Part 5
Gunjan:
Samrat seems really ticked off that his car isn't here, so I suggest dropping him off, I mean… I do pass his house on the way home.
"It's over there." I point to the pale blue car in the corner of the parking lot.
Samrat: That's your car?
He made this "I can't believe you're serious" kind of face. "That's mean." I think to myself. I know my car is old fashioned and what not, but it has lots of family history (according to papa.)
I wait for him. "Samrat, are you coming?" I ask.
He looks behind his shoulder to make sure nobody is looking, and quickly gets inside. Suddenly, my cheeks heat up. I've never had a boy in my car before…
Samrat: Let's go!
I start the car and we drive in silence.
Samrat:
So I'm in Gunjan's hippie old school car and can literally see the newspaper headlines tomorrow. "Coolest dude in Excel caught taking a ride from school geek."
Life can sure suck sometimes.
Gunjan: Seatbelt.
"Huh? Oh." I unwillingly put on my seatbelt, and stare out the window. We pass the night pub, and to my surprise… Dia, Benji, Uday, Annie, Chacko, Purab, and everybody who's a somebody are gathered there.
"OH SHIT!" I duck my head until the coast is clear.
Gunjan ignores me throughout the rest of the ride, so to entertain myself I turn on the radio.
"Look at this photograph. Every time I do it makes me laugh! How did our eyes get so red? And what the hell is on Joey's head?" (Song: Photograph by Nickelback, link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sszMjh82o9Y)
Gunjan: I hate this song.
Clearly, she has no taste in music. "And what do you like?"
Gunjan half smiles. "Depends. I'm not really a music person."
"Of course." I mutter under my breath.
Gunjan:
Samrat: So what's your first?
"My first what?" I reply.
Samrat: The first thing on your imaginary list.
"That's a secret. I can't tell you, or it won't come true."
Samrat: So you believe in like… karma or something?
"I guess you can say that."
Clearly, our conversation ends there. It's so awkward being in a car with Samrat.
Samrat: Take a left; it'll take less time.
"I don't like shortcuts." I reply, a bit too quickly.
He gives me a confused look. "It's just that I don't believe in taking the easier way out. I'd rather do things the long way you know. Life's too short for shortcuts."
Oh god, I wish I could stop talking.
Up ahead is Samrat's house. "We're here." I say, as I stop the car.
Samrat gets out even before I press the breaks. "Yeah, thanks. Bye."
He's about to get in when Mrs. Sehgal (Samrat's mom) stops him.
Mrs. Sehgal: Samrat! What took you so long? I thought you were going to be back three hours ago! Come inside!
She looks at me.
Mrs. Sehgal: And invite your friend inside too.
"Friend?" Clearly, there's a mistake. Before I can make myself out of the driveway, Mr. Sehgal (Samrat's dad) arrives.
Mr. Sehgal: Gunjan Bhushan? Is that you?
"Uhm… namaste uncle."
Mr. Sehgal: Beta, I haven't seen you in ages! Why're you still outside? Come on!
He opens the door for me and forces me to get out. Before I can say or do anything, he grabs my hand and rushes me into the house.
Mr. Sehgal: Namrata? Dekho kaun aaya hai!
Mrs. Sehgal comes out of what seems like the kitchen. "Gunjan? Honey, is that you? I'm so sorry; I didn't recognize you in the car! Aweh, look how much you've grown!"
She embraces me in a hug, and I can almost feel tears form in my eyes. Samrat's mom always reminds me of my own mum. The last time I met Samrat's parents was about ten years ago at Dia's birthday party.
Mrs. Sehgal: Come!
She leads me into the living room.
"Aunty, I should actually get going. Di's probably waiting for me."
Mrs. Sehgal: Nonsense! I'll tell Samrat to call Nupur and let her know you're here. Samrat! Come downstairs and show Gunjan around! In the meantime, I'll go check on dinner. You wait here for Samrat okay Gunjan? I'll be right back!
While auntie's gone, I decide to look around the room myself. Their living room is grand with wooden floors, a huge chandelier dangling from the ceiling, leather sofas, and frilly burgundy curtains that drape around the massive windows. I walk over to the fireplace; on the ledge there are some family pictures. There's one of Mr. And Mrs. Sehgal, and a whole bunch of pictures of Samrat from over the years. My attention is drawn towards one of Samrat's childhood pictures. He looks around the age of ten, and beside him is Dia. Dia has her arm wrapped around his neck.
