13 December 2019

It was around 10 am and the environment at both the places was somewhat similar, because all the residents sans Karan and Monami were high on hopes and were literally waiting for the said people to grace the living room with their presence and at least speak something about the date.

[The scenes will be in parallel in both the households.]

Karan and Monami both were coming from their room to the living room and were taken back with the looks that were waiting for them.

Monami/ Karan: Guys kya? Sab aise kya dekh raho?

(What is it guys? Why are you looking like this?)

"Beta kal dinner pe gaye they na, kaisa tha dinner?" Juhi initiated for Monami.

(You went for a dinner yesterday, how was it?)

Deepak and Vedant face-palmed themselves and Monami raised her eyebrows in the question.

"Dinner accha tha mumma, khaana bhi accha tha." Monami was also no less in answering what was asked.

(Dinner was good mumma, and the food as well.)

"Uhm. Hume pata hai tujhe ab tak toh samaj aa he gaya hoga. We all wanted to know how your date was." Deepak said, trying to sound stern.

(We know that by know you must’ve understood what we wanted to talk about.)

“It was good as well.” Monami replied with a straight face.

“Only good? Didn’t you enjoy it?” Vedant asked, not satisfied by the answer.

"Seedhe seedhe pucho kya puchna hai, yeh aise kya sawal puch rahe ho? Kyuki date se zyada I’m sure aapko isme interest hai ki mere Karan ko lekar kya khayal hai." Monami said narrowing her eyes in the end.

(Why are you beating around the bush, ask whatever you want to, straightforwardly. Because I’m sure that more than the date, you guys are interested in knowing my thoughts about Karan.)

"Accha, toh bata dey phir. Kaise lage tujhe Karan." It was Juhi who was who didn't hesitated in asking the direct question then.

(Is it so? Fine then tell us. How did you find Karan?)

And now this directness of her mother flustered her, although she was the one who asked for it. she cleared her throat and answered, "Uh. Uhm. You all know that it is difficult to form any opinion about a person that you might consider to spend your life with, in a mere time span of some odd 2-3 hours. But what’s easy to comprehend is whether the person is worth giving a chance or not, and I feel that yes... I-I am ready to give him that chance and see if there can be any US."

Just as she finished speaking, she was engulfed in a hug by Juhi and a clear smile could be seen on Deepak and Vedant’s faces as well. And Monami, well she was still a bit flustered.
When Juhi pulled back, she said, "Yeh sunke bohot accha laga beta. Haan hum jaante hain ki tune sirf ek mauka diya hai, yeh parakhne ka ki kya tum dono ek dusre ke saath apna future dekh sakte ho ya nahi, lekin tune is cheez ko sochne ke liye waqt liya...yehi sochkar mai bohot khush hoon."

(This is so good to hear. Yes, we know that you have just given a chance to it to size up whether you two can think of a future together or not, but the fact that you’ve decided to give it time...it makes me so happy.)

Monami smiled seeing the happiness that was twinkling in her mother’s eyes. She then looked up to her father who nodded in assurance and in a way that what she decided is not wrong and then she looked at Vedant who passed a toothy grin at her with a thumbs up, making her chuckle.

                            •°•°•°•

"Barkhurdar kal dinner pe jaane baad aapke haav bhav kuch badle se hain." Atul said, trying to be Stern.

(Mister, after going on a dinner your behaviour seems a bit different.)

And before Karan could say anything in his defence, Param jumped on to the opportunity to tease his younger sibling, saying ,"Haan papa, hume bhi gaadi mei kuch kahan bataya? Jab tak Monami thi tab tak bhaisahab ki nazre bahane dhoondh rahi thi unhe niharne ke aur unke jaane ka baad yeh apne mei he khoye hoye they."

(Yes papa, he didn’t even utter anything to us in the car. Till the time Monami was with us, his eyes refused move from her and after she left he was lost in himself.)

As if this was not enough, Barkha too jumped in saying, "Aur toh aur jab khoya hua bhi tha toh bhi muskura raha tha."

(Moreover, even when he was lost then too, he was smiling.)

Karan was getting embarrassed and his cheeks were the proving to be enough evidence to let people know that they were right and who would even back off from the chance to tease someone who is always on the other end of the tease game.

