Reaching home in the evening after a silent yet warming drive. As they reached, they were surprised to find all the lights off and were utterly confused as no one replied when they called for Raghuveer and Supriya loudly.

Monami - Uncleji Auntyji kahi jaane wale thhe kya? Kuchh bataya tha unhone aapko?

Karan just shook his head and as he moved forward towards the dining table, he found a note and realised that it was a note for him from Supriya.

Karan (reading the letter) - Main aur tere papa pados ke gaon ke Sarpanch ji ke rishtedar ki shaadi mein jaa rahe hain, pehle batana bhul gayi thi aur dopahar mein tera phone nahi lag raha tha. Monami ghar aa jaye to use uske exam ke baare mein puchh lena aur fridge mein rakhe sandwich khane ko bol dena, subah se kuchh nahi khaya hoga. Apna bhi dhyaan rakhna, hum kal tak aa jayenge!

Karan kept the letter back after reading it aloud, with squinted eyes and Monami too chuckled as the letter only had Supriya's concern for her exam and her hunger.

Karan (mumbling to himself) - Meri to padi hi nahi hai kisiko!

Monami laughed loud and went to the kitchen to take out the sandwiches from the fridge while shaking her head at Karan's cute complain.

As she brought the sandwiches and kept them on the table, they found out that they are made only for one person but both of them are feeling very hungry.

Monami - Ek kaam kijiye, aap itne ye sandwiches kha lijiye, tab-tak main kuchh aur bhi bana deti hoon.

Monami was about to go the kitchen immediately being concerned about Karan's hunger but before she could go, a pull on her wrist made her steps halt and when she looked behind, it was obviously Karan holding her wrist.

Karan - Nah, tum jao, change karo, have these sandwiches and till then, I'll cook!

Monami (with raised eyebrows) - Aapko khana banana aata hai?

Karan - Bilkul! US mein to sab khud hi karna padta tha! Don't doubt my abilities!

Monami nodded understanding it while Karan took great pride in his knowledge of cooking which is maybe impressing his love. Agreeing to what Karan suggested, Monami went in her room and changed into her casual t-shirt and pajamas while Karan left for his kitchen duty.

Returning being dressed casually, Monami entered the kitchen with a thicker than ever book which she had to revise for her next exam. While Karan was engrossed in chopping some vegetables and had his back towards Monami, she got a slightly naughty idea. 

Monami (trying to scare him) - Booo!

Due to the sudden sound and being unaware of her presence, Karan got startled and as he looked behind, he got unknowingly lost in the sound of Monami's satisfactory laughter after her little victory in scaring him. Her eyes closed with her mouth open wide as her laughter echoed in the empty house. 

Karan (sarcastically) - Ya ya, very funny!

Monami somehow stabled herself and tried to peep at what Karan was doing while munching on the sandwich that was already prepared by Supriya. While Karan was busy in doing some cooking, Monami realized something while looking at the sandwich in her hand and with a little smile, she forwarded the already bitten sandwich to Karan. 

Looking at the sandwich that appeared in front of his eyes, Karan followed the source from where it was coming and realized its Monami who's been offering him.

Fearing that she might take it back if he didn't respond quick, Karan immediately took a bite of it, not missing the opportunity and at this moment, Karan forgot all the 5-star delicacies he's tasted till date. 

Taking back the sandwich from Karan already took a bite, Monami blushed a bit and took a bite from it again. Jhootha khaane se pyaar badhta hai!

Monami opened her book that she carried to the kitchen and was about to start revising from it when Karan's finger touched the hot vessel and a sudden painful 'aah' escaped his mouth, grabbing Monami's concern. 

She immediately jumped off the slab and pulled his hand in hers and kept it under the running tap. Ensuring that the burn wasn't much, she still didn't take out his finger from the tap and when she was satisfied with it, she started blowing on his finger, with utmost care and concern.

Karan kept looking at the softness in her care and just wanted the time to stop at this particular point and to never move ahead. Just him, her and his hand in hers, nothing else!

Monami - Dhyaan kaha rehta hai aapka?! Thoda to sambhalkar kaam kara kijiye. Aap ab chup-chaap side baithiye, main kardungi!

Monami scolded Karan and was insisting him to sit aside and let her lead the mission of cooking but he was just too adamant and didn't listen.

Karan - Bilkul bhi nahi! Aaj to aap mere haath ka khana hi chakhengi Rani Sahiba. Mera haath bilkul theek hai, you don't worry na baba!

