The Life and Lies of Mr and Mrs Shergill-Upd:23/07 - Page 17

Originally posted by: saduf

brilliant update
loved the bond of friendship that samrat, gunjan, nupur and mayank shares...and gunjan is such a selfless girl and samrat is a true friend that any one can have

Originally posted by: Kritianya

just read all the parts

nice ff

cont soon

& do pm me whenever u next update

Originally posted by: vj2102

ooo... interstin ff !!

Originally posted by: nicky99

OMG! I still can't breathe! All the time while reading the Chapter, I was in shock as to what's gonna happen next! And trust me, whatever I read in this chapter was beautifully written! I mean I could feel each and every emotion of the various characters! God, Ritch! This has GOT to be one of the best written Chapter till date! I loved it and I love Samrat! <333

Respect!

*bows down*

P.S. Come out with the next chapter soon, I'm dying to know what's next! 😉

Originally posted by: -BurningDesire-

OMG SaJan are married now !

Can't wait for read the next update !!

Originally posted by: tanisha997

awesome update

thanks for pm🤗

Originally posted by: Shreya30456

Superb ff luved to read this

Chapter 5

A/N: Okay, this chapter officially sucks. I'm having so much on my mind right now, cause of which this didn't turn out too well. *sigh*

The pace of the chapters will increase a bit till they reach Mumbai. The story begins after the marriage, so obviously I have to get done with the Morena bit to get them all back to Mumbai. Sorry if any of you find the pace too fast, but its gonna be so till they return to Mumbai!

I'm sorry for the delay..I'm shifting to SG tomorrow morning for my UG, so I'm like super busy with everything! I got delayed in writing this cause you know, packing and shopping and shifting! Once I settle down in SG and get used to the life, I can assure you that the updates will be more regular!

Oh, and this is like a birthday gift to my bestest iF friend Jenny! *hugs* Jen, this one's for you! I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't come across you Jenny! ILY my bichdi hui NRI behena! *hugs*

And yeah, I'm sorry, but I'm stopping the individual PMs. If you wish to be updated about this fic through a PM, please send me a buddy request. Thanks!

******************

(GuNur and Dia's room, Bhushan Mansion, Morena)

*Samrat's POV*

How dare they say all that to Chashmish? I mean she was trying to save her sister's relationship, and this is what she got? Upar waale dude, this is NOT cool. Why do you always torture the good people? First mom, then Di, and now Chashmish?

*Samrat's POV ends*

Samrat turned to look at Gunjan, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed. He wanted to revive her, but decided against it on looking at her fragile state. He walked up to her, covered her with a sheet that was kept on the bed, as he stared at her with a blazing look on his face.

*Samrat's POV*

She looks just like a china doll in her sleep. Beautiful, yet fragile. She tries to put on this strong exterior to show the world that she's a strong person, but I can see the emotionally fragile and insecure Chasmish behind those glasses. Hah! She can hide anything from anyone, but not from me. I mean, I'm her special friend!

*Samrat's POV ends*

Samrat's train of thought was interrupted with the sound of the door opening, and 4 people entering the room.

"Gunjan! Samrat, Gunjan kaisi hai? Tum use aisi haalat mein kaise utha ke lekar aa gaye?" shrieked Nupur, as she rushed to Gunjan along with Dia.

"OMG Sammy, is she still unconscious? Tumne use jagane ki koshish nahi ki?" asked a flustered Dia, as she ran around the room, trying to find something.

"Samrat, dude, yeh tumne kya kiya? Nupur aur Mayank ki relationship ko chupane ke liye itna bada jhooth?"

"Jhooth tak toh theek tha, lekin Gunjan se SHAADI? Tumhara dimaag toh theek hain naa Samrat?" asked Mayank cynically, as he looked at Samrat with narrowed eyes.

"Shut UP!"

All the occupants of the room, except Gunjan, shut up and turned towards Samrat.

