..Mushkil Bada Yeh PYAR Hai ![3] {New LINK add} - Page 94

Originally posted by: aashizin

I know i always read and reply late but to make up for this i made this one hope it will help u for upd 🤗

Thanx AASHi for this lovely Texture...😛 this is so beautiful.. .😊I loved it. V'll defenitily use it.😊

Originally posted by: arzzo

thank you so much for the detailed reply feel really great after such feedback really 3 july yayyy feel like dancing

[B]

Meanwhile SAMRAT

After completing the check in formalities, SAMRAT stormed into his suite and walked over to the seating arrangement. He flung his cell on the sofa and sat down. Fuming with anger, he ran his fingers through his hair as he called out to the bell boy, who was leaving the room after keeping his luggage in the bedroom of the suite... his tone very rude... " Suno !! "

The 'Bell boy' stopped and looked at SAMRAT ... and in a soft tone, he said..." Yes Sir !! "

Giving him a glare and then leaning back, SAMRAT kept his feet on the center table... and then, he shut his eyes, as he passed an order... " Jaakar apne Manager se keh do... mujhe yahaan koi disturbance nahin chahiye... na koi room service aur na hi koi call... Koi bhi milne aaye..., Mujhe inform karne ki zaroorat nahin... Jab tak main khud se call na karoon... Mujhe apne room ke bahar koi bhi knock sunai nahin dena chahiye... "

His tone seconding his feeling, a very scared bell boy merely mumbled... " Ji... Ji... Sir ! Main... main sabhi staffs ko keh deta hoon... Aapko koi bhi disturbance nahin hogi... "and he was about to leave, when he saw SAMRAT stand up and walk towards him. Taking his wallet out, he pulled out some notes and tipped the bell boy. Thanking SAMRAT, the 'Bell boy' quickly left.

SAMRAT locked the door and walked to the bedroom of the suite... he removed his coat and flung it on the bed. Removing his shoes, he walked over to the bed and lay down... as he recollected the incidence of the evening... and GUNJAN's face flashed before his eyes...

and he shut his eyes... (( I hate you... I hate you GUNJAN... Maine kabhi nahin socha tha ki,tum mere saath aisa koi game play karogi... U knew very-well ki,tumhaari woh back ward family tumhein mere saath yahaan aane nahin degi... phir bhi,tum mujhe pehle wahaan le gayi...

Mujhe jhooth kaha ki,tum mere saath aaogi... You are a cheater... Tumhaare liye meri koi importance nahin... Tum...tum..sirf aur sirf apni family ki care karti ho... tumhein meri parwah nahin... lekin,woh kya sochenge..woh kya kahenge... tumhein iss baat ki zyada fikr rehti hai... Tumne 1 baar bhi nahin socha ki, mujhe kaisa feel hoga...?? mujhe kitna bura lagega...??

He sat up and kept his feet on the floor... his finger entwined...

Kaise bataoon tumhein ki main yeh kabhi tolerate nahin kar sakta ki, tum mujhe chhod kar kisi aur ko prefer karo... whatever,woh tumhaari family hi kyun naa ho... I hate them... They all are so irritating... n now...I hate you too... Kyunki,tum bhi unhin ki tarah ho...

Angrily, he stood up and walked out to living room of the suite...

Maine...maine kuchh bhi galat nahin kaha... Main bilkul sahi hoon... Maine unke baare mein jo kuchh bhi kaha...woh deserve karte hain... wo...woh old lady... Kitne wrong n cheap words use kiye unhone mere baare mein... kya sochti hain woh ki...main... Main tumhein yahaan.. .yahaan apne saath hotel mein laakar tumhara benefit loonga...?? How can she think like this... worst thoughts of a weird lady...

With a look of disgust, he looked away... then...

Aur tum...?? Tumne kuchh bhi nahin kaha...?? Kyun GUNJAN...?? Kyun tumne mere liye 1 word bhi nahin kaha...?? Kaash tumne mere liye kuchh toh kaha hota... Kya tumhein bhi lagta hai ki,main tumhein yahaan apne saath uss wajh se laana chahta tha...??

Tum...tum mere baare mein aisa soch bhi kaise sakti ho... Agar mujhe tumhaare saath woh sab kuchh karna hota toh main kal raat tumhaare ghar par hi kar chuka hota..aur wahaan koi bhi nahin tha jo mujhe rok paata... iske baad bhi tum mere baare mein...?? Kyun tumhein mujh par yakeen nahin...?? Kya sirf itna hi samjh paayi ho mujhe...??

His hurt, his pain

tried to ease itself in the form of tears... he wiped them...

Arre ,maine toh yeh trip sirf hamare liye plan ki thi...socha tha saath mein kuchh quality time spend kar sakenge... jahhan work pressure kam hoga...hum 1 dusre ko achhi tarah samajh sakenge... saath hi tumhaare uss cousin ki engagement Ceremony bhi attend karenge... Yeh kabhi nahin socha tha ki tum mujhe akela chhod kar apni family ke saath chali jaaogi...

He flopped on the sofa... then his anger surfaced again...

I am just looking like fool... Jise tumne easily use kar liya... lekin,bas ab bahot hua... Miss GUNJAN BHUSHAN... Go to hell... agar tumhein meri parwah nahin... toh mujhe bhi tumhaari parwah nahin... I don't care about you... Tum kabhi bhi... and his eyes fell on the wound on his palm. The blood had dried ...he moved his fingers over the bruise... he remembered her touch...her concern... her tears as she asked him how he had hurt himself...

Yeh zakham toh tumhein dikhta hai... mere iss dard se pareshaan ho jaati ho... lekin,mera akelapan tum kyun mehsoos nahin kar paati... Kyun samjh nahin paati ki,main tumhare bina bilkul akela ho jaata hoon... jab tum paas hoti ho... sab kuchh kitna achha lagne lagta hai... tumhaare liye khud ko badlna chahta hoon... woh sab karna chahta hoon jo tumhein pasand ho... lekin, tum... Tumhein meri pasand-napasand ki koi fikr nahin... Kyun GUNJAN...?? Kyun main tuhaare liye itna important nahin...??

He clenched his fist tightly, the wound hurting him. He then stood up and walked towards the huge window and drew the curtains open... he looked at the clear sky...... Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai ki,maine tumhein hamesha ke liye kho doonga... Koi hai jo mujhe tumse hamesha ke liye door karna chahta hai... agar maine tumhein kho diya toh...?? his eyes welled up with tears again... the thought of losing someone he loved yet again was excruciatingly difficult... but, equally difficult was the truth...

Aaj yeh baat toh clear ho gayi ki, tum kabhi bhi apni family ke against nahin jaaogi... aur jo woh chahte hain... main woh kabhi nahin kar sakta... toh phir hum... hum saath kaise ho sakte hain..??

He turned around and walked back towards the bedroom. He reached the bed and sat on the carpeted floor, resting his elbow on the bed and his other arm on his knee under which he had folded his other leg...

Kya karoon main...?? Tumhaare bina reh nahin paaoonga... toh kya...?? Kya tumhein paane ke liye mujhe tumse ' shaadi'...?? No... No... No way... I can't marry you... Main apne revenge ko nahin chhod sakta... Mom ki death ke baad se hi uss PRATAP SHERGILL se badla lene ki kasam khai thi... aur aaj...aaj uss apportuinity ke itne paas aakar main peeche nahin mud sakta...

Please,try to understand my situation... Main tumhein woh sab kuchh de sakta hoon... jo kisi bhi insaan ka khwab ho sakta hai... lekin... lekin tumse 'Marriage' nahin kar sakta... Tum soch bhi nahin sakti ki, iss waqt RICHA se marriage karna mere liye kitna zaroori hai... whatever mujhe... He shook his head as he wiped the stray tear on his cheek and then, standing up he walked to the cupboard.

He opened the cupboard and from his suitcase, he took out his 'Medicine box' and took out the sleeping pills from the box. Taking the prescribed dose from the bottle, he kept the medicine box back in the suitcase and walked over to the bedside. Pouring some water in the glass, he gulped down the sleeping pills and lay on the bed...

He kept his arm over his eyes...but every time his eyes closed, GUNJAN's face flashed before his eyes... he moved his hand away and propped himself up...(( Nahin... Main GUNJAN ko kho kar bhi toh nahin jii sakta... Woh keh nahin paati but,I know she loves me... Main gusse mein usse hurt kar deta hoon... phir bhi woh mujhe utna hi pyar karti hai... Main usse takleef nahin pahunchana chahta... lekin,meri wajh se usse takleef pahunchti hai...

Aaj uski koi galti nahin thi... phir bhi maine uski family ka gussa uss par nikal diya... aur woh... usne kuchh bhi nahin kaha... woh uss waqt bhi mere zakhm ko dekh kar hi pareshaan thi... Yeh pyar nahin toh aur kya hai...??

He picked up the pillow lying next to him and kept it on his lap as he kept his hand under his head, which he had rested on the head rest of the bed...

Whatever, main uski family ko pasand nahin karta...lekin,kya main uski khushi ke liye unn logon ko kuchh dinon ke liye tolerate nahin kar sakta...?? Yes... I can do... !! Mujhe sirf GUNJAN ke liye wahaan jaana chahiye... Main unhein aisa koi chance nahin doonga jiski wajah se woh GUNJAN ko mere saath kaam karne se rokein... aur phir GUNJAN is not a minor... woh usse nahin rok sakte...

Mujhe 1 koshish karni chahiye... Mujhe iss confusion ko door karna hoga... Usse iss baat ka ehsaas karana hoga ki, agar main uske bina nahin reh sakta... toh woh bhi mere bina nahin reh sakti... Yes... !! this is the right idea... Mujhe kal apne hi style se iss topic ko clear karna hoga... after all I am SAMRAT SHERGILL... aur aisi koi problem nahin jise main solve na kar sakoon... phir chahe woh problem Professional ho yaa personal... Main tumhein yun meri zindagi se nahin jaane doonga GUNJAN... kabhi nahin ))

His face sported the most lovely smile... the one that came from the bottom of the heart... he threw the pillow away and then he stood up. Walking over to cupboard, he opened it and took out a change of clothes from his suitcase. He freshened up and then as he lay on the bed, he smiled yet again, as he remembered what he had thought about. He then turned over and clutching the pillow, he fell into deep slumber...

If only he knew... that this was now, not going to be that easy. GUNJAN had made a decision...a decision that was going to be very difficult for her... but at the same time, only this decision would ensure the happiness of her family... and perhaps, see the end of that guilt that was pricking at her conscience...

.

Meanwhile GUNJAN

Wiping her tears, GUNJAN walked over to the bed. She picked up the bag and walked towards the cupboard to keep it in. She would unpack later, she thought. As she kept the bag in the cupboard and then opened it to take out a change of clothes, she saw the notes still peeping out of the side pocket.

She pushed them in as her hands touched the first aid box. She took it out and kept it to the side and zipped up the side pocket. Then, her eyes fell on the first aid box and the antiseptic bottle in it.She picked the first aid kit and took the antiseptic bottle from it. She looked worried as she remembered the bleeding wound on SAMRAT's palm. She looked worried...

(( Pata nahin unhone,'First-aid' lii yaa nahin...? Kitni bleeding ho rahi thi unhein... her eyes were teary... lekin main kya karoon... mera touch karna tak unhein pasand nahin... Unhein lagta hai main woh unke paisoon ke liye unhein impress karne ke liye kar rahi thi... meri feelings unhein act lagti hai...

She kept the bottle back in the kit and picked up her change of clothes as she shut the cupboard and turned around...to walk towards the bed...

Kaise batoon unhein ki,main uss dard ko mehsoos kar sakti hoon jo, dard unhein takleef pahunchata hai... maine kabhi unse pyaar ki umeed nahin ki...lekin,kabhi nahin chaha tha ki,woh mujhse itni nafrat karein... aur aaj... aaj kahin na kahin unhein meri wajah se takleef pahunchi... Aabhi toh unki tabiyat bhi thik nahin...aaj hi toh kitne saare check-ups hue the... abhi toh report bhi nahin aayi... aur ab yeh injury... woh bhi shayad sirf meri wajah se... holding the clothes close to her, she let her tears flow freely...

