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March 2020

Mumbai

Hotel Trident

Days rolled in quickly, amidst sweating in practice sessions, catching up with teammates post a long break, being back on field and working diligently so as to not make any known mistake that might lead them to lose and of course, a lot of video calls back home.

Karan was sipping on his black coffee; on the couch in his suite watching the faint waves of water hit the shore back and forth, in the wee hours of the morning. It was ironic that he was reminiscing about his fondest memories while sipping the bitter beverage.

He is still left with two matches out of three, of his One Day Internationals. India did win the first match and it was special for him too, for the reason other than hitting his 50th century and that reason was a person, his wife, Monami; a name, a presence, a person who is a beautiful part of his life.

His wife was such a chhupi rustom, a packet full of surprises. She visited him the day before yesterday, on the day of his first match, just a day after his first public appearance or even better, the pre match conference.

He faintly recollected about how the journalists in the interview panel were very keen on knowing about the latest developments in his life rather than the developments that were going to take place on the field. Well, this was undoubtedly something he strongly disliked. This was his life and he like any other human, liked and needed his personal space and privacy. What he does in his own time should concern none and mostly because it was no one's business. He understood that there are a few people who wanted a little bit more insight in the life of the person they mostly see from a far or on television screen, but he wanted was some understanding too, because he definitely wouldn't keep the people who admired him so much deprived of something as big and as beautiful as this.

Anyway, gulping the thought while sipping on his beverage, his lips effortlessly pulled on a smile on them when his mind flashed the surprise visit of his wife. He picked his phone from the table near the bed and opened the gallery, clicking on the picture he sneakily snapped. His wife, with her face bent a little, with her fingers in between of tucking the delicate black group of tresses, while a setting sun adding on to her background, the light making her more charming. Oh, what a sight, he felt his heart skipping a beat.

This was very candid, because he remembered that he just picked his phone, turning it on and then it just opened camera on screen and his wife was in the exact view and both his eyes and the camera, captured the vision he was blessed with. Karan's lips played a silly goofy grin when he recalled about the moment they met, after some 8 days.

Flashback ~

Monami was convinced by every Mahajan and Shergill sans Karan, along with Sanjana and Sidharth too and surprisingly by Koel and Faizi too, to join Karan for his first match because that was something possible, also because it was the only one in Mumbai and the other two matches will anyway take place in Lucknow and Ranchi.

Sighing at no other option than agreeing and low-key wanting the same, due to some utterly inexplicable reasons she agreed to surprise him and seek out to Param and Faizi and just like that, with some already pre planned arrangements, because it was somehow fixed that they'll make Monami agree, the plan was made and all set to be in executed in action.

Since the first match was two days earlier than the leave Monami got sanctioned for, it was decided that she'll land on the day of match and after spending the next day with him; she'll leave at night for Pune and will join in the duty one day earlier. As it is, getting holidays one after the other sanctioned was a big thing, it required applications and permissions months before the actual date.

Monami had a great time in the last week that she spent with both the families. She bonded well with her in laws and she had managed to take an entry into the best friend list of her little niece, baby. But the things that was common in all these days was her learning a thing or a two about Karan from the rest of the Shergills and adding to the fact was the call that Karan made sure to give, everyday without a fail.

Karan and Monami made equal efforts to have a decent conversation with each other and they were pretty successful too. The conversation though was very limited but both of them made sure that the other one is in a happy and a peaceful state. Once when Karan just randomly mentioned about him missing working out with her, she mumbled a quiet me too, too. This made Karan happy that at least she is reciprocating his efforts.

Thinking about the moments with each other, be it in each other's propinquity or those via phone calls in this very room, Monami looked at their room for last time before leaving. She had a soft smile playing at her lips as she took hold of her luggage and after heaving out a deep sigh and composing herself so that her eyes are no more teary because this room gave her the moments to hold on, she moved out of the room, before closing it and descended the stairs. Param made sure to take the luggage from her hands, not giving in to her pleas and kept them near the threshold of the gate.

The Mahajan's were here too, to bid her a farewell. After taking the blessings of God and being fed jaggery by Barkha, Monami took the blessings of all the elders and hugged them before going with Param and Vedant to the airport. Also, she did not missed how everyone told her to look after herself and that spend as much time as she can, with Karan.

