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Here's the next chapter.
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February 2020

Udaipur

Shergill's

How fast the night passes and the rotation of the earth brings us back in the morning, the part of the day which not many people appreciate. Some days, no matter how the lovely weather is, one just wants to sleep off, especially when its winter and given that you have some serious errands to run. This was exactly the way Karan was feeling. It was not that he didn't wanted to get back to his routine but simply because it was after long that he had spent this long, with family, in celebrations; because once he made his place in the Indian team, there was no going back. Gone were the days where he could simply take too many offs, but was he complaining? No; because he knew the struggle he did and the struggle that thousands of people like him face, to be where he is. So he valued the chance and he did not wanted to take it for granted, any day. Hence, when Monami woke him up, though he knew he had to be up, it was just his quilt which was not letting him go.

As per the way her body has grown accustomed to, Monami's sleep was broken even before her alarm rang, so she saw the time and since there were a couple of minutes to go before the blaring noise disrupts the peace, she took the time to turn and admire the sleeping human, who was facing her. She found herself seeing him in a different light, because of the kind of the person he was. So humble, so polite, with that childlike mischief and so grounded. Unbeknownst to her, each passing moment made her take one step close to him.

Sensing that she has spent a little too much time in her admiring session, her eyelashes fluttered and before the heat could manage to settle itself on her cheeks, she clumsily got up and silenced her alarm before it could turn the room into a clattering one, she did her morning prayer and then quickly throwing a glance at him and correcting his side of quilt, she made her way to washroom.

After Monami changed and came out post her morning business, she took small steps in the direction where her husband was sleeping. Though she was hesitant but she knew she has to do it because it is already quite late for her and moreover, he himself asked her to wake him after she is done. But as soon as she neared him, she got the flashback of last night but she shook her head to clear her mind and slowly shook him, whispering, "Karan."

Unlike many others, Karan could be woken up when someone calls his name twice or thrice in a decent voice pitch but definitely not the way in which his wife was whispering.

Monami cleared her throat and she shook him again and with a little raise in her voice, "Karan!"

Seeing his fluttering eyelids and the way his body twisted, Monami knew that he is going to wake up so she took a step back, to give him space.

Karan woke up and like he was used to, he stretched his arms and yawned before opening his eyes when his eyes took in his room, he saw his wife on his side and straightened up swiftly. He was not embarrassed but just a little flustered that his antics were seen by his wife on literally just the second day.

Karan remembered that he had to be up early today so that he could sneak in some extra minutes for his morning routine. Quickly getting up and folding the quilt, he told Monami, "I'll be back in 10", making her nod.

When he came out, the couple stealthily let their eyes check their spouse out, and they could feel the resemblance of one of those days when they've met each other before marriage at Fatehsagar lake.

Soon they descended down the stairs and since Karan was in front of Monami, naturally she was following him so when he stepped in the kitchen, a small frown covered her features but she kept mum. When Karan turned after entering, he asked her to wait and he filled in two bottles making her simper a little at his efforts.

When they both came out of the house quietly, Karan asked Monami, "Cycle se chalein?"

(Shall we take a bicycle?)

Monami raised her brows in confusion and then he shared the idea that they can cycle for a bit and then take a run where they were supposed to, making his wife nod.

The couple picked two bicycles, one of Karan and one of Param and tucked their bottles and they paddled till they reached their location. While paddling, there were a few instances where Monami was in front of Karan and all his eyes could focus on was the lady on the bicycle, riding in front of him. The early morning breeze playing with her hair, making her pony tail sway as per it's own will and he felt as if he could have a live replay of the same reality, over and over again.

Karan and Monami, cycled, took a good run, exercised and bonded over the same. Though they exercised in the gym which was earlier the just an empty room on the terrace of their home. Neither of two lacked energy and had a healthy fun completion amongst each other, but unfortunately, Karan lost in the push up challenge making him look at his wife in awe and sad pout; two different emotions at once.