Main kisi ko khushiyaan nahin de sakti... main chahoon ya naa chahoon... lekin,sabhi ke problems ki wajah main hi hoon... aaj meri wajh se hi Uncle-Aunty ki insult hui... pata nahin kyun lekin,meri hi wajah se SAMRAT Sir upset hain... Maine sabhi ko hurt kiya hai... Main bahot buri hoon Maan... She sat on the bed and kept the clothes to her side as she hid her face in her palms... bahot buri... shayad issiliye hi aap log mujhe akela chhod kar chale gaye...

She sobbed... then she moved her hands away and kept them on her laps... sniffing, she thought... Kya main kuchh bhi aisa nahin kar sakti jisse sabhi ko khushiyaan de sakoon... aisa kuchh ... jiske baad kisi ko mujhse koi complain na ho... n she was again lost in thoughts of different 'possibilities'... after few seconds... Shayad main aisa kuchh toh kar sakti hoon... jisse sabhi ko khushiyaan mil sakti hain... she softly cleaned her cheeks... Biji ne kaha...kal Ceremony mein koi family bhi mujhe dekhne aa rahi hai... agar main iss rishte ke liye haan kar doon toh...??

Tears still wetting her cheeks as they flowed, she tried wiping them off......toh phir shayad sab kuchh thik ho jaayega... Uncle...Aunty... VISHAL Mamu...Biji... sabhi ne meri marriage ko lekar kitne sapne dekhe honge... agar main iss rishte ko 'Haan' kar doon...toh...? Toh 1 pal mein hi unke saare sapne pure ho jaayenge... Iss se badh kar unke liye aur koi khushi ki baat nahin ho sakti... as she visualized their happy faces, a smile flickered on her lips...though her tears continued to make their presence felt...

Kya Main unki khushiyoon ke liye itni chooti si 'Haan' nahin kar sakti...?? Uncle-Aunty... Biji... sabhi kitne khush ho jaayenge.....aur SUMIT Bhaiyaa... she smiled softly... woh toh mujhe kitna chidhayenge... lekin, main unki baaton ka bura nahin maanoongi... Kyunki,main jaanti hoon woh mujhe kitna pyaar karte hain... her smile grew wider as she thought about the reaction of her family... her tears still not stopping.

And then, suddenly, her smile disappeared...as she thought about..." Aur SAMRAT Sir...??Shayad iss tarah main unhein prove kar paaoongi ki,main waisi nahin hoon..jaisa woh samjhte hain... maine kabhi unke paisoon ke liye unki care nahin ki... Kabhi unhein paane ki koshish nahin ki... Woh sab jo kuchh bhi tha... meri true feelings thi... aur maine kabhi apni feelings ke badle mein unse kuchh nahin chaha tha... she softly wiped her tears

... main marriage ka excuse dekar resign bhi de sakti hoon... jab tak toh saare projects works bhi khatm ho chuke honge aur woh saari legal formalities bhi khatm ho chuki hongi... phir toh unhein mujh jaisi 3rd class staff ko apne office mein tolerate nahin karna padega...

She picked up the clothes and stood up and started walking towards the bathroom...

Shayad mere aisa karne ke baad unhein ehsaas ho ki,main utni buri nahin... jitna woh mujhe samjhte hain... Maine kabhi unhein takleef pahunchaane ki koshish nahin ki... lekin,aaj jo unhone Uncle-Aunty ke saath kiya... uske baad mera unke liye ab koi feelings rakhna... apni family ke against jaane jaisa hoga... jo main kabhi nahin karoongi...

Unke paas reh kar na sahi... lekin,shayad unse hamesha ke liye door jaa kar toh main unhein woh khushiyaan de sakti hoon...

She went to the washroom and after freshening up and changing, she came out of the bathroom... she then walked towards the open window. She was about to draw the curtains, when she stopped and looked at the stars... they seemed to be shining brighter...

She wiped her tears and smiled faintly... then, she spoke to her mom... Please ! Maa help me... aap God se kaho naa ki,woh sab thik kar den... Main Unhein bhool jaaoon... Unhein kabhi bhi yeh pata na chale ki maine kabhi unse pyar kiya tha... Unki nafrat aur rudness sahne ki habbit ho gayi hai... unka 'Pyar' nahin seh paaoongi... kyunki,ab aisa hua toh saari cheezein hamesha-hamesha ke liye ulajh jaayengi... jo shayad main kabhi suljha nahin paaoongi... ))

She had started weeping by now. As she rested against the side of the window, she slid down to sit on the floor. And she wept for a long time. Holding her kness close to her she lay down on the floor as she tried to close her eyes and get some sleep.

From, here, she could see the stars...her mom and dad as they watched over their little one... she wished that they would fulfill her wish...as they had till the day they left her alone...Next day would bring with it more twists and turns in her life. Oblivious to this fact, GUNJAN slept peacefully, her parents watching over her.

[C]

NANDA's Bedroom

Prof. NANDA stood near the window, looking at the clear sky, recollecting the incidences of the evening. He remembered the happiness he had felt when he heard that his princess was here. A smile flickered as he remembered seeing her angelic face after 2 days now.

Then, he sighed as he remembered what followed. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. he looked to see his wife standing next to him. She had heard his sigh and looked at him as she asked... " Kya hua? Neend nahin aa rahi? Aapne B.P. ki medicines toh li thi naa? "

Prof.N - (softly) Haan woh... who kaafi garmi hai naa... iss liye and he looked out again as he knew, his lie would get caught. Then, he looked at his wife as he asked, with concern..." Lekin aap kyun jag rahi hain? Kya aapko bhi garmi lag rahi hai? "

SHARADA Jii shook her head as she looked out of the window as she spoke..." Nahin! Mujhe toh neend hi nahin aa rahi... Then she looked at her husband as she asked.... Aapko kya lagta hai? Aaj jo kuchh bhi hua uske baad kya main chain se so paaoongi? "

Then she turned around and walked over to the bed. She sat down, worry writ large on her face. Prof. NANDA also walked over to where she sat and sat next to her. Then, he spoke, his tone soft..."SHARDA Jii aap toh be-wajah hi pareshaan ho jaati hain. Aaaj aisa kuchh bhi nahin ho jiski wajah se"

SHARADA Jii looked at him as she cut him off... " Main aapki tarah Professor nahin... toh iska matlab yeh nahin ki mujhe kuchh samjh hi nahin aata. Duniya maine bhi dekhi hai... Aaaj jis tarah uss SAMRAT SHERGILL ne hamari GUNJAN se baat ki, Mujhe toh fikr ho rahi hai. Humne... She looked away as she paused... then she again looked at her husband, who was waiting patiently for her to complete her sentence as she said... Humne kahin GUNJAN ko wahaan work karne ki permission dekar koi badi galti toh nahin ki?? Shayad hamein RAHUL ki baat maan leni chahiye thi "

A bit sternly, yet softly, Prof. NANDA replied... " What?? Yeh aap kya keh rahi hain? 1 chhoti si baat ko itna bada issue banane ki zaroorat nahin aap toh.

SHARADA Jii cut him off again, a bit agitatedly as she stood up and walked around... " Yeh koi chhoti si baat nahin. Maine uski aankhon mein... She shut her eyes as she stopped when she visualized SAMRAT's face,

his anger... and shuddered a bit as she opened her eyes, and looking at her husband, continued... Woh jis tarah GUNJAN se baat kar raha tha...Main... she sat on the bed again as she paused... and then spoke... RAHUL hota toh baat alag thi. Woh yeh sab handle kar leta... She looked at her husband as she continued... Woh SAMRAT SHERGILL kaafi gusse waala aur badtamiz insaan hai. pata nahin hamari bachhi ko uss office mein kitna kuchh sehna padta hoga aur woh jis tarah GUNJAN ko hotel le jaane ke liye keh raha tha... Mujhe toh ab uski niyat par bhi doubt ho raha hai... kahin woh...

Her worry making its presence felt not only in the tone, but also in the tears that were about to drop from her eyes... Prof NANDA cut her off, his tone serious... "SHARDA Jii aap bhi naa... kabhi-kabhi bilkul apni Biji jaisi baatein karne lagti hain. Arre ! Hum use jaante hi kitna hain jo sirf 1 chhote se incident ki basis par usse judge karne lage?? Yeh toh sahi nahin hai naa??

SHARADA Jii looked at him, her eyes indicating her surprise at his words as she asked... "Yeh aap keh rahe hain? Kya ho gaya hai aapko? Shayad aapko yaad nahin lekin,usne aapse bhi kaafi badtamizi se baat kit hi.Arre ! 'Beta' hi toh kaha tha, aur uske liye kya kuchh nahin kaha usne?? Aap toh Professor hain... kya aise ladkon ke bare mein nahin jaante ?

She looked away, a bit angrily. Prof NANDA knew now, that he would have to change his tone. He was talking to the mother of a young girl, an innocent young girl... and what had happened had obviously instilled fear in her mind regarding the well being of her daughter... his tone calm, he said... "Professor hoon... iss liye hi keh raha hoon. sirf aaj ke incident ki wajah se hum usse judge nahin kar sakte. aur phir kya galat kaha usne? Yeh zaroori toh nahin ki,jo cheezein hamein pasand ho woh bhi uss cheez ko pasand kare...

S - (softly) Main yahaan koi cheez ki baat nahin kar rahi...Main 'Respect' ki baat kar rahi hoon... jo sabhi ke liye 1 jaisi hi hoti hai. Uss ladke mein apne se badon se baat karne ki tamiz hi nahin...

Prof.N- (calmly) Haan! Lekin,uss badtamizi mein bhi uss mein 1 honesty thi...

S - (questionigly) Matlab?

Prof.N - (smiling as he held her palm in his palms and spoke softly) SHARDA Jii ! Agar usse mera 'beta' kehna pasand nahin, toh usne badtamizi se hi sahi, lekin, imaandaari[Honesty] se apni baat toh kahi. Aaj kitne log aise hain jo dil ke itne saaf hain? Aur,agar uski niyat thik nahin hoti toh who kabhi bhi aise react nahin karta... woh bhi GUNJAN ke saamne...

He patted her hand as he continued speaking...

Aur, shayad aapne yeh notice nahin kiya ki, woh iss ghar ke environment mein comfortable nahin tha. Aur usne yeh pretend bhi nahin kiya ki,woh yahaan aakar khush hai. Woh toh andar bhi nahin aa raha tha... sirf mere aur SUMIT ke kehne ki wajah se woh yahaan aaya tha...

Then, he stood up as he continued explaining to a mother...

Aap sab jo bhi keh len... lekin,Mujhe uss mein 1 honesty nazar aayi... jo uske dil mein hai... woh uski aankhon mein hai... Woh gusse wala insaan ho sakta hai lekin,dil ka bura nahin ho sakta. Agar hum use pasand nahin toh,yeh baat usne apne behavior se hamein bata di. hamein kisi tarah ke dhoke mein nahin rakha. Usne jo kaha, nazrein mila kar kaha...

Then, he looked at his wife as he continued...

Aur,rahi baat uski niyat ki , toh agar uski niyat buri hoti ... agar who sach mein hamari GUNJAN ke saath kuchh bura karna chahta toh usse kabhi yahaan lekar nahin aata... he paused and then, he completed his sentence... in a very calm and composed way... SHARDA Jii , Aap sabhi ko khud se compare kyun karti hain.? Sabhi log 1 jaise nahin ho sakte. Woh SAMRAT SHERGILL hai. 1 bahot bade empire ke owner. Unhone GUNJAN ko hamare ghar tak sahi-salamat pahuncha diya, yeh 1 bahot badi baat hai. Hamein iss se zyada unse aur koi umeed nahin rakhni chahiye... he smiled at her as he stopped talking...

