*A FairyTale Ending* - SaJan Story - Page 35

I blasted into the room and the first person I saw was Samrat. He didn't look at me. He was just looking away. Benji stood at the window without a word but Dia came to me. "Where is Louis?" I asked anxiously. "Gunjan..." she trailed off. "Dia, what happened?" "Gunjan..." then she told me the story.

*As told by Dia*- Samrat's Bedroom.

"Hello guys, Gunjan sent me with your lunch..." Louis said entering the room. Benji took the packets from him and went to the kitchen to put them on a plate. Claire had come over to visit Samrat. Actually I think she had come to visit Louis but since he wasn't there she started talking to Samrat. We were waiting for her to leave but she had no intention to leave. Louis sat on the sofa and was talking to me about your favourite colour and all when Claire interrupted. "You should ask Samrat about Gunjan's likes and dislikes... No one knows her the way he does, am I right Samrat?" Claire spoke. Samrat glared at Claire but she wouldn't stop. Louis was quite silent but smiled a little. "Don't give me that look, you know everything about her, you'll are so close. I have never seen a friendship like this, ever!" She said. Her motive was so straight forward, for some reason she doesn't want you and Louis together. I think she's jealous. Samrat got really angry, "What's your point?" he said. "Samrat, maybe you could give Louis some tips about dating gunjan, what makes her angry, what she likes, dislikes, etc etc." she uttered. "I think I know enough about Gunjan, and the stuff I don't know, I'll gradually come to know" Louis stated politely. "Rubbish! Ask anyone in the whole college, all those three years, Samrat had a zillion girlfriends but never kissed anyone, just Gunjan. They both were always together, the whole day!" she said. Louis was still quiet, not a word, though he looked shocked on hearing that you two kissed. "Thank you Claire, now you can leave." I said trying to shoo her away. "Why are you doing this Claire?" Samrat asked. "I am trying to help!" she retorted. "Well, I don't think you are!" Samrat stated. She wouldn't move, but before she could say anything else, Samrat furiously said "Do you need to be thrown out or something?" "No thank you, I was just going.." she said frowning at Samrat. "Nice talking to you Louis" she said leaving.

"Louis, it was nothing, Claire was just trying to be nice, please don't mind, she doesn't think before saying anything..." Samrat said. "What she said, was that true?" Louis asked, this time he looked directly at Samrat. "Yes" Samrat muttered not denying anything. "You'll are very close, I have noticed that myself.." he said. "Louis we are best friends.. that is all. And I don't think you should have a problem with that!" Samrat replied sternly, not giving Louis any chance to think otherwise. "Then why don't I believe you? Why can't I see it in your eyes... You are clearly lying! I don't know what you feel but Gunjan thinks of you as her best friend and you should respect that!" he stated. "No Louis, Samrat'"Dia, I am not angry, I just want Samrat to know that he is important in Gunjan's life and so he is important in mine too, but he needs to behave like a friend." he said. "Look, as far as I am concerned, you don't need to tell me what Gunjan's friendship means, I know it much better than anyone else" Samrat said kind of rudely. "I really hope you know it.." Louis said heading out.

*End*

Samrat still looked away. I was numb, I didn't know what to say. Claire wasn't lying at all, just the way she put it forward sounded disturbingly wrong. All I could think about was what Louis must be thinking about... "Samrat.." I said. He looked up, "I am sorry, I.. I didn't want to create a problem between you two.." "Don't apologise, it's not your fault. I'll go speak to Louis..." I said. He nodded. "By the way, Samrat, did you eat yet?" I asked. He nodded again. A clear lie. "Took your medicines also right?" I asked sarcastically. He nodded again. "Okay." I said and went out without a word. I went to the kitchen saw the food packets in a plate but untouched. I heated it again and took it back into the room. Samrat looked surprised. He didn't say anything. I sat beside him on the bed with a plate and he extended his hands to take it. How could I just leave him like that. The best part about our friendship was that we knew each other so well, I knew exactly when he needed something, when he wanted to stay quiet when he wanted to tell me something, when he was sad when he was happy and when he was just content. I knew he was feeling way guiltier than I was. I pushed his hands back and fed him myself. I could see Dia smile and leave the room with Benji. "You should go." Samrat whispered. "shut up" I said. "Gunjan.." he said. "Go." "Not until you finish eating..." I said. "I am fine, you need to be with Louis now." "I am where I need to be Samrat, now just sit and eat." Samrat quietly obeyed my orders with a smile of satisfaction. I knew I had to speak to Louis before it was too late, but I had to make sure Samrat was alright too. And at the moment his health was my priority. "Thank you" I said while he chewed. "For having my back in there." I said. "I couldn't clarify everything..." he replied. "But you tried." I said, "Please Samrat, don't feel guilty. Its was not your fault. Right? You are the best-est friend I could get!" I said trying to console him. "And you were right.." samrat said. "What?" I asked. "Claire is such a '"Don't say it!" I stopped him. We laughed. I am just glad he realised that Claire was just bad news. "So you and Louis are going out today?" he asked. I nodded. "And our movie?" he asked. "Oh shit! I totally forgot!" How could I forget? Crap! He must be looking forward to it. Damn it. "I am so sorry!" I said. "I'll tell Louis no!" "No, are you crazy? You really should go. We can watch the movie some other time.." he said with a smile. "And besides, you said he booked everything himself, you better go with him!" I smiled. Samrat was so understanding. After he finished eating I made him take his medicines and I gave him a small hug and left for the hotel.