I can't help but let out a little laugh. Dia and Samrat's relationship hadn't changed at all over the years.
Samrat:
Dad literally drags Gunjan into my house and mom acts all motherly and forces her to come in. It makes me feel sick to my stomach, you know, them acting all parental. They aren't even supposed to be home today!
"Samrat! Come downstairs and show Gunjan around!"
I hear parental unit 2 call me from downstairs. "I have better things to do!" I call out, but I don't think anybody hears me. "DAMN IT!" I throw my basketball to the ground and march downstairs.
Gunjan's looking at the old pictures by the fireplace. She's looking at a picture of Dia and me. It was taken about eight or nine years ago.
"Sup." I say, standing beside her.
Gunjan: OH!
She seems startled, and her expression makes me laugh.
"You wanna look around or something?" I ask.
Gunjan nods her head.
"Come on." I motion her to come upstairs.
First, I show her our guestroom, game room, music room, etc.
"And who's room is that?" she asks, pointing at my door.
"Mine. But nobody's allowed inside. Off limits, sorry."
Gunjan: Oh… okay.
My room was nothing out of the ordinary, a typical boys room. Basketball posters, big screen television, collection of shoes, brand named clothing, etc. But I never let anybody inside my room- not even Benji! It just feels like my privacy is being invaded.
"SAMRAT! BRING GUNJAN DOWNSTAIRS! DINNER'S READY!" Parental Unit 2 calls out.
Gunjan: Dinner? Oh, I really should go Samrat! Di's going to freak if I miss my curfew!
I don't think I ever laughed so hard in my life. "Curfew? You have a curfew at nine?"
Gunjan glares at me (well, half glares.) "It's not funny!"
Gunjan:
Aunty and Uncle insisted I stay for dinner, so I did. Dinner was really awkward. Nobody seemed to talk- not even Samrat. He looks very absorbed in his meatloaf.
Mr. Sehgal: Pass the salt please.
Samrat and I both reach for the salt and our hands touch. We both quickly move our hands away.
Mrs. Sehgal: Here you go dear. Gunjan? Honey, you're plate's still full! Did you not like the food?
"Oh no aunty, it's really good. Thank you so much."
Samrat: Kai, I'm done.
Samrat excuses himself.
"Aunty, if you don't mind, I should really get going now. It's already half past nine."
I excuse myself too, and Samrat and I head to the door.
Samrat: Bye.
He opens the door for me. "Bye."
Mr. Sehgal: Gunjan, we can't let you go home alone at this hour.
Samrat: It's only 9:30. She's not a baby!
Mrs. Sehgal: Watch your tone Samrat! No, Gunjan, your uncle's right, it's too late. Samrat will drop you home.
Samrat:
Mom: Watch your tone Samrat! No, Gunjan, your uncle's right, it's too late. Samrat will drop you home.
"WHAT?!" I exclaim. "I'm not dropping her home! She has her car!"
Gunjan: Yeah aunty, I have my car.
Mom: Nonsense! I'll get Samrat to bring your car to college tomorrow. He can drop you off now.
I shoot them a glare.
Dad: Samrat has no problems with that Gunjan don't worry.
UGH! I slam the door and walk outside. A few minutes later Gunjan's beside me.
Gunjan: I can go home alone Samrat. You don't have to take the trouble-
"Just save it. If anything happens to you, my parents will get all pissy. Come one!"
I open the shed and take out my bike.
Gunjan's mouth drops open. "That? No…."
She whines like a five year old. "What?" I ask impatiently. "Are you scared of bikes or something?"
Gunjan: Yeah…. Terribly afraid! Samrat, I'm going with my car! You can tell your parents whatever!
She starts to walk off. I'm about to let her go home alone too when I see dad staring out the window like some scary stalker.
"Gunjan! Don't worry; I won't let anything happen to you. Just hold onto me tightly."
She stops to look at me. Whoa. She was crying?
"Hey!" I walk over to her. "It's okay… don't cry. Uhm… how about we go with your car?"
"Okay." She mumbles, wiping her tears.
--- In Gunjan's car
Gunjan:
Samrat: SHIT!
"What happened?"