Soon Monami found herself giving a call to Barkha about her safe landing and dropping the similar text in their family whats app group before calling Faizi to inform him about the same. Faizi assured her that he and Koel will meet her at the entrance and they'll be with her further.

In another 25 minutes, Monami was at the entry gate of Trident and she gave a call to Faizi, who soon came to receive her, accompanied by his better half.

Faizi made sure to sync with the team manager to update the details of Monami so that from the next time, her visit can be taken care of. They went towards the reception and registered her name in Karan's suite and then made their way towards the same.

As soon as they reached his room, Monami asked the hotel staff who accompanied them with her luggage to drop it near her only and the Faizi and Koel left Monami there too, after knocking on the door; so that the couple can have their own privacy to meet.

When no one answered the door even after 2 minutes, a frown took its place on Kaptaan sahab's officer sahiba and knocked on the door again with a little power only to hear the voice she wanted to, closely, since last few days.

"Oye tum mein tni tameez kab aagayi ki tum log knock karke aane lage ho mere room mei...MONAMI." Karan was just out of shower when he heard the door knock and it was common for all the teammates to just barge in if the team member is not accompanied by their partners. So Karan was just in his towel and his own world when he walked while talking loudly and the moment he opened the door wide while finishing his sentence, that was abruptly stopped and he screamed his wife's name, not expecting her to be there at that moment.

(Hey when did you people become so civilized that you started knocking on my door?)

While Monami just stood with wide eyes with her cheeks dipped in scarlet, when her vision got captured with almost naked Karan. Out of everything, this sight was something she never imagined. Once understanding that she was literally gawking at him, horrified, she averted her eyes.

"Tum? Yahan? Iss waqt? Kaise?" Karan asked all the questions that took place in his mind on seeing her, with his eyes still wide open staring at the lady.

(You, here? At this time, how?)

Karan frowned in confusion when he saw a very red cheeked Monami avoiding even looking in his direction, let alone meeting his eyes. "Monami?"

"Uh... Ka-Karan?" Monami whispered with a sigh.

Karan still in his tumult, raised his hand to let his fingers sway the tuft of his hair that were falling on his face to push them back and the wetness that transmitted on his palm made him realised about his immodest state and he widened his eyes before hurrying inside and banging the door shut.

Quickly getting dressed and realising in between about his chaotic deed of closing the door on his wife's face his eyes widened again and stumbling here and there while putting on his pyjamas, he quickly opened the door while panting.

It took Monami hardly five seconds to register what just transpired between them and that did not allow the reddish hue to leave her cheeks but she was equally amused at his antics and in less than a couple of minutes the door opened with a huffing Karan.

"Ah, ah... an-andar aao na." Karan stuttered, slightly embarrassed. And then taking the luggage that was kept near the door, he wordlessly picked up the two bags and dragged them inside without meeting her eyes.

(Uh, come inside, please.)

Monami went in and closed the door behind her. The room basked in the most silence it could at the time when even though two fully awake people were in there, yet there was not a single word.

Finally after a few seconds of silence as an aftermath of embarrassment that happened before, Monami decided to break the silence.

"Hey." She felt utterly foolish when she mumbled this word but nonetheless it broke the quietness.

"Hey! I'm sorry about that." Karan said and as Monami expected, he scratched his eyebrow with the pad of his forefinger.

Remembering what this apology was about, with warmth on her cheeks and tingles in her body, she whispered, "It's okay." Then after a few seconds, she again asked, "How have you been?"

Karan smiled at her effort of breaking the ice yet again, and a feeling of déjà vu hit him, when his mind recollected the similar incident on their first meet.

"I'm same as I was on the call yesterday, officer sahiba. Par tum yahan kaise?" Karan was curious to know the answer and he deliberately used the name he had especially for her, making her a little fidgety.

(But how come you're here?)

"It was a surprise for you." Monami's answer made him smile.

"You get freshen up, then we'll go down in the team room and I'll introduce you to a few teammates who could not attend our wedding." Karan said, making her nod.

