Misaligned Stars

Exam Day De-stress

Next morning, after giving his maa a hug and eating fresh curd and sugar, and carrying Parathas for snacking, Karan left the house. Monami decided to drive Karan to the examination centre in the nearby town.

"Are you sure you want to drive? We can call your driver. Or I can drive" Karan seemed unsure.

"Oh please the drivers here are so unreliable, I have been driving off and on and I am pretty good at off roading so you will be safe"

"But we could take someone, why are you bothering?" karan insisted

"I just thought it would be good to have our exclusive space, just two of us... and I obviously won't disturb on the way to exam centre. You can just be how you want but we will get some time together while returning" Monami explained

They drive away. On the way, they continued to chat.

"Thanks.. I just want you to be comfortable. You are anyways juggling your own work and supporting me for my exam.. means a lot to me."

"Yeah..which reminds me I have to see some important documents. Vendor will release the shipment today. Then to port and then here" Monami explained

"Really..that's great.. sorry, I was so busy with my own things, I never checked on the machines status" Karan said

"Don't think all of that, not the time" Monami tried to bring Karan's focus back to his exam.

Karan revised a few things for a while as Monami drove. It was quiet in the car.

After some time, Monami noticed Karan was looking at her without blinking his eyes.

Monami gave out a cough sound. "Cough...cough" Karan and Monami looked at each other and exchanged a smile. Monami teased Karan "Looks like you are studying the wrong subject"

Karan blushed : "I got distracted to my favourite subject."

Monami laughed. "Kya soch rahe the?"

Karan: "Yahi ki bhagwaan ji bhi kehte honge na, ki ye Karan ko maine Monami de di. Uske baad bhi he still has audacity to pray to me for other things."

Monami looked straight as she navigated a bumpy road. "Hmm.. baat to sochne wali hai" she said

Karan seemed serious so Monami laughed. "Tum kya random sochte rehte ho. Apne padhai pe focus karo. Ab hamari shaadi tumhara good luck tha ya mera - ye to bhagwaan ji hi jaante hain na. Jo hamare control mein nahi hai wo kyon sochte ho. Hum to bas best effort Kar sakte hain - which you have already done. Now let's see kya hota hai"

Karan said , "jaise tum apne kaam mein best effort deti ho"

Monami thought of her laptop. She had to open it up and check all documents as soon as Karan's exam starts.

They had almost reached the venue. There seemed to be lot of rush from a kilometer away from the centre. Many kids in late teens:early 20s.

Monami suddenly said, "Karan.... Achcha suno .. I am saying this because you overthink these days.... You may be the oldest in the classroom where you have your exam. I see mostly students here. And in the exam hall, they may seem faster, more focused, or may even stare at you etc. But you have to keep trusting yourself and remember that what you have , none of the others have it?"

Karan replied quickly "you mean Monami?"

Monami whacked Karan's head, " Experience. You have experience"

"Oh, yes" Karan smiled and Monami laughed at his silliness

As Monami and Karan reached the venue and stepped out of car, Karan looked tense. So Monami casually slid her hand in Karan's and locked her fingers with his fingers. "Baby, are you fine?" His hands were sweating.