Listening to her husband speak, SHARADA Jii did not seemed convinced. But yet, she looked at him as she said... "Aap keh rahe hain, toh maan leti hoon. lekin,aap iss baat se toh inkaar nahin kar sakte ki, GUNJAN ka uss jagah work karna kitna mushkil hota hoga?? Woh kitna bhi imaandar aur sachha kyun naa ho, lekin,iska matlab yeh toh nahin ki,woh hamari bachhi se iss tarah baat kare...

Prof. NANDA sat beside her as he said... his tone serious... "Main aapki baat samjh raha hoon... aur main yeh deny bhi nahin kar raha, GUNJAN se koi iss tarah unchi awaaz mein baat kare, yeh main bhi kabhi bardasht nahin karoonga. Chahe woh uske BOSS hon yaa chahe hamara RAHUL hi kyun na ho...

SHARADA Jii was about to say something, but Prof NANDAensured that she did not say anything, till he finished talking... so he continued without a pause...

Rahi baat GUNJAN ki SHERGILL's mein work karne ki,toh hum donon hi jaante hain ki,usne wahaan se resign de diya tha. Agar usne re-join kiya hai toh sirf Office ki kuchh legal formalities ko pura karne ke liye. Jis din woh 'Legal Formalities' puri ho jaayengi, GUNJAN wahaan resign kar degi... toh yeh koi aisa issue nahin ki,aap iske liye itna pareshaan hon.

SHARADA Jii knew it would be futile stretching this talk any further. Though she was not even a bit convinced by what he was explaining, she decided to stop this talk. She replied... " Aap jo keh rahe hain woh main samjh rahi hoon. Lekin,Pata nahin... kyun dil thoda ghabra raha hai. 1 darr sa lag raha hai. RAHUL bhi toh yahaan nahin hai... aur phir kal Engagement Ceremony mein ARYAN aur uski family waale bhi toh aa rahe hain... pata nahin who log kaise honge... said in worried tone... Hamari GUNJAN ko pasand karenge bhi yaa nahin. Aur agar kiya toh pata nahin,hamari GUNJAN wahaan khush reh paayegi yaa nahin? Mujhe toh kal ki kaafi tension ho rahi hai...

Hoping that the tension filled atmosphere would ligten up a bit, Prof NANDA smiled and in a tone which indicated that he was teasing his wife, he said... " Oh ! toh yeh hai aapke tension ka real reason !! Aap toh be-wajah hi uss bechare SAMRAT ko target kar rahi thin. Aapki tension ki asli wajah toh ARYAN aur uski family hai "

But SHARADA Jii knew her husband very well. She looked at him with a frown and said in a huaghty tone... " Ab aap mat shuru ho jaaiye ! Aap toh hamesha har baat ko aise hi hansi mein uda dete hain. Arre shaadi-byah ka maamla hai... tension toh hogi hi naa!! Pata nahin GUNJAN se kya-kya poochenge... Usse toh itna kuchh pata bhi nahin... Kitni mushkil se toh aisa rishta mila hai aur...

Cutting her off gently, Prof NANDA said..." Relax SHARDA Jii... aap kuchh zyada hi pareshaan ho rahi hain. Actually, ab Aap aaj bilkul hi typical Maa jaisa behave kar rahi hain he smiled as he caught her glare and then, after a pause, he spoke...Arre Baba ! Woh kal sirf GUNJAN ko dekhne aa rahe hain... Barat lekar nahin aa rahe. Aur woh kaun hote hain hamari bachhi ko pasand yaa napasand karne waale? Yeh rishta sirf aur sirf GUNJAN ki marzi se hi fix hoga...

Woh kal yahaan mainly toh Engagement Ceremony attend karne hi aayenge... saath mein,GUNJAN se bhi mil lenge. Agar hamein sab kuchh thik laga toh hum iss rishte ki baat ko aage le jaayenge... warna toh hamein koi jaldi nahin...

SHARADA Jii looked at her husband who was looking elsewhere... he continued talking...

Maine toh pehle bhi kaha hai ki,Jab tak hamein koi 'suitable' ladka nahin mil jaata, main apni GUNJAN ki shaadi nahin karne wala. Jise chahe jo kehna hai,kahe. Lekin,main jab tak khud uss ladke ko lekar sure na ho jaaoon, Mujhe kisi bhi rishte ke liye koi majboor nahin kar sakta... then, he looked at his wife as he said... aur maine yeh baat VISHAL aur Biji se bhi keh di hai... toh don't worry.

SHARADA Jii nodded, but somewhere, there was a feeling, an inner feeling, that all this was not so simple. She looked at her husband and then away as she thought and then, looking at her husband, she appealed... " Waise aapse 1 baat kahoon? Aap bura toh nahin maanenge? "

Prof.N - (teasingly) Arre ! Aapko kab se mere bura maanne yaa naa maanne ki parwah hone lagi? Aap toh woh hi kehti hain, jo aap kehna chahti hain... sunna toh mujhe padta hai... " he gave a 'poor me' look and then laughed lightly as he winked at his wife.

S - ( in fake anger...) Aap bhi naa... Bas har waqt mazak hi mazak...

Prof.N - Achha Baba ! Ab nahin karoonga...kahiye jo kehna chahti hain...

SHARADA Jii looked at him and seeing that he was now seriously listening to her, she said... " Wo... woh... main chahti thi ki... Aap... aap 1 baar MONiSH se baat kyun nahin karte?? Woh bhi toh... "

Prof.N - (in a serious tone, he cut her off...) Kis matter par? I mean kaun si baat? Main samjha nahin.

S - (excitedly) Woh... woh GUNJAN ke bare mein! Mera matlab hai GUNJAN aur MONISH ke rishte ke bare mein. Mujhe to unn donon ki Jodi bahot achhi lagti hai. Woh donon 1 dusre ko jaante bhi hain aur sab se badi baat, woh GUNJAN ka kitna khyaal rakhta hai. Sochiye toh ,agar usne DELHi mein hamari GUNJAN ki help na ki hoti toh.?? Aur phir kitna suljha aur samjhdaar ladka hai...

SHARADA Jii was talking very excitedly...

Sach poochiye toh subah jab MONiSH ki call aayi aur usne GUNJAN ke SHERGILL's join karne ki baat batai toh... main toh bilkul hi darr gayi thi. Lekin,jab usne kaha ki,darrne ki koi baat nahin, woh hai naa... tab jaakar 1 alag sa hi sukoon mila. Kya aapko nahin lagta ki??

She looked at her husband, her eyes twinkling as she spoke But, Prof. NANDA cut her off as he said, his tone gentle... " SHARDA Jii, agar mera bas chalta toh, shayad RAHUL ke baad main MONiSH ka hi naam leta. RAHUL ka naam nahin le sakta kyunki,main nahin chahta ki,who sirf hamari wajah se GUNJAN se shaadi kare. Usse kahin aisa na lage ki,sirf hamari wajah se usne apni zindagi ke saath compromise karna pada.

Main kabhi nahin chahoonga ki, meri phool si bachhi kisi ke liye bojh ho... chahe who 'koi' insaan mera apna Beta hi kyun na ho... and his voice choked as his eyes glistened with tears... the thought of anyone thinking that his princess was a burden on them was enough to make this father emotional. After a pause, he said...

" MONiSH is really nice guy. Shayad hum uss se behtar rishta kabhi dhoondh bhi naa paayein... lekin,maine pehle bhi kaha hai aur aaj phir keh raha hoon ki, Yeh rishta hamare liye possible nahin. Who log INDIA ke top Business families mein se 1 hain. Hamara unse koi muqabla hi nahin. Hamari Annual Income se zyada toh unke 1 month ke expenditure hote hain. Unke paas aisi koi majboori nahin jiski wajah se who hamari GUNJAN ke liye 'Haan' kahein... aur main meri GUNJAN ke liye 'Naa' sunn nahin paaoonga...

Koi meri bachhi ke rishte ko 'Naa' kahe, Main yeh chance kisi ko nahin doonga. Maine ARYAN ke liye bhi 'Haan' issi condition par ki thin ki,jab tak saari cheezein clear na ho jaayein, koi GUNJAN se iss baat ko lekar discussion nahin karega. Woh toh aaj Biji ne gusse mein ARYAN ki family ka naam le liya aur yeh baat GUNJAN ke saamne aa gayi. Warna main,apni bachhi par kabhi koi pressure nahin aane deta. Lekin,abhi bhi uska decision hi last decision hoga. "

S - (his tone low...) Main samjhti hoon aapki baton ko. Mere liye bhi GUNJAN ki khushiyoon se badhkar kuchh bhi nahin. Lekin,phir bhi, agar aap 1 baar MONiSH se indirectly hi poochte toh.

A mother, for the sake of her daughter's happiness was pleading with her husband... But,

Prof.N (in a straight way) Nahin! Naa directly aur naa hi indirectly... MONiSH se GUNJAN ke bare mein koi baat nahin ki jaayegi then as he controlled his tone, he said... "Aur SHARDA Jii..aapko ho kya gaya hai? Hum apni bachhi ke liye itne selfish kaise ho sakte hain? MONiSH 1 achha insaan hai...Woh hamari kitni izzat karta hai... Building lease matter par hamari kitni help kar raha hai... iska matlab yeh toh nahin ki hum uski achhaiyoon ka benefit lene ki koshish karein...

Kya sochega woh hamare bare mein?? GUNJAN ke bare mein? Nahin jo ho raha hai, sahi ho raha hai. Hum Middle class family se jude hain... hamein apni hadein nahin bhoolni chahiye. Hamein hamari GUNJAN ke liye hamari jaisi family hi dhoondhni hai... jahaan uski wohi qadr aur izzat ho jo, usse iss ghar mein milti hai.

S - (softly) Aap shayad sahi keh rahe hain. Kya karoon? GUNJAN ko lekar kaafi zyada fikr hoti hai. Lekin,koi baat nahin.. main kal subah hi Biji se keh doongi ki,who iss rishte ko lekar GUNJAN se koi baat naa karein... aur aap..aap bhi ARYAN aur uski job ke bare mein acche se pata kar lena. Job kaisi hai? Salary 'Reasonable' hai yaa nahin? Aur bhi woh sab kuchh jo hamari GUNJAN ke liye zaroori ho.

Prof. NANDA smiled at his wife as she gave instructions to him... then he said... " Haan Baba ! Aap uski tension mat lo. Woh sab meri zimmedaari hai... lekin,yeh sab tabhi possible ho paayega jab aap aaj mujhe sone dengi... zara time toh dekhiye... pointed at the wall clock... kya saari raat yahin jag kar GUNJAN ki marriage plan karne ka irada hai??

SHARADA Jii looked at the clock... and then looked at her husband as she apologized... " Oh ! Sorry !! Maine time toh dekha hi nahin. Mujhe bhi kaafi jaldi uthna hai. I hope kal ka din shanty se nikal jaaye...

Prof. NANDA smiled reassuringly at her as he moved to his bedside to lay down. Switching the bedside lamp, he lay down and soon, the couple was asleep...peacefully. Their dreams seconding the wish that they had for a better tomorrow, for their daughter... but... destiny had planned something else for them... all the plans for their daughter, for her wedding ... would destiny allow them to be fulfilled?? They would know soon enough...

...Lost in her thoughts, when GUNJAN entered the room, She froze... out of shock and disbelief of what she saw in front of her... that was unexpected... SAMRAT had his fist raised, ready to place a well aimed punch at SUMIT, holding his collar with his other hand, gritting his teeth, his eyes bloodshot. SUMIT was holding SAMRAT by his collar. he was about to release SAMRAT's collar and clench his fist to punch SAMRAT back, when his eyes fell on his sister...

Her teary eyes conveyed to him what she wanted to say and he let go...of SAMRAT's collar and his clenched fist. As he did so, all eyes moved to look at the person who, much to her discomfort, was the center of this fight...GUNJAN.

She could read the one question that all intended to ask her... she looked at them... and saw the face that she had hoped would not be here...uncle...Prof. NANDA... she quickly moved her gaze away and then, she looked at SAMRAT... who was now facing her...his stare indicating that his anger was far from gone. She looked away as he strode towards her, his anger rising with each step that he took towards her. Scared to death, seeing his stride, GUNJAN turned around to leave. But, SAMRAT held her wrist, his grip tight. She tried to take a step forward, but winced in pain as he tightened his grip over her delicate wrist...

