October 2019

Udaipur

The Rooftop

The soothing ambience of the sunset, zephyr along with some soothing music and aroma of some freshly prepared cuisines that were being transferred from the waiter's hands to the people who ordered them would perfectly describe the environment of the famous hangout spot, The Rooftop.

Karan, Faizi and Param were sitting in the corner, away from the chaos. Param specifically booked the entire corner to talk in an interruption free environment.

After placing their orders and resuming from where they've stopped, Karan finally said, "You guys already know that papa had asked me to think about marriage and I know for a fact that he must be having someone in mind because he would not raise this topic abruptly." He breathed out, flicking his nose, a habit of his that is seen whenever he is unable to comprehend a situation.

"Lekin jitna hum uncle ji ko jaante hain unhone ekdum se kuch nahi kaha hoga. Like tumse pehle kuch baat toh ki he hogi na iss baare mein? And it's not like you're going tomorrow itself to see the girl and get married to the first one for that matter." Faizi put forward his opinion.

(But as far as I know uncle, he would not have dropped a bomb. Like he must've talked to you in its context?)

Param was aware about the situation but in bits. He knew that their father have had a talk with Karan and gave him time till he is ready to talk about it, but what was the exact outline of the conversation that flowed between Atul and Karan, he was yet to know.

"Haan chhotey, poori baat kya hui thi?" Param looked at Karan in question.

(Yes Karan. What was the conversation?)

Karan closed his eyes and huffed out a loud breath. He remembered the day after his arrival at his home, when his father came and had a talk with him.

Flashback ~

It was Karan's second day in his home and like everyone does, he was also enjoying his leisure time, binge watching some series but along with working out and following a more strict diet for a few days so that he can indulge himself in the Diwali delicacies later on.

Karan was in his room after having dinner, watching some movie on Netflix when he heard a knock on his door. He opened to find his father outside. He quickly opened the door wide and let his father in. "Papa, aap iss waqt yahan? Mujhe bula liya hota."

(Papa you here? At this time! You should've called me.)

"Oye, tere papa mei abhi bohot dum baaki hai. Aur vaise bhi kaam mujhe hai toh sahi bhi yehi hoga ki mai tere paas aau." Atul exclaimed, making Karan smile while shaking his head at his father.

(Hey, your father still have a lot of strength in him. And as it is, since I have some work from you, it is right that I come to you.)

"Accha theek hai. Bataiye kya baat hai? Sab theek hai na?" Karan probed.

(Okay fine. What's the matter? All well?)

"Haan sab theek hai. Tu baith idhar." Atul patted the place near him on the bed. "Dekh beta, mai ghuma phira ke baat nahi karunga. It's been long since I'm thinking to ask you that, what your thoughts about getting married are. Have you even thought about it?"

(Yes, everything is fine. You sit here.)(Look son, I won't beat around the bush.)

To say Karan was shocked would be an understatement. And the look on his face clearly said so. "Papa, aise achanak se yeh baat?"

(Papa, all of a sudden?)

"Jaisa maine bola Karan, I'm thinking it from quite a long time. And why not? Tu well settled hai, apni aur sabhi ki zimmedaari itne acche se uthata hai aur ab umr bhi sahi hai. Toh koi wajah nahi dikh rahi iss baare mei nahi sochne ki." Atul said what was in his mind, in calculated manner so that he doesn't sound imposing and nor did he wanted to.

(Like, I said Karan.)(You're well settled, you take care of your as well as your responsibilities towards us in a really good manner, and now your age is also correct. So I couldn't think of any reason as to why one cannot think in this matter.)

"Papa, to be honest I know for a fact that I'll be married someday and I want that too. And there is no excuse or anything as to why I haven't given it a thought. Kyuki shayad kabhi is cheez ko importance he nahi di." Karan slowly put his thoughts.

(Maybe perhaps I've never gave this fact any importance.)

"It's okay, beta. I'm not forcing you. But I'm just sharing what I have seen and experienced myself in this world. Everyone needs a companion at one point of life so that you simply don't exist but live. There should be person whom you can call as your person. Someone who will not only understand you but guide you, support you, inspire you and will cherish you. Maine tumhari maa ke saath in sabko mehsoos kiya aur un sabhi lamho ko jeeya hai, guzara nahi. Jab tum kisi ke saath apni life share karte ho na toh tumhe bhi ek aur pariwaar milta hai aur jiske saath tum life share karte ho na , toh uske saath tum apna pariwaar banate ho." Atul guided Karan about the way he has seen marriage.

(I've felt all this with your mother and have lived in all those moments, that I've spent with her and not barely survived. When you share your life with someone, you also get a family and with whom you share your life is the person, you make a family with.)

Karan smiled when his father told about his mother. Indeed whatever Atul said made sense to him. But since this came out all of a sudden, he was a bit dazed.

"Papa, mai thoda time loon sochne ke liye?" Karan asked, flicking his nose.

(Papa, may I have some time to think upon it?)

"Haan bacche, aaraam se le. Mai toh yeh bhi kahunga ki tu Param aur Faizi se bhi baat kar. Chaahe toh barkha se bhi kar. And when you finally reach a conclusion, then we'll take the matter any further." Atul calmly said.

(Yes kiddo, take your time. I would suggest you should have a talk with Param and Faizi about it. If you want, you can also talk with Barkha.)

