Ishq-e-Watan

Chapter 78- Sarang

CHAPTER 78

SARANG

Sarang-
(n.) 'I wish to be with you until death.'

"Dhyaan rakhna apna", Deepak said softly. Monami nodded, looking around at the luggage and making sure she wasn't forgetting anything. "Waapas kab aayegi?"

She looked up, taking a step closer at his sad eyes. "Jitni j-jaldi ho s-sake", she promised. "Aap bhi dh-dhyaan r-rakhna apna, Papa."

"I'll call you Sunday ko", he said.

She stared at him for a long moment before throwing her arms around his neck. He kissed her head gently, patting her back. She closed her eyes, basking in the warmth of his arms. "I'll wait f-for your c-call", she said.

"Naa karoon toh khud kar lena", he said.

She pulled away, frowning at him. "Kyun n-nahi karoge? Aap hi k-karna."

He chuckled. "Theek hai." He patted her head. "Take care of yourself there, okay? Sid ka bhi dhyaan rakhna." He paused for a moment. "Training theek se karna."

Her mouth spread in a wide smile and she nodded. "Haan." The smile he gave back was hesitant and uncomfortable but Monami appreciated all the effort he was putting in. She couldn't ask for more. "Bye, Papa."

"Bye, baccha", he said. "Waapas jaldi aana."

The words, for once, weren't hostile. She turned away, her eyes welling up slightly. She used to say it to her mother. She took a deep breath, walking out of her house.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Karan glanced at the clock, pursing his lips. "Kya hua hai?" Faizi asked, glancing at him. "Subah se clock kyun dekhe jaa rahe ho?"

He looked at him, shaking his head slightly. He turned his attention back to the laptop. The first day of the year was an off on the occasion of New Year but with January having arrived, the expected date for bomb blasts also inched closer. They needed something concrete to act on.

"Monami ka wait kar rahe ho?" He teased.

He looked up, narrowing his eyes. "Chup kar jaa", he snapped. He was. He was waiting for Monami. But Faizi didn't have to know that. "Main... Main kyun wait karunga uska?"

He laughed slightly, shaking his head. He turned back to his laptop, continuing to read. "Waise hume dikh raha tha", he said. "Tum itne din se thode murjhaaye lag rahe the. Jab se mahutarma gayi hain. Miss kar rahe the?"

Karan glared at him. "Kuchh bhi sochta rehta hai", he snapped. He turned back to his laptop when he glanced back, glaring at the screen. Why did Faizi have to know him so well? He should have been paying attention to Koel. He shook his head, concentrating back on the report.

But before he started reading again, his eyes flickered down to the time. There were still at least, a couple of hours. He heaved a sigh.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Sanju rested her head back on her boyfriend's shoulder, closing her eyes as he gently carressed her hair. "Sanju?" She opened her eyes. He was staring at her with tender eyes, a small smile on his face.

"Kaa?" She raised an eyebrow. "Aise kaahe ke laane dekh raho hai?"

His smile widened slightly and he shifted a little till they both were sitting a little more upright. "You are so beautiful. Tumhe pata hai?" He muttered, leaning closer. She closed her eyes as he leaned forward, gently kissing the corner of her mouth. "I love you." He gently cupped her cheek, his lips brushing with hers.