Monami and Karan reached home and Yashoda was happy to see them. "Abhi tujhe aaye ek din hua hai par jab gayi to ghar kitna soona lag raha tha." Yashoda hugged Monami. Karan and Monami were delighted to hear these words from Yashoda as she appeared normal and not angry. Karan nudged Monami and they both touched her feet and she blessed them.
Karan: "Maa, tumhari bahu aa gayi hai, ab main factory ja raha hoon. Monami tum chalogi kya?"
Yashoda: "Aaj ruk jao Monami, kuch din baad chali jaana. Shaadi ke baad itni jaldi office jaate hue achcha nahi lagta"
Monami smiled and nodded in yes to Yashoda. "Karan tum factory ho aao, shaam ko baat karte hain iss baare mein". She needed to talk about London but she had a gut feeling that the conversation won't be easy.
Karan was worried too. He was supposed to stand by her career but he didn't want her to leave.
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After Karan left, Yashoda explained to Monami how he carries home food to factory and not eat canteen food. Yashoda cooks and packs a vegetable , a dal, 10 rotis and salad every day, extra rotis in case he wants to share with other people. Monami smiled and nodded a yes - she did it for most things Yashoda told him. His legs needs to be massaged every alternate day, his medicines , his protein shake for when he works out with weights, his cupboard needs to be cleaned every couple of weeks, his bath water needs to be a specific temperature, etc etc.
At the end of it, Yashoda said "Ye Sab main tumhe bata rahi hoon ki Dheere Dheere tum sab samajh Jao. Ab Reena Hoti to Fatafat Karna seekh Jati, but Tumhe aadat nahin hai to abhi main karoongi jab tak tum seekh lo"
Monami wondered if she should talk to Yashoda about her London plans. She shouldn't hope to pass on all these responsibilities to Monami so soon as she will be going away in a few days. But Yashoda had been so judgemental recently. Monami thought it's best to talk to Karan first. The thought made her smile - despite all their ups and downs - Karan is Monami's guy - the one she trusts most. He will understand."
"Monami..." Monami's trail of thoughts was broken on hearing Yashoda calling her name
"Ji, maa" Monami acknowledged
"Woh..., beta... bura mat maanana.. par subah se mann mein ek baat thi ... poochh loon?" Yashoda said hesitantly
"Of course maa. Poochiye na" Monami was sweet
"Wo ... subah Karan ko itna time laga tumhe laane mein .. matlab tum dono akele to nahi the na ghar pe... matlab tumhe mandir mein maine jo kaha wo yaad hai na... tum samajh rahi ho na main kya keh rahi hoon. Tum kuch din karan se door rahogi na?" Yashoda asked
"Maa mujhe yaad hai, aapko baar baar kehne ki aur uncomfortable feel karne ki zaroorat nahi hai" Monami tried to comfort Yashoda. But she hoped Yashoda will stop repeating this awkward conversation.
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Karan had a good day at the factory. He met his colleagues after a long time, discussed factory issues, they talked about his wedding. Karan felt great to be at work again.
But he also felt eager to leave and go home to his "home".
Karan's shift ended at 5 pm and he was home at 5 15 pm. "Karan beta tabiyat theek hai na? Itni jaldi aa gaya. Pehle to tujhe 6 baj jate the aate aate" Yashoda probed.
"Haan wo itne din baad office gaya tha to thak gaya, isliye jaldi aa gaya" Karan made an excuse.
"Monami ke saath reh kar maa se jhooth bolna seekh gaya hai." Yashoda taunted Karan, who smiled for a second till he realised Monami had heard the taunt and she wasn't amused. She looked upset.
YOU ARE READING
Misaligned Stars
RomantizmThey say that love stories are made when the stars align. Everything falls into place and two hearts come together like pieces of puzzle. But what if these two stars are on different skies. From where they can see each other, even cross each other's...
