This one is especially for those who wanted to read Karan's point of view on Monami!

P.s~ I would love to read inline comments too.

Happy reading!

                                |•|•|

December 2019

Resort

After some smacks, eye rolls and pulling each other’s hair, Monami and Sid were settled on the bed of his room and the latter one had already called his fiancée to his room so that all three of them can spend some time together before getting busy.

But before calling Sanjana, Sid made sure to rile up Monami to its very best using Karan’s name and dig in some deeper details before his fiancée could, so that he is the one who knows more. Well just because of these buffoonish antics of him he was rewarded with the name of Chirkut by Sanjana and Monami couldn’t agree more.

“Aye moti billi, bata na yaar yeh kya rukha sukha bata rahi hai tu? I’m sure there must be something that would add up the spice to your tasteless narration.” Sid said, not satisfied with the answers Monami gave.

(Hey you fat cat, how dryly you are telling me all this.)

"Bas kar na yaar, tabse ek he sawal pooch pooch ke dimag mat kharab kar. Aur vaise bhi mai aise kisi sawal ka jawab nahi de rahi jo mujhe baar baar repeat karna pade. Woh aayega na sham mein tab tu khud he mil kar pooch lena.” Monami rolled her eyes for the nth time in exasperation. Trust her best friend to drive her crazy.

(Stop it now, you are asking me the same question and irritating me. Moreover, I’m not answering any question which I’ll have to repeat again and again. As it is, when he’ll come in evening then you yourself meet him and ask him.)

“Of course, I will do that. He is in for a full fledged questioning from I, Ved and Sanju.” Sid voiced thoughtfully.

They were interrupted by the knock and Sidharth literally pushed Monami off the bed, towards door and sprawled for two seconds but got up when he received a nice hit on his knee from the said lady. They both knew who it will be on the door, so Sidharth sat up straight and Monami opened the door, revealing a beaming Sanjana whose radiance was so infectious that it made Monami to beam too.

The ladies took each other in a tight hug; with always calm Sanjana, except when in the company of these two people and screamed ecstatically, “Monuuuuu. Kaisi hai tu? Tujhe iss chirkut se milne ke fursat hai bas mujhse he na mil.”

(Monuuu. How are you? You have time to meet this imbecile but for me you don’t have any time right.)

Monami chuckled at how she was complaining to her while still not leaving her. “Sanjuu, meri jaan. Mai bilkul theek hoon. Aur baba, time he set nahi ho paa raha tha, phir tu bhi toh busy thi naa, aur vaise bhi I didn’t wanted to spoil your family time for I know how these few days matter to you.” She pulled back.

(Sanjuu, my life I’m absolutely fine. And dear our time was not matching and you were busy as well, right? Moreover, I didn’t want to...)

“You tell me, how have you been? And now that I’m here, we’ll be spending a lot of time in the midst of all the rituals and getting ready.” Monami said making Sanjana smile.

"Seriously Monu, getting ready? When you're the one least interested in this. No doubt same is the case this side too, but we have to dress up for a few days since I'm the bride and you're her sabse khaas yaar." Sanjana said making faces.

“Oh Deviyon, khade khade he saari baatein karoge kya, baith bhi jao ab aur batao kya khaoge, I’ll place order.”Sidharth chaffed and then again he pointed at Monami and said, “Aur tu, kamini mai koi salad order nahi karunga. Toh kuch aur he bolna. Oh and I won’t listen a NO too.” He passed her a sweet sarcastic smile to her and Sanjana chuckled while Monami did clearly not like it so she made whatever face.

(Oh ladies, you want to finish talking like this, standing? Come on sit down comfortably and tell me what will you eat, I’ll place the order.)(And you moron, I am not ordering any salad so you better say something else.)

“You are mad or what Sid, as it is I’ll be eating everything from henceforth, at least for this moment...” Monami started but was cut in between by Sanjana.

“Please ya Monu, we all know that how fantastic metabolism you have and as it is, wedding or not you’ll be found near the banks of FS tomorrow at sharp 4, so quit it.” Sanjana said as a matter of fact.

