FF: [SG] Dare You To Move- Last Part P.143 - Page 44

Originally posted by: Asthuox

LOl i was, until i found your reserved stop! Haha! Ur so cutee! 😆

Part 6

Gunjan:

I unlock the door and creep inside. I'm not even all the way in when I'm greeted at the door by di. She looks really ticked off.

Di: Gunjan! BY GOD, do you KNOW what time it is? It's almost midnight, and you're JUST coming home now? I was just about to call the police! Do you know how scared I was? HAWW' yeh kiska jacket hai?

Di grabs Samrat's jacket from my hands and scans it thoroughly. She looks at me questioningly.

"Di' woh actually' uncle told me to borrow it from Samrat before I was leaving. It was uh' apparently very cold outside." That wasn't entirely a lie.

Di nods. "I'll go get you some milk, but go upstairs and freshen up before papa comes home. He'll ban you from ever going outside if he finds out that you just came home. Jaa na!"

"Di." I say, grabbing her arm. "Thank you."

Di: For what? Getting you milk? (Laughs) Gunjan, tu bhi na!

I look down on the ground, tears forming in my eyes.

"Gunjan! Kya hua? Kisi ne kuch kaha kya?" Di says, looking genuinely concerned.

"Di, I've never really had mum around' but you've never let me feel her absence." I choke on the last sentence. I'm not a very open person, but my world revolves around my papa and di. Ever since mum's death, di's made sure that I never felt that void in my life. She took up a mother's role since we were kids. At times, I wonder if I'm responsible for taking away di's childhood' she never had the chance to really live. That's why I want her and Mayank to be together. Mayank understands her the most, possibly more than I do. She needs him.

I finally get the courage to look up at di whose also in the verge of tears. "I'm sorry di, because of me' you never got to do things your way."

I guess me saying that really got di's emotional side to kick in, because she started sobbing. "Oye! Shut up Gunjan, never think like that! You're my baby' I'd give up my life for you without any hesitation. God toh kya, for you my darling, I'd fight him too."

"Di'" Before I knew it, we were both grabbing onto each other and crying rivers.

"Nupur, did you try calling Gunjan? Oh, sorry."

Di and I wipe our tears. "Di' Mayank? Iss waqt!"

Di: Oh haan! I totally forgot about you Mayank! Sorry yaar. Gunjan, woh kya hai na-

Mayank: We're working on some of the dialogues for the play. We've been at it for hours!

Di: We'd be finished if Mayank would stop his educational bakwas!

Mayank glares at di while I try to suppress a giggle.

Di: Gunjan, go upstairs. I'll get you the milk.

When di's gone, Mayank comes up to me. "Hey Gunjan. How are you?"

"I'm good Mayank, yourself?"

Mayank: Not so good. Nupur and I just can't seem to agree on anything!

"But that's what makes you two so special." I tease.

Mayank gives me a playful pat on the head. "Gunjan' I know I say a lot of negative things about Nupur, but truth is' she's actually a very sweet girl. And today, she was extremely worried about you' she even made me go outside and search the whole neighborhood'twice!"

I smile at Mayank. Him and di are so different, yet so alike. They can't bare to hear negative things about one another, but they never give up on a chance to argue. "I know, and you're a very lucky guy Mayank. My di's one in a million."

Mayank grins. "She sure is. But hey- don't you dare tell her I said all this okay? Promise?"

I laugh. "I promise."

Mayank: Achaa, run upstairs before she kills the both of us!

We both burst out laughing.

Samrat:

I bang on the door until Parental Unit 1 opens it. "Samrat!" he says, eyeing me cautiously. "Did you walk Gunjan home?"

"Yeah." I reply, walking inside. "Her car broke down, and she's afraid of bikes."

He nods. There's an awkward silence.

"Okay, I'm going to my room. See you tomorrow."

Dad: Actually, your mother and I are heading to Delhi tonight. We probably won't be back until Monday evening.

"Oh." I reply, trying my best not to emote what I was going through inside. It was so typical of them to tell me last minute. Over the years, I've built up immunity to feelings. I remember when I was younger, the thought of having the units away scared me to death, but now' it was different. I was used to it, yet I couldn't ever help but feel abandoned every time I came home to an empty house.

