October 2019

Udaipur

Mahajan's

It was around 6 in the morning when the most raw and unprocessed form of breeze was there in the atmosphere. And might I say best time to feel the nature, exercise, meditate and the purest form of your energy.

Beginning her day with a the mandatory morning run, that made her made her feel the most liberated version of herself after flying, of course, was her most favourite part of the day. It was a habit developed over the years now, to run for almost two hours, if on duty and one hour, off duty.

After finishing her run, she joined her ménage. Her father and brother used to jog and her mother used to take a stroll in early hours of morning to keep them fit and in the best of their health. They decided to watch sunrise at the Fatehsagar Lake, which was hardly a five minute walk from their place. And needless to say, it was a sight to behold. The ball of fire which had the power to make space for the bright tones of orange and yellow, amidst the blues of the sky. And it's reflection in the subtle waves of the humongous water body; it was the beauty at its best.

"Yaar di, sunrise dekhne ka maza tab he aata hai jab aap aur hum sab saath hote hain, yahan... aise. I miss it the most when you're away!" Vedant loosely draped his arm around his sister.

(Di, sunrise appears as prepossessing as it is when you and all of us are together, here... like this.)

"Indeed Ved, this moment is so pleasing. Lekin agar thodi der aur pehle aate na, toh moon-set hote huey dekhtey. It is such an alluring sight for eyes, that even words will fall short in front of it." Monami borderline sulked, for not witnessing the moon.

(Had we been a bit earlier, then we would have witnessed moon-set.)

Vedant sighed at this with a smile, for he knows that his elder sibling was a hardcore selenophile, and as much as she loved the moon, the flawed beauty had a tranquil effect on her.

"Yes, your highness!" Vedant rolled his eyes.

Deepak and Juhi watched the sibling duo with fond eyes. They both always knew that Monami and Vedant had each other's back, no matter what. No doubt they too had their share of banters and some baseless and some serious arguments too, but both always doted on each other. Monami being elder to Vedant by 6 years had a very motherly affection for him. And for Vedant, Monami was the second most important lady of his life after their mother.

"Ab yahan aaye he hain toh kyu na Natthu ji ki garma garam jalebi ka nashta karke jaayein?" Deepak said rubbing his hands in with excitement his voice, thus, breaking the silence that settled over everyone.

(Now that we're here, why not have a breakfast of freshly cooked jalebis?)

"Aapko toh bahana chaiye na mithai khaane ka?" Juhi huffed at him.

(You just need excuses to eat sweets, don't you?)

"Arrey bhai ab Monu konsa har roz yahan hoti hai? Mai aur monu toh jaayenge. Baaki tum aur Ved apna dekh lo." Deepak announced with a slight twitch on his lips.

(Hey, it's not that Monu is always with us. I and Monu are going. You and Ved are free to decide for yourself.)

"Papa yeh aap har bar di ke aate he mujhe bhool kyu jaate ho? Maana mera metabolism aisa nahi hai jaisa aapka aur di ka hai ki kuch khao aur shareer ko lage he nahi, phir bhi I am very much coming with you guys." Vedant was offended by his father's partiality.

(Why do you always forget about me when Di is here? Agreed that my metabolism is not as good as you both, as in eat whatever you wish and it won't affect you body. Then too, I am very much coming with you guys.)

Monami who was watching all this with smile while shaking her head for this is what she missed when she is away from her family.

"Okay, guys enough. We all are going. End of discussion." Monami announced.

"Of course, you'll take your father's side." Juhi muttered with a known face.

After having a scrumptious meal of some Jalebi and Samosa, the Mahajan's went back to their abode. After freshening up and wearing some fancy wear than other days as during this festival guests can come whenever, announced; they did their work and then Monami and Juhi made a rangoli in front of their gate and inside, beside their temple, which took some good two and half hours. Post that they had their lunch and settled in the living room when Juhi and Deepak shared a look amongst themselves as Juhi called Monami who was doing something on the phone, gathering the attention of all the members. "Monu, kuch zaroori kaam kar rahi kya bacche phone pe?"

(Monu, are you doing some urgent work on your phone, kiddo?)

"Nahi mumma, bas 2 minute." Monami after doing her work, kept her phone aside giving attention to her mother. "Haanji ab boliye."

( No mumma, just 2 minutes.)(Yes, now say.)

"Beta mai aur tumhare papa ab kaafi time se tumhari shaadi ko lekar soch rahe hain. We feel it is the right time, Monu." Juhi spoke softly.

(Kiddo, I and your Papa are thinking about your wedding, for quite some time now.)

"Haan beta. Dekh koi jaldi nahi hai. Lekin ab hume lagta hai ki tujhe shaadi ke baare mei sochna chahiye. We have never forced any of our decisions on and it won't be the case this time too." Deepak upped his spectacles.

(Yes, kiddo. See there is no rush. But now we feel that you should consider about getting married.)

Monami was stunned with the news. She knew that she'll have to marry one day and her parents never let this topic out, when she was in the "right age" according to some people. Simply, because was busy with her duties towards her nation.

