Keeping aside all the tension which lingered till the evening in everyone's mind, everyone had dinner with contentment, but something was bothering Karan. Though Karan has taken a stand for Monami, for her dreams but he still doesn't know anything about her feelings for him. Although, he hasn't done anything to get something in return but now his heart is really craving to hear what Monami feels, whether it is a yes or a no. 

After the dinner, Monami was going towards her room while twirling a strand of her hair on her finger with relief in her heart and a smile on her face. She was about to enter her room when a hand was pressed against her mouth and her eyes immediately widened as her heart fastened and she tried her best to wriggle out and scream. But the hold was so tight that she couldn't do anything and in the next moment, Monami found herself pinned to the nearby wall and a hard body being pressed against her timid, soft one. 

Monami had closed her eyes in fear and when the person who did so saw it, he immediately stepped back being worried for her and feeling a pang of guilt. Monami felt the hold getting loosened and eventually, the hand dropped from her mouth. She slowly opened her eyes with the left-over courage in her and was surprised to see Karan in front of her. 

Monami (shocked) - A..aap?! Aap kar kya rahe thhe?

Karan (looking down) - Shayad kuchh jawad jaanne aaya tha lekin shayad tumhe khafa kardiya. 

Monami knew what Karan was talking about and looked down as she felt some warmth in her chest. She kept her index finger beneath his chin and lifted his face, making his dark brown eyes met her hazel ones. Karan was surprised by this little initiation by Monami but gave her space to express what she wanted.

Monami - Khafa nahi hoon main, balki aapki shukr guzaar hoon, aapka bahot-bahot shukriya ki aaj apne mere sapne, meri padhai aur mujhe bacha liya! Pata nahi kaise chukaungi main aapka ye ehsaan?

Karan - Ehsaan nahi kiya maine tum par, bus..apne dil ko tutne se bacha liya. Monami, aaj agar tum uss Aneesh ki ho jaati na..to mujhe meri maa ki kasam, agle hi second vo Aneesh dharti ke 6 feet neeche milta!

At Karan's intense words, Monami chuckled instead of being amazed, making Karan smile in adoration. After a moment, Karan looked straight into Monami's orbs and was sure about what he wanted to do next.

Karan - Kahi chale?

Monami (confusedly) - Kaha?

Karan came a bit closer to Monami and whispered in her ear, making goosebumps arise on her skin due to the silent intensity in his voice.

Karan (in her ear) - Vahi..jaha apne dil ki har baat keh deti ho tum!

Listening Karan's words, Monami knew what he is talking about and immediately looked down, smiling shyly. Without making any noise, they tip-toed to the terrace and were greeted by a cold gush of air. They stood near the boundary, the same way they stood when Monami expressed her every desire and dream to him. Under the bright moonlight with prevailing darkness around, both Karan & Monami's skin glowed and cheeks shined due to the newfound feeling of attraction and liking.

Karan looked towards Monami and for a moment, he forgot every single thing. His identity, his self, his surroundings, his feelings, his mind went completely blank as he stared at Monami with eyes filled with pure love.

Itni Mohabbat Karo Na
Main Doob Na Jaaun Kahin
Wapas Kinare Pe Aana
Main Bhool Na Jaun Kahin

Sensing his intense gaze on herself, Monami turned towards Karan only to feel her cheeks growing warm under his love filled gaze. Monami cleared her throat making Karan come out of his Monami-land and she chuckled silently seeing him being a little embarrassed.

Monami - Kuchh kehna tha aapko?

Karan - Hmm..vo..ah..letter padha tumne?

Dekha Jabse Chehra Tera
Main To Hafton Se Soya Nahi

Karan's voice held some nervousness when he asked this question to Monami, surprising her, not by the question but by the hesitation he had. Though Monami already had an idea that he'll surely talk about the letter, so she nodded hesitantly, making him smile while looking the other side.

Karan - T..to...kya socha? I mean, tum kuchh kehna chahti ho?

Bol Do Na Zara
Dil Mein Jo Hai Chhipa
Main Kisi Se Kahunga Nahi

Monami - Aaj sab keh dena chahti hoon!

