Misaligned Stars

Truths that hurt and heal

"Mood accha hai, to baat karoon?" Yashoda asked Karan.

Karan: "Hmm... bolo"

Yashoda: "Monami aas paas hoti hai to tu khush rehta hai.. ye dekh ke mujhe achcha lagta hai"

Karan: "Achcha ..... To agar main ye expect karun ki main aas paas nahi hoon, to bhi meri family Monami ko khush rakhe , to mujhe taane kyon milte hain? Monami agar jataati nahi hai ki wo kahan se aayi hai to ye uski achchai hai, lekin sach wahi hai ki usne jo nahi kiya wo usko nahi aata, zabardasti kyon karni hai? London jaane pe taana, khana banane pe taana? Ho kya raha hai."

Yashoda: "Ab Monami hamari family ka hissa hai, wo khud aisa maanti hai to tu kyon usko alag karta hai. Khana banana aana chahiye, isme koi atyachaar nahi hai. Phir bhi agar use nahi banana to mana kar sakti hai, tujhse shikayat karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Uski har baat maani jaati hai, kab office jana hai, kab mayke jaana hai, kab videsh jaana hai - maine sirf jiji ki izzat rakhne ke liye keh diya usko kuch, to main galat ho gayi? London ke liye kaha kyonki jiji ko tere akelapan ka khayal tha, wo galat nahi hai. Mere sir par haath rakh kar bol ki tu usko miss nahi karega, uske London jaane par. Khush ho saath mein, to saath rehne mein kya problem hai?"

Karan: "Uske dad nahi chahte main 2 saal MBA ke liye jaun? To nahi jaun?"

Yashoda: "Mat ja. Phir jab zindagi bhar Monami ki zaroorat poori nahi kar payega, usko pehle jaisi zindagi nahi de payega, to pachtaana mat. Aaj mere aur jiji ke taane se pareshaani hai na tujhe, jaane kitne taane sunega zindagi bhar."

Karan was quiet.

Yashoda: "Karan teri padhai zaroori hai. Tumhare bhavishya ke liye. Monami ka kaam sirf uska shauk hai, uske baba khud nahi chahte wo jaye. Jiji ko bhi wahi laga to unhone keh diya."

Karan: "mujhe itna pata hai ki Kal ko yahi buaji aapke khilaaf kuch bolengi na, to Monami aapke saath khadi hogi. Chahe India mein ho ya London mein. Par aap Monami ke saath nahi thi kal"

Karan said and left. Yashoda was teary eyed.

————————————————

Karan went to his room angrily. Behind him there was a loud noise of door slamming

Monami rushed in carrying clothes and some boxes in her hands. Her hair was dripping wet, tied up in a towel. She quickly opened her robe and removed it as Karan watched shocked - pleasantly shocked. She was in blouse and petticoat.

"What are you doing" Karan asked

"What do you think?" Monami asked assuming it's obvious she is getting ready.

"I don't know" Karan seems confused, amusing Monami.

"Maa said she is ok with us having s*x and I am rushing because i can't wait to get in bed with you" Monami said while trying to unbutton Karan's shirt.

"What? Really?" Karan was still confused.

Monami pushed Karan on the bed. "Of course not Karan. I am trying to get ready. I need to wear this saree quickly. Monami started to tie her saree. Karan sat on the bed and smiled.

"I just had a bit jhagda with maa. So for a second I thought you are saying truth. May be she said so to make my mood better." Karan said , a bit sadly.

"Aww. Main lollipop hoon? Tumhara mood theek karne ke liye mom Monami candy dengi tumhe"

Karan sighed and Monami realised he was serious. She went and sat in his lap. This time Karan didn't take away his hands but held Monami's waist. "Monami kya hai mere liye ye main bol kar nahi samjha sakta" He kissed Monami's cheek.