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March 2020

Pune

Indian Defence station, Indian Air Force

Quarter No. 15

At times, life throws lemons at us in varied forms of situations, making them complicated, as are we supposed to make lemonade out of it or simply allow our loose fist to dump it in the fridge! These uncalled, unexpected circumstances fog up our mind with the perplexity of whether to be happy or make a fuss as to how dubious the entire scenario is. These are those seldom moments, when going with the flow is rather incomprehensible but the only option to make peace with.

The feeling was no different from what Karan and Monami were undergoing through. After a joyous time together, in each other's presence, celebrating the festival and their gradually developing intimacy, albeit with a heavy and unwilling heart, Karan was all set to leave. But a sudden announcement by the Minister of the country, declaring a nationwide lockdown for the next 21 days, left them startled. They were definitely not unknown to the alarming growth rate of the deadly Coronavirus, now also known as Covid-19, which was on the verge of being proclaimed as a Pandemic.

When Karan was all ready to leave the confinement of the place he had come to call as his home as well, he got a call from Faizi while he was wearing his shoes. He frowned looking at it and then looked at his wife who raised her brows in question. Karan just shrugged his shoulders, before answering, "Haan bol Faizi, iss time pe call kiya tune? Sab theek toh hai?"

(You called me at this hour. is everything alright, Faizi?)

"Karan aaj raat 12 baje se lockdown lag raha hai, aur..." Faizi could not complete as Karan intervened.

(Karan, lockdown has been imposed from midnight 12 and...)

"What the hell, Faizi? Who told you this?" Karan was caught off guard.

"Bro, this is in the news since the last half an hour and just then it clicked me that you had your flight scheduled for today, so I called you. Dekh ek baar tu news dekh le phir make a decision." Faizi briefed Karan.

(Look first you watch the news and then make a decision.)

Karan felt numb for a couple of seconds and he ran his fingers through his hair, after pulling the cap away, messing them up. "Karan, kya hua?" He turned to look at his wife, who was looking at him in confusion.

(What happened, Karan?)

"Monami, please switch on the TV, open the news channel." Monami did, as asked.

It was then they saw the news that flashed about the lockdown that was to be assumed from midnight 12 from the ongoing day. Everything happened so promptly that they both didn't even got a chance to take all in.

Quickly making a calculation of the possibilities, along with pros and cons, Monami came to a conclusion and shifted near Karan before placing her hand on his shoulder. "Karan, I think it's the best if you don't leave today..."

"Monami, are you out of your mind? Do you even know what you are saying?" This was the first time Karan lost his control in front of his wife and almost screamed, making her fingers tremble.

"I know what I am saying, but just listen..." Monami knew she had to be calm.

"Is it so? Then kindly tell me how it will not jeopardize anything?" Karan was frustrated; this was like a googly he was not rehearsed for.

Monami heaved a deep sigh, she knew that Karan just needed to regain his composure and she was sure he would be able to think more clearly.

"Accha ab please shaant ho jao, aur meri baat sunlo ek bar." Monami said softly and hesitantly cupped his cheek, making him look at her, making sure to maintain eye contact. She raised her left hand to grip his forearm and continued, "Dekho tum khud he socho, is situation mein tumhara jaana kaise theek hoga?"

(Hey, please calm down and listen to me once?) (Please think about it once, will it be the right thing to do, for you to leave amidst this situation?)

But before Karan could utter a word, his phone went off, again. Monami's eyes fell on the screen that highlighted Atul's name on it and withdrew her hand from her cheek and saw him flicking his nose before answering the call, "Haan papa, haan dekhi news maine abhi." He made eye contact with his wife.

(Yes papa. Yes, we saw the news.)

Monami took a step back and loosened his grip on his forearm and was about to pull it back. After listening to what Atul said, Karan turned on the speaker and notified the former about the same. "Haan papa, Monami bhi yahi keh rahi thi."

(Yes papa, Monami was also saying the same.)

Monami's eyes furrowed in puzzlement and ignoring her looks, Karan dragged them both on the sofa and after she got settled on it, he rested his weight on the armrest of the same.

"Baccho dekho, tumne news toh dekhi he hai, aise mein waajib toh yahi rahega ki Karan, tum Monami ke saath udhar he ruko." Atul said from the other end.

(Look kids, you both must have watched the news and given to the same, the most appropriate thing to do in this case would be you staying with Monami.)

"Lekin papa..." Karan sighed.

(But papa...)

"Dekho Karan, tum bhi jaante ho ki virus ki wajah se tumhari team mein bhi 2 jane already infect ho chuke hain. Moreover, seeing the condition and even more after the announcement, a huge crowd of public will try to travel back and forth, which will be nothing but disastrously alarming. Also, we are not enforced by any such grave sitch that requires you to travel this urgently." Atul paused before continuing, "And as it is, you are already home, with Monami and in fact, more safe."

