December 2019

Shergill's

It was around 9 when Karan's bike entered in the threshold of his residence with a vroom. He got down from it swiftly and with a goofy grin plastered on his face, swinging the key on his forefinger which he paused when he opened his shoes and placed them in the rack outside and continued with the task he was indulged in, earlier.

As Karan set foot in the living room after closing the door behind him, he was welcomed with teasing smiles of his family members. He instantly stopped grinning and struggled to make his expressions normal.

"Uhm. Kya hai? Sab aise kya dekh rahe ho? Subah subah bhi aap sab log kitne velle ho na!" Karan huffed and stuttered in one breath making everyone bite their lips to not break out in laughter but it was one hell of a task and it made Karan feel more embarrassed.

(Uhm. What is it? What are you all looking at? Even in the morning you people are so free.)

"Accha beta, hum velle lag rahe hain tumhe. Dekhlo papa, aapke chhote sahab subah subah bina bataye gayab ho jaayein, shayad kisi se milne gaye honge lekin phir bhi... aur phir yun surf si safed bateesi chamkate huey lautein aur hum unse kuch pooche bhi na?Vaise kaun tha Karan jinse milke tum itna muskura rahe ho?" Param's tone was clearly suggesting that they were aware about his rendezvous.

(Oh wow, so we seem like we are free. See him papa, your younger child leaves without informing anyone that too in the early morning, possible that he might have gone to meet someone...And then he is grinning like a fool and we can't even ask him anything? By the way who was the person, Karan, who made you smile this wide?)

"Bhabhi aapko pata thha phir bhi aap in sabke saath team up kar rahe ho? Yeh cheating hai." Karan shot an accusatory glance at his bhabhi and whined.

(Bhabhi you knew it all and yet you're teaming up with everyone else. This is cheating.)

"Arrey bhai mujhe toh sirf itna pata thha ki Monami aur tum miloge aaj, tumne mujhe time thodi na bataya thha!" Barkha defended herself. "Lekin yeh sab chhodo ab yeh he bata do ki date kaisi thi?" She added, her tone having the evident tease.

(Hey, I was only aware about the fact that you and Monami will be meeting today, you never mentioned the time.)(But tell us, how was your date?)

"Aur Karan tum gaye toh gaye, lekin itni subah?"Atul sighed in disbelief. "Yeh bhi koi waqt hota hai date pe jaane ka?" He snorted.

(And Karan even though you went, but this early?)(Is this even a time to go on a date?)

"Arrey baba, sabse pehle toh yeh koi date wate nahi thhi. Hume sirf baat karni thhi." Karan made an attempt to clear. And he looked at Param who seemed like he was about to say something but he addressed him and said, "I know Bhaiya aaj hum milenge lekin kya woh sahi waqt hota? Thoda bohot he kuch baat kar paayenge agar possible bhi hota hai toh. Isiliye subah mile kyuki aur koi time he nahi set hota. Moreover, we'll be at least a bit more comfortable with each other and will enjoy the functions in a better space as well."

(Oh god you people. Firstly, this was not a date. We just wanted to talk.)(I know Bhaiya that we'll be meeting today but will the time be right to talk about such matters? We'll get only a handful of time with each other and if we got that we'll hardly be able to talk a lot. That's the reason we met at this time because no time besides this would be suitable.)

"Aur papaaa, yeh date nahi thhi baba." He whined with red ear tips. But he took control of is scattered emotions and said, “But let me tell you all before you guys ask me anything and looking at your faces, I’m sure you’re very keen to know, that yes we had a good time talking. Kaafi kuch discuss kiya humne. Lekin is'sey zyada mai aur kuch bhi nahi bataunga ab. Aur main upar jaa raha hoon ab.”

(We've discussed about quite a lot of things. But that is it, I won't dwell much into details. And I'm heading upstairs.)

Karan without giving anyone a chance, took two steps in the direction of staircase but he halted and turned again to face his family members who were still looking at him and sighed. "Aur aap logo ko yeh kaise pata chala ki mai Monami se milne gaya thha?" He raised his eyebrow.

(And how did you guys got to know that I went to meet Monami?)

"Woh kya hai na devarji, jo note aapne fridge pe chipkaya na usme aap kuch saboot chhod gaye." Barkha said with saccharine voice.

(The fact is this brother in law that the note which you stuck on fridge, gave us the evidence.)