Karan huffed, turning on his back still sprawled on the ground, with his palms on his chest, "I'm done." He looked at Monami who was still doing the push ups, "Tum bhi mat karo iss sey zyada, your limbs will pain."

(You should also not do more than this...)

Monami didn't know how to tell him that she was yet to do a little more and to make the matters worse; he had his head turned towards her, with his gaze settled on her face. "Uh, yeah. Bas thoda he hai ab."

(It's just a little remaining.)

She continued till she achieved what she wanted to and meanwhile he also moved on to his other work out sets. While doing the pull ups, Karan thought why not take a step more and establish a little more frankness between them and for that he had decided to do something that though she won't really like but then he'll get the chance to do what he wants to. They then did some skipping, something which Monami had no liking for.

"Umm, Karan, tum he kar lo na. I'm done and I'll wait till you are done." Monami tried to reason, but how could she forget that it was her own dutiful self that had disclosed this fact to Karan as to how she had to skip the rope in her morning drills.

(Karan, you only do it!)

Karan so wanted to laugh at the sweet adorable pout that her lips were moulded in and the eyes that tried to make him give in her demands but he stood rigid at his points. His hands were itching to pull her cheeks.

"Monami, come on. You only said na that this is a part of your routine... So I'm sure ki iske bina toh you won't be done." Karan feigned innocence.

Monami had no choice to begrudgingly follow what her husband said, though she was a tiny bit thankful that he coerced her into doing this.

Post this, after they caught hold of their harsh breaths and speeding pulse rate, they turned off the lights and moved out of the gym, with Karan bolting the door when Monami in almost whispered, "I don't like skipping rope."

But Karan, who wanted to hear the same, finally was happy to hear the same and took his bottom lip, his eyes twinkling because of the gleaming smile that was on his face and he turned his expressions a little normal before turning towards her and saying, "Isiliye itni chhoti reh gayi."

(That is the reason, you're so short.)

Monami had her mouth opened in an O, eyes wide and jaw dropped at what he said. Her wide eyes turned narrow when she saw what he was doing.

Karan just stood in front of her and animated with his hands to indicate their heights. Before Monami could speak something in her defence, he cheekily said, "Chalo ab jaldi chalte hain, breakfast ke baad mandir bhi chalna hai."

(Come on now, let's go for breakfast because post that we have to leave for temple as well.)

The couple quickly fell in steps alongside each other and after having a bath; Monami was the first one to go out of the room so she could help Barkha.

Monami and Barkha were having a great time at bonding and they both were happy as how this growth was steady and natural, without the awkwardness. Barkha was literally stepping into the shoes of an elder sister for Monami and the latter too, filled the void of a sibling. Since both the ladies were roughly of the same age, they had a lot in common and a lot new to learn too. Barkha also informed about their temple visit and for that Monami needed to deck herself up in a saree.

Post breakfast, all the Shergill's sans Monami and Karan, along with the Mahajan's as per the idea of Atul, thought to leave together and let the couple come together. They wanted to let the couple as much time as they could before Karan leaves and he will be leaving in the next three days.

Soon, all the people left and the couple was getting ready. Once Karan was dressed up, he left the space for his better half. But for Monami, it was not an easy task at all. She knew how to drape a saree, very well at that but silk organza material was not her cup of tea, but since this was gifted by Barkha, she didn't wanted to look for other options.

Karan knocked on the door of the closet when there was no noise from inside since last quarter of minutes. "Monami, kitni der?"

(How much more time, Monami?)

Monami huffed in exasperation and exhaustion. She looked at the material spread around her and in her hands as she heard the knock. She knew she had no other option than to ask for Karan's help and also because only he was available.

"Uh Karan... I need your help."

Monami's bashful cheeks gave it away.

Karan straightened on the door when he heard her and he literally scrammed his thoughts as to what help she might need him for, but quickly shooing away all the baseless thoughts, he asked her, "Haan, bolo na."

(Yes, say it.)

"Uh..." Monami fumbled. "Can you please come in?" Karan was taken aback but he quickly composed himself and exhaled a deep breath and his fist travelled from his side up to the door for two times before knocked on it.

