Karan looked towards Monami who was laughing wholeheartedly with his mother and an unknown smile formed on his lips too. He was secretly adoring those soulful laughter that seemed very sweet to him.

Karan (in mind) - Pata nahi kyu magar tumhe dard mein nahi dekha jata, Monami. I don't know why but I want to shoo away all your sufferings. Dil karta hai tumhe aise hi haste hue dekhta rahu, pata nahi kyu...lekin..tumhari hasi achhi lagti hai aur tumhari aankho ka dard mera dil dukhata hai!

Thinking so, Karan started focusing on his dinner to not to make his parents suspicious by his thoughts and soon, everyone filled their tummies with the delicacies and left towards their respective rooms.

It was 1 am in the night, when Karan was just changing sides on his bed as sleep was far from his eyes. Being irritated of being sleepless, he decides to have a quick walk on the terrace and to have some fresh and pure air of the village. As he entered the terrace, he saw something that was unexpected. On a cot, a figure could be seen sitting on it with a night lamp beside. Tiptoeing, Karan stepped towards the cot only to be relaxed upon knowing that it's Monami who's studying in the fresh air.

Karan - Monami, tum yaha..?

Monami was perplexed for a second but soon took a deep sigh of relaxation, knowing that it's Karan who's there at this hour. For some unknown reason, she wasn't concerned about what he'd think about seeing her on the terrace that too at this hour. Also, some unknown relief occupied her heart upon seeing Karan.

Monami was about to stand up from the cot but Karan just signed her to be seated and he too sat beside her. For a few minutes, they kept seated on the cot without uttering even a single word as they found solace in each other's presence and the prevailing silence.

Karan (looking at the books) - Um...tum kya padh rahi thi?

To break the silence, Karan thought to start a conversation. As he averted his gaze around, he found a few books lying and thought to ask Monami about them.

Monami - I study medicine! Main MBBS ke last year mein hoon, mere exams aane wale hain, to bus...padh rahi thi.

Karan - Woah, medicine! Impressive! Bahot padhna padta hoga na? (Fondling with her books) Vaise tum Doctor kyu banna chahti ho?

Monami was taken aback by this question as till date, no one has asked her or shown so much interest in her interest. She gave a short smile to him and thought to share what she thinks and goes in her mind.

Monami - Ek Doctor ko bhale hi padhna bahot padta hai magar jab humari wajeh se kisiki jaan bachti hai na, to sab worth it lagta hai. Bachpan se hi kuchh bada karna chahti thi jisse apna or apne apno ka bhala ho sake, to bus...Doctor banne ka decide karliya!

Karan looked at Monami with a jolt as this is what he thought when he decided to pursue MBA and be something big, so that he could do something for his people, his village family. But somewhere amidst the hustle, stress and success, Karan forgot his initial motive and motivation & today when Monami revealed the reason of her hustle, Karan surely felt some guilt inside himself. 

Monami - Aapse ek baat main puchhu?

Karan - Haan haan, puchho na!

Monami - Aap yaha pehle kyu nahi aaye? 

Karan looked at Monami in surprise as he took her question in some other way. Looking at his shocked expressions, Monami got where he took her question and thought to clarify it before he thinks any further. 

Monami (shyly) - Me..mera matlab tha ki ya..yaha auntyji aur uncleji bahot yaad karte thhe aapko! Aksar to unke paas main hua karti thi magar, jab bhi auntyji akeli hoti thi na to aapki bachpan ki photos dekhkar aapko bahot yaad karti thi! 

Karan had a sweet smile on his face realizing how much she's concerned about his parents and how she understood their pain. Karan took a deep sigh as he didn't know how to answer Monami. He knew it's just because of him being extremely workaholic and passionate towards achieving almost everything. 

Karan (quite sadly) - Jaanta hoon ki mom-dad bahot yaad karte honge mujhe. Main bhi kaunsa unke bina aaram se jee raha tha?! Maa-baap ke bina paraye desh mein rehna bilkul aasan nahi hota hai, akele sab manage karna padta hai. Sabko bahot fancy lagta hai abroad mein akele rehna lekin sirf rehne vala jaanta hai ki kaise har din kat-ta hai. Sab khud manage karne ke baad bhi ek akelapan sa rehta hai. Maa ki god, papa ki daant, ghar ka khana aur yaha ka sukoon...sab chhodna padta hai sirf kuchh haasil karne ke liye! Mann to bahot karta tha aane ka lekin ye lagta tha ki kya maa-papa proud honge? Kya unki aankho mein vo garv dekh paunga? Kahi maine jo achieve kiya hai vo kam to nahi? Bahot self-doubts hote hain, Monami! (With a mischivious smile) Kabhi rehkar dekho maa-baap ke bina..chal jaega pata!

Though Karan said it very jokingly and without any bad intentions, but hearing the last line from Karan, Monami's heart thumped for a second. Everything which she went through started flashing in front of her eyes. Unknowingly, tears started flowing from her already glistened eyes and her shivering hands wanted to hold onto something to stabilize herself. Upon not having anything near, Monami's breaths became uneven, and she immediately hold onto Karan's hands. As Karan looked towards Monami, he was shocked to see her breathing heavily and crying endlessly with blood-shot red eyes. 

