"Meri galti nahi hai." Monami tried to explain. "Woh Sid, Sumanji aur Chitra sab keh rahe the tum jhooth bol rahe ho and that you like me."
"Wow Raani sahiba. Yeh tumhare namune friends kitne intelligent hai aur kitni sahi advice dete hai tumhe. You should always listen to them."
Monami laughed at his sarcasm. "Sorry. Woh bas main thodi confuse ho gayi thi."
Karan rolled his eyes. "Agar main sachhi tumhe like karta toh aisa jhooth bolke nahi lata. Direct tumhe bol deta."
Monami blushed. They were interrupted when Brigadier Shah took the mic and and addressed his guests.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, aaj mere aur meri wife ke 35th wedding anniversary ke din, I'd like to ask her for a dance." He offered his hand to her, and she took it. "Usi gaane pe jis gaane pe maine tumhe propose kiya tha uss waqt." Mrs. Shah blushed as he pulled her to the dance floor. "And I'd like to request all the couples to join us." All the couples made their way to the dance floor. Then Brigadier Shah noticed Karan and Monami. "Karan, Monami, come on."
Monami turned red and shook her head. Karan said no, but Mrs. Shah came and dragged them onto the dance floor. "Saare couples ko aana hai." She gave Monami's hand to Karan, and went and joined her husband. Soon the music started.
Lag Ja Gale Ki Phir Ye Hasin Raat Ho Na Ho
Monami's hand rested on his shoulder and his hand came around her waist. They started swaying slightly. She noticed he was having trouble dancing and he kept looking at his feet. She laughed softly and with her hand, tilted his chin upwards, making him look at her.
"Dance karte waqt neeche nahi dekhte, look into my eyes." Monami said.
"And what if I step on your feel?" Karan asked.
"Nahi karoge. Trust me."
Ji Bhar Ke Dekh Lijiye Ham Ko Karib Se
They continued to dance and for sometime they couldn't stop looking into each other's eyes. Karan was surprised to notice that he didn't step on her feet anymore.
"See, dancing itna bhi difficult nahi hai." Monami smiled. "Bas thoda sa effort karna padhta hai like I said." Karan gave a hint of a smile. "Waise I don't understand logo ko hume dekhke aisi galatafehemi kyu hoti hai."
"Kaisi galatafehemi?" Karan asked.
"Yahi ki... humare beech... that we're a couple." Monami said. "Academy mein bhi sabko aisa lagta hai."
"Namune jab dimaag chalaye toh aisa hi hota hai. Especially your fake fiancé namuna." Karan replied.
"Woh namune nahi hai."
Paas Aaiye Ki Ham Nahin Aaenge Baar-Baar
"But can you imagine kisi ke saath 35 years spend karna? It's incredible. Agar mom zinda hoti toh unke aur dad ki shaadi ko bhi 28 years ho jaate." Monami said. "I wish woh hoti toh hum bhi aise grand celebration karte."
"Agar mere dad zinda hote toh mom ki aur unki shaadi ko bhi 35 years ho gaye hote aur Param bhaiyya aur bhabhi... Unki 9th anniversary hoti."
"I'm sorry..." Monami said.
Phir Is Janam Men Mulaaqaat Ho Na Ho
They kept swaying until Monami noticed someone else. Her body stiffened. "Papa?"
"Papa?" Karan asked, then he followed Monami's gaze and found her looking at someone. Monami ran from there and went and hugged her dad.
"Papa aap yaha?" Monami asked.
"Brigadier Shah tumhare mom ke trainer the. Abhi recently unka operation maine hi kiya. So they invited me here." He said.
"Maine aapko bohot miss kiya hai." Monami said.
Monami found her father looking at Karan who was talking to Mrs. Shah. "He's Karan. Special Agent Karan Shergill. My trainer."
Her dad looked back at her and smiled. "Ek advice deta hu tumhe Monami. Aise logo ke zyada kareeb jaake tumhe aansuyon ke alawa kuch nahi milega. Inn logo ko na toh apni jaan ki fikr hoti hai na dusro ke jaan ki fikr. Bas desh hi sab kuch hota hai inke liye. Jab tumhe chodke jayega tab khud ko sambhal nahi paogi." He said.
"Aisa kuch... Mom ko leke bhi aapki yahi feelings hai?" She asked.
"Woh dikh rahi hai tumhe yaha? Use bhi sirf apne desh se lagav tha. Tum aur main uske liye kuch the nahi."
"Aisa nahi hai papa. Woh apne country ko protect kar rahi thi jaise main karna chahti hu. Jaise Karan karta hai."
Monami's dad took one last look at Karan. "Tumhari life hai. Tum ab khud ke decisions leti ho, toh tumhari marzi. Par jisse bohot pyaar karte ho woh agar chodke chala jaye toh bohot dukh hota hai." He said. "Khair, mujhe ab nikalna parega. Goodnight Monami."
He left, leaving her close to tears. She realised he didn't even invite her home.
