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January 2020

Mumbai

The Lalit

Isn't it rightly said that time is like wind, it literally flies. So was the case here, how quickly the year ended, December passed and now we are in the New Year with new resolutions, new beginnings, new challenges and for some people, it's about new life as well.

Everything went on smoothly; Monami was back on field as well as Karan. The families were on a spree too, for shopping, for finalizing, for arranging everything up to its best for the wedding that was supposed to be happening in the first week of February.

It was the day on which Karan and Monami were supposed to meet. Karan and Monami did not have any phonic conversation, but the said man had taken the initiative and wished Monami somewhere around 12 for the New Year's. But sadly, he was replied back the next day although at literally 4:15 in the morning. It was a very basic message yet it held a charm.

Karan had texted about his Hotel's address to Monami a week before and received the affirmation. He had asked her to give him a call once she was about to reach the hotel because he might skip the message.

Both of them knew that it would be their first call and more than that first meet after everything has been fixed, as would be husband and wife. They both were feeling jittery and warm with these new developments.

At last Monami reached there by 12:30 and gave Karan a call after taking a deep breath, while still sitting in her cab. After a few rings the call was received.

Inhaling a breath, Monami began, "Uh, Karan...?"

"Hey." He greeted before asking, "You're here?"

"Yeah, I am. Yet to get in though." Monami said looking at the grandeur of the hotel, from the other side of the road.

"Okay, great. I'll give a call at reception and they'll guide you further." He said and questioned, "Works?"

Karan knew he had to call at the reception and ask them to allow Monami to meet him. Since the Indian Cricket team was staying in here, it wasn't possible for any one just to barge in to meet them; they need to inform the staff so that the visitor will be granted an easy access.

"It does. I'll be there in two." Monami affirmed.

"Uh okay then." Karan said.

"Yeah." Monami said before hanging up.

Both of them exhaled in relief. Monami paid the cab driver and walked towards the hotel. She entered in and went in the direction of the reception and told them her name and the person she wanted to meet. The staff asked her to move towards the roof top restaurant and guided her towards the lift; she followed one of the staff people who was made to go with her.

She felt it was really thoughtful of Karan for setting their meet at a restaurant and not in his room.

Unbeknownst to her, one by one, Karan was untying the obscured strings that had kept her walls up.

Once Monami reached the rooftop, the staff member accompanying her directed towards the table and took his leave. Monami carefully looked at her surroundings and saw a man in front of her eyes with his back facing her, talking on the phone before taking a seat at the reserved table in a corner under the shed. She was looking for Karan and thought to give him a call when she saw the guy on call turning towards her and coming in her direction. There he was, Karan; in casual jeans and a full sleeves mustard pull over with a cap on his head . She took in his sight and appreciated his casual look. She stood up when he reached their table.

When he was finally in front of her, she didn't know what to say or to even initiate something first by herself. Seeing Monami stand for him, he had a small smile tugged up at the corners of his lips and gestured her to sit and himself grabbed a chair in front of her.

"Hey, how are you? How was the journey?" Karan initiated after a few seconds of silence. And well this awkwardness was bound to stay in between them because they rarely had a talk in these days and now when their marriage is on cards, they both feel a little nervous.

Monami simpered softly and nodded. "I'm good, and the journey was fine as well." She paused and then asked, "What about you? How have you been and how are your series going on?"

Karan too reciprocated the smile and told her, "I'm doing very well and the series are going smoothly too." He thought of something and then with hope completely masked in his voice he asked, "By the way, do you watch cricket?"

Monami looked at him for a couple of seconds before answering, "Not really. I mean when I was at the airbase, occasionally my fellow soldiers would watch it and I used to sit with them too, but off late I'm clueless."

Karan nodded and then they were approached by a waiter who asked them for their order and Karan looked at the lady in front of him and asked, "Why don't we order lunch?"

Monami agreed with him and they ordered for their afternoon meal which was almost the same, owing to their on field routine; filled with a lot of greens.

"Monami you said you have something to share, kya baat hai?" Karan asked looking at her.

(What is it?)

"Karan, since we both have consented to proceed with our alliance, I have to share something with you." Monami looked at him, taking a pause.

Karan furrowed his brows. "Is this related to your previous mission?"

Monami nodded. "Yes, something along the lines of it. If you remember, I've told you about my training program that I underwent for the period of approx 18 months." She stopped to read the pulled up expressions on Karan's face and if he remembered this conversation or not and he hummed in agreement.

Monami took the cue and proceeded, "So basically I'm a part of India's first "First Responder's Team". This is a unit which includes all the best and experienced officers from all the forces of Defence. We are a unit who have specially undergone a training to use the best of our skills and learn from others. This team is the one which has been made for the purpose of raising to the action first whenever there is any disturbance from the external or internal affairs. The mission we went on was our first official mission and now that we succeeded, the Prime Minister himself will disclose about it in the next two days, in his speech." Monami took a deep breath before continuing, "This is the reason Karan; why I'll be in rush for the next few months until I'm serving." She exhaled and then mumbled in a slow but clear voice, " You can still back out, if you wish to." Saying so, she looked away from his eyes before looking back in his.