Monami couldn’t disagree with what her friend said and said her order to Sidharth, who collectively placed it. When he looked back after keeping the phone down, he found Monami typing something on the phone and caught the eyes of his fiancée next to her and they both knew what is supposed to be done. Well clearly unaware of this, Monami too kept her phone down and when she looked up she found her friends smiling creepily at her.

Monami raised her eyebrows, “Kya? Yeh aise itne ghatiya Prem Chopra type ke expressions kyu de rahe ho?” But when she realised something, she rolled her eyes with a huff, “Oh God. Not again. Don’t you two have any work? It’s your wedding for heaven’s sake.”

 (What? Why are you giving me these horrible expressions of Prem Chopra?)

“Come on Monu, acche se jaanti hoon, iss chirkut ne apni chirkutayi dikhayi hogi aur tujhse already question answer round khel liya hoga. Lekin mujhe yeh bhi pata hai ki abhi bhi bohot kuch hai jo tu hume ikathhe he batayegi.” Sanjana reasoned while taking a jibe at Sidharth who was looking nothing but smug. She then added with a bored face and quoting it with her fingers, “Because as you say, you can’t repeat.”

(Come on Monu, I very well know that this imbecile here must have shown his imbecility and must’ve played a round of question answer with you. But what I also know is, that there are still a lot of things that you must haven’t told so that you could tell us together.)

“Firstly, I agree that he is an imbecile. And secondly, why I omitted that, it's because it is not something in me that can go over and over and answer each of your same questions. So ask it lest you might suffer indigestion.” She breathed a long sigh.

Sid received the ordered breakfast and settled it in between them and eyed Sanjana as if asking her to start. They asked about the entirety of the last few days from her meeting with Karan, even though they have had a talk on phone. But then again, this conversation is more fruitful when done face to face.

After giving her honest answers, which she did not noticed but it the other two did was that how what she said was accompanied by a small smile plastered on the corner of her lips and a happy twinkle in her eyes. The couple exchanged a look that there was something more, something pleasant that will be taking place in the life of their best friend soon.

And well what kind of friends will they make if they did not tease their friend, so Sanjana asked, “This is all fine, but what about your meeting today, since you clearly said it’s not a date. How was it? Were there any locks or racing of heart beats or perhaps that “Kuch toh hua hai, kuch ho raha hai” feels?” Sidharth palmed his face and Monami rolled her eyes when Sanjana finished her last sentence.

“Sanju, iske saath rehte rehte tu bhi poori dramebaaz ho chuki hai and I don’t even know how the hell do you guys tolerate each other.” Monami sneakily tried to divert from the topic but how can her bro, aka Sid let her do so.

(Sanju, you’ve become a drama queen too, while staying with him.)

“Monu, bohot acche se jaanta hoon ki tu kya karne ki koshish kar rahi hai. In the past few days, you’ve only told us in brief about your meeting with him and stating what, that we’ll talk when we’ll meet because we are having our wedding in the next few days.”Sidharth said grimly, making Monami ignore his eyes. He gently kept the glass from her hands on the table beside him and held her hands in firm grip which finally made her look at him and said, “We are not forcing you t share, we just want to be there. I know that you won’t meet a person twice if you feel off in their presence, and you are meeting him, you went to meet him early in the morning when you clearly don’t like it, in your off days. So there must be something special about him na... we just want to know that bro. But if you don’t feel like, no one will force you.” Sidharth passed a smile at her and patted her head.

Sidharth was about to pull his hand back when Monami held it back and glanced at Sanjana once who only blinked her eyes in confirmation to what Sidharth said and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Monami inhaled a deep breath and started off, “You both know me too well for my own good.” She chuckled a bit before continuing, “You are right Sid, with Karan I feel that things are at ease and so am I. I don’t feel the constant rush which I feel in me, every time I’m not with you guys or Mumma- papa.” She paused.

