October 2019

Udaipur

Mahajan's

In the busy hours of afternoon, when the weather was just perfect and the vibe was of nothing but joy and cheerfulness all around, mostly because it is that time of the year wherein most of the families come together to celebrate this joyous festival of lights.

In the broad light of the day, in front of the Mahajan house, a bullet roar was heard and then a man of Monami's age could be seen getting down from his ride, pulling his helmet off and settling his curly black hair which was actually not needed, but nonetheless he did.

He is Sidharth Ganju, best friend of Monami since they both were crawling on their knees. He is one person beside her father, who knows her the most, including the stuff that her parents and sibling are unaware of. He is a sweetheart and a total opposite of Monami but they have stuck together all their life. He works with Vedant in the same company along with his fiancé, Sanjana Dubey.

Sidharth called Monami and she came downstairs to open the main door. She took some snacks and a can of Thumbs Up for Sidharth from the kitchen, to her room.

The moment they were inside, Sidharth screamed and took his best friend in his arms and twirled with her still being in his arms.

"Monuuuuu." Sidharth squealed with excitement. "Finally moti billi, we are meeting after so long." He pulled back and kissed her forehead.

"Siddd broooo." Monami zealously replied. "18 months bro, 18 months." She messed his hairs a bit.

"Monuu." Sidharth scowled, putting her hands away from his hair.

"Aaja baith jaa." Monami patted on the bed, sitting.

(Come sit.)

After they settled on the bed comfortably, they talked on some trivial matters of past one week, when they weren't able to talk. Then Sidharth finally decided to address the elephant in the room.

"Monu tujhe kya baat karni thi? Tune phone pe bhi kuch nahi bataya. Sab theek hai na?" Sidharth held her palm in between his.

(Monu what do you want to talk about? You didn't even tell on phone. Is everything good?)

"Bro actually..." Monami puffed out a breath of nervousness before speaking again. "Bro aaj mumma papa ne mujhe shaadi ke baare mei sochne bola. They want me to get married."

(Bro, today mumma- papa asked me to give a though to marriage. )

"Okay, toh isme dikkat kya hai? Like don't you want to get married or what? I am asking this so that we can clearly talk about the issue which is bothering you." Sidharth caressed her palm, comfortingly.

(Okay, so what's the problem in that?)

"Umm, to be honest I myself don't know what is it that is bugging me is. Perhaps, it's the jitters that I've got after listening to the subject matter of the discussion." Monami was confused.

"Okay... Look it's an absolutely normal feeling alright! Even I got this when I proposed Sanju, even after knowing her for more than 10 years. Aur aisa isiliye hota hai kyuki ab aapko apne saath saath ek aur insaan ki bhi zimmedaari uthani padti hai, jaise woh humari uthaega. Aur jab aisa karna hota hai na bro, trust me, fatt jaati hai. Kyuki ab aapko apna space aur apni life dono share karni padti hai. Balance bana na padta hai." Sidharth gave words to what he felt.

(And it happens because you have to take responsibility of one more person; along with you just like the other would do for you. And trust me bro, when we have to take this step we get shit scared. Because then you have to share your space and your life, for that matter. You have to balance it.)

"Yaar I know this, isiliye toh darr lag raha hai. Sid I'm an air force officer, tujhe bhi pata ki mujhe sirf 120 din ki annual leave milti hai saal mei, along with 20 casual leaves. Upar se agar missions ho toh vaapis aane ki guarantee bhi nahi hoti. Yaar gharwalo ke liye time nahi hota, phir apne husband ke liye kaise nikalungi. Aue yeh do saal bhool gaya kya tu? Border pe tension ki wajah se leave he approve nahi hui kisi ki bhi." Monami vented it out.

(Dude I know this, that is why I'm so scared. Sid I'm an air force officer, even you know that I get only 120 annual leaves and 20 casual leaves. On the top of it, there is no guarantee of returning back in the missions. Bro, I'm not even able to give my time to my family members, how will I be able to take some time out for my spouse? And did you forget these two years? Nobody got their leave sanctioned because of the tension on the border.)

