Misaligned Stars

Will she stay?

Yashoda went about her daily activities though still angry with both Karan and Monami. She asked Monami to get ready, "waise to shaadi ke baad mooh dikhai ki rasm hoti hai par jo aas pados ki haalat hai abhi, aur jaise tum subah subah Reena ke ghar itna kuch bol ke aayi hai to mooh dikhai to ho hi gayi hai. Mujhe nahi lagta koi aayega par tayyar rehna behtar hai"

Monami was troubled with the incidents since last night. She made up her mind to leave the house. She will call her dad and explain. The wedding didn't make any sense. It was forced, gloomy and distressing - a bad omen. She didn't want to break Karan's heart - he seemed too excited - but he should have thought before forcing it.  The marriage will bring only misery to him. He will hopefully understand and complete his studies.

But she can't just leave. She will need to talk to her father and Karan and Yashoda. They will all hate her.

For the time being, Monami went to get ready and took out a saree on Yashoda's instructions. When Monami was about to enter the bathroom, Karan handed over some bath supplies to her. "Here are some shampoo, conditioner, body wash, et cetera, I didn't know the brands you used so just got these, but let me know and I will get your preferred suppliessupplies.", He said to her.

" Don't bother. This is all fine", Monami said to Karan.

" Monami, it's your first day in the house. Don't I deserve even a smile? I know it's stressful, but we can deal with this with a smile" requested Karan.

"I don't want to talk Karan. My first day in the house is only bringing bad luck to this house" anyways, thanks, now please go check on maa. She is behaving so unlike herself."

"I am here to check on you first. I know you are not fine and I really want to hug you... but I can't - because of  mom's instructions, so it's killing me because I can't comfort you." Karan tried to comfort Monami with his words.

" I'm sorry, Karan, but... it's too much happening at the same time. I'm just finding it too hard to accept. I... I need some time. I need some time to figure out what this means and what am I supposed to do?" Monami explained.

Karan: "Whatever you decide, please try to give this a chance. Please give me a chance"

Monami: " I don't want to raise your hopes up. Please... I need some time to figure this out."

Karan left Monami to go to his mother. His mother gave him a cold shoulder too so he explained to her as well. " tujhe Yaad Hai Na, Tune kaha tha ki agar Monami pasand thi to Waqt Rehte Usko Kuchh kaha kyon Nahi? Tune Sahi kaha Tha. Main Phir Se regret nahin Karna chahta Tha."

Yashoda said quietly , " I hope tu regret na kare. I wish Tera Dil Phir Se na toote. Kya Tujhe Wakai lagta Hai ki wo yahan rukegi?"

There was a ring of doorbell.

"Mubarak ho Yashoda behen, suna hai bete ki shaadi kar di aapne, socha Monami bitiya se mil loon aur shagun bhi de doon" It was one of their elderly neighbour, Ganga Devi.

"Ganga chachi, aaiye. Itne saalon ke baad aayi hain aap." Yashoda welcomed the elderly lady and made her sit.

"Kal mandir mein pandit ji ne bataya Monami aur Karan ki shaadi ka. Main to tabhi se tayyar ho gayi aane ke liye. Monami to mujhe badi pyaari lagti hai aur Karan to sabki aankhon ka tara tha bachpan se. Kya khoobsoorat jodi hogi.

"Ji, Monami tayyaar ho rahi hai. 10 min mein aati hogi, tab tak main chai laati hoon" Yashoda said. She then nudged Karan to check on Monami and bring her out ready for mooh dikhai.

Karan happily went to Monami, walked to bathroom door and knocked to inform Monami. Monami started to panic, "Karan maine saree nikali thi but 10 min mein sari pehen ke kaise ready ho sakti hoon."