"Ah...Ahm. A...aisa kuch nahi hai." Karan said stammering, trying to be confident.

(It’s nothing like that.)

“Ab tum kehte ho toh hum maan lete hain.” Atul said, his voice was filled with mockery, before he turned serious and asked, “Karan, tum kal Monami se mile, kaisa laga beta tumhe uss sey milke? Tumne aapas mei jitni bhi baat kari, tujhe laga ki tujhe issey ek mauka dena chahiye?"

(Now if you say so, we’ll agree.)(Karan, you met Monami yesterday, how it was meeting her, son? How much ever you’ve talked, did you felt that you can give it a chance?)

"Papa, ek bohot lambe arse baat kisi aise insaan se mila jo mujhse itni alag bhi hain aur shayad kuch had tak ek jaisi bhi. Sirf 2-3 ghante hum saath they, lekin yeh batane ke liye kaafi hai ki mai issey mauka dena chahta hoon." Karan said truthfully.

(Papa, it’s after so long that I’ve met such a personality who is so different from me and perhaps, on some extent, she is quite similar to me. Albeit, I only got some 2-3 hours with her but it is enough for me to give this a chance.)

Barkha was elated with this news and she embraced Karan to her heart’s content and Param ruffled his hair.

When Barkha pulled back, Atul patted his shoulder and said, “You made me so happy Karan. But remember, there is no pressure, nothing. Do what your heart agrees for. But one thing I can assure you is that you will never regret this chance.” Saying so, he hugged Karan.

When Karan pulled back and saw everyone’s faces that were gleaming with happiness. But what no one knew was that this is just the beginning of endless happiness and countless memories that were waiting to be cherished.

                            •°•°•°•

Mahajan’s

It was around 4 in the evening when Juhi knocked on Monami’s door, when she heard a yes she went in. Monami who was reading a book sitting on her bed with her legs spread flat, looked up to see her mother and closed her book placing a bookmark in it. She kept the book aside and smiled at her mother, folding her legs.

"Arrey mumma, aap is waqt? Kuch kaam tha?" Monami questioned seeing Juhi at this time.

(Mumma, you here at this time? Do you have any work?)

"Haan, hai toh lekin agar tu free hai." Juhi said, settling on the bed infront of Monami.

(Yes, I do but only if you’re free.)

"Of course mumma, sirf book padh rahi thi... last chapter finish karna hai kal se pehle, kyuki kal se sid ki shaadi ki saari festivities start ho jayegi toh time he nahi milega. Aap batao na kya kaam hai?" Monami first clarified and then asked.

(Of course mumma, I was just reading the book... I wanted to finish the last chapter before tomorrow, since from the next day all the festivities of Sid’s wedding will begin and then I won’t get time. You say, what work do you have?)

"Toh bacche kyuki tune aur Karan, dono ne haan kahan hai is baat ko thoda aage badhane ke liye, toh Shergill’s dinner pe aa rahe hain aaj. Toh dinner banane mei help chaiye  tumhari. Kyuki Vedant office hai aur Deepak kisi kaam se bahar gaye hain." Juhi said slowly so as to not overwhelm her daughter.

(Kiddo, because you and Karan both have mutually agreed on taking a step more towards each other, Shergill’s are coming at our place for the dinner tonight. Hence, I need your help in making the supper because Vedant is in office and Deepak is out for some work.)

Monami was not at all prepared for this piece of information. She will meet Karan and his entire family again and that too within some hours from now. Hell, she was all fidgety as to what will they talk since that was the main motto, so that they can know each other. She was surprised with herself as to how effortlessly it came to her to take the first step and then to talk to Karan, for that long. Somehow she wanted to see that will it be the same level of comfort today as well. But suddenly she broke out from her reverie and paid attention to her mother.

"Oh." Monami whispered.

"Don’t worry its okay to feel all these jitters. Everything will go well.  Lekin tujhe Karan kaisa laga, yeh mai baad mei puchungi. Tu abhi sirf itna bata ki tu comfortable thi?" Juhi assured.

(What do you think about Karan is something I would ask later. For now, just tell me if you were and are comfortable with him?)

Monami held her mother’s hands and said, "Haan mumma. Okay now, aren’t we getting late? Kuch socha hai aapne ki dinner mei kya banaenge?"