Karan continued to look into her eyes without saying anything. She was unable to gauge anything from his reaction and at the same time all her senses were high on alert, feeling his eyes staring deep inside her depths.

A small smile broke out on his lips, "You know you never fail to amaze me. It actually makes me feel so proud to know that I'm being and will be with someone who is of such high values."

Karan was proud and it made Monami feel warm tingles all over and then there was this small curve into which her lips moulded and averted her eyes from him for a few seconds; this was the sight which was the most favourite of him.

He then frowned at said squarely to her, " And no, I am not having any second thoughts nor do I have any such wishes", to which she mumbled an Okay with agreement, making him smile and she again looked away from his constant gaze that was settled on her, giving a fuzzy rush to her beats.

Karan cleared his throat to have her attention back on him and wiggled his brows a bit playfully, "Accha ab apni team ka naam toh bata sakti ho na ya phir sabhi ke saath pata lagega mujhe bhi?"

(Okay, now at least can I get to know the name of the team or will I get to know about this with everyone else as well?)

"It's Eagles." She said softly.

While all this conversation was happening, Karan had made sure that no one would disturb them and as it is, they have talked in a very discreet manner, making sure that they are only audible to each other.

They were sitting in serene silence and Karan too his time to observe her, she was in a simple denim jeans and mint green top with her hair in a pony. She looked cute, he thought.

Karan broke the silence, "Uhm vaise tum yahan aayi hui ho toh mere friends se milogi? Mere team mates hain." He was looking at her hopefully; inwardly he wanted to spend some time with her before they directly meet at their wedding.

(Uhm, now since you're here only, will you meet my friends? They are my team mates.)

Monami agreed; it was only right if she too sees a part of Karan's life. No she did not feel it as an obligation, rather she was genuinely curious to look at his this side.

Karan was happy. "Great. But first we have to meet Faizi, warna woh saand mujhe seeng maarta phirega." He went on with the flow and when he realized what he just blurted, his eyes widened and Monami chuckled, she was tickled pink with the way he addressed about his best friend, as she recollected Faizi's name from their previous conversations. Karan's cheeks picked up the colour of tomatoes.

(But first we have to meet Faizi, otherwise that ox will be behind me, making me gore.)

"Okayyy fineee." He exaggerated and huffed, making Monami press her lips in a tight line and nod in agreement, disguising her face to not laugh at the man in front of her.

"Accha ek kaam karta hoon, Faizi ko idhar he bula leta hoon aur Koel ko bhi. Phir hum neeche chalenge." Karan suggested and she hummed before asking, "Koel?"

(Okay let me do a thing; I'll call Faizi here only and Koel too. Then we'll go down.)

"Koel is Faizi's wife." He cleared her confusion and tapped his phone, which was on the table and looked at her; she got the hint and nodded.

Karan excused himself and called Faizi.

"Sunn, upar rooftop par aa, Koel ko bhi le aana." Karan said as soon as Faizi picked up the call.

(Listen, come on the rooftop and bring Koel with you too.)

"Haan aate hain hai thodi der mein... Faizi began but was cut off by Karan who said, "Thodi der kuch nahi abhi aa, milwana hai tujhe kisi se."

(Okay, I'll be coming in some time...) (Not in some time, come right now. I have to introduce you to someone.)

"Kis'sey, kam se kam yeh toh bata de?" Faizi breathed in exasperation of his best friend who was time to time sneaking in some glances of the lady on the table.

(Who? At least tell me this.)

"Tu aa na yaar, befizool mein time waste mat kar. Okay bye." And he hanged up, making Faizi roll his eyes at his best friend.

(You straight away come; stop wasting my time in your nonsense.)

Karan dashed towards Monami and settled on his chair, "Sorry, did I take too much time?"

"No, don't worry." She passed him a smile.

"Faizi is coming in a couple of minutes." Karan informed.

Soon, they were interrupted by Faizi and Koel. The former was literally rolling his eyes at his best friend, without even looking at the company he is having and said, "Kya hai Karan, konsi aafat aarahi thi jo hume sukoon se lunch bhi nahi lene diya."

(What is it Karan, in what trouble have you landed yourself in that you didn't even let me had my lunch in peace.)

But Koel noticed Monami sitting opposite Karan and looking at the scene unfolding in front of her eyes with great amusement. She even patted her husband to get his attention and looked at Karan, hoping he will ask Faizi to see the lady who is sitting with them but who was she kidding? Karan was no less when it came to Faizi, "Oh rehne de Saand, tujhe khaane ke aage kabhi kuch nahi dikhta. Aur saale tu sirf tab nahi khata jab tu ya toh field pe hota hai ya gym mein. Bhukkad." Karan scoffed.