Karan raised his eyebrows in confusion and Barkha asked Param to take note out of his pocket.

"Bhabhi I'm going out to m̶e̶e̶t̶ ̶M̶o̶n̶a̶m̶i̶ have some fresh air, near FS. I will be back soon.'

-Karan."

(He tried to scribble meet Monami, but failed.)

"Yeh jo isme aapne Monami ke naam ko mitana chaha hai na, aisa hua nahi aur aapka secret sabke saamne aagaya". Barkha teased Karan making him stroke his eyebrow with a sheepish smile.

(Although you've tried to strikethrough the name of Monami, but clearly it didn't happen and now your secret is no more a secret.)

"Haanji betaji, ab aapko apni safai mein kuch kehna hai?" Atul mocked Karan.

(Yes dear son, now do you have something to say in your favour?)

"Kaise kahega papa, chehra dekho iska, bolne layak lag raha hai yeh aapko?" Param snorted making Karan more abashed.

(How would he say, look at face, do you feel he is in the condition of saying something?)

"Uhm guys abhi ho gaya na, kaafi hai. Aap logo ko kaam nahi hai kya koi? Subah subah tang kar rahe ho mujhe sab." Karan whined and paused before adding, "I'm going now." He hurried in his steps making everyone guffaw.

(Guys now enough of it, don't you have any work? All of you are troubling me in the morning.)

•°•°•°

Mahajan's

Monami entered the basement of her home with some fruits because the festivities of her best friends' wedding will begin from today and since all the three families are close to each other, Monami's parents and brother are invited to all the small and major functions.

As it is, it is Indian wedding we are talking about, which includes a lot of small rituals, wedding folk songs by the elder ladies that set up a whole vibe, some teasing and harmless fun and endless laughter. Especially since both Sanjana and Sidharth were Marwari, there was a hell lot of customs that was waiting for them.

Monami was more happy than excited that her best friends are getting married, although she was a tad bit more happy for Sidharth since he was her first friend and best friend which never really changed, even after meeting Sanjana. In fact, Sanjana became a very important person to the duo. Monami was thankful that in her absence, Sanjana was there with her best friend, not only as a good friend but as a companion. They both shared a great bond with each other and it was comical as well as heart warming for Monami to see how a girl who was a tom boy, will now be someone's bride.

Monami was lost in all these thoughts after she placed the fruits on the kitchen slab. She came out of her reverie when Deepak placed his hand on Monami's head, caressing her. She looked at her father.

"Kya soch raha hai mera baccha?" Deepak asked while putting the fruits in the basket, taking them near the sink to wash them.

(What is my child thinking?)

"Kuch nahi papa, bas yahi ki kaise time itna jaldi beet gaya na? I mean I still feel that it was some days back when I and Sid met Sanju for the first time in the college and she became one of us. And now my only best friends are getting married." Monami said with a small smile, while boiling some water to make tea for everyone.

(Nothing papa, just the fact that how time is speeding up so fast.)

"Haan yeh toh maan na padega, ab dekho na aisa lagta hai ki kal ki he toh baat hai jab chhuttiyon mein ghar aata thha aur teri aur sid ke sawaal khatam nahi hote they, chhodte he nahi thhey mujhe aur ab uski shaadi ho jayegi."Deepak remembered all those days with a fond smile on his face and when he saw Monami, her face was no different than him.

(I have to agree on this, I feel it was just yesterday when I used to come home for holidays and you and Sid were ready with your never ending questions and now look at him, all set to get married.)

"Haan papa, kitne sukoon bhare din they woh." Monami breathed. "I'm so happy that he has Sanjana in his life, the only one who can set him straight. There togetherness will have a name now." She chuckled in the first part and finished it with a smile and Deepak nodded in agreement.

(Yes papa, those days were nothing but peaceful.)

"Vaise dekha jaaye toh ab woh din bhi dur nahi jab teri bhi shaadi ho jayegi." Deepak tried to tease Monami and was rewarded back with her narrowed eyes. "Kya? Ab aise kya dekh rahi hai, Karan nahi toh koi aur he sahi, shaadi toh karegi he na. But I know you, you are somewhere seeing Karan in that light and even beyond; because it's quite some time that you've met a person and personality like him." Deepak said with a known look.

(By the way, I feel that, that day is not far when you'll be married off too.)(What? Why are you looking at me like that? If not Karan, then someone else but you'll eventually marry someone?)

