Misaligned Stars

A drive under the stars

"Madam dono tyre puncture hain. Main yahin tha, lagta hai kisi bachche ne shararat ki hai" Monami looked surprised as the driver narrated.

Just when she was about to explode on the driver, Karan intervened, "Theek hai tum theek kara ke aayo jaldi"

When the driver left, Monami questioned Karan, "who ar you to intervene when I am talking to my staff?"

Karan: "I am no one but you just told my mom you had a great day and now you were just going to spoil it for yourself and that poor chap who has been waiting here for hours"

Monami: "But it was his job to take care of the car. I need to be home. It's late already. My dad would call and get worried if I am not at home"

Karan: "I can drop you, on that 🏍️, if you don't mind"

Monami seemed scared: "On these roads, no way"

Karan: "If you are scared, that's fine... we can walk. It's not surprising, ladkiyan darti hai aisi bikes se. Ye yahan ke "beast" hote hain.

Monami: "Main kisi se nahi darti and I can't walk that long in these heels."

Karan got the motorbike (an Enfield Bullet) and wiped it clean. He took seat and asked Monami to sit. Monami took support of Karan's shoulder, lifted up her right leg to the other side and set behind Karan, who looked a bit surprised and laughed.

Monami: "What now?"

Karan: "Nothing. Hamare yahan ladkiyan bikes pe aise nahi baithti."

Monami remembered watching women sit sideways on two wheelers.

Monami: "oh yes, but why? I was actually wondering about it?"

Karan: "Let it be. Its not appropriate for me to say it in front of my female boss"

Monami: "Har baat mein ladka ladki kyun aata hai? Baat shuru ki hai to jawaab do.

Karan (shrugging and whispering): "Women here don't like to spread their legs easily."

Monami went colorless hearing that. Did Karan just make an obscene joke in front of her? May be She should have not encouraged him to say it when he said it was inappropriate.

Karan was wondering if Monami would get upset. She does get upset with everything. And Did he just flirt with Monami? The thought made him happy and proud - it was probably the first time he flirted with someone.

Just then Monami spoke, "Do men here use protection?"

Karan: "What???" (He wasn't sure he heard correctly)

Monami: "Do you have protection?"

Karan was shocked and stuttered as he spoke, "De..Dekhiye madam, aap...main...Main aapko aapke ghar ke baahar chhod ke wapas aane wala hoon. Bilkul safely....respectfully. Aap mujhpe trust kar sakti hai...mera.. mera koi aur intention nahi hai. Wo..Wo aapne poochcha to maine bola wo baat. It didn't mean any ...anything" . There were sweat drops on Karan's forehead.

"Helmet. Tumhare yahan bhi motorcycle pe helmet pehente hain na - for protection. Helmet kahan hai?" Monami said slowly. She enjoyed watching Karan's reaction.

They exchanged glances which acknowledged Monami got this one over Karan. Karan picked up helmets from a hook under the front seat. Both wore helmets as Karan began to drive.

The weather was clear, it was getting colder. Monami was glad Karan's strong , broad upper body kept her safe from cold air. But the road soon turned bumpy.
Monami tried to hold on to something, but there was nothing available. So she had to hold on to Karan.

Karan realised Monami still didn't know much about the place so he took her to some of the key places. Monami was enjoying the fresh air ride. Ever since coming to the town she had mostly stayed indoors or in AC rooms.

Monami had placed her chin on behind shoulder to be able to hear him clearly, but she was completely oblivious to the fact that Karan was feeling every second of their closeness. He saw Monami in the mirror struggling with hair strands on her face and had this urge to help her by removing anything covering her face.

They stopped at a place for refuelling. As they waited, Monami looked at the sky - "Do you know ye Orion Meri favourite constellation hai. A fighter. So impressive na. Tumhari kaunsi hai?"

Karan wondered. "Koi bhi nahi. Aisa to kabhi socha hi nahi. Waise bhi madam aapke aur mere aasmaan sirf dikhte ek hain. But hamare sitaare kahin bohot alag aur door honge"

——————

Karan dropped Monami at her home gate and left.

On his way back home, he missed how Monami leaned on his back. Her chin on his shoulder, her breath in his ears, Her arms wrapped around his chest.

Karan was sure he didn't like factory owner Monami - too bossy, too overbearing, always with a hidden agenda behind her actions. But the Monami off-factory, with her gorgeous laughter, soft touches, feminine demeanour was all over his mind.

Karan brushed it off. He needs to focus on how to deal with the Monami - owner of the factory. He had to take her head-on next morning on the workers contract issue. But may be for one night , just this night, he can dream about the Monami who was with him this evening.

_________TO BE CONTINUED_________