(Yes mumma.)(Have you thought about what would we make for dinner?)

Juhi shook her head as if remembering the main task and said, "Haan socha hai ki..."
(Yes I thought to...)

With this both the mother and daughter made their way towards kitchen to make a meal for all the people, which was made with a lot of chatter and laughter. They were reminiscing their old days when they used to cook together. It was around 6:15 when they were almost done with the dinner when the doorbell rang. Juhi asked Monami to finish with the work and then change and come.

Juhi opened the door to come face to face with Vedant and Deepak. She ushered them in and was about to get water, when Monami came out of the kitchen with two glasses of water and offered them with a smile.

"Thank you beta." Deepak said with a tired smile, taking the glass.

"The living room is literally so aromatic with the flavours of food, I can’t wait to eat it to my heart’s content." Vedant said, already feeling hungry.

"Haan, once a bhukkad always a bukkad." Monami teased.

(Glutton.)

"Ab iss sey pehle tum dono shuru ho jao, Monu aur aap sab bhi, jaaiye yor change karke aaiye... Atul bhaisahab aur sab jane abhi thodi der mein aate he honge." Juhi said in finality.

(Now before you both start with your banter again, Monu and all of you quickly go and change.  Atul will be here in some time now.)

Not wanting to hear Juhi’s scolding’s, all quickly went towards their room and came after changing, sans Monami. Juhi instructed Vedant and Deepak to quickly align the sofas in the said manner and adjusted a few cushions.

In the meanwhile Monami was coming downstairs and at the same time the doorbell rang, fastening the heartbeats of her. Deepak went out and came back in with the sweet box in his hands and asked Vedant to keep it in the kitchen. Not seeing the one who will be here any moment, she took a nervous breath and went towards kitchen to have a glass of water to calm her fidgety self.

"Arrey Deepak, aapne phone kiya kab tak aayenge woh log?" Juhi enquired.

(Deepak, did you called them? When will they come?)

"Haan kiya thha bole bas..." Deepak began saying and was interrupted by the doorbell. He went towards the door, and came back after welcoming everyone in. He closed the door behind him and said to Juhi, ""Lo aa gaye."

(Yes I called, they said...) ( See they are here.)

After the necessary meet and greet of all the people except the two people who will be a couple soon, Karan greeted Atul and Deepak by touching their feet and Vedant with a hand shake. As he pulled back, his eyes were met with an alluring figure of Monami who was just setting a hairclip in her hair and again he was moved by her simplicity.

Monami was dressed up in a long white kurti having red thread work, with a side French braid, with a few equal long strands kissing her cheeks from both the ends. She did not have flicks or any fancy cut, because it was prohibited as per the rules.

As soon as Monami caught saw everyone and caught his eyes, she dropped her hands and blinked, while within the lock of his gaze. She noted that he carries formals really well, for both the times they've met, he was dressed in formals only.

Karan was dressed in a solid green Mandarin collared shirt, with folded sleeves and signature watch clasped on his wrist. He cleaned up really well.

{The attires are given in the end of the chapter.}

They swiftly broke the contact and slightly nodded at each other. Monami made a way to greet the rest of the Shergill’s . She too touched Atul’s feet and greeted Param and Barkha with a smile and baby with a ruffle on her hair making her pout a little.

All the family members were settled in the living room when Juhi stood up to bring water and light snacks, but Monami asked her to sit and she along with Vedant went to do the same task.

"Monu, Ved, leave all this and take Karan and younger clan with you. And Monu, there is still a lot of time left for the dinner, so you and Karan go and spend some time together." Deepak said in a soft yet loud voice.

As soon as Deepak finished, Karan and Monami looked at each other for a moment before standing up, followed by all the people that were supposed to move out of the living room.

The evening has just begun, and there is some spare time for our leads to spend with each let’s see how will their second meet go.

                        •~•~•~•~•

                         |~|~|~|~|

Truth to be told, I was disappointed with the response on the last chapter. But anyway, here is the update.

If you have anything to say about the story so far, I would love to hear it. I know that this story is a bit slow paced, but be assured there are a lot of MoRan scenes in the upcoming chapters.

Target is same, 20+ votes and 8+ comments. And this time no update till the target is met.
P.s~ Next one is already written.

Please, vote and comment.

Much love,
Nehal.