"I've transferred money to your bank account so you can pay for your college fees and what not. But please." He puts his hand on my shoulder. "Be good."

I shrug his hand away. "Whatever." I mutter as I run upstairs.

Once I'm in my room, I slam the door and plop onto my bed. I stare at the ceiling until I'm bored. I remember the CDs I borrowed from Benji the other day. I walk over to my drawer and pull out a bunch of them. Something catches my eye- it's a yearbook from high school. I grab it and sit down on a beanie chair.

There are a whole bunch of pictures of people I don't know. I skim through them, searching for something' but not knowing what.

There's a whole bunch of pictures of Dia and me, so I'm guessing these were taken when we were going out. There's another of Benji and Uday arm wresting and some more of the basketball team.

I turn the pages and come to a sudden stop. My eyes focus on a picture of Gunjan. She looks exactly the same, her glasses, pale kameez and her straight black hair tied back in a ponytail. I concentrate on her ambition quote. "To reach my goals."

Was she referring to that list she has? From what I know about Gunjan, she knows what she wants in life. She has it all sketched out before her. "Why don't I?" I think to myself. I grab a pen and a piece of paper and scribble down some random things I wanted to with my life when I was younger.

1. Make it to the basketball championships

2. Finish college

3. Be good

4. Get a hot girlfriend

The last line makes me laugh. Hot as in not Dia. I need someone better, someone different. A girl who isn't fake' I need someone who completes the void in my life through her presence.

Before I know it, I fall fast asleep.

----- 10 am

"BEEP BEEP!"

Ugh. "Bug off!" I complain, trying to turn off the alarm.

"BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP!"

"WHAT THE HELL!" I scream throwing it on the ground.

"Briiiiiiiing!"

I grab my cell. "What do you want?" I shout into the phone.

"Samrat? It's Benji!"

"So? Screw off, I'm still sleeping."

"WAAAAAAIT!" he cries. "It's 10 am dude! REHEARSALS STARTED AN HOUR AGO!" he shouts into the phone.

I glance up at my shattered alarm clock. "Oh shit! I'll be right there!"

I run into the bathroom, shave as fast as I can, pull on a pair of jeans and a white button down shirt and dart for the door.

Fifteen minutes later, I finally reach Excel.

Gunjan:

Benji and I are supposed to be practicing our scenes together. Sadly, he plays my brother. It's not like I don't like Benji, but he's really weird sometimes. I guess it's because he's best friends with Excel's stud. Reputation means the world to these populars.

"Khushi' of all people, why did you choose Anmol? He's not worth it." Benji read aloud.

"I didn't choose him Bhaiyu. We were meant to be, and no matter how much I try to stay away from him, fate keeps bringing us together." I reply. Di and Mayank were improving with their dialogues.

"What's all this fate crap you're always talking about Gunjan? He's not right for you, and that's final!" Benji says, yawning.

Ms. Tamana: C'mon Benji! Put some soul into it!

"Yeah Benji!" Uday Bhaiya says. "Tams, I mean Ma'am is always right!"

Ms. Tamana ruffles Uday bhaiya's hair. "Atta boy."

Just then, Samrat walks in.

"Nice of you to join us Samrat." Ms. Tamana says, walking over to him.

"Sorry, I was'erm, busy." He replies casually.

Ms. Tamana: Samrat, I'd really like you to keep this play as a high priority. We can't waste rehearsal time because of one person.

He nods.

Ms. Tamana: Okay, let's start. Uday and Benji, we'll start off from the beginning- your part.

While she's talking, Samrat walks over and sits beside me (or Dia, depends on how you look at it.) "Hey." He whispers faintly.

"Hi?" It comes out as a question. I want to smack myself for being such a goof!

When rehearsals are over, I gather my bag and am just about to head out when he calls me.

"Chashmish!" He says.

I turn around stunned. "What'd you just call me?" I ask nervously.

Samrat: Chashmish'duh! Okay, sorry' you don't like chashmish?

"I didn't mean it like that."

Samrat laughs. "Then chashmish it is!"

"Did you want something Samrat?"