"Nupur, Candy, Gunjan ko sone do. Kal subah utha lena. Benji, main Gunjan ka best friend hoon, aur hamesha uska saath doonga. Aur Mayank, maine toh Bauji aur Bhui ko chup karane ke liye sindoor daal diya yaar!" said Samrat exasperatedly.

"Sindoor daal diya? Samrat, tumne Gunjan se SHAADI ki hai! Tumhe iska MATLAB bhi pata hai?" cried Nupur in shock.

Before Samrat could even understand the magnanimity of his actions, they heard a knock on the door.

"Kya main andar aa sakta hoon?"

"Bauji?!" whispered Nupur in shock.

Mayank rushed over to open the door and ushered Bauji in. Bauji smiled at Samrat and walked over to Gunjan and sat down next to her. As he caressed her head, a lone tear escaped the corner of his eye.

*Benji's POV*

Lagta hai ki Sam aur Gunjan ki harakton ke vajah se bechara buddha satthiya gaya hai!

*Benji's POV ends*

*Dia's POV*

What's up with Tauji? He was just yelling at Gunjan and Sammy downstairs, and now he's behaving like they're his most favorite people on Earth? Oh God!

*Dia's POV ends*

*Nupur's POV*

Why does it seem as if Bauji is softening? I mean..he smiled at Samrat, and he's crying while he's looking at Gunjan? If he was going to melt, why didn't he do so earlier? We'd all have been spared the emotional torture! And where's Bhui? What's going on?

*Nupur's POV ends*

*Mayank's POV*

What is going ON here?!

*Mayank's POV ends*

*Samrat's POV*

Upar waale Dude, I can NOT handle any more drama today. Please. Spare me!

Wait. Did he just smile at me a couple of minutes back? Does it mean all is well?

*Samrat's POV ends*

Bauji just stared at Gunjan, his eyes shining with unshed tears as he mentally cursed himself for what all he'd said to her a few minutes back.

*Bauji's POV*

Oh my Lord, how could I have said all that to Gunjan? My own daughter? My blood? I mean she's always listened to me, but the one time she tried to do something on her own, the one time she followed her own dreams, I said all that to her? I'm such a disgrace! What sort of a father am I, that I couldn't understand that my daughter's happiness lies in this boy? And he doesn't even seem bad! He couldn't bear to hear all the taunts and comments about my daughter and her character, which is why he married her on the spot! Truly, Samrat is a gem of a person!

*Bauji's POV ends*

"Samrat beta?" said Bauji softly.

Everyone's eyes widened at the fact that Bauji addressed Samrat as beta.

A shocked Samrat just stood rooted to his spot, as he was too shocked to move.

Bauji turned to see 5 people staring at him with mouths open wide. He walked over to Samrat, and placed a hand on his head, caressing it lightly.

"Beta Samrat?"

"Nupur, yeh tere Bauji hi hain naa?" asked an astonished Benji.

Mayank just whacked him in the head on reply, as he gave him a dirty look.

"Samrat beta, mujhe tumhare saath akele mein baat karni hai. Kya tum mere saath bahar aa sakte ho?" asked Bauji softly, to the astonishment of all the occupants of the room.

Samrat didn't trust himself to say anything coherent at this point, which is why he nodded mutely and followed Bauji out of the room.

The others just stared at their retreating backs in shock, wondering as to what more could happen now.

(Patio, Bhushan Mansion, Morena)

Bauji and Samrat were sitting on the wicker chairs as they stared at the starry sky.

*Samrat's POV*

Upar waale dude, I know I screwed up big time earlier. But please, I don't want to get into more trouble, nor do I want Chashmish to get into trouble. God, what must he be thinking of me? First he hears all those accusations against Chashmish and me, and then I go and drop vermillion into her hair? What was I thinking?

Wait. I don't think I was thinking straight.

Upar waale dude, please save me this one time. Di, if you're watching, do something and help me out here! I can NOT tolerate anymore emotional drama for the night!

I think the best way to end the entire thing is to apologise. I'll just apologise to Chashmish's dad, and then I'll tell him that I'm leaving in the morning! Problem solved!

