Chapter 9

Sitting together on the sofa of the living room, Samrat and Gunjan had nothing much to do than wait for some reaction from the others.

Nupur, Mayank, Dia and Benji sat silently, their faces showing a unique potpourri of emotions. 

They were happy yet sad for him. They were angry with him but understood his problems too. They didn't know how to react.

Another few minutes passed like that. But then Dodo couldn't bear the silence anymore. 

"You're all under some oath of silence? Or are we mourning someone's death? Death reminds me of ghosts!!! Please guys. Speak something else the ghosts will come looking for me." Uday made a frightened face.

At this all started laughing out their tummies. As usual, Uday had managed to lighten up the situation. 

"Uday, thank heavens, you didn't change. See, all of us have changed so much. But you're still the same." Samrat spoke thoughtfully.

Others too nodded in approval. 

"Sammy! Wish you too had been the same. Why did you distance yourself from us all these years? Weren't we your friends?"

Samrat could feel the pain that he had given to Dia and others.

"Yeah, Dia. Why Samrat? Why us? Did you find us in the same mould as Sheena's? For three years, we didn't get to talk to you, let alone meet you. Each time we tried to contact you, it was always Aunty or Suhani. Not you. Why were you avoiding us, eh? Why? Tell us." Nupur's mercurial temper rose scarily.

Mayank and Benji, the more calmer ones didn't say a word. But their eyes gave it away. They too echoed the same feelings. 

Samrat was speechless for a moment. He had never thought that his actions would one day turn out to be a torture to his friends. The friends who are no less than his family. Or maybe greater than that.

"Candy, Nupur, I am sorry. Mayank, Benji to you too, I am sorry. It's my fault actually. After I broke up with Sheena, I wasn't in a state to decide what is good and what is bad for me. Right then, I started nurturing this misconception too. I thought that I am wanted by none and everyone would leave me. I know, it sounds weird but what to do. My insecurities were getting the worst of me. I am sorry. My mind lost its rational side for a while."

"It's not been a while, Sammy. It's been three long years. What would you say to that?" Dia spoke accusingly.

"Candy! I know that three years have passed but my miseries didn't end then and there. After the breakup woes, it was my parents who came back in my life, bringing along the old tempest which I had forgotten long back. That didn't let me be at peace for all these years. Every second, I have to bear with their presence. And it's annoying. I am really sorry that even after hearing about you from mom and Suhani, I used to keep mum. Actually, it was my guilt which didn't let me say anything.  I was ashamed about my foolish actions. I am really sorry. Had it not been Chashmish, I wouldn't have mustered some courage to face you guys. I am genuinely feeling guilty. See, I am holding my ears now. Ab toh maaf kardo naa. Please." Samrat held his ears while he flashed his sweetest smile ever.

"You'll never stop coaxing people, eh? Come on, no need to apologise. We were just taking a sweet revenge against you. You know, playing a prank." Saying so Mayank laughed out loud. 

Others too joined in. But Samrat and Gunjan were dumbfounded. It took them some more seconds to realise the prank. Then they too smiled and laughed with the gang.

"Hmmm... That was a pretty impressive. I liked it though I don't play pranks anymore." Samrat was laughing with his friends after years.

"Had to be. After all we were dealing with the master-prankster. What did you think? We didn't know anything. We knew everything but wished to bring you out of the shell made out of guilt. That's why this prank. No hard feelings please." Benji added the last line in a filmy manner.

"Okay. Okay. No hard feelings. Chalo maaf kiya. But let's have one group hug, no. This way I will get a assurance that you've forgiven me."

"No problem at all. Guys, let's come for a group hug. We are always there for you, so why be angry with you. Cheers to our friendship!!!" Nupur raised an imaginary toast and joined others in the hug.

The gang was happy to get back its friend. Samrat was also happy after so many days. All hoped for happy days to come. 

******

Benji was highly impatient. He was trying for her but her phone was coming busy.

'Whom is she talking to for so long?' wondered Benji.

A minute passed when she called back.

"Hello. Yes, Benji. You were calling me. What happened?"

"Hello, Aunty. Actually, I called to inform that things are alright now."

"Did he meet her? What happened? Tell me in details, please."

"Yeah. They met. He also met others. I can come over to your place and explain the details. If you don't mind."

"Oh. No. No. No problem at all, beta. Bring Dia too. She is a sweetheart."

"Okay Aunty. See you soon then. Namaste Aunty." He hung up the call.

Indrani heaved a sigh of relief. Her son has started living again. Like in real terms  not the living dead that he was until a few days back.

"May he get back his happiness. I can never make amends in any better way than this."

She sent a silent prayer to Almighty as Rajeev looked on wwith anxious eyes.

[NOCOPY]