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February 2020

Udaipur

Shergill's

The wedding buzz was still in the air and in the mind of the people except for the bride and groom, because they were dead tired.

It was the day after reception when the families decided to leave for their respective homes and so the Shergill's, now Monami was included too, left for their home.

Monami and Karan left after almost an hour of the remaining Shergill's . They were instructed to do so, so that in the mean time Barkha can arrange everything for welcoming the new couple. Although the organizer they had hired already did a few decorations and most of the necessary arrangements from their end and now the only Barkha needed to do was prepare the aarti thaali, the grihapravesh stuff and few thaalis for a very fun and interesting ritual.

So until the newlyweds left, they spent some time with the Mahajan's and had a nice time; a bit away from the chaos they were surrounded in from the day they had arrived. But in all this, neither Karan nor Monami's eyes failed to steal a few gazes at each other and Karan found it difficult to keep his fingers in control so as to not hold her hand just like that because he could not take his eyes off his wife was dressed up in a pretty red saree, with a part of her hair tucked at back with a clutch, so that her hair won't trouble her. Though he was not very happy with this but he had no say, since she was the one with all the carrying the heavy saree, the dupatta that was set in her head. Even Karan was looking no less in his beige Kurta set with a red jacket that complimented his attire with Monami's.

While sitting with his in laws, Karan also got to know about the Pagphera plans of the next day and how he was supposed to pick her in the evening and the dinner was fixed for the next night too, with the Mahajan's.

They then took their leave and went towards Karan's car and Karan opened the door for his wife, he could not stop uttering these two words over and over again in his mind. There was this strange warmth that he was feeling with this not so sudden realisation along with a quivering sensation.

When Monami got seated in the car, her veil from her head was left out, hanging and touching the ground and as soon as she saw she was about to bend a bit and pick it up, while Karan beat her to it and placed the end of the veil on her lap, while still on his knees. Monami was astounded and flustered for she never expected this but soon she came out of it when she noticed Karan's expressions as he just did a single nod with a slight twitch in his brows, as if asking whether they are ready to go and she reciprocated the gesture with a small smile.

This moment was captured by the three people and they were more than sure that indeed Karan Shergill was the right guy for their daughter and sister.

The second the car hit the road was the exact moment when Karan received the call, he took his phone out and gave it to his partner on his left, not completely ignoring the sensation he felt when his fingers brushed hers, just like the first time and asked her to receive it, after he saw that it was his Bhabhi on the other side of the call.

Monami was stunned when Karan did what he did, because no person out of nowhere does the same, especially when you are just a little more familiar than strangers. She hesitantly picked up the call and very softly she said, "Ji Bhabhi? Kitni der... ek second." Monami looked at Karan who, diverted his gaze from the way to his better half for a mini second and understood the silence and told her to say, "Bas Bhabhi aadha ghanta." Monami repeated what Karan said.

(Yes Bhabhi?) (How much time... wait a second.)(It will take only half an hour Bhabhi.)

After a question or two more, Monami hung up and she raised her hand to hand over his phone back to him but he looked at her for a nanosecond when he heard the clinking sound of her bangles and again concentrated on the road, since there was a lot of traffic. "Abhi tum rakho, ghar pahuchke de dena?"

(You keep it for now; give it to me once we're home?)

Even Karan didn't know how smoothly it came out. It was like he was already settling into this new phase of his life very effortlessly. And Monami; well she was no less than surprised at the bouncers her very newly wedded husband is throwing at her. It sent her heart beat on a pause for a few seconds, before they went into marathon mode.

But the moment he said ghar without adding anything else, it actually made her feel a little at home; because technically it is now hers too although how soon it will be her home and not place, that time will tell.

"Accha Monami, kya tum thoda sa time nikal sakti ho aaj?" Karan asked, sparing her a glance, after a few minutes, dusting off the silence.

(Monami, can you take some time off today?)

"Uh, pata nahi... Bhabhi se puchna padega. Kya hua?is everything alright?" Monami was confused.

(Uh, I don't know... I'll have to ask Bhabhi. What happened?)

"Don't worry, I have already asked her. She said we will be free after lunch. Actually, I was hoping if we could to the marriage registrar and get our marriage certificate." Karan explicated her and Monami appreciated his thoughtfulness.