Monami took in a deep breath before opening the door and peeking her head from behind before slowly widening the door to make space for Karan. Karan slowly stepped in and then his eyes rose quizzically in her direction before he took in her look in a messily draped up saree and the open pallu covering her bare arms, like a shawl. Monami's fidgety fingers caught his attention and he looked up in a second when he heard her speak, "Can you help me with the pleats?" Her voice was not more than a whisper and her cheeks were enough evidence of her coyness.

"Lekin mujhe nahi aata.." Karan's hands started getting a little clammy. "But you tell me and I'll follow."Karan added after a couple of seconds.

(But I don't know how to!)

Then as per Monami's instructions, Karan went on his knee and arranged and held the bottom part of the saree while she tucked the neatly done pleats in her underskirt.

While tucking in, she bent a little and somehow he for the first time raised his head up and their gazes clashed when Monami just tilted his head. Their eyes didn't left each other's until Karan's phone went off making them come out of the world they were lost in. Getting back on his feet, Karan nodded at her and stepped out of the closet, shutting the door behind him.

Once the door was locked, both exhaled a deep sigh and Karan got no time to recover from this because of his phone so he just took his phone and went in the balcony. While Monami kept her palm on her heart which was beating at a wild pace. Shaking her head after a good minute, she corrected her appearance and stepped out of the closet and at the same time Karan came in too. Raking their eyes at each other's well dressed figures, they appreciated mentally and with a quick nod, they stepped out of the room.

Their car ride and the worship in the temple went smoothly and they discovered a lot more about each other. While sitting under the tree, waiting for their Prasad, Monami saw Karan's eyes time and again going towards the direction in which the priest went to bring their Prasad. If anything, Monami could literally see the childlike spark in his eyes.

"Tumhe Prasad itna pasand hai?" Monami could not resist herself from asking, catching Karan's attention towards her.

(Do you like the offering so much?)

"This is one among those few temples which serves the best Prasad you can ask for." Karan was gleaming in ecstasy.

Monami chuckled, "I'm sure!"

Karan raised his one brow and slowly entwined the pinky finger of his left hand with her right pinky finger and brought it on his lap and with a very soft yet firm tug, and pulled her close to him, making her breath hitch.

All this while, he didn't let his eyes roam anywhere except her face which was in the direction of their entwined fingers ever since he grabbed hers; her cheeks covering themselves in a very sweet crimson hue. Since she was not prepared for the tug, majorly because of her attention on their tangled fingers, she leaned in his direction with a distance not so decent.

"Tum mujh par has rahi thi?" Karan's voice was turned a bit husky, he was just teasing her, partly because he discovered recently that he gets a lot of satisfaction in doing so and partly because he just wants themselves to be close enough with each other so that the awkwardness dissipates itself from between them and they become slightly more closer before their respective departures; a word that left an unpleasant taste on his tongue.

(So, you were laughing at me?)

"Karan!" Monami whisper shrieked at his move.

"Hmm?" Karan hummed, clearly enjoying her fidgety state but even his heart was not a step behind in running a marathon. He stealthily loosened his grip on her, so as to not make her feel even an ounce of discomfort.

"Yeh m-mandir hai Karan. K-kya kar rahe ho? Ch-chhodo mujhe, aur a-agar kisine hume dekh liya toh?" Monami probably first time in the past few years stuttered, and he found her reaction adorable as well as amusing; amusing because she was so lost in making feeble attempts that she didn't even noticed when his hold loosened to the extent that she could simply withdraw her hand.

(This is t-temple, Karan. W-what are you doing? L-leave me and what if s-someone saw us?)

"Kya bolenge?"Karan raised his brows, making her look at him with an embarrassed frown on her visage, he then continued after a few tender brushes of his thumb on her fisted fingers, "Yahi ki kitna pyara sa naya joda hai."

(What will they say?) (They'll only say that how beautiful this new couple is.)