Now it was Monami who was staring intently at Karan with a hope of getting understood. Karan looked at Monami as her voice held vulnerability and he was more than eager to listen every bit of it and nodded at her.

Bol Do Na Zara
Dil Mein Jo Hai Chhipa
Main Kisi Se Kahunga Nahi
Main Kisi Se Kahunga Nahi

Monami took a deep breath as if gathering each and every pain and opinion of hers and stared straight into Karan's eyes.

Monami - Meri zindagi mein achhi cheezein bahot kam hoti hain! Jab paida hui to maa baap ne chhod diya, thankfully, uncle aunty ne apni beti samajhkar apnaya. Mera college bhi kuchh aasan nahi hai, sabko lagta hai main aapke ghar par kaam karti hoon, mujhe kuchh farak nahi padta usse lekin kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki...

Karan (desperately) - Kya lagta hai?

Monami - Lagta hai ki...kaash mere liye bhi uss upar wale ne kisi ko banaya hota. Kaash, koi hota jo..apni baahon mein leta aur main apne saare ghum bhul jati! Kaash..koi mujhse sacha pyaar karta!

Mujhe Neend Aati Nahi Hai Akele
Khawbon Mein Aaya Karo
Nahi Chal Sakunga Tumhare Bina Main
Mera Tum Sahaara Bano

Karan was stunned at this sudden outburst of her feelings. He knew that he she needed someone not because she was incomplete, but because she was too pure to exist. And for her, he wanted to be someone who can love her the way she wants.

Karan - Kya tum hume ek mauka nahi de sakti?

Ik Tumhein Chahne Ke Alawa
Aur Kuch Humse Hoga Nahi

Monami chuckled slightly and then looked straight into Karan's eyes as if not wanting to say anything but trying to convey everything through her eyes. Though he tried to understand every bit of it but there was a lot too much going in her eyes.

Bol Do Na Zara
Dil Mein Jo Hai Chhipa
Main Kisi Se Kahunga Nahi

Monami - Mauka? Main aapko chahne lagi hoon Karan ji..aap chaho to abhi maang bhardo!

Karan (cupping her face) - Shayad main jaanta hoon, magar ye bhi jaanta hoon ki kuchh aur baat bhi hai.

Bol Do Na Zara
Dil Mein Jo Hai Chhipa
Main Kisi Se Kahunga Nahi
Main Kisi Se Kahunga Nahi

Monami looked down and smiled slightly seeing how perfectly Karan is understanding her and she nodded her head looking at him. She kept her hand on his, which was already on her cheeks.

Monami - Mujhe pyaar karna hai! M..mujhe jeena hai pyaar kaise karte hain, mehsoos karna hai ki..kaisa lagta hai jab koi kisi se pyaar karta hai. Haan, main aapko pasand karti hoon aur jaanti hoon ki aap bhi karte hain! Main puri zindagi bita sakti hoon aapke saath, aap saath hote hain to mujhe achha lagta hai lekin jab aap aas-paas nahi honge, to mujhe vo khalipan mehsoos karna hai!

Humari Kami Tumko Mehsoos Hogi
Bheega Dengi Jab Baarishein
Main Bhar Kar Ke Laya Hu
Aankhon Mein Apni
Adhoori Si Kuch Khowahishein

Monami's words were really heavy and what she said was something maybe every girl once wanted to express. For a moment, even Karan was taken aback by what Monami's heart desired. Nothing fancy, all she wanted was pure love and the feel of living its purity.

Monami - Na koi taam-jhaam, na rishta-naata, na kisi bojh se, bus..pyaar karna hai! A..aur pyaar matlab, mann se..j..jism se nahi! (After a pause) Z..zyada to nahi m..maang rahi main? Aapse ya zindagi se?

Karan shook his head immediately, not wanting Monami to think that he has some other thoughts regarding her wishes. Karan lifted his right palm and kept on her head.

Karan (with passionate love) - Tumhari kasam khakar kehta hoon Monami..puri zindagi tumhe chhue bina kaat sakta hoon!