I had gone over whatever I would say to Louis. Thought it over and over again on the way. I knocked on his hotel room door. Ramona came and opened the door, "Oh hi Gunjan, did I leave something behind?" she asked. "No, I'm here to meet Louis!" I said. "But weren't you two going for dinner in an hour already? Its 6:30 anyway!" she said. "Ermm.. I know, I just need to talk to him" I said. She looked at me and then suddenly said, "So sorry, please come in, should I call him out?" she asked. "No need, I'll just go to his room." Their suite was rather grand. It had a huge kitchen with 2 rooms, a huge living room, it was as good as my appartment!

I knocked on his door and entered. He turned around shirtless. And ohmygod. I was totally rapt by the sight. I was completely blank on what to say and just admired the view. My heart was literally beating at the speed of light and all thoughts escaped my mind in seconds. All I could think about was him, Louis, shirtless, standing right in front of me and walking towards me. "Gunjan, what are you doing here?" he asked. "I.. I.. um.. what? Me? I came.. umm.. to.. that.. you.. I.." I was stammering so much. It was so embarassing, my cheeks flushed with shame and I looked away. He smiled and I could just faint but then slowly he put his arms around me and pulled me as close as he could. He smelled of mint. And I could smell his perfume with made me drool. "I.. you.. me? What?" he asked. "Louis, I.. I came here to.. tell you.. um.. ask you.. no, actually tell you..'"Will it be better if I put on my shirt?" he asked grinning at me. He let go of me and went towards his closet. No No No.. you don't have to put your shirt on! I wanted to scream and tell him that.. but he had already put on his shirt. Alas, the fantasy only lasted a second. Louis sat on the bed and said, "Yeah, say?" he asked. "Louis, Dia told me what happened.. Claire has always been like that she'"Gunjan" he said sternly, "I didn't mean to upset any of your friends, I know how much they mean to you, especially Samrat, but I was irritated because once that girl, what was her name.. uhh.. Claire, when she left they all started speaking in hindi and after repeatedly asking them what they were saying they wouldn't tell me, so I left." He explained. That was weird. Dia had coinveniently skipped that part. Oh god, obviously he must be feeling annoyed. Anyone would feel befuddled. I don't know why they did this...

"Forget it, lets just go for dinner, okay?" he said putting his shirt buttons. "Okay" I said as I sat down on his bed waiting for him to get ready. I was still thinking about it... What would they be discussing? I really hope they get along alright. Louis and my friends both are very important for me and I can't choose between them, ever! Not between Louis and Samrat, I will never be able to.. Then I started to wonder what if I had to choose? Who would I choose? Would it be Louis? I had quite strong feelings for him, I think I am falling i love too. But I don't know, on the other hand Samrat, he has always been there for me, in the hardest time of my life he held my hand and helped me move on and now he needs me so I can't let him go. I think I will choose Samrat over him.. He may be my prince charming or my dream, but Samrat is my best friend and I will have to sacrifice him for Samrat...

Deciding that I pushed those thoughts away. I started to think how I would live without Louis and for a minute I thought I couldn't but then again, I had been living without him all this while?! But I hadn't met him until now, would I be able to live without him? He is such a great guy, so handsome so cute and so truthful, I can never get anyone better. Would I be able to leave him? "Gunjan, lets go!" Louis said offering his hand. I readily took it and then we left. It was way easier to talk to him than I had thought it would be.. "Claire is going to your place for dinner, I think Dia or someone called her to join them.." Louis said. "Cool, so when we go back you can pick her up from my house" I said. What would she do there for so long? She barely even knows anyone?! But whatever, hopefully dia and all would take care of her. "No no, I think she should be back in the hotel by the time we are done.." Louis said. In the car I kept thinking if I should call and check on Samrat. Louis held my hand in his and kissed it. I smiled slightly and then looked away again thinking whether I should call. But then I changed my mind. Its rude to call someone else when you are on a date!

