December 2019

Fateh Sagar Lake

Amidst the early morning fog and chirping of birds, even in the winter of Udaipur some people can still be seen running around the famous Fateh agar Lake or some soaking in the vibe that the environment and climate is providing them with.

After spending the night in anticipation and excitement, both Karan and Monami were looking forward to meet each other. They were looking for the time they'll spend with each other without interference.

After finishing her morning run by almost 6, Monami took the half an hour for herself to calm not only her raging breath but also the nervous jitters. Thanks to winters, it gives people a chance to have a narrow escape from being a stinky- sweaty- mess. And as it is, Monami was kind of used to staying in some abnormal weather conditions, so she was comfortable sitting on the wide banks of the lake in her casual track suit, with a sipper bottle near her.

As for Karan, he could not be more thankful for winters, since it gave him a perfect chance to hide his face in a cap and some fake beard, making it unable for people to identify him. He saw the time after finishing his morning workout; he freshened up and pulled on some warmers before heading to meet the person whom he asked out, yester night.

Karan kick started his bike and moved to the decided meeting spot and was confused as to where he should look for Monami and was she even their yet? He face palmed himself for neither even asking the exact place nor her phone number. But his searching came to an end soon when he saw a figure sitting and looking at the wide water body from some distance. He then moved his bike in the direction as that of the lady.

Karan parked his bike and moved towards Monami. As soon his footsteps approached her, she turned her head and was looking with suspicious eyes to the man with a cap and long beard. She got up and stood before the person with her eyebrow rose in question.

Karan stopped in his tracks once he covered the required distance to see Monami looking at him strangely because of his get up. Although he looked at her questioning expressions with slight interest as if noting how she looked when she was in this demeanour. But he broke out of his reverie when he concluded that he is probably looking like a creep. He pulled his cap and removed his beard to make Monami aware of his presence.

And as expected, Monami pulled her hands down and greeted him with a slight smile, "Good morning. What is with this look in the morning?" By the end her voice was laced with confusion.

Karan again covered his face and heard in the same way it was before, and then gave a smile to Monami saying, "Good morning. This look so that we can talk comfortably without grabbing attention." He finished the explanation.

"Oh." Monami nodded in understanding. She then added, "Come let's sit here? Or do you want us to go somewhere else?"

"We can leave if we feel, afterwards, but for now let us sit here only." He looked away from his eyes and raking his eyes till wherever he can and added, "Aisa kitna kam hota hei ki aap ek aisi jagah hote ho jahaan pe aapko sirf sukoon mehsoos hota hai. Toh hum baith tey hain na yahi pe, aur vaise bhi itni subah ki thand mein zyada log nahi honge, given its Monday."

(It's rare that you are at a place where all you can feel is tranquillity. Let us sit here only as it is there will be only a handful of people in this cold morning, moreover it is Monday as well.)

Monami who was looking at him all this while, shifted her orbs away from the man beside her and took in the nature and said, "Bilkul. Toh phir baithe hum?"

(Definitely. Let us sit then?)

Karan glimpsed at Monami and motioned his hand towards the place where she was sitting previously and said, "Please."

Monami and Karan settled besides each other with a little distance between them and Monami tilted her head a little towards left, asking Karan, "Karan aap toh aisi bohot si jagaho pe gaye honge na? Like in and out of India because of your games, so you must've witnessed such scenic and soothing locations?"

(Karan you must've been to a lot of places of similar kind?)

Karan looked at Monami who was looking at him, he thought for a second before answering her, "Haan gaya hoon, kuch jagaho ki toh baat he kuch aur hai. You can't even imagine the beauty and serenity that these full-of-nature places withhold." He then further asked, "Aap bhi toh gayi hongi na? Aapki posting ke dauran aur phir jab leave milti hai aapko?"

(Yes, I've been to some places and they have a different charm.)(You must have visited few such places as well right? When you were posted at such locations or when you are on your leave!)

"Haan, posting ki wajah se toh mai kuch 5 jagaho pe gayi hoon. And the best part about this is that our bases are located far away from the locations of civilians. It makes our work a lot more easy going and hassle free." She answered Karan, but by the time she finished speaking it was clear that she was taking a dig at civilians.

(Yes, because of posting I've been to five places.)

Karan was amused at the way she answered and so he asked, "Civilians ko lekar kuch khaas khayal nahi hain aapke?"

(I assume you don't have much regards regarding civilians.)

Monami's eyes widened for a second before she cleared her throat and answered, "Something along the lines." She immediately added, "No personal grudges but just the way I've been raised in an army environment. But you have to agree that they are a walking mess." He voice was a tad bit slower as she muttered the last sentence and averted her eyes from him, looking forward.

Karan chuckled, shaking his head. He looked at her for few seconds then diverted his attention to the reflection of sun in the subtle waves and again faced Monami and said, "Monami, in the last 2-3 days in which I've known you and almost one and a half month of being aware about our alliance being the encircled topic, what I can feel is that I do have a feeling a of comfort and effortlessness when I am with you."