(See Karan, even you are aware of this that two of your team mates are already infected with this virus.)

Once Atul finished speaking, silence crawled in and the couple looked at each other blankly, when the former disrupted the quietude gaining Monami's attention, "Monami, would it be a problem if Karan stays there, given it is such a short period of notice."

Monami averted her eyes from her husband and then assured, "No papa, it shouldn't be. But no worries, I'll handle it beforehand only."

Karan felt the pangs of guilt kick in his system over the way he behaved with her, so impulsively. He now, with a calm mind realised what all she was trying to convey and he blasted on her.

Soon enough, Atul hung up the call and Monami and Karan continued to sit in silence, occasionally glancing around the floor or the walls of the room.

Monami felt that she should give Karan some space and hence she stood up from the sofa and took a step, but Karan grabbed her wrist in midway and tugged her towards him, erasing the drawn distance between them, unintentionally making her stand just in between the space created by his legs and squinted his eyes with a blink and mouthed a sorry to her, making a small smile mark its way on the corners of her lips and shook her head as to say that it was okay.

Their closeness had to take a break when Monami's mobile went off, but since her wrist was in Karan's hold, she unknowingly leaned on the sofa, letting the hair from her pony sweep off, on his extended forearm and making him inhale her sweet fragrance. Just as she pulled back, after actually picking up the call, she stepped back making Karan exhale a sigh and gulp inwardly. This is so not the right time, Karan schooled his inner self.

It was Juhi on the call. After some rushed greetings, she asked her daughter, "Baccha, Karan nikal gaya kya?"

(Kiddo, has Karan left?)

Monami upped her lashes to look at her spouse, making his brows rise in question, just as she answered, "Nahi mumma, yahi pe hai. Aur..."

(No mumma, he is here only. And...)

What was this even happening? Monami frowned; being interrupted for the umpteenth time in the last few minutes itself. "It's great then. Please ask him to stay with you only." Monami turned on the speaker and heard her mother continue, "As it is, it is not safe for him to travel..."

Karan smiled fondly at the care of his mother and said softly, "Maa, nahi jaa raha hoon kahin, don't worry. Yahin par hoon, khud bhi yahin rahunga aur apni biwi ko bhi kahin jaane nahi doonga." He spoke the last part with a hint of tease in his voice, making Juhi chuckle and Monami smack his upper arm playfully.

(Maa, I'm not going anywhere, don't worry. I'm here only and will stay here as well and I won't let my wife go anywhere else too.)

The call did not last for more than a few minutes after Deepak joined in too. The early and late afternoon were spent in answering the worried phone calls and assuring them that they will be fine by themselves and will follow all the protocols that were issued against the disease. Amongst these calls, there was one which was addressed to Monami by the person who was in charge of taking care of all the necessities of the soldiers and she made sure to send a list of all that the two of them would need to survive for an elongated period of 21 days.

Once everything was as sorted as it could be, they took a breath of relief, slouching on the living room sofa. Monami turned her neck, facing Karan's side and called him, captured his attention. He turned his neck and hummed before entangling their pinkie fingers, allowing his thumb to graze the back of her palm.

"I feel hume tumhara saaman unpack kardena chahiye, ab tum thode time yahin ho, toh baar baar suitcase se kyu nikalna?" Monami had to try really hard to keep her orbs fixated at his, for she felt her attention making real efforts to sneak in the direction of their tangled fingers.

(I feel we should now unpack your luggage. I mean now that you'll be here for quite some time, why to even bother to keep them in suitcase?)

"Jo hukum, Officer Sahiba." Karan tilted his head in a mock bow and pulled his wife on her feet. He flung his one arm carelessly around her shoulders in order to tug her frame closer to his, making her senses flutter and then grabbed the valise that was kept near an arm distance and trudged in the room.

(As you say, Officer Sahiba.)

As they were setting the wardrobe, they both felt a feeling of déjà vu hit them, because almost a month and a few days ago, they were doing the same thing, just the roles were reversed.

Albeit slowly, but gradually a couple of days passed in growing closer to each other, both emotionally and physically. There were a few events which took place, some of them turned permanent and others were kind of the new ones. All in all, they were conspiring together to make these two souls grow more fond and affectionate of each other. Along the way, they were getting accustomed to being dependent on each other, emotionally.

Initially it was them getting used to the sudden restriction that was thrown over them. They fell in a routine of doing their chores together, as companions. Karan had asked Monami to help him learn a few basics of the kitchen, seeing that even after being ill she had to cook for both of them and that too, with a few changes in both their meals. While Monami was surprised at this request, she definitely was deeply touched at his thoughtfulness, though this little gesture invited a lot of teasing from their tribe after it slipped his tongue.