Dinner was really good. Louis and I talked about all sorts of things. It was really nice spending this much time with him. I was worried about Samrat not eating his food on time and all that but that was all secondary thoughts at that moment, Louis was so romantic, I had never seen this side of him before. He was such a perfect dancer also. He held me in his strong arms and we twirled around on the dance floor. Louis was an ideal man, he didn't enjoy going to disco theques and nor did he smoke or drink. Well, kind of boring but I thought it was cute. He was always so sweet, how? How could a person never get angry, how could he never scream. "So, Gunjan tell me more about you? When do you get angry? When do you get irritated?" "Me? I used to get very angry with Samrat, he never attended history class and always failed in history!" I said. "And I get irritated with him also, you know what? After every basket ball practice session he used to come and hug me. He was all sweaty and gross. Yuck!" I said remembering the old times. "And And –"And I get irritated when you talk about another person on our date!" he said. Oops. Maybe I went a little overboard. There was a little awkward silence when my phone rang! It was Samrat. "Excuse me" I went outside to answer his call, "Hey," he said. "Hi, anything wrong?" "I am so sorry to disturb, where did you keep the ointment?" "Why?" I asked and then suddenly realised, "Oh crap! I had to do your dressing, I am so sorry, I'll come home in an hour and do it." I said. "No, no its okay, just tell me where it is?" "Samrat you can't do it yourself and Dia and Benji must have left na?" I told him. I had been so careless. I should have told someone to do it. Crap crap. Now Samrat must be getting worried. "Chill Gunjan, Ramona is here, she is doing it, can you just tell me where you kept the ointment?" "No way! She doesn't know how to do it." I scolded. "Samrat, don't let her to do it!" I said. I could here Ramona behind him, "Found it!" she said. "Oh okay, she found it, enjoy Gunjan, and don't worry, Ramona can do it! Byeee.." he said cutting the line. Oh great, now he can trust Ramona with his cuts?

The whole time I was distracted after that. I didn't feel like eating. Why did Samrat make Ramona do his dressing? What if she does it wrong! How could he let her? He suddenly started trusting Ramona so much? Why? Ughh.. I was pissed. Louis kind of noticed it. But before he could ask me anything a hoard of reporters barged into the restaurant taking pictures of Louis and me together. "Who told them?" I asked. "I don't know.!" The Guards tried to push them out but they wouldn't budge. The reporters surrounded Louis asking him all sorts of questions about his life and me..! It was really weird. Some asked me about mine and Louis relationship but I just kept quiet. I didn't know what to say in all this? I just wanted to get out of there. I was frustrated after a while.

We left early and Louis dropped me home. "Ramona must have gone back" he said. "She isn't answering, she must have slept" he thought. "Yes, its fine. Even I think she must have left." She better have. He said good night and drove to his hotel. I went inside. I went to check on Samrat. It was 12:30, he must have slept. I peeked inside and saw Samrat watching tv and Ramona sleeping next to him with her head on his shoulder. I felt like he had started to replace me with her when I saw that he was watching the movie we both were supposed to watch today. "Samrat" I said grinding my teeth. "Shhh! She's asleep" he said quietening me. Ugh.. "Come out!" I said. He carefully placed Ramona's head on the pillow and came out. "I ate my food, had my medicines and my dressing was done really well." He admitted. "Why did you let her do your dressing" was my first question. "and what is she still doing here? And you watched our movie with her?" I asked. "Relax Gunjan, its not a big deal. She said she knew how to do it and it wasn't exactly our movie, it happens that she loves pirates of the Caribbean too!" he said. "What ever!" I said getting really irritated. "Why are you so angry?" he asked. "I am not angry!" I retorted. "By the way, where am I going to sleep?" he asked innocently. "In the guest room" I said, wasn't it obvious?! "With Ramona? Ohh-kaay.." he said turning around. I held him by his shirt and turned him back to face me. "No, you can sleep in my room.. anyway, I am not sleepy!" I said. He chuckled and followed me. How could he even think of sleeping with HER?

"Isn't Ramona hot?" he asked as we entered my room. "Can you shut up!?" I said completely exasperated with him, I was already so annoyed and he was pissing me off even more. "Come on Gunjan, tell me na, isn't she sexy?" "Yes, she is. Happy?" I said and went into the bathroom. I was annoyed. When had this happened? Where was I? Ramona and Samrat? No bloody way! She was taking my friend away. I was supposed to do his dressing, I was supposed to watch that movie with him and now they both spend more time than us. That is not fair. Plus, Ramona is so spoilt, she doesn't care about anyone but herself.

"Hmm.. You know we had so much fun today!" he said when I came out of the bathroom. Now I think he is purposely doing this to bug me. "Ramona is so funny. We laughed and laughed and laughed. She is just like us, no princess behaviour, and she did my dressing so well! She even helped me with my dinner." He said. "Waaao Samrat, I am tired, can we sleep?" I asked sarcastically jumping onto the couch near the bed. Samrat lay down in my bed thinking about Ramona , I think. He sighed again and again. "Its annoying me" I said. "What?" he asked. "The sighs." "I should have just slept in the guest room!" he said. "Obviously, now why would you want to spend some time with me, you've got a new friend..." I sulked.. "What has happened to you?" Samrat asked. I didn't know myself. The date was so bad and now this. "I don't know. My date with Louis wasn't very good, I am already annoyed and now you've got a new friend and I.. I.. feel as if.. as if you have replaced me..!" I admitted. I didn't like Claire, I never liked any of Samrat's girlfriends and now I started disliking Ramona, all because I can't stand any other girl so close to him. I don't want anyone to replace me in his life. I don't know what that is, but I do feel that way. I looked away from Samrat and tried to put my thoughts in order. He sat next to me and put his arms around me, "Crazy girl, how can anyone replace my best friend? You'll always be there, my favourite and as I always say, I am always on your side so there is no question of replacing you, is there?" he said making me calm down. "You're just getting extra hyper uselessly!" he said.