His tone serious and possessive, he spoke... " Don't try to avoid me... ! giving the other family members a look of disgust, he again looked at her as he said... Aaj kuchh baatein hamesha ke liye clear karni zaroori hain... B'coz,now I am really fed-up with this... "

and saying so, he pulled GUNJAN towards him so she would face him. She looked at him, confusion writ large over her face...she tried to understand what he as trying to say...what matter he wanted to clear... but as usual, his eyes gave away nothing. She came back to the present as she heard SUMIT speak very harshly...glaring at SAMRAT as he spoke to his dad... " Dad call the POLICE... Yeh yahaan se aise nahin jaayega... "

But, SAMRAT was least bothered. He had, as yet, not left her wrist and she knew, it would hurt her, if she even tried to free herself. So she did nothing and looked at SAMRAT as he spoke...his tone stern, looking at all the members present... " Batao inhein ki,hamare beech kya chal raha hai...?? Main yahaan iss waqt kyun aaya hoon...?? Tumhaari Family hamare baare mein jaanna chahti hai... shayad unhein tumhaari batoon par zyada yakeen ho. "

Hearing SAMRAT ask this, she looked at him with a start and then at all the other family members looking at her, surprisingly...then she looked downwards...

as she stammered...after a pause... "Aap... aap... kya keh rahe hain...? Main... Main nahin jaanti... Mujhe...mujhe kuchh nahin pata... Aap... aap... please... "

SAMRAT completely lost his temper as he heard her speak. freeing her wrist, he pulled her close to him, holding her arms, as he yelled... " Tumhein kuchh nahin pata...?? Tum kuchh nahin jaanti... ??moving his face closer to hers, he spoke in his husky voice... angrily... " Don't try to play any game with me... Main tumhein iss tarah mera tamasha banane nahin doonga... " and he slightly pushed her away.

She stumbled a few steps behind, evoking reactions from Prof. NANDA and SUMIT. As Prof. NANDA stood up to walk over to his princess to hold her, SUMIT strode over to SAMRAT , and, holding him by his collar, spun him around and was about to punch him, when SAMRAT held his hand, mid-air and harshly pushed it away. SUMIT had to let go of his collar. Adjusting his collar, SAMRAT looked at GUNJAN... and asked again...

" Ok... Fine... toh tumhein kuchh samjh nahin aa raha...?? Tumhein nahin pata ki,hamare beech kya chal raha hai...?? Perfect.. !! toh,now tell me the truth... Yes wohi Truth...!! jo tum hamesha bolti ho... Kyunki,tumne hi toh kaha tha naa... Tum kabhi jhooth nahin bolti... Toh aaj main tumhaara sach sunna chahta hoon... "

GUNJAN looked at him, questions in her eyes... everyone in the room was looking at each other and muttering something... she had no idea of what was to hit her... she waited for him to continue as he waited for her to speak. Seeing that she was not speaking, with a smirk on his face...his tone normal, he asked her...

" Do U love me...?? "

Tears stung her eyes as she hear the question... mummers died down as all looked at her... she could feel the stares...

as she shut her eyes... hoping that she could disappear...

But far from it...instead she opened her eyes with a start as she heard SAMRAT ask her again, his voice louder, sterner and he was stressing on each word...

" Do... U... love... me...?? "

Rest part of

.

[E]

" Do... U... love... me...?? "

As beads of perspiration trailed down her forehead, GUNJAN sat up with a start.

She moved the back of her palm over her forehead and then wiped her chin and cheeks. She looked around trying to understand what was happening. She kept her hand to her side to realise that she was sitting on the floor.

She stood up to look out of the open window and it was then that she remembered that she was in PUNE... and with that, she recollected the incidences of the evening... and her talk with her parents. She clutched the curtains as she shuddered...((Ye...yeh 1 sapna tha?? 1 bahot bura sapna.... then, she turned to look at the wall clock... in the light emitted by the bedside lamp that she had left on, she saw the time and...was terrified ... ab toh subah ho chuki hai... 5 baj chuke hain... aur mere subah ke sapne...!! She shut her eyes as she shook her head... as she wet her dry lips... No... No GUNJAN, aisa har baar thode hoga?? Whatever, mere subah ke sapne sach ho jaate hain... lekin,ye... yeh sapna kaise sach ho sakta hai ?? Yeh kabhi sach nahin ho sakta... yeh sirf mera bura khyaal hai... mera 1 bura waham... Main... Main be-wajah hi darr rahi hoon... opening her eyes, she wiped her face again as she walked towards the bed...

Wo... woh mujhe pyaar nahin karte. Infact,unhein toh meri feelings ke bare mein pata bhi nahin. Phir,who kyun aisa karenge? Yeh sab mera waham hai. Shayad kal raat jo kucch bhi hua ussi ki wajah se main darr rahi hoon... She looked at door... then, she walked over to the door and tried to listen... tried to hear any commotion... but everything was silent.

She moved back and then, on second thoughts, she moved closer to the door and kept her ear on the door. Heaving a sigh of relief, she walked back to the bed... lost in her thoughts as she sat...Lekin,agar aisa kabhi sach mein ho gaya toh?? Kya answer doongi main unhein? Unse jhooth nahin keh paaoongi... Aur unse sach kehnna possible nahin... She stood up as she thought and then paced the room...No no. Main aisi situation create hi nahin hone doongi jiski wajah se ujhe kabhi bhi Unke yaa apni Family mein se kisi 1 ko chunna pade...

Having made this decision, she sat down again...

Ab aaj ke baad unse sirf aur sirf work related topic hi discuss karoongi... aur kuchh bhi nahin. Sirf Professional relation hi maintain karoongi. Project related jitna zaroori hoga, sirf wohi baatein... aur... She was lost in some thoughts as her eyes let go some of her tears that they were holding back till now. She wiped them as she thought...

I hope,evening mein jo family mujhe dekhne aa rahi hai..woh mujhe approve kar len... She stood up... Main bhi iss rishte ke liye 'Haan' keh kar saari problems ko solve kar doongi, phir kisi ko koi complain nahin rahegi. Bahot ho gaya 1 anjaane aur namumkin rishte ke khwab dekhna. Mujhe iss reality ko accept karna hi hoga... aur iss Reality mein hamari manzil kabhi 1 nahin ho sakti )) She wiped her cheeks that were still holding on to the tears... and was about to walk towards the washroom, when she heard a knock... a soft knock.

She looked at the door and was walking towards it when she heard a louder knock... and she heard a voice...of a kid, as it very innocently asked...

" GUNJAN Di !! Aapko Office nahin jaana ?? NANU ne kaha ,Main jaakar aapko uttha doon. Kya aap utth gayi ho?? Agar nahin toh,bato naa kab tak utthogi? Mujhe Nanu ko batana hoga naa! "

GUNJAN stifled a chuckle as she heard the question. Wiping her face she opened the door to see a kid waiting for her reply. The kid looked at her and grinned. She caressed his hair as she bent down and, smiling, she said...

"Main utth gayi hoon. Nanu se kaho sirf 5 minute mein a rahi hoon...she patted his cheek and stood straight. The kid nodded and then, turning around, he charged downstairs, yelling as she went... "Achha keh deta hoon. Aap jaldi se neeche aa jaao. Jab tak hum RAGHU Bhaiyaa se Car nikalwate hain " GUNJAN smiled as she turned around and shutting the door, she started to prepare for her day at work today...

Meanwhile SAMRAT

SAMRAT opened his eyes

and then shut them again as he held his forehead in his fingers, gently massaging it. The headache was still there... he slowly opened his eyes again and picked up his cell and saw the time... and he sat up with a start... (( 9'O Clock !! What the hell..?? Main itni der tak sota raha?? How ?? Hamein toh 8 baje tak Factory inspection ke liye pahunch jaana chahiye tha aur main...main abhi tak?? he flung the cell on the bed as he angrily recollected yesterday's incident... Yeh sab uss GUNJAN ki wajah se ho raha hai...sirf,uski wajah se main jaldi so nahin paaya. Lagta hai gusse mein kuchh zyada hi sleeping pills kha li hongi... tabhi itni der tak sota raha. Yeh ladki 1 din meri jaan le legi... angrily he stood up, flinging the quilt away...

About to walk towards the washroom, he stopped...

(( 1 sec. agar main itni der tak soya raha toh woh... woh itni der tak kya kar rahi hai? At least, mujhe 1 call toh kar hi sakti thi naa?? Zaroor,apni uss 'chipku' family ki wajah se bhool gayi hogi. Aaj aane do office... phir bataoonga... har baat ki hadh hoti hai. Pyar karta hoon, iska matlab yeh toh nahin ki, work ke saath compromise karoon? Yeh sab uske woh stupid family members ki wajah se ho raha hai... workless people. Naa toh khud kaam karte hain aur naa hi kisi aur ko kaam karne dete hain...

Gritting his teeth in anger, SAMRAT strode over to the washroom and after freshening up, he was ready to leave in 20 mins. he picked up his laptop bag and left the room.

Handing over the keys at the reception and was about to walk away, when the receptionist called out to him... " Excuse me Sir !! "

SAMRAT stopped and turned to look at her..waiting for her to speak...she said... " Sir ! Aapse milne koi Miss GUNJAN BHUSHAN aayi thin. Unhone aapka kaafi der tak wait kiya par,jab... "

Hearing GUNJAN's name, SAMRAT walked over to the reception and cut the receptionist off angrily...

"What?? GUNJAN?? GUNJAN yahaan aayi thi ?? Woh mera wait kar rahi thi... aur tum yeh baat ab mujhe bata rahi ho?? Kya tumhaare Hotel mein phone work nahin karta?? Tum logon ne mujhe inform kyun nahin kiya?

He banged his palm angrily on the reception desk as he yelled..." Manager !! Where is your manager?? The receptionist was petrified to see SAMRAT's reaction. She looked around for help and felt relief as she saw the manager walking briskly towards them. Though he himself was scared to see SAMRAT's anger, he stood in front of SAMRAT... waiting to hear the harsh words...

Looking at him, SAMRAT bellowed..." Oh ! Toh tum ho iss worst service waale hotel ke manager ?? "

The manager wiped his forehead with his handkerchief as he said, very politely... worry easily audible... " Sorry Sir ! for any problem. Aap... aap mujhe bataiye ki... "

SAMRAT cut him off... as he said... " Problem toh ab tumhein aur tumhaare staffs ko hogi.Tumhein pata bhi nahin ki,tum logon ne kitni badi galti ki hai. Main tum logon ko aise nahin chhodunga... " said angrily.

The manager looked at SAMRAT and then at the receptionist... she softly told the manager what the issue was. He nodded as he heard her out and then he turned to face SAMRAT as he said..." V R really Sorry Sir ! Lekin,hamaare staff ki koi galti nahin. Inhone wohi kiya jaisa aapne inhein karne ko kaha tha. "

Glaring at him, SAMRAT asked..."Matlab ?? What do U mean?? "

Very politely, the manager replied..."Sir ! shayad aapko yaad nahin lekin,kal raat aapne hi hamein Instructions di thin ki, aapko disturb na kiya jaaye... aur na hi koi call transfer ki jaaye. Hamare staffs sirf aapke instructions ko follow kar rahe the "

At a loss for words, SAMRAT glared at the two and strode out of the hotel. As he waited for the valet to gett the car, he was fuming with anger... then, as he thought about GUNJAN ,

he lost in his thought... (( Uss Receptionist ne bataya ki, GUNJAN 7'O Clock se hi mera wait kar rahi thi... aur main ?? Shit !! Main bhi kabhi-kabhi pata nahin apne gusse par kaabu kyun nahin rakh paata... kya zaroorat thi Hotel staff ko aisa strict instruction dene ki?? Woh yahaan aayi aur main uss se mil bhi nahin paaya... kitna bura laga hoga usse??

Then again, his temper flared...

