Misaligned Stars

11 AM meeting with the boss

*Knock ✊ ✊ *

"Come in"

Karan entered Monami's office in the factory at 11 am. One person from the security team was in the office already telling Monami something. Monami and the man were wrapping up their conversation. Soon after, he left the room.

"Ye kya keh reh tha?" Karan tried to strike a casual conversation. Since Monami left Shergill house last night, she hadn't responded to Karan's texts and she was in her office all her morning so Karan wasn't sure how her mood was, so he treaded with caution.

"I had called him to get exact details of the camera settings in the office. So that I can turn them off now" Monami entered a few keys on her keyboard. "and it's done"

"Why do you need to switch off cameras?" Karan asked, wondering.

Monami crossed her arms and said sternly. "You will know very soon"

"Monami what do you want to discuss in these daily meetings? Tumne bataya nahi tha kal" Karan tried to get to the point.

"Well I needed to remind you who is the boss. And Jo tum ghar pe nahi kar sakte, wo main tumse yahan karwa sakti hoon." Monami maintained a serious tone.

"Kya ... kya karwa sakti ho?" Karan was getting a bit worried now.

Monami walked to Karan, and said angrily. "Something that you need desperately, but will find excuses not to do. Karan ab I know you more than you think I do." She stepped close to Karan inching towards his lips.

"Monami pagal ho gayi ho kya? Koi aur baat nahi hai karne ke liye? Itni desperate kyon ho rahi ho? Kal itna lecture diya kaam ke  liye, preparation karni hai, paperwork karna hai. Wo sab chhod ke ab tumhe yahan romance karna hai." Karan replied angrily. "Arrey kuch din bache hain, rukne mein kya problem hai. Poori Zindagi padi hai Iss sab ke liye. Dekho Main kuch din maa ki baat ka maan rakhna chahta hoon. Stop being so desperate. I am leaving"

"Don't you dare step out." Monami started angrily but then switched to a soft tone as she held Karan's hand""Come on Karan, don't tell me that I am the only one desperate here. You are desperate about this too."

"Monami ye office hai. Jagah ki to izzat karo. Office mein iss tarah..." Karan hesitated to find right words. "It's wrong"

Monami sighed "Please of all the people, tum to right and wrong ki baat mat karo. You do remember how you married me."

She continued, "See Karan, ye Mera office hai and main jo chahungi wo karungi. Kal tumne mujhe jaise ghar se bhej diya, mujhe achcha nahi laga... mujhe pehle se idea tha ki tumhe shayad kuch issues hain, you are weak in some things, to main samajhti hoon.  Main hoon na tumhe support karne ke liye aur yahan aao..." Monami pulled Karan to a corner space with a U shaped sofa and table between it "Yahan baitho. Iss side ke saare cameras disabled hain. Ye sofa kitna comfortable hai  - we can sit here - and ye box kholo... isme kuch instruments hain. Come on Karan, I am sure you will like it, at least open and see"

Karan walked passed Monami in a very unbelieving, confused state. "This is crazy. I am not doing this or even staying here"

Monami used all her strength to push Karan who got disbalanced and fell on the sofa, "You are going to do what I want, and there is no escaping. Open the box and get ready"

Karan was shocked at Monami's audacity. She was so small compared to his size and he didn't even know how to react to her push.

"Kya nonsense hai ye. And this is harassment. Box mein Kya hai." Karan opened the box and saw a laptop with charger and wires. "Kya dikhane wali ho isme?" Karan took out the laptop and asked Monami.