Monami huffed and gave in and again sat where she was seated before but this time, more than her book, her focus was on Karan's actions and on ensuring that he doesn't hurts himself again. Karan again gets engrossed in his cooking, and she got engrossed in staring at him with a sly smile. 

Monami (in mind) - Haath mein lag gayi, fir bhi zidd nahi chhodenge. Aakhir bana kya rahe hain?

Monami tried peeping from Karan's back to know what he is cooking but very smartly, Mr. Shergill blocked her view with his broad back, and she just looked the other side with twisted lips.

Karan - Just 15 more minutes! Monami, could you do me a favor?

Monami - Hanji, kahiye!

Karan - Tum please room mein jakar baitho na, I'm getting very nervous ki kahi mess up na kardu, so..please na Rani Sahiba! Tum jao, main 10-15 minute mein fatafat khana banakar laata hoon!

Monami - Arre magar..

Karan didn't let her complete her words and gave a very pleading, puppy look to her, and she was just forced to give in.

Munching on another sandwich, she unwillingly went to her room and as she sat, she opened the book on her lap to revise but her mind was somewhere else, completely devoted towards him and nothing else. 

Suddenly, something struck her mind and Monami immediately stood up to implement what came in her mind. After a wait of nearly 20 minutes of after doing what she desired, Monami was now being impatient and as she opened the door of her room to go downstairs to the kitchen, the masaledaar aroma of something delicious hit her nostrils and she took a long sniff of it again. 

Karan was standing there with a tray in his hand with the dishes he prepared, covered with plates and a rose kept along.

Karan (bowing) - Your order my lady!

Monami chuckled and gave him way in the room and as he entered, he was very surprised to see the decorations of the room.

Monami had made a blanket tent on her bed, put some pillows along and also had some fairy lights decorating it. Karan's lips curled up in a wide smile and keeping the tray on the side table, he turned towards Monami happily. 

Karan (smiling wide) - Ye kaise kiya tumne? You know, jab main chhota tha tab maa-pitaji humesha mujhe ek aise tent mein sulate thhe, you really made me remember my childhood!

Monami (smiling back) - Jaanti hoon, ek baar suna tha uncleji se ki kaise aap bina aise tent ke sote hi nahi thhe, to bus..maine socha kyu na main bhi aapko ek chhota sa surprise de du! Achha laga?

Karan just sighed happily and was about to lean in to hug Monami out of happiness when the promises about her boundaries clicked his mind and he immediately backed off, before he could even touch her and just scratched the back of his head, feeling extremely foolish. 

Monami noticed each and every action and understood it very well. Not because she felt bad but because she wanted to, she leaned a bit forward and side hugged him, making him look at her with widened eyes. 

Monami (blushing slightly) - Ek chhota sa hug to allowed hai!

Monami avoided looking in her eyes and both of them settled inside the cozy blanket tent with slightly faster beating hearts. Karan kept the tray of food in front of Monami and signaled her to uncover them through his eyes.

Hesitantly, she agreed and as she uncovered the dishes, in a big bowl, it was masala veggie Maggie, the only thing Karan could cook perfectly, and some apple slices dipped in chocolate. 

Karan - I know thoda underperforming hai sab magar, itna hi aata hai banana aur ghar mein zyada kuchh ke liye samaan bhi nahi tha. But I swear, tum sikhaogi, to ek dum seekh jaunga!

Monami just chuckled as this was also a big deal to her. Someone cooking for her with love and dedication, what all more she would wish for.

Monami - Aisa kuchh nahi Karan ji, mera to sachme dil bhar aaya ki aapne mere liye kuchh banaya. Aur sach kahu, mujhe na Maggie badi pasand hai!

A bright smile appeared on Karan's face as without even her telling him, by coincidence, he made what she liked and it really made him feel proud of himself.

Monami took some Maggie in the fork and Karan thought that she'd taste it herself but to his surprise, she passed the first bite to him. With surprise, he looked at Monami and then at the bite, as if trying to believe that he'd be having something from her hand, that too for the second time.

Monami - Kha lijiye aur maine Dhruv ko bhutta khilaya, iss baat ko bhul jaiye!

Karan had already opened his mouth to have the bite from Monami's hand but mid chewing, he stopped being surprised with widened eyes as he didn't know that she knows that he was jealous.

Monami chuckled hard seeing his reaction and as he gulped the bite with force, he kept looking at Monami with widened eyes as if questioning her through his eyes.

Monami (smiling wide) - Hanji, jaanti hoon ki aap kaise uss 5 saal ke bache se jal rahe thhe!