One thing that didn't undergo any change was their consistently increasing closeness. Somehow Karan's hands always found their way towards Monami, be it casually pulling her close to him, holding her hand, caressing her cheek, letting his toe wander along her feet or ankle or at times, actually most of the times messing her hair. It wouldn't be wrong to say that in these days he had sort of developed a fascination with her hair, more appropriately, open hair. And because of this sole reason, he would randomly pull her neatly done hair out of the clutch or the hair tie. At first, Monami was stunned at this behaviour but lately she had started being annoyed too, and would greet him with a light smack or a glare. But what she wouldn't admit was the fact that she loved the feel of his fingers mapping in her tresses. Although she was still shy in initiating such gestures, she never backed off from reciprocating them.

In fact, not only this, but eventually there was an underlying need in them too, to take a step ahead of those innocent touches. Moreover it was not wrong either, given that they were eligible enough to explore that aspect of the relationship too and also because they were finally staying so close to each other, uninterrupted and without any promised obligations.

It was one such day when Monami was kneading the dough in the kitchen and just then Karan entered in too, after taking a bath for which he was literally forcefully pushed in. He made a face at her tied hair, which were messily thrown in a bun, tucked with a clip and pulled that down, making his wife heave a sigh and then turn in disbelief. "Karannn, mai aata laga rahi hoon na tum..."

(Karan, I'm kneading the dough and you...)

He clicked his tongue in his mouth and turned her again before raising his hand to smoothen her hair gently. "Haan toh tum karo na, kisne roka hai?"

(Yeah, so you do what you have to, who even stopped you?)

Monami rolled her eyes but since she had to lean down once again to finish the work, the dark midnight tresses whizzed along her back and framed her cheeks. "Tum he rok rahe ho, aise toh saare baalon mein bhi aatta lag jaayega aur aatte mein baal ghir jaayenge." Monami glanced at her flour covered palms and then puffed out while saying, "Karan please mere baal baandh do!"

(You are the one who is stopping me. If we go like this then my hair will be coated in the flour as well as they will fall in the flour, too.) (Karan, please tie my hair.)

"Offo!" Karan dramatically shook his head and invaded her personal space and lazily pulled back the disarrayed locks before engulfing his wife in a back hug, locking his hands on her tummy and fixing his face in the junction of her neck after nuzzling his nose there for a second. He tilted his head a bit, allowing his lips to brush against her skin and whispered along it, "Ab tum aaraam se karo. You're free."

(Now you can do it easily.)

Monami did not miss the tender peck that he dropped on her neck, making her freeze. She also noticed the way he spoke that she is free. She knew that he knew very well as to what could leave her unarmed and he shamelessly used the knowledge for his benefit. What allowed a smile to creep up the corners of her lips was the fact that after embracing her in his hold, he said she can do the work easily and freely.

The couple soon got engrossed in their own bubble of shenanigans but what did not went par discreetly under the observation of Karan was the certitude that Monami was in some pain, for she was time and again straightening up her back and stretching it along with the gentle compresses of her thumb on her stomach. Even now, while they were seated on the sofa in the living room, his orbs caught her adjusting the cushions behind her and then he saw her breathe out more languidly. He kept his mobile aside and tapped on the back of her palm with his fingers, driving her attention from the book to him. "You're in discomfort and pain, what is it? And why didn't you tell me before?"

Monami closed her book and tucked the strand behind her ear before gulping down a lump and said slowly, "Umm, it's nothing serious..."

Karan flicked his nose, letting out a grumble before tugging her towards him and grasping her chin in between his thumb and forefinger, he said, "Monami, out with it, please? It's just me and right now, it is only I, who can be helpful to you, yeah?"

Monami did not miss the authority in his tone and parted her lips, knowing she cannot escape now. "It's just periods, they'll be gone soon."

Karan's visage featured up a confused countenance. He did not understand the reason behind her hesitance. "Haan okay, toh tumhe mujhe pehle batana tha naa. Tum kab tak aise he akele sab karna chahti thi?" He did not like the way she was keeping things to herself.

(Okay, so you should have rather told me earlier. Until when were you planning to do everything on your own?)

"It's not like that; I just thought that you might be uncomfortable." Monami down cast her gaze.

Karan sighed and held her palm in between his and after making sure that she was looking at him, he said firmly, "Monami, I understand that you must have thought that I might not get you, but you are wrong. I am very well aware about menses. I know what all you women go through and still stand out as a rock solid individual. Moreover, I had my mother who used to go through these and I and Bhaiya would help her out and even with Bhabhi. Yaar meri bhatiji bhi hai, kuch saalon baad ussey bhi iss daur se guzarna hai toh aise mein ussey kabhi bhi kisi se jhijhak ya na samajhne ki shikayat nahi honi chaiye." Karan felt Monami tighten her hold on him. He could feel her eyes getting a bit teary, maybe because of the mood swings and so in an attempt to change her frame of mind he said, "Aur vaise bhi maine apne school mein biology mein bhi dhyaan diya tha."

