Jheel Palace

The place which is generally filled with tittle-tattle in the bright daylights is now a much calmer, especially one particular area of it since the arrangements were made so. The part where the people who accompanied the protagonists sat, was still a bit with people, because the night view of this Cafe is provides a perfect ambience to its customers.

Amidst the clinking of cutleries and a few talks where silence was an occasional guest, two people were seen indulged in some conversation and no one needs a guess to know who the people were.

Monami and Karan had so far had managed to ask one question only and considering that Monami is reserved and yet she decided to break the ice, it was a huge deal. So after the question was answered, their order came and they quietly and awkwardly served the dinner on their plates and then the silence settled in before Karan decided to make a move.

"Uhm, I wanted to know the reason behind you saying yes for this arrangement, I mean aap inti successful hain, itni courageous hain and don't mind aap bohot khoobsurat bhi hain, phir bhi meeting somebody in an arranged marriage set up?" Karan was curious to know know this.

(I wanted to know the reason behind you saying yes for this arrangement, I mean you're successful, courageous and don't mind me saying but you're so beautiful then too meeting somebody in an arranged marriage set up?)

Even without her knowing, Monami's cheeks were slightly covered with a red hue when she heard Karan complimented her as "Khooobsurat". But what caught her ears was that he first addressed her career and position in life and then her beauty.

"Uhm. Well, kyuki shayad kabhi iske baare mein sochne ka waqt he nahi mila, I'm sorry if it came out too straight forward, because I don't know how to beat around the bush. But I'll be honest; I knew ki mujhe bhi ek din shaadi karni hogi and mujhe bhi kisi din karni thhi lekin tab jab mai apna waqt de pau na ki tab jab khud ke liye bhi waqt itna mushkil se milta hai." She said as a matter of fact. "And to answer your second question, when I didn't have time for myself how could even meet someone, so it was kind of fixed that my parents will find someone for me. But even my question is the same, I mean you're probably at the peak of your career, as Vedant told me; you must be meeting a lot of new people then too arranged marriage?" Monami added when she felt that she missed out his question.

(Well, may be because I never got time to even think about it. I'm sorry if it came out too straight forward, because I don't know how to beat around the bush. But I'll be honest; I knew that someday I'll be married and I somewhere wanted to but when I could give my time to my partner and not when I'm even struggling to take some time out for myself.)

"Understandable. Because I believe that time is one of the most important factors that nurture any relationship, moreover you need not to be sorry for being what you are and clear answers and thoughts are above any confusing talks." He expressed his thoughts. "Now to answer your question, yes I do meet a lot of people when I'm on field or doing something related to cricket and stuff but I'm completely isolated from the rest of the world when I'm in the confinement of my home, with my people. Moreover, I won't deny that I have never met someone outside apart from work, I have and even went on a few dates but that was stopped long back. I guess it must be some four years and uss time toh koyi aisa mila nahi jisko lekar apna future sochu aur baad mei kisi ke baare mei sochne ka waqt nahi mila. Aur phir papa ne bola about this whole set up, so after a lot of thought I said yes." Karan said what was with him with utmost honesty.

(I guess it must be some four years and at that time I didn't meet anyone with whom I could think of spending my future with and after that I couldn't got the time to think about anyone. Then papa said about this whole set up, so after a lot of thought I said yes.)

"How ironic it is that what people think our life must be like and how opposite it actually is, in terms of our way of living it." Monami said with a sarcastic chuckle.

"Totally, now this is what we say as a difference between thoughts and reality. Now that we are talking about it, I actually want to know that how this ream? Like an Air Force officer. I mean there must be some inspiration; some thought process that made you go with the same." His curiosity couldn't be missed when he spoke the last part, because he really wanted to know this question.

"You're the first person to ask me this, after my family." Monami smiles a bit surprised. "You know many people asked me this that why is it that I'm not going for a pilot and why joining forces, especially when I'm a girl." She scoffed. "I'll tell you, as a child I was really fascinated with Papa's uniform and the way his eyes twinkled when he used to share his anecdotes about his army life, although I missed him when he was away but then too I used to wait just to meet him and listen from him. I guess that was how I was. And then when I grew up I came to know about different forces and along with handling the enemy on land, I wanted to be the one who is soaring up in the sky while launching missiles and chasing enemy until its very end." Her face literally gave away the expression as to how she was so perfervid about what she was doing.

"So I suppose it won't be wrong of me to say that you were meant for the sky and beyond, because even the blues of the sky couldn't be your limit." The respect and admiration couldn't be missed from his voice.

Monami didn't knew how to react to his words because it is seldom that someone catch her off guard and she could see that he was not at all faking it. His realness was so much more than just appreciative.

"It is humble of you to say that." She said with a polite smile. "What about you? As far as I could conclude you like the confinement of your people and place then becoming a cricket sensation and being in the eyes of public for almost everything. What drove you towards this?" She said taking the conversation ahead.