Samrat:

Gunjan: Did you want something Samrat?

She looks annoyed.

"Actually, yeah. I need you to do me a favor."

I never ask anyone for favors! This stupid play is making me go against my morals. I gulp in a lungful of air. "Would you mind running lines with me? I need some help with them." I sigh. That wasn't too hard, I guess.

Gunjan looks at me amused. "You're asking for my help?" she asks.

I shrug. "I don't see anyone else here."

Gunjan lets out a little laugh. "I don't mind. I think we both need all the practice we can get." She replies. "Tomorrow after rehearsals?"

"Yeah, for sure. See you then."

We both part ways, and I have this goofy smile on my face for no reason at all. "It's just running lines Samrat, no need to get over excited." I think as I walk outside.

---Next day, after rehearsals

"Sammy! Let's go to the caf, we haven't been there in forever!" Dia says, clutching onto my arm.

"Candy, we were just there a few days ago." I gently take her hand off of mine, but she doesn't let go.

What a chipko.

I notice Gunjan standing by the door, she sees me to walks over. "Hey Samrat! Ready to practice?"

Suddenly, all eyes are on me.

Dia: Practice? Why would Sammy wanna practice with you?

Dia wrinkles her nose. "She smells better than you." I think to myself.

Gunjan looks at me questioningly.

"Yeah, in your dreams." I blurt out. Shit. Shit. Shit. SHIT!

Everyone starts laughing, everyone' except Gunjan.

She nods her head like she knew this was coming. I try mouthing the word 'sorry' to her but it's too late. She half smiles, but it looks more like she's about to cry. "Of course." She whispers before walking away.

Dia: Ugh, Gunjan's such a low life! Seriously, she gets one lead role and she thinks she owns the place.

Dia roles her eyes and reapplies her lip-gloss.

This didn't feel right. I felt horrible inside. Gunjan's face kept breaking into my thoughts. I needed to go apologize to her before it was too late.

Gunjan:

I walk out the building convincing myself not to cry. "You're strong Gunjan." I reassure myself.

Who am I kidding? How could I think Samrat actually want to spend time with me? He had his list of friends, why would I think I belonged in it?

"Gunjan!" I stop. It's him.

I walk faster towards my car, but then I remember that it's still at Samrat's house. "Great." I think to myself.

"Taxi!" I call out. I needed to get out of here fast.

The stupid taxis wouldn't stop, so I began walking. Running, I'm running.

"Gunjan! Wait up!" He calls.

I pick up my pace, but unfortunately, he catches up to me. "Gunjan! Listen, I'm sorry."

I look up ahead, trying my best to ignore him.

Samrat: I'm serious! I didn't mean to-

"No you listen! You asked for help, I didn't come up to you okay? You know Samrat, I really thought you were different' but I was very wrong! You're just like everyone else! You're ashamed to be scene with me, and I'm SICK of it! I actually thought we could be friends." I laugh sarcastically. "Funny huh? I guess I've officially lost it."

Samrat:

Gunjan: No you listen! You know Samrat, I really thought you were different' but I was very wrong! You're just like everyone else! You're ashamed to be scene with me, and I'm SICK of it! I actually thought we could be friends. Funny huh? I guess I've officially lost it.

For the first time in my life, I'm speechless. I have nothing to say. Her words feel like a slap in the face. It hurts, but I'm not injured. What's wrong? I ask myself. "Why does it matter what she thinks of me?"

Her words ring through my head. "I really thought you were different' but I was very wrong! You're just like everyone else! You're ashamed to be scene with me. I thought we could be friends. I thought we could be friends."

The last line sticks in my head. "I thought we could be friends too Gunjan."

She gives me a cold look; I swear I feel shivers down my spine. She leaves. Suddenly, I feel alone and abandoned. It's the feeling I used to get when my parents left on business trips when I was younger.

I look into a puddle on the ground. It reflects someone I don't recognize. The reflection smiles at me. On one side, there's an intimidating darkness, on the other' there's light. I'm sucked into the darkness but I try grabbing onto the light. I need that light to guide me through the dark path, but the more I try grabbing onto it, the more I get sucked in.