Wait !! Bura usse kyun lagega? Bura toh mujhe lagna chahiye... whatever, Hotel staff ne uski info mujhe nahin di... lekin,woh khud toh mujhe call kar sakti thi naa? Maine apna 'Personal Number' usse diya hua hai, phir bhi,usne mujhe 1 call karna zaroori nahin samjha?? Itna attitude??

Then as the valet parked his car in front of him, SAMRAT tipped the valet and got in... as he drove off, his angry thoughts still with him...

No way... Main bhi iss baar weak nahin padoonga... Kal raat bhi usne mujhe apni family ke liye ignore kiya, aur ab bhi mujhe importance nahin de rahi hai. Main yeh tolerate nahin karoonga. If, she loves me... toh usse meri importance samjhni hi hogi.

Wait !! ab aaj main tumhein bataoonga ki, ignorance kya hoti hai. Kitna bura lagta hai jab aapko,who insaan ignore kare jiski attention aapke liye matter karti hai. Aaj jab tak woh khud aa kar mujhse kal raat ke liye apology nahin karti. Main tab tak uss se baat hi nahin karoonga. Dekhta hoon... usse kaise bura nahin lagta )) ... He hit the accelerator as he swerved the car to the right, to enter the compound of his POONA office..

[F]

Taking quick steps, SAMRAT entered the office. His staff was present. Today, all were present. No one on leave or no one coming late. They all knew their boss and his temper. And when SAMRAT entered, their fear was justified.

Without giving any of them as much as a glance, SAMRAT walked towards his Cabin and to his desk. He noticed the Branch In-charge Mr.WADIA, waiting for him. But, he did not acknowledge his presence and took his seat after keeping his laptop bag on the desk and picked up the file lying in front of him.

Mr WADIA who stood opposite him, felt nervous as he waited for his boss to speak up... Without looking at him, SAMRAT said... his tone strict... " Mr.WADIA... I think aapko toh pata hi hoga ki main yahaan kyun aaya hoon? He slammed the file shut and threw it on the desk as he leaned back and looked at Mr. WADIA and said... I hope next 3 days mein hamein koi fault na mile, warna uss 'Responsible' staff ke saath-saath aap bhi apne liye New job search kar sakte hain.

Mr WADIA looked downwards as he mumbled..." Yes... Yes Sir ! Aap... aap bas order kijiye. Hamare saare staff usse quickly follow karenge.. "

SAMRAT gave a not interested look and then, opened his laptop bag and settled down to do some work as he replied..." Woh toh main khud dekh loonga " and was lost in his thoughts...(( What the hell? Mujhe yahaan aaye hue pure 6min. 38sec. ho gaye...aur ab tak naa toh GUNJAN ko dekha aur naa hi woh mujhe greet karne aayi ?? Aisa kaise ho sakta hai ? Anyway... woh toh jab miloonga tab poochunga... filhaal toh 'Unit Inspection' ke liye nikalna chahiye...

Whatever, I am upset with her but, work ko toh ignore nahin kar sakte naa?? Aur waise bhi office mein toh woh sirf meri P.A. hai... toh mujhe bhi yahaan sirf Boss ki tarah hi behave karna hoga.

No problem !! Main abhi usse bulata hoon. Aur Main uss se sirf project related baatein hi karoonga. Kal raat ke bare mein toh kuchh bhi nahin...jab tak woh khud kuchh nahin kehti...))

SAMRAT slammed his lappy shut as he looked at Mr WADIA and barked his orders..." Now..! You can go... aur haan...Mere saath MUMBAi se meri P.A. bhi aayi hai... shayad office mein hi hai... Tum usse bhej do. Hamein abhi Unit Inspection ke liye nikalna hai "

Mr.WADIA looked at SAMRAT and then, in a low tone, he replied... " Sir ! Woh toh yahaan nahin hain ? "

SAMRAT looked at him, a bit surprised and then worry took over as he asked..." What?? How is it possible? Usse toh yahin hona chahiye. "

Mr.WADIA replied...his tone low as he spoke... " Yes. Woh yahaan aayi thin lekin, abhi 'Production Unit' ke members se meeting karne ke liye Factory ja chuki hain. In fact,woh kaafi pehle hi aa chuki thin. Inventory related kuchh information collect ki aur phir yahaan se direct Factory ke liye akeli hi chali gayin. "

SAMRAT glared at him as he stood up

and spewed even more venom... his tone very high..." What do You mean ki,"akele chali gayi" ?? Tum logon ne usse akele jaane kyun diya? Usse mere aane tak roka toh hota? Wo... woh wahaan kabhi nahin gayi... aur ab akele !! Tumhein toh main baad mein dekhta hoon... and he walked out of the cabin... without waiting to hear anything more.

Mr.WADIA's eyes followed his boss till SAMRAT left the cabin... (( Inhein kya hua..?? Factory hi toh gayi hai... woh bhi sirf 5-6 min ki walking distance par hi toh hai ! Sab Sach hi kehte hain SAMRAT SHERGILL ko samjhna asaan kaam nahin hai)) shaking his head, he too left the cabin...

SAMRAT stormed out of his cabin and the office building... He almost ran towards the factory side of the huge compound. His concern and worry for her

was evident in his rush to get there...(( What the hell !! Yeh ladki mujhe sach mein paagal kar degi. Thodi bhi akal nahin hai. Arre ! Woh Factory hai... Koi Office thode hi hai ?? Pata nahin kaise-kaise labour class ke worker wahaan kaam karte hain. Wahaan akele jaane ki kya zaroorat thi?? Hotel mein wait nahin kar sakti thi?? At least, Office mein toh mera wait karna chahiye tha naa!!

Aakhir,woh chahti kya hai? Kyun mujhe itna pareshaan karti hai? Wait... abhi usse call kar daantta hoon. Phir,samjh mein aayega )) as he continued walking, he took his cell out of his pocket and selected her number on speed dial... and was about to call her when he stopped... walking and looked at her name on his cell screen... No!! No way. Woh yehi toh chahti hai ki, main uski fikr karoon. Usse yeh pata chale ki, main uske liye kitna pareshaan ho jaata hoon... lekin,main iss baar aisa kuchh nahin karoonga. Main bilkul bhi pretend nahin karoonga ki, mujh par uss ka koi effect padta hai... jab tak who khud aa kar mujhse baat nahin karti, I don't care ))

He kept the cell back in his pocket as he started walking again. As he reached the production unit , all workers stopped their work as they acknowledged his presence. But SAMRAT's eyes were searching for only one face...

Totally petrified at the thought of having to answer his boss, the peon stammered..."Ji... Ji Sir ! Woh Madam ji toh bas thodi der pehle hi 'Production Team' member ke saath Production Chamber ki taraf gayi hain... Woh abhi wahin hongi. "

SAMRAT felt relaxed as he heard this...in a normal tone, he said... " Ok. Now,you can go " then he quickly walked out of the cabin and towards the Chamber room... which was next to the production unit... his anger resurfacing... (( Enough is enough !! Yeh toh bilkul aise behave kar rahi hai jaise,main toh uske saath yahaan aaya hi nahin..?? Aur yeh saara Project ussi ka hai ? Mujhe uss se baat karni hi hogi. Ab yeh sab mere bardasht se bahar ho raha hai. Usse apni limit mein hi rehna chahiye. Pata nahin khud ko kya samjhti hai . ?

As he walked over to the chamber, his anger continued rising...

1 toh galti ki, aur phir yeh bhi expect karti hai ki, Main kuchh kahoon bhi nahin... Kal raat maine kuchh bhi galat nahin kiya. Agar woh apni family se milkar chup-chap mere saath aa jaati toh, kya main paagal hoon jo usse daantta?

Meri koi galti nahin...Usne hi mujhe provked kiya , woh sab kehne ke liye. Woh achhi tarah jaanti hai ki, jab main gusse mein hota hoon toh... toh thoda zyada bol deta hoon, toh isse itna bada issue kyun banana?? Aaj agar usne Sorry kaha toh thik, warna mujhe apni baat samjhane ke aur bhi tareeke aate hain )) and he entered the room. All the members that he had wanted to meet were waiting for him... and standing with them, as the staff was talking to her, the most mesmerizing smile playing on her lips was GUNJAN ... looking angelic in the sky blue 'Churidaar'...

Lost in her ethereal beauty, SAMRAT kept staring at her...his anger vanishing as he saw her. As she looked at him, he came out of his trance... and then, seeing him, his staff also stopped talking... SAMRAT walked over to them... as they all mumbled...

' Good Morning Sir ! '

SAMRAT did not reply. He simply kept looking at GUNJAN angrily. She looked downward and softly said... " Good Morning Sir ! "

SAMRAT looked away and did not reply. She knew he was angry and quickly walked over to stand next to him. She was avoiding looking at him. SAMRAT walked over to the table and taking his seat, he instructed his staff... " Guyz ! Please take your seat, n tell me about our Unit capacity n all required changes "

Barely had SAMRAT completed his sentence, than a young executive excitedly spoke... " Sir ! Hum abhi wohi discuss kar rahe the.. Humne Miss BHUSHAN ko sab kuchh explain bhi kar diya hai. She is very intelligent. Inhone already kaafi kuchh ... "

SAMRAT lost his temper as he heard the words of praise for GUNJAN. Not that he did not like praising her, but to hear someone else say appreciating words for 'His' GUNJAN ...

SAMRAT would never allow that...he stood up angrily as he yelled... "Who are you...?? glared angrily Mujhe tumse kisi ki capability ka certificate lene ki zaroorat nahin. Tum hote kaun ho mujhe mere staffs ki working ability batane waale...?? Tum logon se jo kaha hai, sirf woh karo...

then he glared at GUNJAN as he continued... Tum logon ne kise..kya explain kiya hai, I am not interested ! I am the owner of this Company aur yeh tum sab mat bhulo. Agar tum mein se kisi ko dobara discussion mein koi problem hai toh woh abhi issi waqt yahaan se resign kar ke ja sakta hai. Meri co. ko aise logon ki zaroorat nahin. "

The smiles on everyone faces, vanished as they heard SAMRAT's words. GUNJAN looked downwards as the other people present looked at each other. Then the executive looked at SAMRAT and looking downwards, he mumbled... " Sorry Sir ! " and he opened the file that contained the presentation material.

Slowly, GUNJAN looked up and then at SAMRAT.

She saw that he was looking at her. She quickly looked downwards as she opened the notebook to take notes. Her eyes were unable to hide the pain, the hurt at being humiliated again. And this pain was what she did not want SAMRAT to see.

She started scribbling down some points, as in between, she adjusted her specs. She wanted to convey to SAMRAT that she was not hurt by his harsh words anymore, that he did not mean a thing to her, except that he was her boss. the meeting continued, with the team making their presentation and GUNJAN looking at the team members and jotting down some points. She avoided looking at SAMRAT. But SAMRAT, he was looking at her, he wanted to see her reaction to his outburst... her silence and her indifference was killing him...

45 minutes later, the meeting wound up. All the team members were looking at SAMRAT , waiting for him to say something. But he was busy looking at GUNJAN. Not hearing him say anything, GUNJAN looked up at him. That is when he realized that everything was silent now... he looked at his team members, a bit flustered, as he adjusted his specs...

and then, he said... Ab aap jaa sakte hain. New Order ke execution ke liye hamein kuchh changes karne honge... jise aap logon ko jald hi bata diya jaayega "

Glad that this meeting had ended, his staff quickly picked up their files and, greeting SAMRAT , they left. SAMRAT looked at GUNJAN, who quickly looked away. The she stood up and picking up the files on the desk, she put her foot forward to walk away, when she brought it back as she heard her boss speak...in a strict tone... " Maine tumhein jaane ko nahin kaha. So,take your seat "

Not saying anything, GUNJAN nodded and sat down. She kept looking downwards as she waited to hear him speak.

