In the Medical room:

Karan walked towards the door to open it but to his surprise he found that the door had been locked from outside..

Karan : (trying to unlock the door) - " Koi hai bahar ? We are locked inside!
Plz open the door.. Koi hai ? Darwaza kholiye.."

Monami : Karan, Abh ham kya karenge.. Bahar kese jayenge !! Hamare paas toh mobile bhi nahi hai.

Karan : It's already 9pm, Lagta hai ship attender nai bahar se room lock karliya hoga . We have to wait till mrng for him to open the lock again.

Monami : Hmm., There's only one window and that's meshed up. Can't even get out through it. We are helpless !

The room was small with 2 - 3 racks, arranged with medicines and had a mattress on an elevated platform with a blanket, which was basically for the patients to rest while getting checked up.

Monami feeling cold due to the weather and her offshoulder dress went and settled herself on the mattress snuggling into the blanket.

Karan was still standing at the door , knocking it.. hoping someone might hear him and open the door. But it was of no use ..
He went and sat beside Monami.

Karan : Thand lag rahi hai ?

Monami : Haa bohot.. Thand bhi aur bhook bhi ..
She complained to him like a small kid.

Karan gave his coat to her and went around to search if he could find something to eat..
Monami put on his coat and then again snuggled herself into the blanket feeling its warmth.

Karan : Monami.. I could only find these ORSL packets.
He said., settling down beside her, handing over the packets to her.

Monami pierced the straw into the liquid packet and passed it on to him.

Karan : Yeh Maine tumhare liye laye hai.

Monami : Do hai ..
U have one and I'll have the other..

Karan : Hmm..

Monami : So Mr.Commando ! Tell me something about yourself.. I haven't known much abt you.

Karan : Mere bhare Mai kya batau.?
Commando hu deolali se Parakram Saf academy. Wahi academy Mai rehta hu. Ministry ne mujhe yeh mission assign kiya tha. This ship's passengers safety is my responsibility.

Monami : Ohh.. And your family ? Where do they stay?

Karan : Same.. Bhabhi aur baby-meri neice, deolali Mai hee rehte hai .Mai hafte Mai ek baar unse Milne jaata hu Ghar. Mera best friend hai Faizi - a commando too and my roomate as well.

Monami : Oh! That's nice.

Karan : And about you ?

Monami : I am from Mumbai. I stay with my dad there. Uk what Karan , this is my first time travelling alone like this . Papa ne mujhe kabhi ese jaane nahi diye. For the first time I asked him something like this, so that I can get a view of the opposite side of my pampered world too. And I am enjoying this journey. But I really miss my dad here. He is my life, best friend, family and everything.

Karan : And your Mom..?

Monami : I think I was 14 years old when I lost her forever. She got martryed . She was an army doctor ! Dad didn't want her to join the army but she fought for her dreams to serve the nation. When my mom got martryed , dad broke down emotionally and he became my only family. I only remember few moments spent with her but those were the best moments of my life. Whenever I recall those days spent with my mom or just remember her , a pride smile always adorns my face. She is my idol and my inspiration.

Karan : I am sorry.

Monami : It's ok Karan . Aur wese bhi mujhe mummy ke baare mai baat karne se acchi lagti hai . I feel good. I feel that she is always with me.

He smiled listening to her..

Monami : How's your hand now ? Is it still paining ? She asked him checking his wound.

Karan : No I don't feel pain now. It 's alright.
Monami relieved in ease noticing that the bleeding too has stopped.

Monami : Okay then .. It's getting late, let's go to sleep.

Karan : Tum so jao Monami. I don't feel sleepy yet!

Monami : Okay good night. Tum bhi jaldi so Jao.
Saying this she turned towards the other side to sleep.

Karan looked at her and thought - How different they were. Both lost their loved ones.. He lost his brother and she lost her mother , but they were still so different. Whenever she remembers her mom she has a smile on, she feels good,lovely & happy sharing about her mother.
But him.. it's totally opposite, He feels traumatic, guilty and fearful recalling the day he lost his brother, in a mission to save the children. He had to leave his brother alone there.. being helpless as per his brother's order and had to lose him forever.. He regretted and hated himself for him not being able to save his brother. He didn't want to talk abt it with anyone.

His trance broke when he felt a tug on his hand and looked down to find Monami hugging his arm and sleeping peacefully with her head on his shoulder.

Monami : ( murmuring in a sleepy tone with closed eyes ) - Please be my pillow for today Karan. Mujhe meri pillow ke bina needh nahi aati.

Karan left out a small chuckle seeing her childish antics.
Karan : Okay Rani Sahiba !! Ur wish my command. Have a good sleep..

Monami smiled listening to him.

Karan covered Monami properly with the blanket and gently caressed her hair.

Karan thought to himself : Bacchi hai bilkul !! A pure soul. Apne andar kuch nahi chupati hai. Joh bolna chahti hai bol deti hai.. She's sweet.

This was the first time in his life that he has allowed some girl to come this close to him and he himself moving this close to her.
He didn't know what magic she spells on him but whenever he listens to her words, he feels calm and soothing and whenever he saw her smiling, he felt peace in his heart.
_______________________________________

The next morning , Karan's sleep broke due to the sunrays falling on his face and listening to some sounds coming from the direction of door he freed himself from Monami's grip, ensuring he doesn't disturb her sleep.. and walked towards the door hoping  it might be the attender.

Karan : Hello koi hai ? Plz darwaza kholiye.

Attender : Sir Aap?!! Rukiye sir mai abhi darwaza kholta hu..
He unlocked the door .

Karan : Raat ko taala dhalne se pehle andar check karna chahiye na ki koi hai ki nahi .. We got locked here whole night because of your carelessness.

Monami's sleep broke listening to Karan's voice..

Attender : Sorry Sir . Maaf kar dijiye..
Aage se dhyan rakhunga.

Karan : Teek hai jao.

After the attender left , he turned towards Monami to find her woken up already.

Monami : Gd mrng ! Finally the door is opened now.. I have to go call my dad. He must be really worried with me not answering his calls from last night probably.

Karan : Yeah.. Will see you at the  breakfast table on the deck. Come soon. U were hungry the whole night.

Monami : I will !!
_______________________________________

In Monami's Room :

Monami : Yes dad ! We got locked in the medical room. That's why I couldn't answer ur calls last night.

Mr.Mahajan : Why is such a careless attender even hired ? I will talk to the head immediately regarding this.

Monami : No dad it's fine.. Plz don't drag it out..  We have already warned him. He'll be careful from next time.

Mr.Mahajan : Okay! Go have ur breakfast beta. You must be hungry.. You didn't have anything from last night. See this is the reason why I denied you to go ! But u were so adamant.

Monami: Dadd.. plzz !! I am fine.. Okay I am going to have my breakfast. I will catch you later. Bye Dad !
She hung up the phone sighing..

She walked to the deck area to find Karan already waiting there for her, sitting on a table, to have breakfast together..

______________________________________

      ** To be continued in Part 5 **

Thankyou for reading !!
~Happysoul.