Monami who was not expecting this was a bit surprised and her reaction was caught in Karan's eyes when he saw her eyes widening a bit before she composed herself. Monami knew that they were meeting for a reason and that reason might get sealed if they decide to go with it.

So taking a deep breath, Monami said, "Karan truth to be told is that I'm at certain level of ease too, I guess it's because of your transparency. But before we proceed with anything further, there are some things that you must know."

Karan who was looking in her eyes all the while because Monami spoke maintaining an eye contact and that too some extent, intimidated him; blinked and nodded his head as if confirming the same. He opened his mouth, then closed and again repeated the same action before saying, "Uh... I agree with you, there are a certain things that must be cleared between us and then only we'll be able to decide what we want. I know that there is no hurry or pressure on us, but I just feel it is the right moment to talk and it'll help us in clearing our thoughts."

Monami, who was clearly observing Karan, did not say anything and just listened to what he said. She gave him a small smile, seeing that he is intimidated with her gaze and said, "Yes, that's the foremost reason for us meeting early in the morning." She paused and added, "Karan I'm serving at the post of a Squadron Leader, which I've got after serving for 8.5 years. I've never craved for promotions but the recognition to my efforts and the fact that I deserve this as much as any other capable officer would." She paused.

Monami closed her eyes, as if reminiscing those days and Karan was just looking at her expressions although he wanted to say something but even he was unaware about what to say. So he kept quiet and gave her the space.

Monami opened her eyes and looked back in the eyes of the person beside her and said, "Karan after I turned 20, I've never really spent very long time with my family. First I was busy with my college and entrance preparation then training and then postings. But whatever time I've spent with them, I've always tried to do whatever I can. In this entire life span, the least amount of time I've spent is with my father, first when he was away from us, fulfilling his duty and now it's me. But all I can say is that he is my closest confident, critic and anchor."

She again stopped, her facing having a calm look when she talked about her father.

She began again, "Why I told you all of this is because you play for our country and you are out too, most of the times. So given to our different careers, we would not be able to spend much time with each other, although it'll be only till the next two years, but then too."

Monami looked at Karan's confusing eyes as she finished saying. She paused and looked at him. Karan got the hint and opened his mouth to say, "What do you mean by your last sentence?"

"Karan, my services with IAF will last only for 2 more years; women can only serve till 14 years from their joining. And I hope you are aware about the fact that I'm 32 right now." She spoke and paused for him to answer back.

"Oh, I got it although it's unfair that you are deemed to serve as per the rules at times and not capabilities but there is nothing we can do. And about your age, yes I was told about, toh isme itna sochne ki kya baat hai?" Karan wondered.

(And about your age, yes I was told about, what is there to think about?)

"Karan I'm three years elder to you; you won't be having any issue with the same?" Monami questioned.

"It means you've an experience of three years more than me, and of course not I'm not someone who is generally concerned about this trivial matter, what matters to me is the person and the values he holds." Karan answered it to her with a soft smile.

Monami took a few seconds to eye to this gentleman and then gave him the smile back.

"So about all that we were talking about, Karan I get annual leaves of 120 days which either can take for a period of month or two. That is 4 times a year or so, but not for 4 months together. And then I have 20 days of casual and 10 days of sick leave so yes, that is the only time when I can be home." She completed, informing about the most challenging part of her duty.

Karan took hold of what all she said and raked his brain in all directions after comprehending her words and then said aloud, "Okay, but what about if any family member is willing to stay with you? Like is it possible."
Monami looked at him in awe for a few seconds and the spoke, "Yes, housing facilities are available for senior ranked officers and their family members."

"Hmm, then that's not big of an issue." Karan said still in thoughts, before his eyes turned playful and lips curved in a mischievous smile and said, "Vaise aaj pehli baar aapko itna baat karte huey suna hai, aapko isko continue karna chaiye."

(By the way this is the first time I've heard you speak for this long, you should continue this.)

Monami was flustered with this unexpected statement and avoided eye contact with him.

"By the way, you say that you are Squadron Leader, who is that?" Karan questioned after a few seconds.

"Squadron leader is basically the person who is heads 18 squadrons. It is the junior most position in senior ranks. The supervision and sorties, that is flying with or without officer." She explained making Karan nod in understanding.

Monami looked at him back after a few seconds of peaceful silence and said, "Now tell me about you." She could only speak this much because she didn't knew what to say more.

There is a lot which is yet to be shared between these two souls, in this very surrounding and that we will see how it turns out to be.

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Happy Ganesh Chaturthi everyone. May Ganpati Bappa brings in a lot of happiness and prosperity in your life! 🌻

I felt I should upload this one, feel free to drop in some suggestions.

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Much love,
Nehal.