But SAMRAT was fighting with his emotions. He wanted to shout at her, ask her why she was not looking at him, talking to him?? Why did she not accompany him to the hotel last night?? But as he looked at her, looking downwards, he was not able to utter a word... he shut his eyes as he controlled his emotions and then, taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes, and his tone a bit gentle, he asked her... " Tum subah Hotel aayi thi ? Phir mujhe mile bina hi kyun chali gayi ? "

Startled, GUNJAN looked at him. then she looked away as she said nothing. Then, slowly, looking at him, she said... " Jii ! Main aayi thi. Lekin, Hotel staff ne bataya ki,aapne kisi ko bhi disturb karne se mana kiya hai... toh ... and she looked away again as she continued... Lekin,maine wahaan aapka wait kiya tha... par... kaafi der wait karne ke baad chali aayi. Aaj ke saare projected work time par complete ho jaayein, iss liye,

Again, she looked at him, as she continued speaking in her soft tone... Sharma Jii se Office ka address lekar direct Office hi chali gayi thi. Mujhe Production Unit ki koi knowledge nahin hai, issliye, woh hi samjhne ki koshish kar rahi thi' taaki,aage Project execution mein koi problem naa ho..." and she looked downwards again.

SAMRAT was unable to understand how she could behave so normally?? How she could behave like nothing had happened yesterday?? He kept looking at her, as her face showed no signs of hurt, her voice was as soft as it normally was... after some moments of silence, he said... his tone a bit soft...

" Main woh sab nahin pooch raha. Main sirf yeh jaanna chahta hoon ki, jab tumhaare paas mera personal number tha toh, tumne mujhe 1 call kyun nahin kiya? Tumhein batana toh chahiye tha ki, tum Reception area mein mera wait kar rahi ho?

GUNJAN said nothing. Looking downward, she simply clutched the file even tightly... she had no answer to this question. After waiting to hear her reply and not getting any, SAMRAT was about to repeat his question, when he was interrupted by a knock. Shutting his eyes in exasperation, he said, angrily.... " Come-in "

Mr WADIA entered the cabin. After wishing both, SAMRAT and GUNJAN, he said... "Sir ! Hamari 'Expert' team ready hai. Aap unhein New Order ke all required points bata den. Woh aaj se hi work start kar denge... in-fact agar aap unhein Packing design bhi suggest kar den toh, I'll try ki evening tak uska sample ready ho jaaye.

SAMRAT said nothing. He only nodded and waited for Mr WADIA to leave. Mr WADIA was about to leave when he stopped and looked at GUNJAN and said... " Miss BHUSHAN ! Aapne Inventory details related jo files maangi thi, who Record room mein arrange kar di gayi hain. Please go n check... aapko aur bhi koi file chahiye hogi toh pls. call me. Main kisi se keh kar woh bhi arrange karwane ki koshish karoonga.

GUNJAN looked at him and smiled

as she shook her head, then she said... " Thanks Mr.WADIA ! Filhaal toh woh files hi kaafi hain. Main abhi unhein check kar leti hoon" Smiling at her, Mr. WADIA left the cabin .

She looked at SAMRAT and seeing his glare, looked downwards. Then, gathering courage, she looked at him as she asked... " Sir may I go,now ? "

SAMRAT looked at her, his glare making way for confusion... ((Why is she behaving so normal ? Is it really Ok??)) She waited patiently for his reply and got a nod in return... She stood up and, picking up the files, she left the room... SAMRAT's eyes followed her, till she left the room and he leaned back on the chair and rested his head.

Something was bothering him...why was he not OK with her behavior?? It was good that last night's incidences had not affected her, but then, why was he feeling otherwise?? Then, he sat up straight as he looked at the closed door, a look of disbelief on his face as he thought..." Is she trying to avoid me ? "

After 1 hr.

SAMRAT entered his cabin after a meeting with the expert team. He took his coat off and sat on the chair. He felt exhausted. He leaned back as he rested his head against the back of the chair and moved his left hand to keep it on his forehead.

As he was about to rest his hand on his forehead, his eyes fell on his wrist watch and he sat up straight and checked the time... (( 1'O Clock !! Good ! Ab tak toh GUNJAN bhi free ho gayi hogi. Usse Lunch ke liye bulata hoon. Phir,aaram se problem sort-out karne ki koshish karoonga. Its really strange ki, usne kal raat ki baatoon ka shayad utna bura nahin maana... warna toh mujhe laga tha shayad woh office hi naa aaye. Phir,1 alag hi problem ho jaati. But,thank God ki,sab kuchh thik hai. Main be-wajah hi kuchh zyada sochne lagta hoon... he tried to convince himself...

the he kept his hands on his desk as he continued with his thought process... Generally toh usse mujhe kal raat ke liye sorry kehna chahiye... But, Its Ok... agar woh khud uss baat ko khatm karna chahti hai toh main bhi kal ke incident ko aur discuss nahin karoonga. Aur waise bhi maine kal raat usse already kaafi daant diya hai... ab kuchh aur kehna thik nahin hoga. In fact,maine aaj toh uss se kuchh kaha bhi nahin. Uss se kitni normal tone mein baat ki. Ab toh usse koi problem nahin honi chahiye ))

Happily, SAMRAT picked up the desk phone and called Mr WADIA... and said... " Mr.WADIA ! Aap Miss BHUSHAN se kahiye ki,woh mere Cabin mein aayein... aur haan Canteen se kisi staff ko bhej dijiye. Usse Lunch order dena hai. " And he kept the receiver back in its hook.

SAMRATleaned back and kept his right leg over his left knee and looked at the door, expecting it to open and see her walking in...as that bewitching smile on her pretty lips would make her look all the more beautiful.

He smiled as he thought and, resting his elbows on his knee and joining the index fingers of his hands and keeping them on his lips... and then, he moved his hands away as he shook his head, his smile still playing on his lips... and then, as he kept his right palm on the side rest of the chair to get up, he winced in pain. he looked at his palm... (( Oh ! abhi bhi blood aa raha hai. Shayad write karte hue pen se lag gaya hoga... abhi tak dressing bhi toh nahin karai. Shower lete hue bhi kitna pain ho raha tha.. Koi baat nahin... jab GUNJAN aayegi toh woh kar degi.

He smiled again as he recollected her touch the night before... I love her touch. Its so soft... so gentle, just like her... Woh toh kal raat hi dressing karne waali thi... maine hi gusse mein usse karne nahin diya... Main bhi kya karoon?? Jab gussa aata hai toh khud par control hi nahin kar pata)) his thought process was broken by a gentle knock on the door...

Thinking it was GUNJAN , he wasted no time in granting permission to enter the cabin. However, he was surprised when he saw a young lad enter the cabin. he looked over the lad, hoping to see her enter behind him, but no one did...

SAMRAT picked up the recieber of the desk phone and angrily, he asked Mr WADIA... " Mr.WADIA ! Maine aapko GUNJAN ko bhejne ke liye kaha tha. Where is she? Canteen-Boy se pehle aapko usse bhejna chahiye tha... Mr WADIA stuttered...Sorry Sir ! Lekin, Maine unhein kaha tha... woh 14^th floor waale 'Record-Room' mein hain. Lekin,unhone kaha ki,Yeh aapka Lunch hour hai issliye,woh aapse Lunch hour ke baad mil lengi toh... "

Angrily, SAMRAT slammed the receiver in its hook... and glared at the canteen boy, who looked away, petrified. Then, he ordered the lad to leave. The canteen boy scurried away... SAMRAT pushed the chair behind angrily as he got up and walked out of the cabin.

Taking the Elevator, he reached the 14th floor. No one was in sight. Lunch hour had ensured that whatever sparse staff was there on the 14th floor was also not present at that time. He looked around and saw the Record room.

He strode over to the room and saw that the door was slightly open. he pushed it open and saw GUNJAN, standing near a desk... as she almost jumped out of her skin as she heard the door bang against the wall. She was looking at the door and then she looked at him, her face showing her fear. SAMRAT lost his temper and slammed the door shut behind him. taking quick steps, he walked over to her, his eyes blazing in anger... he yelled... " What R U trying to prove ?? Tum khud ko samjhti kya ho ?? Tum har baar mere saath aisa nahin kar sakti...! "

GUNJAN shuddered in fear as she heard him shout. She kept the file she was holding on the desk and picking up another one , said in a low tone... " Main... main bas woh Inventory related files check kar rahi thi. New order ke execution ke liye... abhi toh... "

Totally losing his temper, SAMRAT banged his palms on the desk as he pushed the files off the desk on the floor and, leaning towards her, he yelled..." Main tumse baat kar raha hoon Damn it !! Looked at me "

GUNJAN looked at him... her eyes reflected the fear she had for him... he was however, too angry to see that. he once again yelled... " This is my company... this is my Office. Yahaan kise kab kya karna hai, yeh main decide karoonga. Toh tum apni yeh work determination apne paas rakho... agar tumhein lagta hai ki,tum yeh sab karke mujhe impress kar logi, toh yeh tumhaari galat-fahmi hai. "

GUNJAN said nothing... she moved her gaze downwards... her eyes welled up with tears... But for SAMRAT ... he could see nothing, but the fact that she had refused to obey him...yet again... he shouted again... " Now, tell me, tumhaari himmat kaise hui mere order ko disobey karne ki ?? Agar main kuchh keh nahin raha toh iska matlab yeh nahin ki,main last night incident ko bhool chuka hoon... yaa,maine tumhein maaf kar diya hai... "

[G]

GUNJAN looked at him... her eyes reflected the fear she had for him... he was however, too angry to see that. he once again yelled... " This is my company... this is my Office. Yahaan kise kab kya karna hai ??, yeh main decide karoonga. Toh tum apni yeh work determination apne paas rakho... !! agar tumhein lagta hai ki,tum yeh sab karke mujhe impress kar logi, toh yeh tumhaari galat-fahmi hai. "

GUNJAN said nothing... she moved her gaze downwards... her eyes welled up with tears... But for SAMRAT ... he could see nothing, but the fact that she had refused to obey him...yet again...he shouted again... as he removed his specs and kept them on the table... " Now, tell me, tumhaari himmat kaise hui mere order ko disobey karne ki ?? Agar main kuchh keh nahin raha, toh iska matlab yeh nahin ki, main last night incident ko bhool chuka hoon... yaa, maine tumhein maaf kar diya hai... "

GUNJAN shut her eyes as she gathered courage to reply. She was hurting, only she knew how much. Then, she slowly opened her eyes as she spoke... her voice still gentle... " Aap ke order ko disobey karne ki main soch bhi nahin sakti... Meri itni haisiyat hi nahin ki,main aisa sochoon... naa hi apni work determination se aapko impress karna chahti hoon. Main sirf wohi kar rahi thi jise karne ke liye ek 3^rd class family ki ladki ko iss office mein appoint kiya gaya hai. She looked downwards, as the tears left her eyes,

Dumbstruck, SAMRAT only kept looking at her. He did not interrupt. But, he had, by now, seen the hurt her eyes reflected... she looked at him as she wiped her tears and continued... Mujhe nahin pata kal raat maine kya galat kiya...? Mujhe nahin pata aap mujhe meri kis galti ke liye mssf nahin kar sakte...? Main kuchh nahin jaanti... kuchh samjhna bhi nahin chahti.

Sirf aur sirf apna kaam karna chahti hoon. Apni aur apni family ke pride ko maintain karte hue... kisi ko takleef pahunchaye bina...

Her voice was conveying her pain as she spoke. She looked downwards as she continued... Mujhe kisi se koi complain nahin... she looked at him...her tear filled eyes looking into his eyes... which maybe were now riddled with guilt...

Some moments later, she opened her eyes and wiped the tears..... looking at him, she them lowered her gaze as she said.... Aaj main samjh sakti hoon ki, uss raat aapko mere saath dinner karte hue kitna bura laga hoga... ek 3^rd class family ke ghar mein, ek 3^rd class ladki ke saath, ek 3^rd class dinner ?? Woh meri galti thi... bahot badi galti !! Mujhe... mujhe apni hadhh nahin bhoolni chahiye thi... she shut her eyes as she completed speaking just this much. But her heart was as yet heavy...