"Mumma- Papa aise achanak?" Monami said, unable to speak anything else.

(Mumma-Papa, all of a sudden?)

"Nahi Monu, humne yeh kaafi soch samjhkar socha. Dekh beta tu ek ladki hai, and biologically kuch cheezein agar sahi time par ho jaaye toh theek rehta hai." Juhi put forward her view which was logical enough.

(No Monu, we pondered a lot on this though. See you're a girl and biologically if certain things are done at the right time then it's really good.")

"Agreed mumma. Lekin mai toh abhi bhi 2 saal tak on field hoon, aise mei kaise manage hoga sab?" Monami was fidgety.

(But I'm still posted on field for 2 years, in this situation how all of this will be managed?)

"Monu, we've considered this factor too. And I'm telling you with experience, aise time par agar aapke saath aapka partner hota hai na toh aapko jo saath milta hai na, uss sey bohot himmat aa jaati hai." Deepak briefed his daughter.

(And I'm telling you with experience that in this time if you have your partner with you, you'll get a lot of support and this will give you a lot of courage.)

"Agreed papa, but why a man would want a spouse who is half the time away with no guarantee of life, if on a mission." Monami said the most practical truth of her life.

"Vaise he jaise mujhe tere papa ka saath chahiye thha." Juhi let her gaze wander from her daughter to her husband.

(Just the way, I wanted the companionship of your father.)

"Aur aisi bohot si baatein hai Monu jo tu kehna chahti hai, but obviously kuch had tak woh aap apni family ya friends ko bhi nahi bata paate, aise mei your partner will be your listener and anchor." Deepak blinked his eyes, offering her the comfort.

(There may be a lot many things that you might want to let it out, but obviously there is a certain boundary which you cannot cross with your parents or friends for that matter, in this case your partner will be your listener and anchor.)

Vedant who was silent spectator all this time finally decided to say something.
"Di, mumma papa are not wrong. Even when I was notified about this development I was baffled too, but considering the arguments they've put forward, I feel this decision won't be wrong in the long term. "

"Exactly. Aur aisa bhi nahi hai ki hum kal ke kal he tumhaari shaadi karwa rahe hain." Juhi said.

(And it's not like that we're getting you hitched by tomorrow itself.)

Monami was thinking and rethinking about everything discussed in this hour and then spoke up. "Can I take some time?"

"Of course, bacche. If you want, Sid se bhi baat karle ek baar, it'll help you." Deepak smiled at his daughter.

(If you want, you can talk to Sid once, too. It'll help you.)

"Aapko har baar pata hota hai na ki mujhe kya chaiye." Monami said with a fond smile which came after hearing her father.

Deepak just got up and patted her head.

After this, everyone decided to let Monami have her time and hence they all asked her to go and relax in her room.

Monami entered her room and let out a huge sigh. She settled on the bed while fiddling with her phone and mind wandered around the thoughts of her marriage, she knew whatever her parents have said, it was absolutely true but still this was something she was unprepared for and hence the nervousness settled in. She decided to call her best friend as more than anyone, he could be her confidant, like had been since their diaper days. Thus, Monami called Siddharth.

"Monuuu! Kaminiiii!" Sidharth squealed. "Kaisi hai moti billi? Poore ek week baad phone kiya hai tune. Tu Udaipur aane waali thhi na, aagayi hogi abhi tak toh. Aur bataya bhi nahi." He spoke in a breath.

(How are you fat cat? You've called me after a week. You were about to come Udaipur right? Must've been here by now and didn't even tell me.)

"Hi broo." Monami greeted him with the same zeal. "Theek hoon kamine. Tu kaisa hai? Haan yaar, last minute formalities aur sabme time lag gaya. Bas kal sham mei he aayi hoon. Aur tujhe isiliye nahi bataya kyuki kal kaafi thaki hui thhi, tera energy level match nahi kar sakti thhi"

(I'm fine you rascal. How are you? Yes, it took time in finishing some last minute formalities and stuff. I reached yesterday evening. And the reason I didn't tell you because I was worned out and couldn't reach your energy level.)

"Yeah, I am as cool as you're hearing me on the call. And stop giving me lame reasons. Tell me, when are we meeting?" He said.

"Yeah, about that, Tu ghar aa sakta hai abhi thodi der mei? Baat karni hai." Monami mumbled at the end.

(Can you come home in some time? Want to talk.)

"Bro all well na? I will be there half an hour." Sidharth was concerned.

"Yes, all good. We'll talk once you're here. Come soon, bye." Monami smiled at her best friend.

"Cool, bye." He said and hung up.

Monami rested her back on the headrest of her bed, closing her eyes to take a power nap and a break from all the though, setting an alarm of 30 minutes, so that she'll be a bit organized when her best friend will be here.

The day is yet to pass and our Squadron leader is already on a mission. Her mission of thinking about the topic that her parents had asked her to give a thought and the one that will change her life.

|~|~|~|~|

Done with the chapter!

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Nehal