Karan (rubbing her back) - Monami! Monami...k..kya ho gaya hai tumhe?! Monami, take deep breaths! Shaant ho jao..shh..shaant ho jao!

After Karan's continuous rubs on Monami's back and sweet words, soon Monami's breaths became normal, and Karan swiftly wiped her tears off her eyes. For a moment, Karan got scared that maybe his words had hurt her somehow and he was adamant to apologize for that. 

Karan - Monami, I'm extremely sorry! Mujhe nahi pata maine kya kiya jisse tum hurt hui aur tumhari condition aise kharab ho gayi. But I'm very very sorry for that! (Lowering his head) Ho sake to mujhe p..please maaf kardena!

Monami - Nahi nahi, Karan..aap please maafi mat maangiye! Aapki vajeh se kuchh nahi hua hai. Aap chinta mat kijiye!

Karan nodded understanding Monami's words, and they again sat on the cot without talking anymore. Guilt prevailed in both of their hearts. Karan thought that his words have scratched some old wound of Monami and Monami was thinking that due to her and her panic attack, Karan got worried and tensed. In the tensed air, Karan thought to break the ice.

Karan - Umm..Monami, you remember jab main yaha Raghupur aaya tha to tumne mujhe chor samajh liya tha?

Monami (being slightly embarrassed) - Ahaann...haan, yaad hai mujhe! And I'm still sorry for that! (Murmuring cutely) Galatfehmi ho gayi thi mujhe!

Karan - Hehee..main kaha keh raha hoon ki tumne jaanbujh ke blame kiya tha! Main to bus ye yaad dila raha tha ki tumne mujhse maafi maangi thi aur maine kaha tha ki tumhe maafi sirf ek shart par hi milegi..yaad hai kuchh? 

Stressing on her brain for a while, she remembered what had happened that evening (Chapter - Unwanted Apology). She shyly looked at Karan & nodded meekily. That naughty smile on Karan's face was giving mysterious vibes to Monami as she doesn't know what is running in his mind. 

Karan (smirking) - If you don't mind..to shart ab puri karle?

Monami - Um..ah..theek hai, bataiye. 

Karan (very calmly) - If you don't mind..to kya tum mujhse share karna chahogi ki aisa kya hai jo tumhe itna pareshan kar raha hai ki tumhe aise panic attack aaya? Mujhe pata hai there's something you're hiding in your heart. Agar dost maanti ho to dukh bhi share karkar dekho, kya pata samajh jau. Try sharing!

The creases on Monami's forehead relaxed and she was slightly surprised why this unknown stranger wants to know so much about her and why does her cares for her. A sense of happiness rushed in Monami when Karan mentioned about being her friend and her cheeks started to heat up due to that. Monami's silence was making Karan nervous about hurting her again or crossing his limits. 

Karan - I'm really sor...

Monami (cutting his words) - Sab share kar sakti hoon main aapke saath?

The amount of expectation and yearning in Monami's voice made Karan look at her with a jolt. She was looking at him as if she's staring deep into his soul and wants to be relied on him. Karan nodded slightly and asked her to go ahead with her thoughts and words. 

Monami (looking at nothing) - Kabhi-kabhi na jab log aapke sapno ko, aapke ambitions ko nahi samajhte to samjhauta karna hi padta hai. Lekin jab aapki existence hi logo ko khalne lagti hai to dil mein bada dard hota hai! Jab bahot mannato ke baad kisike ghar aulaad hoti hai to vo maa-baap bahot khush hote hain, lekin mere maa-baap aise roye jaise kisi ki maiyyat mein ho!

The sadness that Monami's words held was well depicted in the saddened smile of hers. Karan was trying his best to read her eyes in order to not to make her remember those memories that are saddening her but the complexity her eyes held was difficult to understand. 

Monami (with a sarcastic smile) - Karan, aapko pata hai..life ke 20 saal shayad ek zinda laash bankar hi bitayi hai maine. Pata nahi kyu lekin itna developed nation hone ke baad bhi humare gaon mein ladkiyon ko bojh kyu maante hain?! 

Karan - Sorry to interrupt you, but sab nahi maante..kuchh logo ki wajeh se sabko blame karna to galat hai na! Kuchh logo ke liye betiyan laxmi bhi hoti hain! 

Monami - Kaash main unn "kuchh logo" ke ghar hi paida hui hoti. (Sarcastic giggle) Maanti hoon har koi ek jaisa nahi hota, magar...jab aapko life ke 20 saal ye realise karaya jaaye ki aap sirf ek bojh ho aur ghar wale bus aapki shaadi ka intezaar kar rahe ho, bilkul achha feel nahi hota. Jaise hi 18 ki hui..gharwalon ne rishte dekhne shuru kardiya taki mujhe jald se jald hi vida kar sake! 

Karan was looking at Monami very intently and was listening to her with so much focus. His eyes could easily tell how much bad he's feeling for Monami and what all she faced just because her family is one of those who being in the 21st century, still think of women as minority and weak. Absorbing the calming silence, Monami looked at Karan and could feel that he wants to listen ahead. 