"Okay, let's go then." Monami agreed with him.

"Mujhe please ghar pahuchne ke paanch minute pehle bata na na?" Monami requested making him a bit perplexed but decided to not question anything on it and simply agreed.

(Will you please tell me when we will be about 5 minutes away from our home?)

Hearing home from Karan's mouth was not that of a big deal since he had lived his entire life there but when he heard his better half addressing his home as hers, it stroked a few untouched strings of his heart. He felt that now it was kind of his duty that he makes her feel at home, so that not just for saying but this place, his place, now their place, becomes her home.

When they were five minutes away from their home, he notified her and saw her correcting her dress and hair and the chooda bangles that were getting entangled again and again with the veil. He then noticed that in the name of jewellery, all she carried was her nuptial symbols except for a maangtika. Her hands which were filled with intricate patterns of henna, same as his, except for the length, were just adding more to her charm. He was floored in all aspects, since all she was carrying were the symbols that reflect that she is now a part of him, his bride, his wife.

When finally the car entered in the front parking space of his and now her new home, Karan looked at her expectantly and he saw her giving him a look of reluctance.

Karan raised his brows in question and he got answered too.

"Uhh.." Monami looked at him before lowering her gaze. She was unable to figure that how she was supposed to say to her husband about the problem she was facing.

Karan though confused, tried to pick up the hints and saw that her hands were fiddling with the saree pleats and he somehow got the gist.

"Monami!" Her name called for her attention and she looked back at him. Seeing that she was all ears, he said, "Take your time."

So without saying anything else, he just passed her a comforting smile and stepped out of the car wordlessly. He stood in front of the front glass, with his back towards her, in a way covering her from front and in the meanwhile she adjusted the pleats of her saree a bit and corrected her creases.

When she was done, she turned to open the door and the slight noise caught his attention, he looked at her, her eyes locked with his and with a subtle body of her head, he moved towards her door and held it, forwarding his hand for her to hold so that she could come out comfortably.

Monami's eyes took his into an another eye lock of a few seconds before the heat crept up her face and she moved out. They took their steps towards the entrance of their home with their hands in each other's grasp and Monami forwarded his phone to him, which he took from his free hand and ran his fingers in his hair after putting the phone in his pocket. She then forwarded the pink veil that was kept on his shoulders during the pheras, still in the knot with her veil which was nothing but her wedding dupatta. He adjusted that too.

When they were finally at the entrance, they could now hear the loud voices of the chaos that must be happening inside. Baby who saw them on the entrance ran and called her mother, informing her about the same. In the next few seconds, Barkha came out with an aarti thaali in her hands and welcomed the newlyweds who took her blessings. She then performed the grihapravesh rituals and finally the bride and groom entered and took the blessings of Param and Atul. She then asked Karan to give Monami the veil which was on his shoulder.

Barkha then explained to them about the ritual that how there will be 7 copper plates in a single line in front of them and how Karan, with the help of a small stick has to ruin this alignment by forcing the plates in other directions and how Monami had to collect them with Barkha, soundlessly.

Although at first he pushed a bit far away but seeing the silent yet visible struggle of his wife, he in the next rounds minded the careful distance.

Since this ritual was generally done in the Marwari household, Juhi had shared this with Barkha who wanted to do everything perfectly for her beloved devar and devrani.

After a few more rituals, finally did Karan and Monami and along with them the rest of the Shergills's took a breath of relief after the remaining guests also bid them adieu.

The Siddiqui's left as well, since Faizi could not take more days off with the series that will take place in the next few days, before Karan joins them for the next one.

As it is, since it was the time of lunch, all of them settled and had their lunch with a small talk in between; including Monami in a way that she'll neither feel left out and at the same time she'll be get more acquainted with the family she is now a part of. Overall, it was light hearted and calm. Barkha also mentioned to her about pehli rasoi ritual, which will take place the next day and post that, Vedant will pick her and how Karan had to bring her back by night.

When after having a scrumptious meal, the Shergill's were settled in the living room, Atul said to Monami, "Bacche, instead of giving you gifts, all of us have mutually decided to give you one promise from our side."

Monami was pleasantly confused; she was not expecting something like this at all. "Ji Papa?"