"Although you are not wrong papa, we met a few hours back and we did have a talk about our careers and how it consumes our time. It was basically to clear some points so that nothing can be hidden if we were to proceed. But I must say, he is one cavalier man." Monami briefed her father and poured tea in two cups, forwarding it to Deepak.
She took a sip and added, "Papa, he is very effortless to talk to. I don't have to pretend."

Deepak just smiled and patted her head, already knowing what will be the decision of his daughter.

"Okay now I should go and get ready, they have a function by 12 and I am yet to take a bath. Mumma will be totally pissed." Monami hurried to her room after finishing her tea and washing the cups.

After getting ready in some simple Indian attire, Monami left for the venue which was a resort; booked by both the families for the upcoming days to avoid any kind of hassle. She herself had a room booked here, so she took a small suitcase that contained all her outfits to the resort so as to avoid getting herself tired by continuous travelling from home to the venue and vice versa.

Monami was going a bit early so that she can spend some time with both her friends together who have literally grilled her ears for knowing about this new development and the dates she is going on, with Karan; which for a fact Monami didn't even termed as a date.

As Monami walked in through the flowered walls and some cloth material hung together to give it a typical festive vibe, she could feel happiness in her veins, for her best friends. She was greeted by the staff, who was priorly informed about her presence around this time. They guided her to her room which was third in the row to Sidharth's.

Monami was walking towards the staircase to ascend it to place her bags in her room and then go to Sidharth's when she found a rose flower fallen, near the railing. She did not have a heart to let it stay there and get crumbled under someone's shoes so she picked it up and was going to keep it on the table she saw but was halted by a phone call. She rolled her eyes as soon as she saw the name.

"Kya hai Sid? Aa rahi hoon na kamine. Neeche he khadi hoon." Monami scowled and she know what was coming so she swiftly started to ascend the stairs with a staff member carrying her luggage.

(What is it Sid? I'm coming rascal. I'm standing downstairs only.)

"Tu kabse yeh he bol rahi hai ki aa rahi hoon na Sid. Tujhe yahan 2 ghante pehle hona chahiye tha, lekin madam ko fursat kahan. Aur neeche aa he gayi hai toh upar aana phir room mein." Sidharth first mimicked the way she spoke, which was horrible and then ranted, not giving her a chance.

(You are saying this since long that I'm coming Sid. You should have been here at least two hours before but no madam got no time. And now since you're here and what are you waiting for, come to my room quickly.)

Before Sidharth could have any chance to say anything, he was greeted by a door knock and he got up to open it, only to meet the person he was on call with and greeted her with a sheepish smile.

Monami smacked his forehead with a scoff and entered in his room after taking her suitcase from the staff and settled on the bed muttering, "Paani pila aur toothpaste ka promotion karna band." Well this was the Monami when she was with her tribe.

(Get me water and stop promoting toothpaste brand by showcasing your teeth this wide.)

Blatantly ignoring her comments and with the same foolish grin plastered on his face, he passed her a glass of water and threw himself on the bed near her, making it bounce. Monami glared at him to which he squeezed her in a side hug. "Buffoon." She chuckled, making him squeeze a bit more.

Sidharth left her, although with his arm still around her and saw the beautiful rose flower entrapped between her fingers and nudged her,which mader her look at him with raised brows.

"What?Why are you giving me these looks?" She asked narrowing her eyes in confusion to which he cheekily smiled and said, "Not bad at all bro, rose and all that too on the first meet and you're roaming around with it, I'm impressed." And his face was literally screaming his overly impressed self.

He again received a smack on his head from back and Monami said, "Kamine Ganju itna dimaag mat laga, yeh mujhe neeche seedhiyo ke paas mila aur tu teri harkaton se baaz nahi aaraha tha, toh isiliye le aayi. Gadha."

(You moron, calm your horses. I just found it downstairs and you were behaving totally reckless, hence, it is with me. Donkey.)

Sidharth just made a whatever face at it, clearly he was not at all impressed by this piece of information and wanted some masala news.

The day has just begun; it was yet to be lived with big roars of laughter, endless chunks of teasing, gobbling some good food, meeting and spending some good time.

|~|~|~|~|

This draft almost got deleted and I almost cribbed, but thankfully here is the chapter!

I would love to read some inline comments as well!

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Much love,
Nehal.