She wiped her cheeks with the back of her palm as she sniffed, and then, looking at SAMRAT , she said... kal aapke unn paisoon ne mujhe meri uss galti ka ehsaas kara diya. Aapne sahi kaha... galti toh mujhse hui hai, ussi galti ko dohrana nahin chahti. She gulped as she paused... and then she said...Main really nahin chahti ki,aapko uss 3^rd class family ki ladki ke saath be-wajh ka time spend karna pade... iss liye ..."

She was unable to speak anything... she clutched the side of the table as she felt she needed support... her eyes letting go of all the tears that she had held back since this morning... first for her family and then for... she looked downwards as she wept quietly...

SAMRAT was rendered speechless. He had no idea, that she was hurting so much... only his words had pierced her innocent heart a zillion times... broken it completely, leaving it shattered to tiny pieces... and here she was, trying to act as if nothing had happened.... and unknowingly, he had been the reason that she had to break her resolve never to talk about the incidence of last night.

He felt low...very low... her words were echoing in his ears... and her sobs, which were reaching his ears were piercing his heart... his heart...that was now beating very fast... as he walked closer to her... and as she saw him come close, she looked at him... his eyes showed the distraught...the guilt... and also concern for her...

And then, for the first time ever, in a long...really long time perhaps... SAMRAT SHERGILL's mind lost hands down to his heart...

He moved his hands to cup her delicate, tear streaked face in his palms.

And as his thumbs moved over her soft cheeks to wiped the tears, his heart nudged him... and SAMRAT pulled her close...holding her in his embrace... holding her tightly in his arms... as his lips touched her head... his heart seemed lighter...

For GUNJAN , perhaps, it was easier as her heart always took the final call. She moved her arms around his waist as she held on to him... she felt safe...like nothing bad could even whiz past her... she felt the warmth of... LOVE !!!

Her every sob ensured that SAMRAT held her tighter... hoping that the sobs would now stop. Time stood still for the two.

And then, suddenly, SAMRAT felt GUNJAN's grip loosen... he could not hear her sobs anymore... he felt her move as she looked at him... and not wanting to, SAMRAT let her out of his embrace. She moved some steps back as she looked away flustered, adjusting her 'Dupatta'. She looked at him, slowly and then immediately moved her gaze down wards... (( Yeh...Yeh kya tha?? Main iss tarah?? Kaise? Yeh... yeh galat hai?? Kya soch rahe honge woh mere bare mein?? Maine khud par control kyun nahin kiya?? Unhein lag raha hoga... ki main yeh sab... )) She shut her eyes as she felt ashamed to even think about it ... and then, she felt his fingers hold her arms, gently...

She looked at her arms... as he held her chin in his index finger and thumb and lifted her face... and he saw the tears that were brimming in her eyes again... this time, her tears were filled with grief...and the stubborn tears refused to stop. She moved her eyes downwards. He held her hand and made her walk towards the chair. then, holding her arms gently, he made her sit. Pulling the other chair in front of her, he sat down... and held her lucky palms, which were resting on her lap, in his hands as he said... his voice soft...

" Itni naraaz ho ki,meri taraf dekhogi bhi nahin?? "

GUNJAN looked at him... her tears resting on her cheeks caught his attention as he held her palms in one hand and with his other hand...he took his handkerchief from his pocket and forwarded it to her. A surprised GUNJAN looked at him and then at his hand... then she looked downwards again. SAMRAT let go of her palms as she gently wiped her tears...

SAMRAT kept his handkerchief in his pocket as he moved closer to her and bending down to look at her, he asked her in a gentle tone... " Kya tumhein nahin lagta ki, Hamein baat karni chahiye?? "

GUNJAN looked at him as she heard his question. Then, as she pushed her specs up, she replied...." Sorry ! woh... woh... mujhe pata hi nahin chala... Main... main... next time se khyaal rahoongi... Sorry ! " As she looked beseechingly at him, her tears once again trying to leave her eyes...

SAMRAT looked at her and holding her chin, he made her look at him again as he asked..." Sorry kyun?? "

GUNJAN moved her eyes downwards as she mumbled...." Woh... woh... abhi maine...aapko...? And she looked away...

as SAMRAT moved his hand away... she could not complete the sentence... she was too embarrassed...

But SAMRAT completed the sentence for her... " Hug kiya ?? "

GUNJAN looked at him, startled...

because his tone was so gentle and also because, he had, so easily, completed the sentence... she looked downwards... SAMRAT sighed as he said, calmly..." Don't feel guilty...!! sirf meri taraf dekho...

Slowly, GUNJAN looked at him. He waited till she looked into his eyes as he said... " Tum aisa soch bhi kaise sakti ho ki ... ki, mujhe tumhaare saath koi problem hai?? Yaa tumhaara saath mujhe takleef deta hai?? Maine kabhi gusse mein bhi aisa nahin kaha...

GUNJAN looked away... he held her arms as he made her look at him...

Kal raat jo kuchh bhi hua. I am sorry !! Mujhe woh sab nahin kehna chahiye tha. Maine socha hi nahin ki, meri baatoon se tum itna hurt ho jaaogi ki... mujhe... SAMRAT was at a loss of words... and GUNJAN was looking at him, searching for those words that she thought he wanted to say... his eyes were speaking much more ... this time SAMRAT SHERGILL was listening only to his heart...

After a pause, SAMRAT spoke again, his tone soft... " I am extremely sorry for my behavior last night..." All GUNJAN could do was look at him...in surprise... she knew about SAMRAT's mood swings... but what she was witnessing today, was a side of SAMRAT she never thought existed. ... he continued... " Main really woh sab nahin kehna chahta tha. I don't deny ki,main... main wahaan comfortable nahin tha.. lekin,iska matlab yeh nahin ki,main tumhaari yaa tumhaari family ki insult karna chahta tha...

As she heard these words, she again looked away...the pain that she had felt last night seemed to be surfacing again. he however, continued...

Lekin,jab unhone tumhein... he paused as he looked at her. When she heard him stop speaking, she looked at him and she could see his disappointment... he continued as he saw her look at him... tumhein mere saath aane se roka... aur phir, jab unn lady ne hamare bare mein woh sab cheap baatein kahin... I lost my control. Haan main tumse naraaz tha... Kaafi naraaz tha !!

Kyunki, main expect kar raha tha ki, tum kuchh toh mere defence mein kahogi. Unhein bataogi ki, main waisa nahin hoon... maine kabhi tumhaari benefit lene ki koshish nahin ki...

His eyes easily conveyed his pain at that incident. GUNJAN could not bear to see that hurt in his eyes. She looked downwards... he continued, in his disheartened tone... Lekin,tumhaari khamoshi... Mujhse bardasht nahin hui. Mujhe bahot bura laga... aur main... his voice reflected his hurt and GUNJAN looked at him again. He was not looking at her...

after some time, he looked at her... he looked distraught... he continued... Tum jaanti ho jab mujhe gussa aata hai main khud par control hi nahin kar paata. Mujhe nahin pata hota ki,main kya kar raha hoon...? kya keh raha hoon...? kis se keh raha hoon ? Mujhe kuchh samjh nahin aata.

Maine... maine kal raat bhi wohi kiya jo mujhe nahin karna chahiye tha. I know tum apni family ke liye kitni sensitive ho, phir bhi maine !! and he was unable to continue. He looked away as he could not look at GUNJAN anymore. She was only looking at him, not saying a word.

After a pause of a few moments, SAMRAT looked at her and said..." Aur... phir jab tumhare Uncle ne...

GUNJAN cut him off, her voice soft, appealing to him to stop... "Please, Aap unhein kuchh mat kahiye... Agar aapko unki kisi baat se takleef hui hai, toh aap mujhe daant sakte hain. Mujhe bura nahin lagega... as she recollected his harsh words, she paused and looked downwards...

then, in a low tone, she continued...Unhein nahin pata tha ki,unka 'Beta' kehna aapko itna bura lagega. Unhone kisi wrong intention se woh nahin kaha tha. She wiped the tears as they trailed down her cheeks...

then, looking at SAMRAT, she said...Unhein yeh saare official protocol nahin aate. Woh bahot hi simple insaan hain. Sabhi ko apni family member jaisa hi treat karte hain... issliye galti se, aapko 'Beta' keh diya tha. Lekin,ab woh aisa nahin karenge... "

SAMRAT cut her off gently as he said..." Nahin... Woh... woh... actually galti meri hi thi...Mujhe unse itni badtamizi se baat nahin karni chaiye thi. Maine shayad kuchh zyada hi...he looked away, as he managed to stutter these words... Then after some silence, he looked at her and asked..." Kya woh mujhse naraaz hain?? Mere bare mein kuchh toh kaha hoga??"

GUNJAN shook her head in a NO... she was avoiding looking at him as she was feeling awkward discussing personal things with him... she had made a decision and this conversation was not helping her abide by her decision.

SAMRAT was surprised when she shook her head. The reaction that he had seen after his outburst back home was the same that he was expecting from her uncle. Strangely, he felt relaxed when she said no.

GUNJAN looked at him and then moved her gaze downwards

when she saw him looking at her. Then, she looked at her wrist watch and looking at him, she said..." Wo... woh... I think,mujhe chalna chahiye. Kaafi saare work karne hain. Mr.WADIA ko Inventory related some points bhi batane hain... she hesitated as she looked away... then she looked at him and spoke ... wo...Aunty ne thoda jaldi aane ko kaha hai. Agar time par saare work khatm nahin hue toh phir nahin jaa paaoongi. Kya main... Main... jaaoon?

SAMRAT understood that she wanted to avoid any further conversation with him... he folded his hands as he asked her, his tone very soft..." Kya tumne mujhe ab tak maaf nahin kiya? "

GUNJAN looked downward... not a word was spoken. The pin drop silence was getting to him... her silence was getting to him... SAMRAT yearned to hear her say that she had forgiven him... some moments later, she looked at him and said... her tone sounding sad... Aapne yeh poocha, Yehi mere liye bahot hai. Main jaanti hoon, mere maaf karne yaa na karne se aapko koi farq nahin padega. Lekin phir bhi mujhe aapse koi complain nahin... Main... she looked downwards...

again as she continued...Main koshish karoongi ki, kal raat jo kuchh bhi hua, woh ab kabhi dobara naa ho. Main kabhi nahin chahoongi ki, meri wajah se unhein kisi ki baatein sunn ni pade. "

Then she looked up and before SAMRAT could say anything, she sasked... " Sir ! Kya aapse 1 request kar sakti hoon ? "

SAMRAT looked at her

and keeping his tone soft, he asked her... Kaisi request? "

GUNJAN replied, her tone low..." Agar aapko mere work se koi problem ho, yaa agar aap mere work se satisfied naa hon, please, aap mujhe job se terminate kar sakte hain. Mujhe bilkul bura nahin lagega... aur waise bhi shayad ab main... "

SAMRAT stopped her from speaking as he said quickly..." Aisa kuchh nahin hai!! Aur tumhein aisa sochne ki zaroorat bhi nahin. Tumse kabhi koi galti nahin hui. Tum galti kar bhi nahin sakti. Galti toh meri hoti hai n I know ki,Tum ab tak mujhse naraaz ho.

SAMRAT waited for her to say something...but, GUNJAN kept quite. She looked away . SAMRAT walked a step closer to her as he said...Ok Fine.. !! Agar maine galti ki, toh tum mujhe punishment de sakti ho... Main kuchh bhi nahin kahoonga...

GUNJAN looked at SAMRAT surprise writ large on her face. She did not know how to react. SAMRAT moved his hand towards her hand as his fingers gently clasped her delicate wrist as she looked on. Then, moving his fingers downwards towards her palm as he grasped her fingers, beseechingly, he said... Mujhe tumhaari saari punishment accept hai GUNJAN !! but,at least mujhse iss tarah baat toh mat karo "

GUNJAN looked at his hand holding her hand. Then she looked at him, in his eyes... the apology from his heart reflecting in them. She blinked slowly as she she looked in his eyes... her hand as yet in his.

He was lost in her eyes in which reflected her innocence. Suddenly, a message beeped on GUNJAN's cell and that brought the two back from their land. GUNJAN looked away flustered as SAMRAT let go of her hand. This was something very new for him... he had never experienced anything like this... he looked embarrassed as he said..." Sorry ! wo... woh maine dhyaan nahin diya..."