Yes, that's the best thing to do!

*Samrat's POV ends*

"Unclejee?" asked a hesitant Samrat.

Bauji turned to face him, his eyes shining with unshed tears. Samrat was at a loss to see him in such a state, and mentally cursed himself for his stupid actions.

"Unclejee, I'm really sorry! Aap sab ko dukh pahunchaane ka mera koi iraada nahi tha! Main kal subah ki first train se waapas Mumbai laut raha hoon. Ho sake toh-"

"Kya?! Tum Mumbai laut rahe ho? Kyun?" asked an astounded Bauji.

"Taaki aap sab ko yahaan par meri vajah se koi problem naa ho. Meri vajah se already bahut hungama ho chuka hai." replied Samrat guiltily.

"Yeh tumhari nahi, meri galti hai Samrat beta." whispered Bauji in a strangled voice, as a few tears escaped the corner of his eyes.

Samrat eyes widened at the sight in front of him. Never had he imagined that he'd come across an old man burst into tears in front of him. The sight of it was painful, and he just wanted to run away from there. He cursed the moment when he decided to come along with Dia and Uday to Morena.

"Beta Samrat. Main tumse vinti karta hoon ki tum meri baat suno." cried Bauji, as he began to cry softly.

Samrat literally freaked out at the sight in front of him. He was completely at a loss at what to do, and was about to say something, when Bauji began to speak.

"Bachpan se hi main Nupur ko Gunjan se zyaada pasand karta tha. Nupur shararti thi, kaam nahi karti thi lekin meri sabse laadli thi. Gunjan ko maine hamesha apne se thoda door rakha. Shaayad isiliye kyunki-"

"Kyunki Chash- erm Gunjan ke delivery ke time aapki wife chal basi." interrupted Samrat softly, as he looked up into the older man's eyes.

Bauji turned to stare at Samrat, his eyes widening in surprise, as he took a deep breath and continued.

"Aur phir meri betiyaan badi ho gayi. Nupur ke aage peeche toh ladke ghoomte hain, aur use yeh sab pasand bhi hai. Maine use bahut samjhane ki koshish ki, lekin voh apni maa ki tarah hai. Bilkul ziddi! Gunjan aisi nahi thi. Hamesha apne aap mein khoyi rehti thi aur padhti rehti thi. Maine sapne mein bhi nahi socha that ki meri Gunjan aisa kadam uthaayegi. Shaayad galti meri hi hai. Bachpan se hi voh mere pyaar ke liye tarasti thi, lekin main hi use door bhaagta tha." said Bauji softly, as he burst into silent tears.

"Lekin yeh aapne theek nahi kiya. Agar aapki wife chahti thi ki Gunjan zinda rahe, toh aap isme Gunjan ko dosh kaise de sakte hain? Logically speaking, agar aapko dosh dena hi hai, toh aapko toh apni wife ko dosh dena chahiye! Aapke is attitude ke vajah se voh andar se bilku toot chuki hai!" spat Samrat, as he turned and walked towards the steps of the patio.

"Aur isiliye main apni beti ke faisle se khush hoon beta."

The moment these words registered in Samrat's head, his eyes popped out and his mouth fell open, as he turned around to face Bauji.

"Jo pyaar main usse kabhi nahi de paaya, voh pyaar usse tumse mil gaya beta. Jab main uske saath nahi tha, tumne uska saath diya. Aur mujhe yakeen hai ki tum kabhi bhi uska haath nahi chodoge. Isiliye toh tum uske khilaaf kuch sun bhi nahi sakte the, aur tumne uski maang bhar di!" said Bauji, his eyes shining in pride at his daughter's choice.

Samrat's mind was left reeling in shock, as he began to fully comprehend the meaning of Bauji's words. He tried to utter something, but it was as if his mouth was not complying with his brain.

Bauji walked over to Samrat with a slight smile on his face, and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Beta, kal sham, Chinky ki shaadi ke baad, main chahta hoon ki tum aur Gunjan bhi usi mandap mein theek se shaadi kar lo. Kya tumhe yeh manzoor hai?"