"I will papa." Karan gave a slight smile and said, "I will let you know the soonest."

Atul smiled at him and patted his shoulder and left the room.

Back to present

"Toh tune kya socha hai chhotey?" Param asked once he got hold of the situation.

"Bhaiya, jitna mai figure out kar paaya hoon uske according toh I guess I'm ready. But still I have a lot of apprehensions about it. So, yeah." Karan flicked his nose.

(Bhaiya, acoording to what I've figured out I'm ready, I guess.)

"Janab, yeh hona toh bohot laazmi hai." Faizi chortled. "Agar yeh nahi ho toh ajeeb lagta hai."

(Mister, this is very normal.)(If not this, then the situation will look wierd.)

"Haan Faizi, yeh toh tumne sahi kaha." Param shared a laugh with Faizi, earning a look of disbelief from Karan. He faced Karan and said, "Ab tu bata ki kya apprehensions hain?

(Yes Faizi, very well said.)(Now you tell about your apprehensions.)

"Uhm, sabse pehli toh yeh ki mai khud kai baar itna busy rehta hoon ki khud ke liye bhi time nikalna mushkil hota hai aise mein unhe apna time kaise de paunga? Aur uske saath time kaise spend kar paunga? Phir mai kisi ek ke saath time spend karne liye aap sabke saath kaise.. urgh I don't want to compromise with anybody." Karan took over his cap and ran his fingers through them before settling the cap again.

(Uhm, First one being time. I remain so busy sometimes that I find it difficult to spare some free time for my own self, so how would I be able to give my time to her and spend some time with her? Moreover I don't want to compromise with anyone's.)

"Chhotey, dekh aisa nahi hai ki time bohot easily manage ho jayega but aisa bhi nahi hai ki yeh bilkul he impossible hai. Aur na tujhe aur na he ussey kuch compromise nahi karna padega. And she being your wife will be very much a part of our family. And in that case, you'll be able to spend more time with her.

(Karan, it's not that it'll be very easy but at the same time it won't be impossible too. And neither of you you need not to make any compromise.)

"Haan Karan, humara waqt bhi kaise beet jaata hai yeh tumse behtar koi nahi jaanta. Once you get hold of things, you'll be able to manage your time well." Faizi stated.

(Yes Karan, and no one better than you is aware as to how my time is spent.)

"Okay, but what if it's her profession that may not allow us to be with each other?" Karan quizzically looked at the guys in front of him.

"Then you guys will find a middle way." Param shrugged.

"Fair enough. Guys, having a life partner is a huge responsibility you think that I'll be able to make through it?" Karan scratched his eyebrow with his forefinger.

"You yourself said that you feel you'll be able to take it up, so don't think otherwise. Moreover, until you give your approval and then unless you give your utmost dedication to this new innings, you'll never be able to figure it out. Also, Karan, you need to broaden your mind and don't take it as a responsibility." Faizi said shortly, he wanted his best friend to find his own way.

"Totally, it is solely on your efforts and honesty that will decide the road of your relationship." Param nodded

"Since you guys know that I haven't been inclined towards anybody in the last few years, so clearly I don't have somebody in my life for that matter." Little hesitance could be felt from Karan's actions as he slightly rubbed his earlobe between his forefinger and thumb. Slight redness that was grazing his cheeks was well hidden under his wheatish complexion and stubble as he said, "So it's going to be an arranged marriage, don't you think that'll be a little more awkward? Like how will we cross the barriers that will need to be crossed for us to reach that level of comfort?

"Chhotey, It will be a slow and a gradual process. There won't be any rush. You people will form a companionship on subtle and firm grounds of reverence, faith, guidance, support and perhaps some amount of certitude as well. It was same for me and Barkha as well, so it really doesn't matter. Of course, knowing each other before hand plays a role in removing the certain layers of initial awkwardness but then you'll eventually get hold of it." Param explained him patiently.

"Exactly Karan. Once you enter into this sacred matrimony and if the person is right, the only feeling you'll feel is an abyss of bliss. You just have to be patient and the one who never back outs from making efforts." Faizi smiled at him, blinking his eyes in a comforting manner.

"Chotey mark my words when I say this, if papa had a girl in mind then she is definitely going to be the one with great morals and principles. So you might not even need to be this anxious. But whatever it is, just be sure before what you want to say to Papa." Param wanted Karan to be extremely sure of his decision.

"Haan I know. And mostly probably I'll tell my answer by today, because I've already thought upon it and now that I have talked it out, I'm sure I'll be ready to have a face off with my decision." Karan mocked himself at the end.

With this, they left from the cafe to go back at home.

Karan pondered about this entire conversation while sitting in the back seat of the car, when they were driving towards their home. It was quite some time and the subject matter was duly discussed, moreover a phone call from home came stating about the lateness of time in the festivity and hence, the boy gang made an exit. Therefore, this entire ride gave Karan ample of time to think and rethink about his decision.

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Done and dusted with this one.
Hope you guys like it! And the countdown begins. For the meeting of Karan and Monami, in the 11th chapter.
Please guys, vote and comment. So that I know that you'll are liking this. And if not, then also tell me.

P.s~ This is one of my most favourite chapters because of the way the entire conversation took place.

Much love,
Nehal.