And now, everyone was happy seeing Monami address Atul as Papa. It clearly stated her acceptance and even Monami could feel the happiness radiating from the said person.

"Ab kyuki tumne mujhe papa kaha he hai, toh yeh baat humesha dhyaan rakhna ki sirf kehne ke liye he nahi, balki asal mein bhi ab tum meri beti he ho, bilkul jaise Barkha." Atul stated and Monami chuckled, with a nod. Atul then continued, "Monami, my promise to you is that in this place you'll never feel alone and now you have two set of parents." Atul fondly smiled making Monami return the gesture.

(Now that you've addressed me as a father, I want you to always remember that not just for saying but now you are my daughter too, just like Barkha.)

"Monami, Karan has always been a kid to me, owing to our age difference so seeing him all grown up and now that he is married, I cannot be happier. But just know that you will always have an elder sibling in me. And that you can come to any of us if this idiot troubles you." Param promised and Monami chortled a bit hearing him label her husband as Idiot and Karan was offended because of the same too.

"Monami, this was exactly the same a few years back when I was in your shoes. But trust me when I say this, you will get so much of love and affection from the people here that you'll bloat with this much of happiness. As Param said, yes indeed Karan is our first child and so it is my responsibility to never let you feel as if you are any separate from Karan." Barkha covenanted and Monami was just feeling herself melt like a puddle hearing the words of her new family. She felt loved, she felt accepted and she felt embraced too.

Monami silently looked at Karan who looked at her at the exact moment and he could see her countenance clearly so he just blinked in assurance, making her nod with a smile.

She was in for a sweet surprise when Baby too said her delightful words of honour, "Chachi, I promise to be your partner when you decide to prank on chachu and it will always be him and not you." Baby had a determined expression covering her facial features making Monami give her a toothy grin with agreement and Karan was left with an open mouth.

"Oyee, maine kya bigada hai tera?" Karan didn't even tried to hide his displeasure.

(Hey, what bad have I caused you?)

"Offo chachu, aap ke saath toh main milke prank karti hoon na lekin ab aap par bhi kar saku iske liye mujhe meri chachi mil gayi hai ab, aur kuch nahi." Baby innocently made him aware of her plans.

(Oh uncle see, I always pull pranks on people with you but so that I can pull some pranks on you too, I've my aunty too, that's it.)

Monami was just watching these shenanigans of the Chacha- Bhatiji and thoroughly enjoying them.

"Papa, Bhaiya, Bhabhi and you little munchkin, I'm speechless for the promises you've made to me. I just promise you all that I'll never let any disrespect or paucity of love lurk there in your way from my end." Monami said.

After sitting for a few minutes, everyone went to their rooms but before that Barkha asked Monami to change into something light making the latter one heaved a breath of relief.

It was the first time Monami would enter into Karan's room and the latter although wanted to make it a bit special but at the same time he didn't wanted to ruin what is brewing between them, so he asked the hired organizers and Bhabhi for the help and along with his better half, he was in for a surprise, too.

Nothing much changed in his room, except for a few things here and there to make a bachelor's room, a bit more couple friendly. But what caught his attention was the photo frame of both them which was captured during Sidharth and Sanjana's sangeet ceremony, he can't recollect the moment on which this was snapped but he remember the day it was clicked. His eyes were stuck on it, since he was finally seeing a picture of them together. He could see them captured in an eyelock and this picture oozed nothing but infectious radiance and that is the reason seeing the picture, Monami too stopped on the way and looked at Karan who turned to look at the gaze that he felt and his visage had the same expressions as hers.

"This picture..." Monami started but was cut off by Karan, "Yeah, even I don't know it would be here!"

Seeing the picture, the only thing Monami could remember that, that was the first time when she held his hand. Even now, their orbs had held each other's captive and the reality was much like a replica of the clicked shot.

Then breaking out of their bubble, when Karan blinked his eyes and they had to avert their direction with little blush spread on their cheeks, Monami saw the room, it was in the shades of brown and gray, with a white furry rug placed from middle of the bed and stretched to a few centimetres ahead of the foot of it. Two small attached desks were made on the adjacent sides, with a lamp on it. There was a big square carved on the wall above the headrest where their picture was placed and on both its sides, three smaller blocks were carved too. On the same side of the door that was on the right side of the bed, there was a mirrored wall, which was not the wall but the closet and the bathroom. There was this one change which Karan personally requested when this room renovation topic came up, and it was on the balcony, which was on the left side of the room, he made sure to keep it as greener as he could, for Monami.