“I don’t know how but unknowingly he says everything that I won’t expect and then I’m caught off guard, but not as in I’m uncomfortable. What makes him different is that he is not at all pretentious and even though I keep my guards up all the time, he literally knocks them by an inch every time we meet. He is a pure heart Sid and I am willing to give him a fair chance.” Monami simpered and as she looked at her friends, their faces looked jubilant too. Sidharth just palmed her face from both the sides and pulled her to his chest and kissed her crown fondly. He had a gut feeling about the two of them.

When he pulled back, Sanjana made no delay in embracing her best friend in a tight side hug muttering, “Yeh sunke bohot accha lag raha hai Monu, ek arse ke baad tumhe kisi ke baare mein itna baat karte huey suna hai. Ab toh intezaar nahi ho raha Mr. Cricketer se milne ka.” She teased in the end and Monami pulled back with a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

(This feels so good to hear, Monu. It’s been so long that we’ve heard you talk this long about someone. Now I can’t wait to meet Mr. Cricketer.)

“But Sid, you must be knowing na, that he is quite a known personality, so won’t it be a trouble for him to come here tonight and not get mobbed by the crowd.” Monami said, but the concern in her voice caught the attention of both the people sitting in the room.

“You see Ms Dubey, how our best friend is oh so concerned about the guy who is just a little more than a stranger to her. Not bad Monu.” Sidharth said looking at Sanjana who shared the same mischievous look like him and wiggled her eyebrows at Monami who rolled her eyes in pretence of not making it obvious.

“Shut up guys.” Was all Monami could mumble with an eye roll.

With this they spent some more time with each other and the ladies left for their rooms to get some rest before they’ll be called downstairs. Moreover, the bride and groom cannot roam around with dark circles for their own cocktail party tonight.

                             •°•°•°

Shergill's

After having lunch with teasing smiles and faces filled with mirth, Karan knocked on the door of his Bhai- Bhabhi and was welcomed in by Barkha who was folding the clothes.

“Arrey Karan aao na, baitho.” Barkha stacked her wardrobe and dusted and patted the wrinkles of the bed sheet before settling beside Karan.

(Hey Karan, come, sit.)

The moment Barkha sat and looked at her brother in law she immediately knew something was going on in his mind, and whenever Karan felt something deeply that it is creating a havoc or a wave in his mind, he always needed Barkha; to guide him, to understand him and more than that, just be with him.

Barkha kept her palm on his upper arm, that was a bit slouched and it made him look at her for which she blinked her eyes and he got the signal. Barkha leaned her back on the headrest of the bed and Karan lied down, keeping his head on her lap, to which she smiled gently and started caressing his head and hair in gentle strokes.

Karan basked in the feeling of the motherly warmth that his sister in law was providing him with. After his mother, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Karan indeed regarded her as a mother figure in his life.

“Kya hua baccha?” Barkha asked with a concern in her tone.

(What happened kiddo?)

“Bhabhi, aap toh jaante he ho ki mai aaj Monami se milne gaya tha.”Karan began and upped his eyes to meet Barkha’s to which she nodded and he got the signal to continue. “Bhabhi, maine unse kaha ki I want to be with her, as in I want to spend my future with her in it.” He sighed.

(Bhabhi you know that I went to meet Monami today.)(Bhabhi, I told her that...)

Barkha was surprised, yes, but not shocked, for she expected something like this from him, but not this soon though.

“Karan, have you really thought well over it? There is no rush.” Barkha wanted to make sure that this is not an impulsive decision. Although, she somewhere knew that Karan would never be reckless when it comes to decision making.

Karan nodded. “Haan Bhabhi. Bhabhi mujhe aapse kuch puchna tha. Jab Monami aur meri pehli mulakat hui, toh sabhi ne mujhse poocha ki mujhe kaisa laga, ya mai kya chahta hoon, lekin aapne nahi. Aisa kyu?”

(Yes Bhabhi. Bhabhi, I wanted to ask you something. After our first meeting, everyone excluding you asked me about how I’m feeling or what do I want. Why so?)