Samrat was too shocked to reply anything, and he just stared at Bauji, his mouth agape like a goldfish.

Bauji, on the other hand, interpreted his shock positively, and hugged him tightly.

"Main jaanta hoon ki tumhare liye yeh bahut kathin hoga. Lekin main jaanta hoon ki tum meri baat taal hi nahi sakte the! Vaise bhi tumhari shaadi toh ho chuki hai, yeh baaki ke rasam-rivaaz toh bas meri tasalli ke liye hai!"

Samrat could only nod his head feebly, as he didn't trust himself to speak.

Bauji broke the hug and patted his cheek, as he walked slowly inside the house. Samrat too followed him dazedly into the house, as he made his way back to Gunjan's room.

(GuNur and Dia's room, Bhushan Mansion, Morena)

Practically everyone was pacing around the room in tension. The silence in the room was palpable, and the tension was so thick, it could literally be cut with a knife.

All of them halted in their tracks as they saw the handle turn and Samrat enter the room with a dazed expression on his face.

"Sammy? OMG, what did Tayaajee say? Is everything alright?" asked a worried Dia, as she went up to Sam and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Unhone mujhse kahaan ki kal Gunjan aur main shaadi karenge. A proper wedding. To get everything officiated." mumbled Samrat in a daze, as he looked fixedly at his shoes.

Nupur just sat down on the closest chair, as her knees buckled due to the shock. Mayank, Benji and Dia just stared at Samrat in shock, wondering as to where was this going.

"Toh tumne unse kya kahaan?" asked Mayank carefully.

"I didn't say a thing. He assumed that I said yes to the entire thing." whispered Samrat in the same tone.

Dia just gasped in response. It was this gasp that seemed to shake Samrat out of his stupor, and his conversation came back to him in a whirl.

"Meri shaadi? Chashmish se? No way! FREAK!" said Samrat, as he bolted out of the room before anyone could stop him.

"Ab yeh Samrat kahaan chala gaya?" asked Mayank.

Dia and Benji paled and shared a quick glance, as they understood where could Samrat have gone.

"Erm guys, I think tum logon ko jaana chahiye. Its like 2 something now. Kal subah haldi mein milte hain?" said Dia hesitantly, avoiding everyone's eyes.

It was almost as if Benji took her cue and said, "Yeah humein jaana chahiye. Gunjan ka khyaal rakhna. Night!"

Next Morning

(Patio, Bhushan House, Morena)

"Saala Morena aake mota ho gaya hai!" whined Benji, as he dragged a half unconscious Samrat inside the house.

Benji had spent a good part of the night trying to locate Samrat. Once he'd located Samrat, it had taken another hour to persuade him to leave the place and come home. By the time they'd reached back home, it was 5 in the morning, and half the house was already awake because of the impending mehendi and wedding preparations.

"Khud bhi marega, aur mujhe bhi marwaayega! Samrat, bhagwaan ke liye uth jaa!" whined Benji, as Samrat refused to budge from the floor.

"Chash'.mish." moaned Samrat.

Benji's eyes widened as he heard Samrat utter Gunjan's name in this inebriated state of his. He shook his head resignedly, and dragged Samrat all the way to his room.

(SaYank's room, Bhushan Mansion, Morena)

Benji dumped Samrat ungraciously on the bed and plopped himself down on the couch, clutching his head in his hands.

Mayank, on the other hand, had woken up due to the sounds and movements in the room. He'd always been a light sleeper, and tended to get up with even the slightest sound or movement.

"Benji?" questioned Mayank sleepily, as he got off his bed.

"Sorry dude, lekin is waqt I'm not in the position to talk. I've not slept for a LONG time, and the sleeplessness is really getting to me!" whined Benji, as he shut his eyes and rested his head on the back of the couch.

Mayank just walked over to Benji, and sat down quietly next to him. He took note of the fact that Samrat was sprawled on the bed and was reeking of alcohol.

