded Monami but as it was for her good only, she didn't mind and muttered a sorry to him. 

But she soon realized that Karan didn't only scold the girlfriend Monami but also doubted Dr. Monami's Mahajan's degree and skills. That move irked her and ignited her anger. "How dare you? Mr. Karan Shergill, tum hote kaun ho meri doctorly skills par ungli uthane wale? I'm a well-trained doctor you know!", Monami said glaring directly in Karan's eyes with full rage and he was actually a bit scared by her sudden words but acted as a rock to save his image in front of Baby. Monami turned towards Barkha who was just getting entertained by the quarrel happening in front of her. Monami made a pity face, melting Barkha's heart. "Bhabhi, pata hai aapko..pure 10 saal lagte hain ek achha doctor banne mein, degree kamane mein. Aur iss insaan ne...iss insaan ne 10 second nahi lagaye meri degree par shaq karne mein!" Gathering all her acting skills, Monami played her card in front of Barkha and portrayed Karan as the guilty one in Barkha's court. Barkha chuckled and playfully twisted Karan's ear. Baby chuckled at her Chachu's bechara face, and the ladies went in leaving Mr. Bechara Shergill all alone. Oops! Not alone, with the shopping bags!

Karan entered the house and saw the scene he always dreamt of. Barkha, Baby and Monami sitting on the couch talking and laughing with all their hearts. He too joined them and took Baby in his lap and tickled her tummy a bit receiving the most soulful giggles from her. "Waah beta! Humesha to Chachu ko sabse pehle gale lagaya jaata tha, aaj Dr. Girl aa gayi to Chachu ko bhool gayi?!", Karan complained to Baby making Barkha & Monami share a smiling look. "Chachu, jab aapke liye Chachi khudse pehle hai, to mere liye bhi to aapse pehle Chachi honi chahiye!" Baby said in the most whispering and teasing voice, so that BarMi cannot hear her. Hearing her answer, Karan was amazed by her audacity of teasing a person who's more than 20 years elder than her. Her looked at her wide-eyed and she just giggled keeping her hand on her mouth looking at Karan's expressions.

"Monami, in Chacha-Bhateeji ki to ye secret talks chalti hi rehti hain. Tum chhodo inhe aur ye batao ki tum kya logi? Chai ya coffee? Thand badh gayi hai isliye tumhe kuchh thanda offer nahi kar rahi.", Barkha asked Monami getting up the couch and going towards the kitchen. Monami felt a very homely vibe from the Shergill house and the Shergills themselves. Barkha's hospitality and warmth made her feel very homely. Monami got up and held Barkha's hands and made her sit beside her. 

"It's ok, Bhabhi! Itni sab formalities ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe jab bhook lagegi tab main aapse khud keh dungi, infact apne aap le lungi, mehmaan thode hi hoon main! Aap to bus itna kijiye ki aap mere laye hue gifts accept kar lijiye.", Monami said pointing at the gifts and asked Karan to bring them. While bringing the bags to Barkha, Karan was feeling pity on himself and made a pout thinking something in his mind, "Abhi pati bana nahi aur abhi se apna coolie aur naukar samajhne lag gayi. Pati banne ke baad to na-jaane kya-kya samjhegi. Ye devrani-jethani ki team tujhpar bhari padne wali hai, Karan!"

Karan came and kept all the bags on the table in front of Monami with a thud and went to Baby's room along with Baby to play with her. Monami noticed that he's upset over something and thought to sort it out later. She picked up a few bags from the table and started showing some dresses and jewelry she bought for her. While the other bags had some fancy clothes, chocolates and toys for Baby. 

"Monami, iski kya zaroorat thi? Mujhe mana kardiya formality ke liye aur ye jo khud kar rahi ho uska kya?!", Barkha questioned Monami when she got to know how much Monami has brought. "Bhabhi, main parayi to hoon nahi jo aap mere laye gifts ko aise kar rahe ho. Aaj dhanteras hai, to aap bus accept kar lijiye! Aur el baat bataiye..agar Karan laata to bhi kya aap aise hi bolte?", Monami questioned Barkha and in flow-flow of words, she uttered something which was very serious. 

Though Barkha already considers Monami as a part of their family but she's still unknown of MoRan's actual relation. Barkha just thinks that Monami is Karan's best cadet and as she understands the whole family and their emotions so well, she's special too. But Barkha is unaware that this special cadet holds a special place in her Devar's heart. 

Barkha looked at Monami with a jolt and Monami too realizes what she uttered. Monami just laughs nervously and Barkha smirks as she has also gone through such times and is understanding things a bit. Suddenly, Baby called Barkha upstairs and as it was something necessary, Barkha had to go to Baby. But as Barkha was about to climb the stairs, she without turning back to Monami said, "By the way Monami, maine bhi na koi kachi goliyan nahi kheli!"

Getting the meaning behind Barkha's words, Monami just hid her face in her palms realizing what a great blunder she created and cursed herself. 

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Ps - Longest part ever written ~ 4067 words

Plus, hats off to the writers who write dialogues in this style. Bhai, meri to ek hi baari mein halat tight ho gayi. I tried this dialogue writing style for the first time, I hope aap sabko pasand aaye! Hihi!

If you want to see some specific scene or have any idea for this TS/FS, do tell!

Warning ⚠️- DON'T READ IT IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT OR YOU DON'T LIKE ME OR MY WRITING STYLE. NO NEED TO BASH ME, MY CHARACTER & NY FAMILY!