Rooh Se Chaahne Wale Aashiq
Baatein Jismon Ki Karte Nahi

Karan saw Monami's eyes widening slightly at his words as she never even imagined that a man who's in his prime age of having sexual desires to promise a woman whom he loves that he can easily live a lifetime without touching her.

Slowly, Karan's hand had fallen from Monami's head and cupped her cheek, pulling her out of her shocked trance. As if confirming from her eyes, Monami tilted her head towards Karan and reassuring her, he nodded his head with a wide smile and without wasting a second further, she was already in his arms, hugging him tight as if he has found what she was searching for.

Karan (wrapping his arms around her) - Tumhara har sapna, chahe doctor banne ka ho ya pyaar karne ka, abse mera bhi sapna hai! Pura to madam main karke rahunga!

With herself chuckling with glistening eyes, Monami snuggled her face in the crook of Karan's neck and while he kept caressing her head as he knows, since childhood, she must've seen a lot and now, he doesn't want anyone or anything to come in between him, her and her dreams.

Karan (still being in the hug) - So, Rani Sahiba, kya aap iss naacheez ke saath..kal ek date par chalengi?

Monami (pulling herself out from the hug) - Date? Hum dono? Aur Rani Sahiba?

Karan - Hanji, hum dono! Pyaar karte hain..ek date par to jaa hi sakte hain. Sirf tum, main aur khet! Aur haan, iss dil par ab sirf aapka raaj hai isliye..Rani Sahiba!

Monami was extremely surprised as for the first time, there was someone to whom she opened up, not about her dreams but also what she thrived, from herself and her life. Looking at him with admiration, Monami held Karan's hand in both of hers and squeezed it as she lacked words in front of him and maybe his love. 

The night subsided and they confessed whatever was in their heart under the same moon where some time ago, they stood as complete strangers. They resided to their respective beds with wide smiles lingering on their faces as their mind replayed whatever they conversated and Karan surely noted a few things he'd be doing for his 'Rani Sahiba' while Monami dozed off as she was eager for what will be coming the next morning. 

With curved lips, Monami woke up the next morning and as she was getting ready like she normally does, today, she had a spark in her eyes, the kohl seemed darker, her glow seemed brighter, and she seemed happier due to a very known reason. Adjusting the knot of her kurti and hurriedly stuffing some stationery in her bag, Monami descended the stairs hurriedly and saw Raghuveer on the breakfast table and Supriya walking out of the kitchen with something in her hand. 

Supriya - Aa gayi beta? Chalo, jaldi se ye dahi-cheeni khaa lo! Aaj exam hai na, achha-achha karke aana!

Both Monami and Raghuveer chuckled at how sweet Supriya's superstitions are and with a wide smile, Monami opened her mouth and accepted the dahi-cheeni fed by Supriya. Standing up from the table, Raghuveer came to her with keys of his car. 

Raghuveer - Beta, jaldi chalo, varna exam ke liye late ho jayenge. 

Supriya - Arre, aap kyu jayenge? Karan ko bhej dijiye na.

Listening to this one particular name, Monami looked down as if he's right there in front of her and a slight hew of warmth is what she felt in her heart. She knows that he must be sleeping as he must've slept late, recalling the conversation they had. Monami was about to spit out the truth of Karan's whereabout when she decided to hold back as it'll lead to several more questions.

Raghuveer - Karan ko? So raha hai vo nalayak!

Supriya shook her head and Raghuveer started the car and Monami left for her college but not before taking blessings of both. It was her first exam of the last semester of her medical college.

Reaching the college, she again took Raghuveer's blessings, to which he happily kept his hand over her head and Monami rushed inside and was on time.

After hours of writing, Monami finally submitted her exam sheet with satisfaction on her face as she was sure that she will score good in this exam. Today, her college hours weren't long as she was there just for the exam and so, when Monami walked out of the college premises with a few of her friends, they started to look for an auto to the village. 