"Monu, I agree with all you've said." Sidharth gave her palm a light squeeze. "Par agar dekha jaaye toh yeh struggle sirf aur do saalo ka hai, hai na? Uske baad it'll be a desk job for you, mostly or whatever you decide after that."

(But if we see then this struggle period will last only for two years, right? And then it'll be...)

"You are right bro, but uske pehle waala process bhi toh zaroori hai na. And since neither I have someone in my life nor do I have time for finding the same, it simply implies that mumma and papa will look for the guy. Hence, arranged marriage it is. Bro do you really think I'll be able to handle this new responsibility." Monami rolled her bottom lip in, apprehensively.

(You are right bro, but the process before hold an importance too.)

"Tu handle kar payegi ya nahi, woh tu tujhe self introspect karna hoga Monu. All I can say is, if you brace yourself for this new beginning, you will have all our support and just like every other challenge that you've taken and outshined yourself, you'll do the same with this one too. But this time, with a partner by your side." Sidharth passed her a smile.

(Whether you'll be able to handle or not, you'll have to self introspect.)

"Yeah. I'll think properly and then reach a conclusion." Monami nodded with a deep exhale and then further asked, "Okay, now sliding this topic off, when is Sanju free? I have to meet her too. I guess hum sab jane aur sanju ke parents tere ghar pe mil rahe hai na aaj shaam?"

(I guess we all and Sanju's parents are meeting at your place tonight.)

"Shaant meri Rajdhani express. Haan hum sabhi mil rahe hain aaj." Sidharth chuckled and said.

(Calm down, rajdhani express. Yes we are meeting later today.)

They chit chatted for a few more minutes before Sidharth took his leave from Mahajan house. He knowingly didn't meet anyone apart from Monami because he knew that it'll take a lot of time and as it is they are meeting in the evening.

After Sidharth left, Monami with a clearer perspective though about all the arguments that her parents and best friend made. She was quite convinced by them all, and truth to be told even she wanted to have a person whom she address as just hers, in all senses. And she will be his too. After considering all the necessary points, she was ready with her answer. She knew this was to be happened someday, but what she was also aware about was her uptight reserved personality, which was a result of all her training and hard work. She knew it won't be an easy task for the other person to be with her and same goes for her too, but she will give her best to it, despite all the possible complications.

Yes, her answer was yes. She knew that future is unpredictable and how this life changing decision will turn out for her, will be a story of future only. But she trusted her parents in this matter. She knew they will find someone who will not only understand her and her duty towards their country but will also be with her.

Around 5:30 in the evening when Monami stepped out of her room, she saw that her parents and brother were sitting on the dining table having the evening snack. She quietly pulled a chair back and sat. "Hey."

"Monu all good, bacche?" Deepak questioned.

"Haan beta tujhe 2-3 baar awaaz bhi di tune jawaab he nahi diya toh hume laga tum so rahi ho, isiliye disturb nahi kiya." Juhi looked at her daughter in concern.

(Yes Kiddo, we called you some 2-3 times but since you didn't reverted we thought you were asleep and therefore we didn't disturbed you.)

"Haan sab theek hai. I'm sorry I actually didn't hear your voice." Monami said.

(Yes everything is fine.)

Vedant who was observing Monami, knew that she wanted to say something and hence made it easier for her by saying, "Di, kuch kehna hai aapko?"

(Di, do you want to say something?)

"Haan. Mumma, Papa, Ved. I'm ready with my decision. Aur maine yeh jaldbaazi mei nahi liya hai." Monami licked her lips before continuing, " After contemplating about everything I've decided that I'm ready for this step. Meri haan hai."

(Yes.)(And I haven't taken this decision in haste.)(It's a yes from my side.)

"Are you sure na di?" Vedant raised his eyebrows.

"Haan beta, there is no pressure." Juhi said.

"Monu, you've well thought na?" Deepak said the moment after his wife.

“Guys, calm down. Yes as I said, I've kept everything in consideration, as far as I could. So it's a well- thought yes." Monami gave a tight lipped smile.

"Okay. Then there are no issues." Deepak nodded.