Monami (with a short smile) - Jab ek baar himmat jutakar panchayat mein uncleji, matlab aapke papa ke saamne apni baat rakhi to uncleji aur auntyji ne mera bahot saath diya! Bilkul bhagwaan ka swaroop bankar aaye vo mere liye..unhone mujhe apni beti jaise rakha. Kabhi ye mehsoos hi nahi hone diya ki pichhle 4-5 saal se unke ghar mein koi paraayi ladki reh rahi hai..humesha mujhe apna maana! Padhne ka mauka diya, sapne pure karna ka hausla diya! Aur unki hi badaulat mein jald hi ek doctor banne wali hoon. 

Till now, both Monami and Karan had tears due to her past. Karan was amazed to know what all pains she hides behind her beautiful smile. He couldn't even imagine himself in her place and felt pity on girls and women of the rural world who are still considered as dependent and incapable. Being an educated person himself, Karan knows how efficiently skilled women are, infact they do their jobs greater than men. He felt ashamed to be in a society where a woman who's considered as goddess and plays roles of mother, sister, wife and daughter whole their life is seen as "weak".

Karan (staring deeply into her eyes) - Jitna main abhi tak samjha hoon, tum ye sab kisike saath share nahi karti, haina? (Monami nods slightly) To mujhse kyu kiya?!

Monami demeanor straightened as she realized how much she opened up in front of Karan and felt it wrong. She got up from the cot and was about to leave in order to hide her embarrassment. But in the correct time, Karan stood up and held her wrist. She tried twisting her hand to escape from his hold, but his firm hold didn't let her run.

Karan (huskily) - Mujhse kyu share kiye apne secrets?

Monami, who herself didn't know the answer of how she gained the courage to open up in front of Karan and why she didn't hesitated? Why she felt secure and comfortable with him? Without turning back and with a slight hew forming on her cheeks, she lowered her eyelids with a sweet smile. Her silence wasn't bothering but Karan was now adamant to get a convincing answer.

Karan - Kya tumhe dar nahi laga mere saath? Kya mere saath itna comfortable feel hua? Kya main tumhe pasana aaya?!

As Karan asked about Monami's liking towards him, Monami immediately turned towards Karan with her eyes wide. She thought that in a moment or two, Karan might change his statement. But to her surprise, he was staring deeply at her.

In the middle of the night, with the brightness of the shining moon, Karan holding onto Monami's wrist and her looking at him with questionable eyes. Karan was staring so intently as if trying to find the answers of his questions through Monami's eyes.

Not being able to answer anything, she was trying to get her wrist back from his hold, not because she was uncomfortable or something but because she felt intimidated. Before she could escape, Karan pulled her towards himself making her step extremely close to Karan. Under his intense gaze, her breaths turned uneven due to the sudden pull.

Monami (lowering her eyelids) - J..jaane dijiye na!

Karan (huskily) - Kyu? Am I making you feel uncomfortable?

She immediately shook her head in a no as she was sure that she wasn't feeling uncomfortable but was surely shy being this close to him. They both themselves didn't know why they were still holding onto each other and were not willing to step backwards.

Karan (coming closer to her ear) - Chali jaana neeche bus ek baar jawaab de do..kya main tumhe achha nahi laga?

Monami's eyebrows straightened and her cheeks heated up. Her heart itself didn't know what she should reply. It's been just 2 days since Karan's arrival, plus there's a lot of difference between them which according to her, cannot be erased.

With all her might, Monami pushed Karan away and ran speedingly downstairs. Someone might think that she was shy enough to reply but Karan who has understood Monami to certain extent, knew that she was contemplating maybe between her heart and her mind. Her eyes said it all! Monami is not someone who would hide her feelings and that made Karan sad.

He just looked up in the sky and sighed deeply. Maybe he was also not sure of what he's feeling and what all he did just a few moments ago. Certain negative thoughts were coming in his mind. Though Monami denied that his touch and presence wasn't making her uneasy and uncomfortable but maybe, he shouldn't have behaved like a simp.

Karan - Oh god Karan, you should've behaved! Monami mujhe surely achhi lagi but that doesn't mean main aise usme kareeb aunga. I should surely apologize! Agar vo mere liye kuchh feel karti hogi to bata degi but I shouldn't force her for her feelings.

Thinking like a good boy, he was thinking of some way to apologise to Monami for how much of a freak he behaved. But surely, he too started feeling shy remembering the intense moments they shared a while ago. Karan sat on the cot and was just thinking how he should apologise to Monami.

Looking from here to there, Karan's gaze fell upon her books which were lying on the cot. An idea instantly clicked in his brain and he had the perfect idea to apologise to her.

Tearing a page from her notebook and fetching a pen, he wrote what he felt on that piece of paper and kept it inside her book. He gathered all her belongings from the cot and went to her room. Karan was smart enough to not to knock and startle her again, so he just kept the books outside her door. With a slight smile, Karan left for his room while rubbing his nape sheepishly and thinking how good of a sleep he'll have today (due to some close moments of theirs😉).

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