Swiftly opening the required bag and taking the necessities, Monami went and freshened up. Then the couple made their way towards the team room, with an unsaid mutual agreement to not to bring what transpired between them a few moments back in their conversation.

Karan sneakily entwined his right palm with her left and kept moving casually, but it was not that casual. His heart was literally thudding in his chest.

Monami's breath hitched on feeling the skin to skin contact. No matter how many times he touches her, her soul would feel the rawness and tingles like the first time. She tightened the hold and refusing to look in his direction, she kept her face front but slightly in the opposite direction, biting her lips to control the wide grin that was threatening to take its place on her visage.

Soon, hand in hand, they entered the team room and Karan made sure to officially introduce Monami as his wife. "Guys, she is my better half, Monami as you already know. But what you don't know is that my wife here is an officer; Squadron leader Monami Mahajan."

While the people in the room took this news in shock, Monami's heart swirled a little at his gesture and she instantly squeezed his palm that was entangled with hers, in pure affection making him look at her and then their eyes held each other captive.

The loud cheer and the applause in the room broke their eye contact and Karan made sure to introduce his wife to all the people that were the part of his family and even the players from the opposite team.

After Koel, Anushka Sharma, wife of Virat Kohli was the one with whom Monami connected the most, given to the fact that her father was an army officer too and also, how down to earth she was. Monami also enjoyed the conversation with Ritika Sajdeh, wife of the opening batsman Rohit Sharma. Karan was genuinely happy with this bonding, since he was very connected to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who he referred to as Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai.

Then after the lunch, the team members dispersed to get changed and that was when Monami excused herself to washroom. Taking this as a chance, Karan quickly trudged towards where Koel, Ritika and Anushka were talking and requested them, "Aap log please uske rahoge? And just a request, Anu Bhabhi ussey camera mein mat aane dena."

(Will you guys please be with her? Anu Bhabhi, please do not let her be in the vision of camera.)

Karan specifically requested the last part to Anushka because she knew more about this setting than anyone, owing to the fact that she herself is an actress.

Karan's request made the girls smile at him and they nodded, and the former ran towards his room to get changed and picking his kit, he along with his team members entered in the bus.

The bus took them to the field and the players settled their stuff in the changing room and did some stretches and light hearted banters so that they could go to the field with a free mind.

Soon it was near to the time of the match. Karan took in the suggestions of his team when he was almost ready to go for the toss and then when he was called for the same, he chose what his team wanted and luckily he won too.

On the other hand, the girl gang got ready too and left for the stadium and Anushka made sure to get the newest member of their group the secure seat.

Although Monami was an introvert and quiet rigid, it was not difficult for her to hold any conversation and that made her approachable. She enjoyed the regular and borderline baseless conversations with others.

A moment of quietude took place when the match began with the team opting for batting first. Monami's eyes took in Karan's practiced position and the way he was on the other side of the pitch, opposite Rohit Sharma, who was the opener.

Soon all got engrossed in the match and the environment was buzzing with voices and seldom moments of silence too.

The match was going very interesting and unknowingly she crossed her fingers and sent a quick prayer to the almighty to let Karan score his century since he was hardly 3 runs away and her prayer got answered too when her man hit the massive six. She couldn't not stand up and give him the big round of applause he deserved. Her cheeks warmed when she saw him kissing the engagement ring that he attached with the chain on his neck, looking in the direction where she was sitting.

Well this action of Karan, got Monami some teasing from the people around her and even Sidharth, Sanjana and Vedant's message was the like the cherry on the top.

After almost 3 hours the match was finished with the ball in their court, making the team howl with cheer. In the post match interview, Karan was asked about the action he did on the field, and he replied saying, "This was for the surprise that my wife gave, by coming here."

After taking the shower and changing the team went to the hotel. It was quiet late and much longer after their partners had already left. So given to this, Karan assumed that his wife might have fallen asleep too, but he was in for yet another surprise.

When he opened the door and closed behind him, trying to be as quiet as possible, his eyes found his wife reading the book against the head rest. She lowered the book when she heard the footsteps and straightened up before giving him a smile, "Congratulations."

"Thank you!" Karan returned the smile.