(Hey, I even have a niece and in some years she'll undergo this phase too and at that time she not even for a moment should feel any reluctance or complains.) (Furthermore, I used to pay attention in my biology classes in school.)

Monami just leapt forward and snaked her hands around his torso in order to hug him. When she felt her husband's palm on her head, she tightened their hold.

They spent the rest of the day taking everything easy and unrushed. Once they were on the bed, Kaptaan Sahab put on a series and his Officer Sahiba opened her book. But a few minutes down the clock and Monami's abdomen muscles clenched, making her squirm, with the painful cramp. She closed the book and took hold of her lower lip so as to not whimper but then Karan's eyes caught this scene.

Instantaneously, Karan kept his phone aside and tenderly held Monami before shifting on her back, making it rest against his chest. He entwined his left hand with hers and let his right hand replace hers, pressing the area, soothingly. He kept on muttering sweet nothings in her ear and then whisper asked, "Feeling better?"

Monami nodded, now more conscious of her surroundings but she allowed herself to wander in the bewitching bewilderment that his arms have transported her in. This was by far the most intimate position they were tangled in.

Slowly, Karan disentangled himself and leaned on his left to take out the hot bag from the side table, as he remembered her keeping in there and plugging it in, he held it on her back, sandwiching in between their bodies. He then resumed what he was doing on her stomach, occasionally adjusting the hot bag on her back. Monami could swear on her life that this is the utmost level of comfort she had experienced during her periods, over the last few years. Additionally, she felt herself admiring this man, more than she thought she could. He did not need to keep that hotness stuck on his body, yet he did, for her. This guy was adorable and she would always be grateful for him.

Albeit not for the first time, this time too, Monami had a strong urge to let herself melt in the hold of her partner and fulfill that longing to have a physical contact of skin, but finally she had that touch, that scent and how could she not give in those bodily desires which are already fuelled due to the energies her body is releasing. Too shy to admit, but bold enough to initiate, she shifted the hot bag from her back to her front and then looked up at Karan, who seized his actions seeing hers and cupped his face bringing him down and whispered his bare yet lightly bearded cheek with an affectionate long kiss.

Karan felt his self control slip bit by bit on the stunt his wife just pulled. He secured his hold on her belly and his voice turned husky as he asked, "Aapke iraade kya hain, Mrs. Shergill?"

(What are your intentions, Mrs. Shergill?)

Monami looked at him with intense gaze and though she knew that this is not the right time, she could not stop herself from doing what she did next. She removed the source of heat from her stomach and allowed her free hand to hold his and steadily place under her t-shirt. All this time, she did not even for once, averted her eyes from his. Then, with a new found confidence, she once again moved to kiss his cheek but this time she could not resist herself from giving it a bite and hence she did that, earning a squeeze on her bare tummy.

"Monami. No." Only Karan knew how hard it was to not give into what she was asking, he knew that this time a physical touch from your partner can relieve them, along with providing them with satisfaction. He was ready for that aspect, but not for giving into the whims, just on the basis of impulsiveness. Moreover, he knew she was not hesitant to his touch, but this is just not the right time. For now, just a comforting cuddle would do.

"I just don't want you to withdraw your contact from my skin, please?" Monami did not want to lose the feel of his warm long fingers when she felt him gliding his hand out of her t-shirt.

"You would never need to say please to me." Karan muttered before pecking her temple and then adjusted their frames on the bed, taking her into his embrace for the first time, while sleeping. He caressed her hair from one hand and let his fingers travel on the way from her stomach to her back, while looking in her eyes to find any sort of discomfort. But she just blinked her eyes at him in assurance and nodded before grasping his tee over his waist and nestled her face in his neck.

Yet again, Karan had to calm his mind so as to bring his turned on senses back to sanity. Once there, he flung his leg over hers in order to press them and drifted to the slumber, soon after she did.

Not everything we plan, goes as per say but there is a charm about the sudden interruptions and learning every time. There is something more splendid in store for us, when the things we pray for, do not happen. Monami and Karan did not definitely hope or let alone plan for this. Yet whatever happened, it gave them a chance to be with each other, more than they could be, had the situations were any different. Aur vaise bhi, kayi baar sirf bahaane he wajah bann jaate hain, unn kuch khaas lamho ke liye.

(Furthermore, at times, these excuses become the reason for those occasionally special moments.)

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