Monami rapidly blinked her eyes before slightly shaking her head at his tease, though her cheeks refused to leave the colours and after letting her eyes roam everywhere except him, she finally looked at his face which had a grin plastered on his lips that were tucked in his teeth to stop the full blown smile from coming out at the lady in front of him and his eyes that were gleaming with mirth. "K-Karan, Ved aur Bhaiya isi taraf aa rahe hain, please chhoro na."

(K-Karan, Ved and Bhaiya are coming in this direction only, please let me go.)

"Lekin mai kaise chhoru?" Karan feigned innocence, making her look at him quizzically. Holding back his smile he raised their hands and said, "Kyuki pakda toh tumne hai."

(But how can I leave?) (Because it is you, who has held it.")

Monami opened and closed her mouth a few times before pulling her hand wordlessly and looked away from him, making him chuckle at his Officer Sahiba, a name he has taken a sweet liking, for addressing her with.

Soon Vedant and Param reached them and Vedant passed a cheeky smile with wiggling eyebrows in his sister's direction, making her cheeks grow warm again knowing his eyes didn't failed to witness the little act that conspired in between the couple.

All the four siblings started walking together where they were supposed to go. Vedant purposely slowed down his and his elder sibling's pace making the latter one look at him questioningly.

"Di, kamse kam jagah ka he dhyaan rakh liya karo thoda ya phir jeej ki aankho ne kiya koi haseen sitam." Vedant dramatically teased Monami, earning a jab of his sister's elbow on his ribs.

(Di, you could have at least kept a tab of the place you are at or were you so lost in jeej's eyes.)

"Chup kar." Monami scowled at Vedant.

Loosely flinging his arm around Monami's shoulders making her look at him with a glare that made Vedant chuckle, the sibling duo made their way towards the other members of the family and Monami smiled seeing Karan sitting near Juhi and having his Prasad.

All of them sat there for some time and asked the boys to click some pictures, especially Vedant and Karan since they got their hands on it. The duo shared a sigh before clicking the ladies and some couple pictures. Vedant purposely made Karan click his wife's pictures when Barkha emphasised on getting Monami clicked. Since Monami didn't like the spotlight and thanks to Karan's sneaky unmoving gaze on her that made her body feel the tingles, she after a couple of snapshots said that she was done.

Karan smiled at the idea of having first hand and exclusive clicks of his wife on his phone.

Then Vedant and Barkha made the new couple pose together and asked them to stand close to each other. Karan made sure to keep his hands fixated at her shoulders only, not wanting to make his wife overwhelmed. Just in time, when Vedant and Barkha were seeing the pictures Karan leaned towards Monami's ears, making his breath fan her ear and cheek and making her heart skip a few beats. Karan whispered, "You've wore heals na?"

Monami confusedly looked at him, maintaining a distance between their faces and nodded to which he teased, "Tabhi lambi lag rahi ho."

(That's why you seem tall.)

Monami looked at him with a jaw dropped expressions and seeing his lips curving into a smile, Monami shook her head and her lips too reflected the grin that was placed on his. The couple were in their own bubble laughing at this, with their heads bent in each other's direction.

All this while Vedant got some really cute clicks of the now laughing couple and the best one was with them laughing, looking in each other's eyes.

Soon, all of them left the temple and with a movie night plan at Shergill's, Mahajan's bid an adieu and the rest of the Shergills went with Monami and Karan.

The rest of the day was literally like the flowing sand from the fist, it rolled in real fast. Monami and Barkha prepared some food and some were ordered, then when baby came, she had her own share of fun with her Chachu and Chachi and Karan picked Param in the evening and the duo went out to bring some pickups.

When Mahajan's came, it was a bittersweet moment for them to see their girl settle in so well at this place and all of them had a great time with each other with some harmless fun, mirthful teasing and all in all raw, unfiltered joy and vibes.

Everyone were so tired that they legit called it a day and slept and the couple again decided to follow their same routine and so that they follow it without any laziness, they too allowed the sleep to consume them in once they rested their eyelids calmly.

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3.5k+ words.

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Nehal.