But unexpectedly, a shining black Mercedes, comes in high speed and stops exactly in front of Monami & her friends, making each of them confused. But suddenly, Monami's lips twisted as she saw a dashing man coming out of that car, wearing a pair of sunglasses and dressed up in the hottest combo of black shirt and grey pants and very obviously, it was Karan!

Monami's friend leaned closer to Monami and pretended as if she's losing her consciousness looking at Karan. But without noticing her, Karan walked upto to Monami and passed a warm smile.

Karan - Chale?

Monami (smiling softly) - A..aap kyu lene aaye? Main aa jati.

Karan - Ah..vo kya hai na ki subah to main utha nahi tha to socha..I should compensate now!

Monami rolled her eyes dramatically but still smiled and the two of her friends looked at them with their jaws hung low. Karan noticed the two of them and then Monami's gaze too fell on them, and she closed their mouths, literally.

Kritika - Monami, ye tujhe jaante hain?

Monami - Hm..ye humare gao ke sarpanch ji ke bete hain, Karan ji. Main vahi rehti hoon na, to..achhi jaan pehchaan hai humari.

The friend nodded understanding every bit of what Monami said. But just 'jaan-pehchaan' as a title of their relationship, didn't seem good to Karan and he leaned closer to Monami's ear.

Karan (whispering) - Sirf jaan pehchaan?

Monami (whispering back) - Hm..inke saamne sirf vahi. Baaki, asliyat mein to aap bhi jaante hain, har rishte se badhkar hai ab humara rishta!

For a second, Karan was taken aback by what Monami said and happiness along with the giddiness of his first love ran in Karan's spine. Karan moved closer to her college mates who were standing in different groups at distances.

Karan - Haan, vaise jaan pehchaan to achhi hai kafi magar humari dosti bhi kafi gehri hai..care hai, concern hai or equality hai!

What Karan said was enough to silence the groups of boys and girls who used to and were still whispering shit about Monami and Karan's relationship and who used to think that she works for the Shergills.

Monami smiled as she understood why did Karan did so and shook her head. Karan went towards the car and opened the door of the car for Monami but as she looked at her friend, something striked her.

Monami - Suniye, hum meri dost ko chhodte hue jaa sakte hain?

Karan's eyes averted towards Monami's friend and he immediately nodded keeping in mind how scorching the sun is. Though he had many other plans but humanity first.

As the ladies stepped in,  Monami sat beside Karan while her friend at the back seat. Monami noticed that the smile that Karan had till now, has somewhat reduced and she understood who the reason is.

By an excuse of putting her seat belt, Monami leaned in closer towards Karan's ear and whispered something which he didn't expect.

Monami (whispering) - Kritika ka ghar paas mein hi hai, fir aap jaha chahe hum vaha chal sakte hain!

Bol Do Na Zara
Dil Mein Jo Hai Chhipa
Main Kisi Se Kahunga Nahi

Karan looked immediately towards Monami, and she straightened as if she said nothing and this made a sly smile crept on Karan's lips. With an appropriately high speed, he drove the car and so wanted Monami's friend's destination to arrive soon.

Kritika - Vaise Karan ji, aapko humari Monami kaisi lagti hai?

The two in the front looked surprised as if they're caught off guard and looked at Kritika through the mirror. Kritika immediately cleared her throat and thought to clear the awkwardness she created.

Kritika - Mera matlab tha ki aap log dost hain to...a..aap samajh rahe hain na?

Monami looked down and then peaked towards Karan and saw him being awkward while driving. She wished for the ride to Kritika's home end soon but for the meantime, Monami just nodded at her and although Kritika was unsatisfied by the answer, she decided to not to make things anymore and the rest of the way to Kritika's home was pitch silent. 

Soon, the much-awaited destination, Kritika's home arrived and as she stepped out and waved at Monami & Karan, wide smiles, which couldn't be hidden, crept on both of their faces and they drove off to nowhere but somewhere where they could feel themselves and their love. 

Bol Do Na Zara
Dil Mein Jo Hai Chhipa
Main Kisi Se Kahunga Nahi
Main Kisi Se Kahunga Nahi

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