"Accha ab toh bato, kon hai woh jinka aapne socha thha? Aap dono ne kaha thha ki agar Monu di raazi hongi toh he aap bataoge." Vedant quizzically looked at Deepak and Juhi, unable to contain his curiosity anymore.

(Okay at least now tell us who is the guy that you've thought of? You both have only said that if Monu Di agrees, then you'll tell.)

Monami was surprised with this new piece of information. But somehow she knew that her parents won't just her to think about marriage if wouldn't have had a guy in their mind. So she spoke her mind before Deepak or Juhi could scold Vedant for blurting this out in an unexpected manner. "Kon hai papa?"

"Beta tu Shergill sir ko jaanti hai na? Jo mere senior they, jinse tujhe milvaya thha jab tune IAF join karne ka decide kiya thha." Deepak looked at his daughter.

(Kiddo, you remember Shergill Sir? My senior whom I made you meet when you decided to join IAF.)

"Haan ji, yaad hain sir. Some of his tips really helped me clear and survive the training." Monami said with a smile, remembering the said man.

(Yes, I remember sir.)

"Unhi ke chote bete Karan Shergill." Deepak stated.

(I'm talking about his younger son Karan Shergill.)

"KARAN SHERGILL." Vedant shrieked. "But he is the captain of Indian Cricket Team, right? Is he the one or is it someone else?"

"Yes Ved, he is the one." Juhi shook her head at her son's antics.

"But papa, he must be famous and along with him, there will come limelight. And as an officer, you cannot afford to make a lot of public appearances like this." Monami raised her concern.

"Absolutely correct. I and Shergill sir have thought over this fact well and we came to a conclusion that for two years you won't be highlighted anywhere. Nor any of your pictures will be out which reveal your full face. That is if you agree to marry Karan. Also, I know that you won't be comfortable in meeting him this soon, so we have given it a thought too." Deepak spoke, looking at his daughter.

"Tu December mei aayegi na 15 dino ke liye, Sid ki shaadi pe tab uska bhi off hai. Toh tum log tab miloge, aur dekha jaaye toh accha he hai ek tarah se. You guys will get some good time to spend and get to know each other." Juhi blinked her eyes at Monami.

(When you'll come for Sid's wedding in December for 15 days, at that time his have is off too. You two will meet then. And if you see, it's a good thing.)

"O...kay." It was a lot to take in for Monami.

"Di toh kuch puchegi nahi, mai he puch leta hoon. How is Karan as a person?" Vedant rolled his eyes at his sister.

(Since Di won't ask anything, let me do the honours.)

"He is a very kind hearted man. Since he was the youngest until his niece was born, he was the most notorious kid..." Deepak said and Monami listened. It seems like the upcoming 45 days would be difficult to spend with all these thoughts of certain Mr Shergill revolving in her mind.

And just like this, it was the time for the get together where her parents informed everyone about Monami's decision and to say everyone was happy would not justify it. They were ecstatic; finally the three musketeers of their clan will be married in with a little gap. Sidharth literally jumped on Monami and he was genuinely happy for his best friend and even teased her that how she will be bidding adieu to her freedom in sometime. To which Sanjana sided with Monami saying that hopefully her partner will be better that her Chirkut aka Sidharth. The friends spent some light hearted moments, creating memories as their last Diwali as bachelors.

Even Diwali and Bhai Dooj were spent in a rapturous mood of all the members of the three families. Especially elders, they were content to see the lives of their children settling in step by step.

Finally it was time for Monami to leave until the next time, which was sooner than expected. She will be here again by the beginning of the second week of December for her best friends' wedding and uhm to meet her prospective groom too.

This visit to her hometown was definitely a happening one, with a lot to take in. But without an ounce of doubt, the next one would be the one which will mark the new beginning of two very beautiful people.

|~|~|~|~|

Note- The actual leaves for the people serving in Defence is 60 days as annual and 30 as casual ones, so this 120 days is just for the story.

Done with the chapter, as promised. I would love to know what you guys are thinking about the story, in more than one word! It's just a request, so that I can know and write further keeping the reviews.

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Much love,
Nehal.