Misaligned Stars

Mission to Impress

That day in the factory, Monami excitedly took her father to factory tour and with each process she explained her understanding of machines, jobs, worker  responsibilities etc. with its strengths weaknesses. Deepak Mahajan was happy to see his daughter's involvement in the factory. He corrected her, gave his feedback and guidance.

Even the workers felt happy to see the owners on the floor working with them and being optimistic about future of the company. Some elderly workers praised Monami's hard work in past weeks and Mr Mahajan smiled with pride. This made Monami even more excited.

Karan watched from a distance and smiled seeing
Monami's excitement.

Monami had too many ideas so Mr Mahajan gave her two days to make a structured presentation on her plan to revive the factory and show it to him. The worker contract discussion was also postponed as Mr Mahajan decided to give his inputs to Monami's overall proposal.

Monami was excited and wanted to share with Karan. But she didn't want workers to surprised by her sudden change of behaviour towards Karan so she texted him. But he was busy with work so he didn't check/respond.

Later he went to Monami's office to talk to her. She was working on her presentation intently. Karan knocked at door.

Karan: Am I disturbing you?
Monami: "It depends who you are. I have no time for workers union leader but if you have any work as the senior supervisor, I am all ears. After all I am responsible for the factory now." She smiled.
Karan: "Looks like you have already forgotten the poor boyfriend of yours"
Monami: "Of course not. But he has been ignoring my messages so I will ignore him for now"
Karan: "He has a very Khadoos boss. May be he is scared to use phone because of her fear"
Monami: "Wow, choosing boss over wife, I am glad we aren't really getting married" Monami giggled.

Monami: " So I was saying dad has given me the opportunity to present the revival plan to him in two days. This is really the first time he is taking me so seriously and I wanted to thank you for it."
Karan smiled: "I am sure you are a lot more qualified and capable than me but if I can still be of any help, let me know"

———————
Next day, Monami was again busy with the presentation and stayed in her office.

Karan was getting restless because he hadn't seen her since morning. He went to her office but her door was shut with the instructions she wasn't to be disturbed.

Karan texted Monami to ask if she how things are going and if she needs help. She texted back "stuck at something, will manage. Thanks"

By the evening, Karan texted again. "Hope all is sorted"
Monami replied, "Yes, kind of!"

Karan had his dinner and went to bed. But he couldn't sleep. He was a bit annoyed with Monami's brief answers. So he decided to video call. He wasn't sure if Monami will pick it up. But she picked up in one ring.

Monami (looking sleepy): "Hi boyfriend"
Karan was worried looking at her. "Monami, are you ok? You look exhausted. What happened?"
Monami: "It's all fine now. Dad wanted it to be a full plan with financials, so I was stuck at finding right numbers for my planning. But I was able to talk to a few friends and solve it. So it's good now. But I lost so much time so have to complete it now. And now I am so sleepy. But I have to make it best."
Karan: "Ask your staff for some coffee. You don't look good"
Monami: "I don't want to wake them up. I will be fine. Don't worry. Listen, I need to get back to this work. But Thanks for checking on me. Bye"
—————-
Monami woke with a jerk to find Someone in her room. She screamed only to find a strong hand cover her mouth, and she tried to hit the person with something she grabbed on her work desk. But the man held her throwing arm, and pinned her back against the wall. She tried to move her legs to kick him but he was strong and blocked her legs with his legs. It was probably just a few seconds, but seemed like a panicky eternity before she heard the familiar voice "Monami, calm down."

Monami saw it was Karan. She calmed down immediately. His eyes and his voice has starting to become so comforting to her. Was she dreaming of his presence? She was feeling so pressured and stressed just some time back, and suddenly the support of his strong arm around her made Monami feel lighter. Was it real or was she hallucinating? Monami gazed into Karan's eyes as she thought about it, partially still dazed. Monami looking into Karan's eyes had a hypnotising effect on Karan too for a few minutes. He lost the sense of where he was and why he was there - he just knew he was at the right place. The world seems to have collapsed and he just had all that he needed right in his arms.

After some time (which neitger of the two realised how long it was), Karan realised that they were too close than they should be. He slowly released his hand from Monami's mouth. "Don't scream, I will be in trouble"

Monami (surprised and angry): "You should be in trouble. What are you doing here at this hour. How did you even come in here? And just because we are doing this fake wedding act, I am not letting you in my bedroom. Tum kya soch kar aaye ho"
Karan: "Monami, relax. I brought you coffee." He pointed to the thermos bottle. "You didn't look good on the call. And I was worried. I know tomorrow is important for you... and I tried calling you but you didn't pick up so I had to climb up the balcony to come here."

Monami took a few seconds to process it all. "You came all the way to give me this coffee at this time?? Why?? Are you mad?? Where did you get the coffee?"

Karan: "I was worried for you. And Mom made the coffee for her hone wali bahu. So please have it for her. She really likes you."

Monami softened up: "Your mom is so amazing." she smiled..... "You are a good Guy, Shergill. And I know where you get it from"

Karan poured hot coffee to Monami: "I am a bit selfish too. Just want you to do well tomorrow. Prove yourself. End this charade. So that we don't have to lie more to our parents."

Monami: " Hmmm.... Then hope nobody saw you enter my bedroom at this hour. Because then we may be having our wedding tomorrow instead of the presentation"

Karan sighed: "I wish"

Monami (Surprised): "What?"

Karan (realising he said it out loud): "I mean.. I wish this presentation goes well tomorrow. Where are you on it?"

They discussed the presentation though Monami had to limit the details, as this was not supposed to be discussed with employees esp workers union leader.

It was a refreshing short discussion , which, along with coffee, made Monami feel energised again.

Karan left after about 40 minutes. Monami finished her work and got ready for her upcoming big day.
As she lay on her bed, she said a little prayer for her presentation. Then added a little prayer for Karan, her gratitude to him for all the help, praying he gets all he wants in his life.

Karan lay in his bed too. Thinking about their moments together, their eyelock , their conversation, their closeness. He knew he was wishing for impossible. But at least he admitted to himself, he was totally smitten by her. And May be in life, they can be this close again, in a bedroom and when he didn't have to stop himself from looking at her or kissing her.

_______ TO BE CONTINUED__________