Misaligned Stars

A hectic week

For days ahead, Monami and Karan remained busy with their individual daily plans

Monami was busy completing the paperwork with vendor, bank, freight insurance and shipping companies to ensure that the machines are paid for and shipped soon and smoothly.

It was a new experience for Monami as she had never procured products internationally before and she had to learn quickly and ensure that the process is done timely and without any errors.

The bureaucracy in getting approvals caused some trouble but then Monami's MLA friend offered to help her.

"Karan, I want to be very clear on this so that iski wajah se hamare beech tension na ho, especially when your exam is so close. But kuch approvals chahiye jo MLA ke saath jaane se bohot easy ho jayenge. Please trust me to handle it"

"Monami I trust you. I don't trust that guy." Karan sighed. "So go, but be careful"

"I will be careful, I promise" Monami said and held Karan's hand as they sat across the table in one of their 11 AM meetings.

These meetings were practically the only time they were together these days and both were usually working but found comforting to be around each other.

They would sometimes see each other on factory floor and exchange smiles, like some long distant girl friend and boy friend who were forced to be apart but their hearts knotted with other's heart, their eyes would refuse to let go of the other before another work obligation would pull them away in their own worlds.

The days were easier, being busy, but nights were full of yearning, hopes and dreams. Both worked till late night and were mostly tired by the time they fell on bed. But they would send each other countdowns of days left to Karan's exams. Monami would still be busy after that but they wouldn't have any restrictions between them. Both Monami and Karan were desperate to go back to the time where they could touch and kiss each other . And do much more than that. Monami blushed at this thought.

Karan also envisioned his future as he laid on his bed. He hoped to live his wedded life with Monami for some days, before he can hopefully join his MBA - he wanted a marriage, just simple things of sleeping on the same bed, having Monami demand his arm for her pillow, cooking together in the kitchen , praying together and being there for their community, just like his parents were, when his father was alive. But they may not live here when he has a corporate job. Still he wanted to do something for people here before he left this place. But will he? It all depends on his exam.

———-

Next day, Karan's eyes were looking for Monami . She had started taking round of the factory floor every morning, just to have a glimpse of Karan, at least that's what Karan thought. But on that day, she didn't come down.

When Karan went to her cabin at 11 AM, it was vacant. That's when Karan realised that he had forgotten about her meeting. She had to go with the MLA to sort certain Paperwork delays from the local administration. Karan stayed in Monami's office and connected the laptop to continue with his class. But his attention kept moving towards her vacant chair. After the class he walked up to her chair and caressed her chair, missing Monami - his wife, his partner, the reason he wanted to grow in life. Karan had never regretted his decision to forcefully marry her. In hindsight, current could never imagine doing that. But it seemed to have turned out the best decision of his life. Now his existence was incomplete without Monami, he thought. Just a few hours and he has been missing her terribly. What would have happened if she had gone to London? What will happen when he has to leave for his MBA? It's not gonna be easy. But he needs to do this. This is the only way he can give Monami the lifestyle, she deserves. She wasn't born to be the wife of a worker. She hoped to be able to save for an air-conditioner in his house, before he leaves his job. He he could arrange for his own education fees, take a loan, maybe . Depending on the Mahajans for his fees does not seem right. But Monami has been insisting to use her savings. Karan had many things going on in his mind. But one thing that he was sure and secure about is that in his absence Monami would ensure well-being of his mother. They had their issues but never stopped being respectful to his mom. He felt proud of his wife, she is an achiever and a strong personality, but that doesn't stop her from being a loving daughter-in-law.  Karan check his messages but there was none. He hoped she'll be fine.

It was only about 2 PM when Monami returned . She had a lot of work to do and straight went to her office, opened her laptop and started working. On the way, she told her assistant to inform Karan, that she is in her office and and he can drop in whenever he has five minutes. Normally, Monami would not do this. Karan may not appreciate Monami sending orders to him through her staff. He had his ego which was a bit fragile. And Monami had learnt to tiptoe around it. But today was a busy day and he'll understand.