"Your car isn't starting! Damn it! What do we do now?" he looks at me.
"We can walk…"
Samrat: WALK? It's SOOO cold outside!
He looks at his bike. "Samrat, please! Not the bike! Look, I'll go alone!"
He looks so pissed off, but then he considers it. "Ugh, fine. Let's walk."
Outside, it's actually pretty cold. I guess the spring weather hasn't really kicked in yet. It still feels like winter.
Samrat: You cold?
"Just a bit. Why, are you?"
Samrat: No, I'm fine. But you look like you're gonna turn into an icicle! Here, take this.
He takes off his jacket and hands it to me. I hesitate before taking it.
"Thanks Samrat."
Samrat looks ahead. "For what? The jacket, no problem."
"That, and the fact that you're walking me home. You didn't have to."
Samrat: I don't think I really had a choice. The parental units would have my head otherwise.
"I see." I was kind of disappointed with his response. It wasn't like I was forcing him to drop me home, Infact; I'd rather be independent… on my own.
Samrat: But whatever, it feels nice to actually walk around the neighborhood for a change. It's been forever since I've passed this place.
" I know, I used to ride my bike here all the time. Especially to the corner park."
Samrat: OH YEAH! I forgot about that park, it was my favourite hang out place. Gunjan wait!
He grabs my arm and we both stop. "Yeah?" I ask, feeling myself blush again.
Samrat: The Park! C'mon, let's go!
"The park? Now?" The corner park was for little kids, not eighteen year olds. But I don't think Samrat really cares; his fingers intertwined with mine and we ran towards the swings.
He took a seat on the swing and called me over. I sit on the one beside him, facing the opposite direction.
Samrat: Gosh, this place brings back so many memories. We used to have so many basketball competitions here in elementary school.
"Yeah. I remember. You and the boys would always tease us afterwards."
Samrat made a face. "We only stated facts."
"Well, I think you had your facts wrong. Girls were, are, and will always be better than boys." I couldn't believe I just said that! And I'm pretty sure Samrat didn't see that coming either.
Samrat: You're really hard to get Gunjan.
I stared down at my feet. My left sneaker had a hole in it. "How so?"
Samrat: I dunno. You're like the shy girl who spends all her time doing homework and volunteering, but sometimes, I wonder if that's really who you are. You confuse me Gunjan. Not many people do that to me.
I can't help but smile. "You're a pretty complicated person yourself Samrat. Sometimes you can be… really sweet, and other times…"
Samrat: I can be a screw up. I know.
"You're not a screw up Samrat."
We shared a brief eye lock.
Samrat smiled at me. "Thanks for thinking that Gunjan."
We spent the next few minutes seeing who could swing the highest. As usual, he ended up winning (but I totally let him.)
"I think we should get going now." I told him. "What time is it?"
Samrat glances at his watch. "Holy! It's almost half past eleven!"
"WHAT!? OH NO!! Samrat, oh no! Di is going to KILL me! Okay, I'm leaving! Bye!"
Samrat: Gunjan! I walked you all the way here; the least I can do is actually drop you home!
"Then c'mon!"
We both ran the rest of the five blocks until I could finally see my house.
Samrat: We're here!
He had a huge grin on his face. I couldn't help but smile back. "We are."
There was an awkward silence.
"Here's your jacket." I hand him his jacket, but he doesn't take it back.
Samrat:
I didn't want to take it back. That meant that my time with Gunjan was… over. And for some reason, I didn't want it to be. Time flew when I was with her. She was… different.
"SAMMY! GUNJAN?"
I sigh. It's Dia, again!
Dia: Sammy! You? Here, at this hour? And why does Gunjan have your jacket? Is there something going on that I don't know about?
"Candy! Relax, we can play 20 questions another day. Gunjan was walking home, so I asked if she needed a ride. That's it."
I felt bad for lying.
Dia: Oh. But where's your car?
"By the alley. Anyways, I should go now. I'll see you tomorrow." I formally kiss Dia on the cheek. "Bye."
Dia: Bye Sammy!!!!
"Bye Candy… bye Gunjan."
Gunjan gives me a blank expression. "Thanks for the ride Samrat." She says before walking inside.
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Side notes: I was supposed to updt yesterday, but due to some personal reasons, I couldn't I hope ya'll liked part 5! I wrote it all in one go! I loved it! 😆
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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