Misaligned Stars

Proposal accepted

In Mahajan house backyard lawn:

Monami: "Hello new boyfriend"
Karan (rolling his eyes): "Tumhe bilkul ajeeb nahi lag raha aisa bolte hue ya sochte hue?"
M: "Haina.... It's so weird.. I mean I could have literally killed you two days back, when you were being all arrogant in that meeting room, and today I actually said I am in love with you..... can you believe that????"
K (angrily): " Aapko Mazak lag raha hai ye? I am a worker in your factory. Your dad carries a gun. He could have shot me. Actually he still can. Meri mom mujhpe dependent hain. Tumne bina mujhse baar kare itni badi baat bol di. Kya tumne socha ki agar main wahan inkaar kar deta to tumhari kya izzat reh jaati?"
M (laughed): "Relax Karan. Mere dad old-fashioned hain , Amrish Puri nahi hain. ....(continues laughing) ... He doesn't use his bullets carelessly. ....Aur Mere pass doosri kya options thi wo tumhe pata hai na. Uss Sunny se shaadi nahi karni thi mujhe."
K: "To mujhse karni hai?"
M: "Of course not Karan. Tumse bhi bilkul nahi karni. Mujhe bass waqt chahiye tha - stress free kaam pe focus karne ke liye - sirf Sunny k liye inkaar karti to papa koi aur ladka le aate. Ab hum waqt maang sakte hain phir baad mein keh denge hum compatible nahi hain"

Karan was irritated at this point. While he had suggested same thing to Monami - about seeking time to implement her plans in the factory- this was suddenly annoying him - in the mandir and here. Karan was wondering why and then it struck him. When Monami said "Of course not" to the idea of marrying Karan, It was just like his nightmare from the other night. She will never want to marry him. And even talking about it was hurting Karan.

Karan (highly irritated): Monami jiii... shaadi is not a joke. Aapne to ye baat casually keh di but wahan meri mom bhi involved ho gayi. And baat ye hui thi ki main aap ki help karunga but apne father ki saalon ki banayi hui reputation and mom ke emotions ko stake pe rakh kar nahi."

Monami: "Achcha calm down .. please"... she held Karan's hand. "Thodi der pehle tum mujhe assure kar rahe the na... ab sab theek ho raha hai to stress kyon le rahe ho?"

"Karan, I am really thankful to you ki tumne mujhe support kiya. And oh my god, kya hero wali entry maari.... Jab tumne Sunny ka haath pakad ke side mein phenka na, uska chehra dekhne layak tha" Monami said excitedly still holding Karan's hand.
Monami's excitement made Karan smile a bit.

Monami continued, "And I am sorry tumhe mandir mein meri wajah se pehli baar jhooth bolna pada - I am sure it was a big thing for you and I really appreciate you doing that for me." She said with genuine concern. She then turned around, with her back towards Karan now, she stepped forward, looked at the sky and folded her hands and prayed, "Please bhagwaan ji, Karan ne jhoot achche kaam ke liye bola, aur aisa jhoot to jhoot nahi kehlaata. Par agar phir bhi aapko galat lage to uski punishment Mujhe dijiyega Karan ko nahi"

Karan was silently watching Monami being excited, remorseful and kiddish - far from the aggressive personality she is at the factory. He was all smiles and awed by her.

Karan stepped forward to where Monami was praying, grabbed her waist and turned her around. Monami was shocked and stumbled and kept her hands on Karan's shoulders  to balance herself. She looked beautiful. Karan looked in her eyes, blew air on her face to remove the hair strands on her face. In that moment of close proximity, Karan confessed to Monami - "maine mandir mein jhoot nahi kaha tha Monami, main sach mein tumhe bohot pasand karta hoon." Monami was shocked with this sudden confession, she asked Karan to repeat his words. Karan said, "I really, really like you Monami". Monami jerked backwards, freeing  herself from Karan's grasp. Before Karan could react, she pulled up her right hand with all her strength and splashed a tight slap across Karan's face.

Karan shook with the impact of the imaginary slap, and realised that he was just imagining the confession while Monami still prayed for Karan and his mom. He had missed some part of the prayer but it seemed to be about ensuring that Karan's mom isn't hurt because of her and giving her all the happiness.

But the imaginary slap reminded Karan that he needs to be careful about this pretend arrangement that Monami was proposing. With Karan having a soft corner for Monami, things can get complicated and hurt him. He reminded himself that he will be nothing but just a pawn in this game of power between the father and the daughter.

He looked at Monami again. She looked so happy and excited about her possible chance at factory again.

Monami: "Karan this plan is working already. Dad didn't stop Sunny and his mom when they threatened to leave. Now all we need to do is talk to dad tomorrow, say that we like each other but we need some time to take things forward, and the factory is our priority. It will all go as per our plan.

And in 2-3 months even your mom will realise that I am not good for you and she herself will tell you to reconsider your decision. And then we can use that to get your freedom, I will manage everything Karan, you can leave factory and you will never have to see our faces again."

Karan had never seen Monami so excited and happy. And If Karan refused to help Monami now, May be she has to marry a jerk like Sunny or leave the town , and Karan will never be able to see her smile this way again, May be he won't even be able to see her again.

"Okay. Let's talk to your dad tomorrow, pretend girlfriend!!" Karan said to Monami.

Monami jumped with joy on hearing this, and ran and hugged Karan. Karan thought to himself, "Maybe this pretend relationship could give me more quality time with Monami than a real confession", "may be .. Monami choosing me for this drama is destined by our stars." Karan looked at the sky and hugged Monami back lightly, cherishing this unexpected moment together , which he may not get ever again.

_______ TO BE CONTINUED________