"You're quite an astute observer, I must say. And now do I need to be scared and measure my words before saying it?" He asked with a little humour that made her chuckle with head shake as to say no. "Well yes, what you said is absolutely correct. I'm not that comfortable with a crowd of people even after being so many years. This might change for good sometime in future, but till then I'm just working on myself." He paused for a few seconds. "Okay, so I guess like most of the future decisions this was started from school too, where this sport of cricket just fascinated me and because our coach was the one who made me fall in love with the sport. I was 11 when I first held a bat in my hands with a proper guidance and then there was no going back because the more I indulged myself in the game, the deeper I went. I'm actually thankful to my entire family who supported me and more specifically for being them. And regarding me becoming a sensation, I am what I am because of the game and more than that the support, love and prayers of the people." Without even an ounce of arrogance he spoke all of it, with politeness and gratefulness being the key ingredient in his voice.

"Karan, I must say that the quality which sets you apart from all the people out there is your gratitude and down to earth nature. I hope you'll never change it." Monami complimented him, she was kind of like this speaking what she felt right but after considering the moment as well.

Karan's heart warmed at her sweet gesture that she chose to compliment him for the morals that he grew up learning from his parents and grandparents and holding and cherishing them. Furthermore, it's not every day that someone genuinely plaudits you for who you are and not how you look.

"Vaise Papa aur Koel, mere best friend ki wife shared some high regards of your position in the IAF, which made me really intrigued to know more about you, but from you. And if you don't mind, would you like to share more about the officer Monami Mahajan?" His face first carried a sheepish smile which was then replaced by his curiosity.

(By the way my father and Koel, my best friend's wife...)

And that was it; Karan unknowingly stroked the right chords to make his entry into the good books of Monami. Him being eager to know more about both Monami as an individual as well as an officer showed that he was as much involved in this.

"I don't know about high regards and stuff, but I will gladly share about Officer Monami Mahajan in the days we meet, kyuki agar abhi he sab bata diya toh baadme kya karenge? Isiliye hum dono ki life ka jo itna important hissa hai na, ussey hum araam se jaanenge aur uss din hum Squadron leader aur Indian team ke captain se milenge." She said, and indirectly confirmed that they'll be meeting after this again.

(Because if I tell you everything at this moment, what we will talk about in future? That's why we'll try to know more about such a crucial aspect of ourselves and that day we'll meet Squadron Leader and the Indian Team's captain)

Karan was elated to know that they will be meeting more, because no doubt that their parents made an arrangement of good 15 days, but it could have been trashed if the first meeting would not have turned as planned and he was really looking forward to meet Monami. Why it was like that you might ask! It's because not only she captured his attention from the very first glance at her but also because of the subtle congeniality between them and the way there conversations were not coerced but rather smooth.

"Yeh bhi sahi hai." He nodded with a smile. "Lekin in sabme yeh baat reh gayi, ki aap mere papa ko kaise jaanti hain?" He was inquisitive about this because impressing his father is a task.

(In between all of this, how do you know my father?)

"Shergill Uncle?" She exclaimed with a chortle. "Well, aap yeh toh jaante he honge ki papa unke junior reh chuke hain." She said to which he nodded. "Toh jab mera exam ho gaya tha na toh mujhe jab training ke liye jana thha tab uncle ne kaafi help ki thi, with some basic exercises, easy moves and few tips here and there jiske wajah se it was at least 10 percent easier for me to survive there. And I'm thankful and will remain so, till my lifetime." She said with a small smile.

(Well you must be knowing that my father was junior of uncle.)(So When I cracked my exam and had to leave for my training, at that time uncle helped me a lot with some basic exercises, easy moves and few tips here and there which made it was at least 10 percent easier for me to survive there.)

Monami was just weaving a space for her in his life and Karan had neither any idea nor any control over it.

"Woah, never expected this to be a reason." He said while raising his brows as to justify what he said.

And before any of them could say a word more, baby's voice interrupted them.

"Chachuuu. Kitni baat karni hai aapko?" Baby whined a little, because she was tad bit sleepy otherwise he was in for some teasing from his niece.

Karan and Monami were flustered a bit by Baby's comment and they got up from the chair while softening the creases of their dresses.

"Shh baby. Aise nahi bolte beta." Barkha chided softly. "Aur Karan, Monami did you guys talked? Because now we have to make a move, it's already half past 11 and baby is sleepy too. So you guys can continue with your conversation tomorrow."
First her tone was filled with concern which was later replaced by tease.

(You don't speak like that kiddo.)

"Ji bhabhi, we're done and tomorrow?" Karan said first with a nod and then asked.

(Yes.)

"It is for us know and you two to find out." Barkha said making a smug face. "Anyways, let's leave?" She asked looking at both of them.

"Uh di, Vedant and Bhaiya?" Monami asked.

"They have gone outside in the parking to bring the car, now let's go." Barkha said.

With this, the four people moved towards the entrance of the cafe where they found the car and immediately took their respective places, as before. Having some small talks here and there and some occasional and some intentional sneaky glances, Param dropped Monami and Vedant at their residence and left for their place.

This concluded the most anticipated day of the lives of two people who are literally a few steps away from entangling together, for forever.

The night was blessed with a lot of twisting and rolling on the bed by the two souls, garnished by some tiny smiles and some thoughtful looks. This night was just the beginning of many more new beginnings.

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Sorry for the delay, was caught up with some academic work.

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Much love,
Nehal.