(Oh leave it you ox, you give a blind eye to everything in front of food; the only time you don't eat is either when you are on field or in the gym. Glutton.)

Koel literally face palmed herself and said in a bit loud voice, gritting her teeth with a sarcastically sweet smile plastered on her face, "Karan, Faizi. Stop it you two. We have a company."

Karan immediately realised that who was sitting with him and turned his neck towards her in apace. Monami got startled seeing him turning his neck towards her in a swift motion. He was looking cute with wide eyes and redness on his ears, with his mouth a bit open. Her chuckle brought him out of the trance he was in and he cleared his throat, straightening himself. He cursed himself in mind for literally fighting like a kid in front of her.

Meanwhile, Faizi too straightened himself and looked at his wife who was giving him the looks and clearly, she was not making an attempt to stop her smile. He just looked away from her gaze. He tousled his hair with his left hand and looked at Karan.

Faizi exhaled and tapped on Karan's shoulder. Karan turned and saw his best friend standing, giving him a look beside Koel. He stood up and Monami too.

Karan smiled and introduced Faizi, Koel and Monami to each other. They shook hands and Koel passed a smile and said, "Heard a lot about you, I wasn't expecting to meet you this soon but I am so happy I did."

Monami too reciprocated the favour and she couldn't figure out what to say so she simply said, "It's a pleasure meeting you."

"Hey, it's nice meeting you. This idiot didn't give out much about you, neither had he mentioned that you'll be here or else, we would have met rather decently." Faizi shook his hand with her and chuckled at the end and Karan was offended on being called an idiot.

Monami softly smiled and said, "Nice meeting you, too. Karan had mentioned about you." She remembered the incidents they shared. "And it's absolutely fine." She said for the free show they gave her.

Seeing them, the seating arrangement changed a bit and Karan and Koel sat on the adjacent chairs of Monami and Faizi in front. They had a bit of small talk and just like Karan had befriended her best friend, she tried her best to be at least make them her friends and it was not difficult as well, to some extent, Faizi was a lot like Sid too and Koel was a sweet sassy girl. They spent some time together and looked at her watch; it was around half past three. She is yet to meet rest of his teammates and leave around 5 too.

Karan saw her looking at her watch and understood, so he asked if they should proceed towards the lounging area, where the rest of the players must be, along with their families. And they made a move towards the same, after affirming.

All of them went downstairs towards the lounging area and they were not surprised to see it all in chaos. Karan greeted them in a bit loud voice and they replied in, "Hey captain" or "Hey Skip" or simply lazy "Hey's". Monami was a tiny bit surprised seeing all this, but then again what else can be expected from boys.

Karan shook his head and told them, "Hey listen here, I want you to meet some body", taking everyone's attention on him.

He then introduced Monami as his fiancée which spread a wave of surprised gasps in the room, for this was totally unexpected. Even Monami and Karan themselves were engulfed in the strange warmth when he said fiancée.

The moment he uttered the word, he unknowingly looked at Monami, who coincidentally looked at Karan too and they looked away from each other, or else their cheeks would have flared up enough for everyone to notice.

Everyone had a little chat with Monami and though it was way out of her comfort zone, to interact with so many people, in fact civilians at that, nonetheless she enjoyed it. Karan made sure to remind everyone that this news should not be out until he says. But one thing was prominent and unmissable and that was even though Monami maintained the calm demeanour, she never failed to demand attention when she spoke and the authority with which she spoke.

Soon it was the time when she had to leave and she glanced at Karan. Koel saw this and asked Karan and Monami to go, so that they could get some moments with each other before she leaves. Monami and Karan both looked gratefully at Koel who waved it off.

Karan and Monami fell in a pleasant smile and walked along side each other. They felt happy for this time for they knew that now it'll be the wedding festivities for which they'll meet. They got to know each other a little more, especially Monami. She saw how it was for Karan, on his professional front.

While they were walking, the back of their palms brushed against each other and Karan took the chance to entwine his pinky finger with hers. Sensing the movement, Monami stopped and peeked at him, he thought he made her uncomfortable and was about to disentangle it, but she tightened the hold. They choose to not speak anything about it.

When they finally reached the lobby of the hotel, they knew they have to go separate ways. They stood in front of each other and looked into each other's eyes.

"Bye, take care and message me once you reach." Karan said softly.

Monami nodded, "Bye, you too take care and good luck for your series."

Monami looked at their entangled fingers and Karan followed her gaze, unknowingly they both tightened the hold a bit before looking into each other's eyes and disentangling the fingers. Karan pocketed his palms and raised his shoulder a bit.

They looked at the surrounding and Monami's phone went off. It was from the cab driver. She looked at Karan and nodded, he returned the gesture too and Monami moved towards the exit and Karan went to his room too, after a few seconds.

Taking a step more in their relationship, Monami and Karan were slowly and steadily becoming a part of each other. Let's see how this couple will travel the road untraveled by them and make the journey more beautiful then its destination.

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3.2k+ words.

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