GUNJAN said nothing... she picked up her cell to read the message when she saw blood on her left little finger, just where SAMRAT had held her. She kept the cell on the table as she looked at her finger again and then, she looked at SAMRAT. Worry was seen in her eyes

as she held his right hand to see the wound on his palm yet raw and bleeding. She looked at him, still holding his hand, as she asked him... " Ye... yeh kya? Yeh zakham toh ab tak khula hai..? Aapne ab tak iski dressing nahin karai ? "

And saying so, she started to wipe the wound with her 'Dupatta'... a gleeful SAMRAT looked on...(( GR8 !! Thank God ! Iss zakham ka kuchh toh use hua. Ab mujhe yeh chance lose nahin karna chahiye. Ab yeh zakham hi kal raat hui saari gadbad ko thik karega... bas, mujhe GUNJAN ko yeh dikhana hoga ki,main uske bina kitna majboor ho jata hoon )) Wiping the smile of his face, he said... his voice low... " Wo... woh.. akele khud se apni hi dressing kaise karta ?? Kal toh already kitni raat ho chuki thi... aur aaj subah bhi itni der se utha. Maine toh aaj Break fast tak nahin kiya. Infact, Kal raat ke dinner ke baad se toh kuchh khaya bhi nahin... Dr.BATRA ki medicine bhi nahin li' "

GUNJAN stopped wiping his wound and looked at him... her worry, her concern visible on her face. Still holding his hand, she said ... " Toh yeh baat aapne mujhe pehle kyun nahin batai ?? And then, shaking her head, she again continued wiping the wound... and as she saw that the bleeding was not stopping, she again looked at him and said..." Yeh blood..?? toh ab tak aa raha hai... Aapko apni thodi toh care karni chahiye thi. "

SAMRAT was enjoying himself... after a very long time, someone was caring for him...only because of that small wound, which he would have passed of as a scratch had it been anyone other than GUNJAN. Keeping his tone low, he said... " Nahin woh toh ruk chuka tha. Wo... woh abhi Files aur books ko table se phenkte hue... shayad...thoda sa... "

And just what SAMRAT wanted to see, GUNJAN did just that. She looked at him a bit angrily and in a possessive tone, she said.....

" Aap itna gussa karte hi kyun hain ?? Aap... aap aayiye mere saath... yahin paas mein hi 1 dispensary hai... Hum abhi jaakar iss zakham ki 1^st aid lenge. "

And she started to walk away, still holding his hand. For SAMRAT this was something new... the feeling that he had was something he was enjoying. He stood where he was, forcing GUNJAN to stop and turn to look at him as he said... in a scared tone... " What..?? Dispensary?? 1^st Aid means injection...!! woh bhi Iss chhote se cut ke liye?? No... no way. Tum kal raat jo antiseptic lagane waali thi wohi laga do...thik ho jaayega. "

GUNJAN kept looking at him, her mouth slightly open in shock as she heard him. She then said... " What..?? Lekin, abhi woh antiseptic kahaan se laoon?? Woh toh ghar par hai. Aur waise bhi ab kaafi der ho chuki hai. Sirf Antiseptic lagana enough nahin hoga... aur aapko Injection se kab se darr lagne laga ?? Aapne kal hi toh Dr.BATRA ke Clinic par kitne saare injections liye the?

SAMRAT looked downwards as he said... very innocently... " Toh?? Mujhe injection lene ka shouck thode na hai... wahaan toh majboori thi. Then he looked at her and said... Aur waise bhi abhi mujhe zoron ki bhookh lag rahi hai... toh main Lunch se pehle aur kuchh nahin le sakta... he made a very flimsy excuse. Afterall, this is not what he ever did. But with GUNJAN in his life, he was slowly changing...

GUNJAN looked at him in surprise. Then, she left his hand as she said in an irritated tone... " Ok... Fine... and then, looking away, in the same tone, she said... phir aap apne cabin mein jaaiye. Main Canteen se kisi ko aapka order lene ke liye bhej deti hoon... aur Mr.WADIA^st se keh deti hoon ki,woh kisi doctor ko arrange karein aapki 1st aid ke liye. "

And she was about to walk towards the door when SAMRAT held her wrist very softly and as she turned to look at him, he spoke... his tone now normal...

" Tum kahaan ja rahi ho?? Canteen Boy ko Mr.WADIA bhej denge naa... Just 1 sec... and leaving her hand, he called Mr WADIA and gave him the instructions...

GUNJAN was stunned... as she looked at him... he looked at her with a smile and said...pride in his tone... " Lo, tumhaara yeh kaam bhi ho gaya ! Ab? "

GUNJAN shook her head in annoyance as she said nothing and then bent to pick up the papers and files that lay on the floor, courtesy, SAMRAT's anger. After waiting for some moments, SAMRAT also bent down and started picking up the files. And the, GUNJAN stiffened as she felt his touch on her fingers... without looking at him, as she gently moved her hand away, she said, in her soft tone... "Aap... aap rehne dijiye. Main kar loongi... Aapko phir se lag jaayegi' "

Pretending that he had not noticed that he had touched her fingers, SAMRAT continued picking up the files as he said, very casually..." Koi baat nahin. Tum ho naa... tum phir se unn zakhmon ko saaf kar dena. "

GUNJAN looked at him, in surprise. SAMRAT SHERGILL was not predictable, that she knew, but such mood swings... just some moments ago, he was angry...shouting... and now, he was speaking so gently...his tone was so soft as he spoke.

Her trance was broken when SAMRAT held the files in front of her. She took the files from his hand and faintly smiled as she stood up and kept them on the table. She was confused... What was she to amke out of his behavior?? Whatever, that she had decided last night, was it the correct decision?? But somewhere, his presence made her feel nice ... She felt comfortable when he was with her, standing next to her...

As she kept the files back in their places, she turned to see SAMRAT staring at her... he had his specs on...

She looked away and then, after some time looking at him, she said... " Aap... Aap jab tak Lunch kijiye. Tab tak main apne dusre kaam khatm kar leti hoon... phir, Inventory related saare points clear kar lenge " she started walking towards the door, after picking up the required files and her cell, when she was stopped by SAMRAT as he asked her, in a concerned tone... " Tumne lunch kar liya? "

GUNJAN stopped and thought about a reply... and then, turning to face him, she said... " Nahin ! Wo... woh... main ghar par Breakfast kar chuki hoon... aur... aapse kaha naa... Aunty ne jald ghar aane ko kaha hai... Already kaafi der ho chuki hai. Yeh saare kaam khatm ho jaayein, toh ghar jaakar lunch kar loongi."... she smiled.

But SAMRAT knew, that she was lying... (( 7 baje toh Hotel aa chuki thi. Phir Breakfast kab liya hoga?? Aur kehti hai "Main jhooth nahin bolti!!" Kaam khatm hote-hote toh waise hi shaam [evening] ho jaayegi...aur shaam mein kaun sa Lunch hota hai...??

I know, meri kal raat kahi baatein tumhein buri lagi hain. Issliye,tum mere saath Lunch nahin karna chahti...iss liye yeh saare bahane bana rahi ho... Lekin,mera naam bhi SAMRAT SHERGILL hai. Aur maine kal raat hi tumse kaha tha ki,aaj ka lunch hum saath karenge.. toh bas karenge. Wait n watch Miss BHUSHAN. Ab mere bina kuchh kahe hi tum khud mere aur apne liye Lunch order karogi... aur mujhe company bhi dogi))

GUNJAN was waiting for him to give her permission to leave. As he looked at her and smiled at her, nodding his approval ...

GUNJAN felt a bit weird. His smile seemed...well... he was thinking about something... and she wondered what?? But she brushed these thoughts aside as she turned to walk out. Barely ahd she reached the door, than she heard SAMRAT speaking over the phone... his voice stern as he said... " Mr.WADIA !! Aap Canteen Boy ko mana kar dijiye. Mujhe ab bhookh nahin hai... aur haan Doctor ko bhi bulane ki zaroorat nahin. I am perfectly fine. Chhota sa cut hi toh hai. 2-4 dinon mein khud se thik ho jaayega. Let's concentrate on our work. "

GUNJAN turned quickly to face SAMRAT ... just in time to see him hitting the disconnect button on his cell. From the corner of his eyes, he could see that she was walking towards him, but he behaved as if he had not seen. As she came near to him, he looked at her and, in fake surprise, he said... " Arre ! Tum ab tak yahin ho?? Gayi nahin?? Tum toh ja rahi thi naa?? Tumhein toh der bhi ho rahi thi?? Phir?? Achha koi baat nahin. Chalo saath hi chalte hain..n do some work. Tumhein ghar bhi toh jaana hai?? Warna aunty pareshaan ho jaayengi naa? " fake concern laced his tone...

GUNJAN kept the files on the table as she said nothing...neither did she look at him... now she understood the smile that he had flashed at her earlier. She picked up the desk phone and made a call... to Mr WADIA... " Mr.WADIA !! Aap Canteen Boy aur Doctor ko SAMRAT Sir ke cabin mein bhej dijiye. Hum wahin hain... " and keeping the reciever down, she turned to look at SAMRAT, her hands folded.

Wiping the smile that he had on his lips, SAMRAT said...very innocently... " Maine toh kuchh kaha bhi nahin ! and he looked at her and then downwards... Lekin... tumne kaha hai toh... main tumhein mana bhi toh nahin kar sakta... he looked at her as he said... warna tum phir se naraz ho jaaogi.

Then, he looked away and looking at her from the corner of his eyes, he said... " Waise please... aaj kuchh Non-veg order karna. Veg. se toh bore ho chuka hoon...aur aaj ice-cream tumhaare pasand ki. " looking at her, he said gleefully... sounding like a kid that he was at heart, anyway.

GUNJAN shook her head as she picked up the files and her cell and said... " Chalein?? Canteen Boy order ke liye wait kar raha hoga."

Nodding his head, SAMRAT said very quickly in very innocent way... " Haan ! toh chalo naa...!! Maine kab mana kiya...?? Tum hi toh der kar rahi ho. Main toh kab se keh raha hoon... Bhookh lagi hai... bhookh lagi hai... Lekin,tum meri sunti kahaan ho? "

He waited for her lead the way as he walked behind her, a wide smile pasted on his lips. It was after ages that SAMRAT was behaving like this. His innocence, which was buried under his mother's death and the incidences thereafter, was slowly resurfacing.

As they reached the door, SAMRAT quickly walked ahead of her and opened the door, waiting for her to walk out first. She looked at him... it was so difficult to understand this person. he was caring, but his anger...when it got the better of him, he was nothing short of a demon. She smiled at him as she walked out followed by him towards the elevator...

A lot had happened in the last 24 hours... a lot had changed... but what?? Maybe this was the begining of a new relationship... two lonely souls, connecting... or , on the contrary, was this an indication of more trouble in GUNJAN's life ?? Was this the first step towards the realisation of the early morning dream that GUNJAN had?? Was DESTINY yet again, playing games with these two?? Only the creator knew what he had written for the two...

[To Be Continued...]

Hi Friendz !!
Finally V have completed this update, which V have noticed, happens to be the last update of thread 3.

Thanks for tolerate us...😆This would not have been possible without the encouragement from our lovely readers, who take time to read, like and comment on the long [actually, longest😳] updates that we write. So thank you to all our readers.


Please do accept our apologies for the delay in posting the full update.

Now V R working on Next Thread.
The Next Thread will open with some SaJan filled updates. As the story inches forward, V will see some SaJan bonding... Unspoken commitments towards each other as circumstances will force them to put their love on trial, a must for SaJan. Many of the teaser scenes which we had posted earlier are to unfold now.

As we had mentioned earlier, RaJan track will run parallel to this track. We will be PMing those parts to the readers who had shown interest to read them.

This is the PM list for the RaJan parts.[based on request] please feel free to tell us if you want your name removed from this list or added to this list -

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HSFA
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With lots of Love
S3J.