“Karan... kyuki mujhe pata tha ki agar tumhe theek nahi laga toh tum sabse pehle mujhe bataoge. Aur maine gaadi mein bhi tumhe mann he mann muskurate dekha tha, accha laga mujhe. Maine tumse isiliye  bhi nahi poocha kyuki mai chahti thi tum khud mere paas aao, jab tumhe khud aisa lage ki haan ab mujhe baat karni hai. I wanted to give you your space and time to figure out on your won about how your thoughts are processing and what are you feeling. I wanted you to deal with yourself first, and I also knew that you’ll come to me by yourself, and see here you are.” Barkha smiled at him and patted his head.

(Karan... I knew that if you won’t feel good then you would come to me straight and even that day, in the car I saw you smiling mildly, I felt good. I didn’t ask you because I wanted you to come to me when you feel that yes now I need to talk to her.)

“You know me so well na.” Karan chortled before beginning again, “Bhabhi I did dealt with all my emotions and this is why I am here.”

“Hmmm. So boliye devarji, aisa kya mil gaya aapko Monami mein ki aapne itne jaldi unhe yeh baat kehdi? I’m sure, there must be something.” Barkha teased him to which he slightly blushed and whined, “Bhabhiiii.”

(So my dear brother in law, what did you find so appealing in Monami that made you reach this decision so soon?)

“You know Bhabhi, there is a certain ease that comes with her. You know, it was her who started off with our conversation first and I was busy calming my nerves. When I think of it now, I now know that it is her presence that can make you feel so intimidated, yet it is so captivating. She doesn’t need a pretence she never fails to amuse me, every time we’re together.” Karan said with a fond smile, lost in his thoughts.

“Ahunn. Please care to elaborate more Mister. This is the first time I’m seeing you speak about a girl with this fondness. I’m intrigued.” Barkha was genuinely interested in knowing about Monami, because of Karan.

“You know there are times when I would ask something to her and she would reply me as if she’s on the field and when she’ll realise it, she would not meet my eyes for a few seconds. Although she keeps her guard up all the time, yet she never fakes it. I saw her guard a bit down today, when she told me in brief about how her life has been since she was a kid, till now. It is so refreshing to meet someone like her, who has been nothing except the unmatched level of determination and courage, yet there is a soul in her that craves for her family and family time. It is evident in her voice, even I’m not sure how I caught it, but it is the truth.” Karan shared his side of story.

“She literally looks like a primrose when she blushes, contradictory to her tough, unapproachable exterior. Somehow, I’ve come to like the fact, that even if it is in embarrassment or otherwise, the hue on her cheeks is somewhere because of me. She makes me want to just be there by her side and listen to even nothingness.” Karan finished and anybody could tell by his face that how innocently he is simpering while telling about the person he has hardly met.

Barkha was contented when she listened to Karan. She knew that Karan had chosen the right person for him. She had a talk with Atul and Param about Monami and to say, she was hoping them to be together.

“What did Monami said Karan? I’m sure you must’ve caught her off guard?” Barkha questioned.

Karan scrunched his nose and flicked his nose saying, “Yeah, it did. But I assured her that she can take her time and then tell me. But but, you know what? I’m having a positive intuition about it.” He smiled at last.

“Good. Now think before giving someone shocks like this. Also, I’m so looking forward to meet her tonight. And what I’m sure about is that you must be counting the minutes before you see her, isn’t it?” Barkha lightly bopped his shoulder and then teased.

Karan got up from her lap and rolled his eyes, muttering nonchalantly, “It’s nothing like that, but yes, I am looking forward for our meeting, for it will be one of the many of our experiences.” He admitted at last.

“Don’t worry I won’t pry much into your matter. Go take some rest and be ready by 7.” Barkha said.

“Bhabhi, but what about the crowd; I don’t want to be in the limelight and I want to enjoy this as any other would.” Karan put forward his apprehensions.

“Don’t worry about that, I and your Bhaiya will see to it. Now go and take a nap, otherwise you’ll end up looking like a sleep deprived ghost.” Barkha assured and shooed him.

Karan went back to his room and had a talk with Faizi for some time, promising him for the details later and slept with a smile plastered on his lips, unknown to him. He was indeed looking forward for the meeting, although he was acting all cool as a cucumber.

                       |~|~|~|~|

Huff! 3300+ words.

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