Monami smiled with a teasing expression while Karan just looked here and there, scratching his forehead being slightly embarrassed of his previous action but didn't regret any of it.

Karan (defending himself) - Haan to! Uske gaal kheech rahi thi tum, bhutta khila rahi thi aur yaha tak ki kiss bhi kiya, mujhe to kabhi...

Karan immediately stopped uttering anymore when he realised what he blurted in his yapping of jealousy and Monami's eyes widened listening to his words and with her face completely turned red, she looked down and tried to stare at the beauty of the Maggie and not make the situation any more awkward.

Monami (in mind) - Wow Maggie! Kitni sundar Maggie hai, ise to noodles ki Ms. World hona chahiye! Maggie Maggie Maggie yayyy..uhh..k-kya keh rahe hein ye aur m-main kya kar rahi hoon?!

While Monami starred at the Maggie as an attempt to avoid any eye contact with him, Karan turned to the other side and bit his tongue for messing up big time but realises that he has to ease down the situation.

Karan (slowly turning towards her) - Monami, don't take me wrong. Mera woh matlab nahi tha! I was just saying that..v-vo bacha bada cute tha to it's obvious t-to...

Monami (intervening in between) - Arre arre, araam se! Main aapko bilkul bhi galat nahi samajh rahi. M-Main samajh gayi, a-aap kya kehna chah rahe thhe.

While saying the last sentence, Monami's cheeks heated up again as she again remembered how Karan mentioned that he was jealous when she kissed Dhruv's cheek. Karan too blushed understanding that she understood it and both decided to focus on the Maggie.

With the same fork from which she fed Karan, Monami herself too tasted the Maggie made by him and her pupils dilated.

Karan (concernly) - K-kya ho gaya? Zyada mirch ho gayi? Achha nahi hai?!

Monami - Arre nahi nahi Karan ji, itni achhi Maggie to kasam se kabhi nahi khayi! Ummm..itni tasty!

Immediately, a wide smile came on Karan's face and got brightened up like a 1000 V light bulb instantly. At this moment, he was feeling so proud of himself that he could make her taste this delicacy and didn't feel so proud even when he topped his MBA.

Monami - Aap manoge nahi magar itni achhi Maggie to mujhe banani bhi nahi aati, main to aur nahi ruk sakti. Main to khaa rahi hoon ab!

Monami digged in the Maggie and now was savouring it's taste with closed eyes while Karan couldn't stop blushing due to the praises Monami is giving to him.

His heart just couldn't stop feeling the giggling sensation and his blush was just increasing profusely. Monami was about to say more when Karan cut her words in between.

Karan - Nahi nahi, ab tum kuchh mat kehna, bus ab khao. I'm really feeling giddy Rani Sahiba!

Karan said the last statement with closed eyes and blushing and looking like a tomato, making Monami stop chewing in surprise at her contrast attitude.

He, who never let his guards down and has that CEO attitude, was today blushing and behaving like a 'nayi naveli dulhan'.

As he asked, Monami didn't say anything further and continued munching on the Maggie but didn't stop looking at him with widened eyes.

Monami gave it another chance and with a smirk, she brought her fingers near his cheek and pulled his cheeks the same way she pulled Dhruv's. And this one act of Monami was enough to make Karan a statue.

Eyes widened, posture straightened and cheeks red. One touch of hers and this was his condition. He gulped down the lump that formed in his throat and slowly looked besides himself, where Monami was still holding a little part of his cheek between her fingers.

Him blushing and her chuckling! A few strands of the noodles were hanging from Monami's mouth but she was least bothered and was more interested in Karan's red reaction.

Till this, she has never felt this confident and free to act the way she wants and with the one she wants. But with his presence, every societal norm seems to be absent and her heart takes the lead.

Not wanting to make his heart lose its mind, Monami left his cheek and fed him a bite of the Maggie and like this, both of them had their dinner, which was the Maggie in silence. Though no words escaped their throats but eyes said it all!

Staring deeply into each other, their eyes were stuck at the right person and at the right time.

Monami (keeping the plate aside) - Karan ji, kuchh baat karein?

Karan - Pehle to ye Karan ji kehna band karo..main 80 saal ka nahi hoon yaar! Main tumhe itne pyaar se 'Rani Sahiba' bulata hoon aur tum...(Grumpily) Karan ji!

Monami chuckled and turned completely towards him. She found it amusing that how in a click, he changes the mood of the whole situation. Turning towards him completely, Monami kept her elbow on her knee while her chin rested above her palm.

Monami - To bataiye...kya kehkar bulau main aapko?