Karan turned and placed his kit neatly before looking at his wife over his head and asked, "Why are you up so late?"

"Aise he!" Monami shrugged.

(Just like that.)

Karan raised his eyebrow in suspicion but nodded before opening his shoes and keeping them on one side and walked in the washroom to wash his hands.

When he came back, he found Monami waiting for him, on the table near sliding gate of the ceiling to floor window. He went there and his lips curved into a smile when he found that she was waiting with a single pink rose in her hand. With fidgety jitters and a sweet blush, she forwarded him that rose. "You were amazing today."

Karan's heartbeats went frenzy at this gesture of hers and holding the hand that had the rose in its grasp, he tugged her in his embrace and then slowly taking the rose out of her palm, he mumbled a sweet thank you.

It all happened in just a matter of a few seconds and Monami's heart was literally on some marathon. But she reluctantly yet willingly looped her arm around his torso, on his back, fisting his t-shirt. Although her breaths were rugged, her pulse rate was wild but she was in peace. Peace of being with him.

Breaking away, they went towards the bed and laid down facing each other, letting the wave of sleepiness lull them in the most conscious form of unconsciousness.

The next day was a bit hassled, because of the practice and then the couple could not go out so they had managed to squeeze in a lunch with each other and post that, they went out for a short walk in the lawn. Karan made sure to cover his head and face with a cap and the hood cap as well.

While walking hand in hand for sometime in tranquillity, Karan stopped and Monami who walking, felt a stop to. Turning a bit, she ran her gaze from their stretched hands to his face and looked at him.

"Tum holi par aa paaogi kya?" Karan desperately hoped for this answer to be yes because he was going home for Holi and he wanted this colourful celebration a bit more effervescent and colourful.

(Will you be able to come home for Holi?)

"Haan, lekin holi ki shaam he nikal jaungi. I'll be landing in the evening of Holika Dahan." Monami briefed him about the plans.

(Yes, but I'll leave in the evening of Holi.)

Karan nodded and then asked, "Getting these many holidays sanctioned would have been quite hectic no."

Monami smiled at his concern. "It was kind of difficult and I had to put in the application almost two months back but now I won't be able to take a long break until the next three months." She passed him a tight lipped smile.

Karan nodded in understanding and then scrunching his eyebrows he said, "So what if you'll not be able to come? If it'll be possible for me, I'll come. But for that you will have to brief me about the process."

Monami was touched and her heart swelled in happiness at the gem of the human in form of her husband. She nodded at him and they walked further with her explaining about the process.

Soon it was evening and the time for her to catch the bus for Pune. They went in the room and Monami went to the balcony to pick her book and while bending her face had a smile when she looked at the sun and that moment was when Karan clicked her.

While Monami tossed her hair in a pony tail, Karan kept his silence looking at his wife, getting ready in front of the mirror. He observed how little time she spent in front of the mirror and yet she managed to steal his attention.

Once she was done, Karan walked towards her and gently turning her to face him, he cupped her face and neck, his thumb grazing her cheek, tinting it red and looked in her eyes. "I want you to be safe and sound, Mrs Shergill. You'll take care of yourself with utmost attention and you will give me a call, whenever you feel like; without thinking much." Karan never sounded so serious before, Monami blinked twice before nodding. The way he addressed her, had made goose bumps mark their presence on her skin.

Monami closed the excuse of the distance between them hugging him, unable to look into his eyes owing to the intensity in his eyes,

Karan tightened the hold and heaved his breath and pecked her forehead and then they broke apart and he dropped her till the gate.

Present~

Karan smiled at this memory that played in his mind and left the empty cup near the bed post and picked his luggage as it was the time to leave for his next stop, for the second match.

Time and distance between the two hearts can sometimes act as a catalyst to brew their story of love with a little bit more passion, compassion and affection.

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3.7k+ words.

Kind of an early update! How was the chapter peeps? Are you guys liking the story?

I'm so grateful to each one of you for the support till date. I never thought I'd be able to make it till here. Thank you.

P.s- Pink Roses are for appreciation and that was the reason Monami gave it to Karan .

P.p.s- A thought about the story till date? Please?

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Much love,
Nehal.