Karan gave her a subtle room tour and she was in awe by his gesture for the gallery, when he randomly said, "When I saw your room, one thing was clear and that was your love for nature and plants. Since we don't have that space here, I tried and made a few changes in balcony. How do you find it?"

"Karan, your efforts speak for you. It's lovely. Thank you." Monami said looking at him with an infectious smile that was soon tugged on his lips too.

"Monami, tum apna ghar, apna comfort, apni zindagi ka ek ansh chhod kar mere saath yahan aayi ho, iss sabke badle mein yeh toh kuch nahi hai."Karan softly grabbed her left palm in his and caressed it, with his thumb.

(Monami, you've left your home, your comfort, a part of your life, to be here with me and for that this is absolutely nothing.)

Monami was again engulfed in the same warmth that she does, in Karan's proximity and now his words just proved to be a quilt of a congenial affection from his side. Albeit, Karan was feeling no different. Only he knows the sprint his heartbeats go on whenever there is a wordless language of touch involved, amidst both of them.

When they came back in the room again from the balcony, hand in hand, Karan kept his feet moving towards the direction of his bed, leading Monami along with him too and then her unasked question was answered too.

Karan took the bouquet of white daffodils from the bed from his free hand and forwarded it to Monami with a sweet smile plastered on his face, "Yeh tumhare liye."

(This is for you.)

Monami moved her lashes from his forwarded hand to his eyes and then again lowering them, she took the bouquet in her hand when she saw him nodding and then raised her brow a bit, looking at him back, "White daffodils?"

"For our new innings." Karan boyishly smiled at her.

Karan asked Monami to change into something comfortable and he did the same too. Monami took her belongings from her suitcase and went into the shower room.

When she came out, changed and a bit more fresh, Karan was nowhere in the room. She settled her towel in the drying space she saw and she thought to arrange her luggage so that there would not be any inconvenience, but she thought to wait until Karan came.

Soon Karan entered with a glass and a jug of water and saw her sitting on the bed; he passed her a smile and placed the jug on the small foldable table that was kept in front of the bed, stuck to the wall.

Monami asked him about her luggage placement and when he answered her about the same, he asked about her taking rest, she simply replied, "Let me just finish this, then there'll be nothing more."

She was about to walk into the closet area with the luggage when Karan offered her to help and together. The couple quickly finished settling her stuff with some intentional and unintentional brushes of their fingers and eye locks and sneaking in some glances when the other person was looking.

Then post some light snacks, they left for the registration office with their Bhaiya Bhabhi and then they came back, had a light dinner and opened a few gifts on Baby's insisting and returned to their bed quite early, so that they can have the much needed rest.

When Monami and Karan entered, the duo took turns and quickly changed into their night wear and when Monami came out, she saw Karan sitting on the bed scrolling on his mobile.

Hearing the closing of the door, Karan looked at his side to see Monami and asked her, "Hey, I need to upload a few pictures of ours on my social media platform, is that okay? Although we could have waited for more but there are a few rumours lately and I don't want any information to go out without our consent." Karan explained to her when he saw the confusion on her features after his first statement.

Monami nodded in understanding making Karan pass her a brief smile, "Uh, so come na... join me and tell me which pictures. I have a few stills."

"But isn't your social media handled by a team?" Monami asked in confusion, she had heard about it from her brother.

"They do, but mostly when it's something about the professional stuff. Regarding the personal pictures, I personally deal with it." Karan said.

Finally Monami joined her husband on the bed and they both were suddenly aware of this new arrangement between them and their senses were high on alert, they quickly, mostly Karan and seldom Monami, selected a few pictures to be posted the next day, when he'll be more awake then now.

At last, they both slept too, after Karan asked if she prefers a particular side. This night, although filled with a little distance between them, their hearts were already doing a somersault with each other's closeness. Finally, after staring at the wall on both their sides, with their backs to each other, they drifted to sleep.

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(Karan's room)

(The snap of MoRan)

(The bouquet)

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3.8k+ words.

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