"Samrat ne raat mein sharab pee thi?" asked Mayank quietly.

Benji opened his eyes and nodded resignedly, as images of the previous night flashed in his head.

*FLASHBACK*

*Benji's POV*

I can't believe that I just saw Samrat agreeing to marry Gunjan. Forget that, he actually filled her maang! Did Samrat even understand the consequences of what he'd done in a fit of rage? In a way, he literally ruined Gunjan's life and his life as well! What was he thinking?

Oh wait, I don't think he was thinking.

*Benji's POV ends*

As Benji was pacing around his room, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. On taking it out, he saw that he'd just received a new message.

*Text Message*

Benji, I think Sammy may have gone out to get himself some drinks. You know how he gets right? Please try and find him, cause I don't think he knows the ways around here, and if he gets wasted, I don't know how will he even get back. - D

*Text Message ends*

*Benji's POV*

Oh FREAK! How could I forget this man? Like OBVIOUSLY Sam would go out to get drunk cause he's just realised the magnanimity of his actions! Damn, I need to go find him!

But wait. I don't know Morena myself! How on Earth will I find him? And even if I find him, how will I get him back?

*Benji's POV ends*

*Text Message*

Dia, how on Earth do you expect me to find a wasted Samrat in a place I'm unfamiliar with? -Benji

*Text Message ends*

Benji waited impatiently for Dia's reply, as he poured himself a glass of water to soothe his frazzled nerves.

*VIBRATE*

*Text Message*

I'm waiting outside in the backyard for you. I'll explain everything there. - D

*Text Message Ends*

(Backyard, Bhushan Mansion, Morena)

"Dia, what's the plan?" asked Beni, visibly out of breath, as he'd run all the way from his room to the backyard.

"Look, I can't stay here for long, tumhe pata hai ki ghar mein situation kya hai. Now listen carefully. Get out of the house, and you'll find a man on a horse carriage. Maine use already pata liya hai aur, oh will you stop giving me those looks! I didn't mean that literally you moron!" said Dia indignantly, as she whacked Benji on the head.

"Anyways, like I was saying, maine usse BAAT KAR LI HAI, aur voh tumhe yahaan ke saare pubs/bars/clubs mein lekar jaayega. Go in all of em, and once you find Sammy, bring him back in the same carriage. Do you get me?" asked Dia, her eyes narrowing at Benji.

Benji smiled warmly at Dia, as he nodded and went off from there. After he'd walked a few steps, he turned and waved at her saying, "Dia, tum sach mein bahut acchi ho, you do know that right?"

At this statement of his, Dia just blushed and waved back at him, as she looked at his retreating figure, until he'd left the house.

(Desi daru ka thela, Morena)

*Benji's POV*

Dude where is Sam man? This is like the 4th place I'm visiting, and it doesn't even resemble a pub! It looks like a freaking shack, with loads of old men sitting down and downing glasses of something I wouldn't even put in my mouth, for fear of getting poisoned!

*Benji's POV ends*

As Benji was about to leave the "pub" in dismay, he heard someone yell out his name from a corner of the dingy room.

He turned to the source of the sound, only to find a completely wasted Samrat grinning goofily at him. Relief swept through Benji as he walked towards his best friend.

"Kahaan tha yaar? Chal ab, bahut der ho gayi hai. Lets go home!" said Benji, as he attempted to pull Samrat from there.

"Ghar? Par mera ghar toh Mumbai mein hai, aur main toh Mo..mo..Monera mein hoon!" gurgled Samrat, as he giggled like a little kid.

Benji shook his head exasperatedly, as he walked to the person sitting at something that resembled the cashier, and paid up for Samrat's drinks. He then walked back to Samrat, took the glass from his hands and kept it on the table.

The moment Benji took the glass from Samrat's hands, he whined and pouted like a little kid whose favorite toy had been taken away from him. He reached out to pick up the glass again, but Benji was too quick for him, as he overturned the glass, spilling its contents all over the grimy floor.