Karan - Kuchh bhi, achha sa nickname de do!

Monami (confused) - Arre, nickname?! Uhh..mujhe to kuchh sujh nahi raha. Achha, aisa karte hain, abhi ke liye main aapko Karan hi bulati hoon, jab koi achha sa nickname sujhega, tab vo bula lungi. Ab theek hai?

Although he was a bit dissatisfied but still nodded at her with a smile. Relaxing their backs on the backrest of the bed under the blanket tent, they both looked at each other, feeling the warmth — of the love in each other's eyes.

Monami looked here and there, not being able to start a convo as she just wanted to talk to him endlessly but was short on topics.

Monami - Ji suniye!

Karan - Pehle..zara aap meri suniye!

Monami raised her eyebrows in confusion as Karan was smiling but was a little nervous, about something she's unaware of.

Slowly, he pulled out a small pink paper packet from his pocket and forwarded towards Monami. Being intrigued, she took it in her hands and as she unfolded the paper, a pair of beautiful anklets were peeking through it.

Monami's lips split apart in surprise and her reaction was enough to tell Karan that she liked them.

Karan - Kaisi lagi?

Monami - Y-ye..mere liye?

Karan (with a straight face) - Nahi, vo tumhare pados mein ek bhabhiji rehti hain na..unke liye!

Monami narrowed her eyes at his sarcastic take and again glanced at those anklets. Karan lifted both of them one by one in his hand, grabbing Monami's attention.

Karan (huskily) - Ijazat ho to pehnadu?

Monami didn't respond but the way her eyelids lowered and the crimson hew formed on her cheeks, told him everything. He smiled at her shyness and lowered himself to the level of her feet.

Karan first caressed both her feet delicately, as if they are the most beautiful pair of feet he has ever seen and then adorned them with the payal he brought with so much love. Those anklets in her feet looked so much elegant and sleek — as if they were meant to be in her feet.

Lifting her right foot in his palm and playing with the ghunghroo of her anklet and looked straight in her eyes.

Karan - Monami, zindagi mein kabhi mujhse pyaar karo na karo magar mujhe apne pair ki payal samajhkar..apne kareeb zaroor rakh lena!

This was enough for Monami! Her eyes watered and she immediately held both of his hands in hers and stared back in his eyes.

Monami - Aap jaisa pyaar karne walo ki jagah pairon mein nahi, sar aankhon par hoti hai!

Her few words said a lot and expressed her love and respect for him. Although she isn't readily accepting it but letting him express his love to her, is clearly a sign.

Karan - Uh, I guess..aaj ke liye bahot baatein ho gayi aur ab so jaana chahiye hume. Vaise, tumhara next exam kab hai?

Monami - 3 din baad. Vaise haan, raat to bahot ho gayi hai. Ek kaam kijiye, aaj aap yahi so jaiye!

Wait, what?! Is she really offering him to sleep in the same room, in the same bed with her?! Is it out of love or just an act of formality?

Karan's eyes slightly widened as yes, he definitely wants to share a bed with her someday but not like this. Is she doing it just to make him feel happy was a big question. He doesn't wants to force her to anything and sleeping in the same room, seemed extremely wrong at the moment.

Karan was about to deny Monami's offer politely, but what she said next made him question his whole brain.

Monami - Aap aaj raat iss kamre meib so jaiye, main aapke kamre mein so jaungi! Aakhir yaha par ye tent bhi bana hua hai, aap apne bachpan ki yaadein taza karlenge!

Saying so, Monami quickly stood up and rushed to his room, with a book of hers, leaving him stunned and with an open mouth.

Karan (to himself) - Waah re Karan Shergill, lagta hai sachme buddha ho gaya hai...kaan nahi pura dimaag hi dikhana padega doctor ko!

Karan laid back on Monami's bed, inside the blanket tent she had prepared earlier and as he turned to his side, there was Monami's pillow kept and in no time, it was in between Karan's arms, in his tight hold.

With her pillow in his arms and her smell surrounding him, Karan drifted in deep slumber but with a wide smile on his face.

The situation was the same in Karan's room, where Monami was sitting with a book in her lap. She tried concentrating on the medical terms she needs to memorize but all she could recall were the moments they had.

The date, the feeding of the sandwiches, him cooking for her, her setting up the blanket tent, the anklets he gifted her and all the love-filled words.

Reminiscing all, made thousands of butterflies arise in her stomach that made her go all giddy.

Not being able to take the warmth rising on her cheeks, Monami too laid back and just got lost in dreams of someone, with a beautiful wide smile.

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