"DUDE! You suck! You're a dhabba to dosti! You're an ass! I was drinking man!" moaned Samrat, as he stared at the empty glass in front of him, eyes full of sadness.

Benji had had enough of the drama. He just took Samrat's hand, and dragged him out of the place, ignoring his protests of wanting to stay on and drink some more. With the help of the carriage driver, he picked up Samrat and dumped him in the carriage..

*Flashback Ends*

"Whoa. Dude Benji, mujhe bula liya hota, I'd have helped!" asked Mayank, as he cast a worried glance at Samrat.

"I was too stressed to think about all this dude..mujhe bas yeh pata tha ki I had to stop Sam from screwing up."

"Haan I understand.. Accha just lie down here, aisa lagta hai ki tum kisi bhi waqt behosh ho sakte ho! Main jaake coffee ka intezaam karta hoon." said Mayank quietly, as he left the room.

Benji nodded resignedly, as he closed his eyes and leaned back on the couch. It had been a long day, and he was drained. Physically, as well as emotionally.

(GuNur and Dia's room, Bhushan Mansion, Morena)

*VIBRATE*

Gunjan woke up to the sound of her phone vibrating under her pillow. She turned to her bedside table, picked up her glasses and put it on, as she switched off the alarm on her phone.

As she was getting off from the bed, she wondered to herself as to why was her head so heavy. She picked up her towel and robe, and slouched off to the washroom so that she could take a nice and hot shower. A hot shower was precisely what she needed to clear her head.

The moment she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her eyes widened in shock.

Her hair was messed up, eyes puffy and swollen, and there were tear streaks on her cheeks. Her kohl was smudged badly and she looked like she'd just come out of a C-grade horror flick. In other words, she looked like a disaster. But the thing that shocked her the most was the tinge of red color on her forehead and in her hair.

As Gunjan raised her hand to touch the vermillion on her head, the entire night came back to her in a flash. Her knees gave way to her, as she slumped down on the floor in shock, while she stared at the red tinge of vermillion that now stained her fingers.

*Gunjan's POV*

Oh my God. Did Samrat fill my maang last night? How could he? Why did he do that? Does this mean I'm married to him? But I don't even love him! He's my best friend dammit! I lied to Bauji and Bhui to save Di's relationship, but why did Samrat do this to me? Weren't the taunts and accusations enough to break me?

I stood up to look at myself in the mirror. I looked nothing short of a ghost. I walked towards the shower, turned it on and stood under it, not bothering to even remove my clothes. I wanted the water to wash away all my pain, my hurt, and most of all, this vermillion that now tinged my head.

The water was very hot and it scalded me, but I didn't flinch. Physical pain meant nothing to me anymore, considering the amount of mental and emotional anguish I was going through. I wanted the hot water to burn away my pain and my hurt, but for some reason, it only intensified it.

How was I going to face my family? My Bauji? The man who'd accepted me even though I killed his wife, who loved me more than anyone else on Earth, would have to face so may questions and taunts from the society, just because of ME! How could I do this to him? Maa, why did you choose to save me that day? Why didn't you just kill me and save yourself? Bauji and Di would have been so much happier, and this day wouldn't have even occurred! Why Maa, why? Why didn't you kill me?! I deserve to die for all the pain that I've inflicted on my family! Why Maa, why?!

I slid down to the floor once more as the tears engulfed me, because I realised that I'd failed. Failed as a daughter, failed as a sister, failed as a human being.

*Gunjan's POV ends*

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Spoilers for Chapter 6:

His breath seemed constricted, and he had to get out of the room. Muttering something about feeling claustrophobic, Samrat ran to the room he shared with Mayank, dumped his belongings into his gym bag and hurried towards the backyard. He had to leave Morena, and run away from the rest.

hey dear amazing upd 👏i loved the way u penned down 👏 loved samrat and bauji's talk the way bauji shared his feelings with samrat gosh felt bad for gunjan can't wait for next part gosh samrat will try to run away thanks for pm