*A FairyTale Ending* - SaJan Story - Page 37

It had been tough for him, and I think it's because of me. Poor Louis. He had stayed in the hotel for two whole days. There was a whole bunch of reporters outside his hotel, he didn't want to come to my house otherwise they would crowd around my house and give me trouble all day. So he stayed inside. It was as if the whole city was only wondering why Louis was here. What was he doing here. Every news channel was showing the clip of us at the restaurant. Someone had let out that he was the prince of Monaco, well he was, but he had been cautious not to mention it to anyone, but he still did. He had told the restaurant manager that he wanted the best table for two under the name of Louis Grimaldi, and that had done it.

Louis was going back today. He couldn't stay here longer, that would create a problem for both of us. He had to make a statement before leaving Dubai. The media was asking all sorts of questions and he had subtly replied that I was just an acquaintance. He obviously didn't want me to be irritated by the media, because if had told them that we were dating, all of them would be outside my house in minutes.

I had joined Louis at the airport. "Its really sad that you have to go so soon..." I said. "Its alright, not your fault. It happens very often.." Louis said agitated. "I was having so much fun, but Louis wouldn't let me stay!" Ramona complained. I wanted to smirk and say, you deserve it! Louis had been very angry with Ramona for staying over at my house when I wasn't there. He said she was careless about herself. Huh. Clearly Louis didn't trust Samrat too much, probably after all those stories about the number of girl friends he's had, no brother would. "Gunjan, before leaving I wanted to tell you something.." he said slowly. "I have started to fall in love with you.." he blurted. I was silent. I didn't know what to say. I leaned closer and kissed him. He waited for a reply, but I don't know why I just couldn't get myself to say it. "Me too" I muttered. He laughed a little and said, "You don't have to force yourself to say anything so fast.. You can think about it, and if your answer is yes, then I would love to meet your mother soon!" he said as he gave me a small side hug and left for the flight. I was dazed as he walked away. What just happened? Did Louis just say that he loved me and then propose? I would like to meet your mother? What does that mean? He wants to meet her and talk about our wedding? Marriage now? So early? I havent even started my career. I havent even thought of what I'm going to do, forget that I haven't even GRADUATED yet! My insides were squirming as I drove home. Am I in love with Louis at all? I don't know. I don't know anything. I am such a duffer. I don't know what I want at all! I was frustrated with myself. I had to decide, I couldn't keep Louis hanging. I took a deep breathe and decided to speak to Dia about this. My first option would have been Samrat.. but.. there is no less complication there.

I entered my house to find Mayank and Dia hugging each other and Samrat and Benji hi-fiving. "What is going on?" I asked. "Mayank just proposed and Dia said yes!" Benji said. "Wow!" I shrieked hugged Dia. Oh my god, why is everyone getting married! "When are you'll planning to get married?" "As soon as possible!" Mayank spoke. Now I have a job and everything that I need, so finally ready to get married." Dia was lost in her own world. Any one would be. She really loves Mayank, and I love both of them! "So let's celebrate" Samrat said hugging Dia, "Even though you're marrying him!" he muttered under his voice. Dia spanked him hard. "Atleast now stop fighting guys." She said. "Its become a good pastime now!" Mayank said grinning at Samrat. Okay. When did THAT happen? Why am I so lost? Why can't I think straight.

Later that day, while Samrat was sleeping, Dia and I sat in the living room talking. "What? Louis said he loved you? And literally proposed?" Dia yelled. "Shh!" I scolded. "And yes.." "What did you say?" she asked. "Nothing..I was blank. I was dazed. I said me too when he said that he was falling in love with me.. but that was after 5 seconds so he kind of knew that I wasn't there yet!.." I admitted. "Gunjaaan.. why would you do that? Don't you like him?" Dia asked. "i do, but Dia, its too soon.. I have to do something in life, I have to accomplish some goals.. then only I can get married.." "That's not the point, you didn't say I love you back, is the point. You don't have to get married now.. But if you don't love him then you have to tell him!" "I don't know if I love him?! Forget that, I am not even sure I know what love is now!" I said. "Gunjan.." she said sighing, "Give it a little time, you are over thinking it. Calm down and relax a little. It will come to you eventually. You know, when you say a word or think about it repetitively then the meaning of the word is lost.." she said seriously. I couldn't help but burst out laughing. "What? Oh please, If I say a word many times the meaning isn't lost..!" "It is! You can try it! Like, drink. Drink Drink. Drink drink drink drink drink.. Drink drink. Drink drink drink. Why don't you drink your drink and then drink some other drink and then order the third drink!" she said really fast. I was still laughing, I couldn't stop. It was just too hilarious to stop. "I haven't laughed so much in ages..." Dia had officially LOST IT!. But she did make me feel better. I was smiling again! "Whatever. Just give it sometime!" she said laughing with me.

"On a serious note, why did you start dating Louis?" she interrogated. "Because he was nice, and he was honest, we had things in common." I said. "Like what? The painting? Come on Gunjan, you liked that painting because you were depressed! You never like museums! You hate them, they are boring. You were upset about Samrat and Thats why you liked the painting! And what did he say that was so honest? How much do you even know him? We were at their house for 2 days!" Dia said. I didn't say anything, I just remembered the painting connection and how well he had treated me. But even Samrat doesn't treat me badly, and we have stuff in common too. But still. It had to be something! I wouldn't just randomly stammer when I saw him shirtless, there were feelings.. Or maybe it was just .. just infatuation.. maybe I just got carried away, Paris, love, it was all in the air.. I don't know! "I don't know what you want Gunjan, you do. Think about it, you have time!" she said. "Hey guys!" Samrat said yawning. I could hear someone laughing, what was the joke?" I giggled again and explained what made me laugh. He laughed too and all I did was stare at him as he laughed. Ok now I was becoming completely crazy. Firstly, Dia had just convinced me that I had barely even known Louis and I didn't love him, and now this. I was gawking at Samrat? What is wrong with me? "Guys, I think I need a nap, now since Samrat is up, you two can chat. Im going to bed!" "Why are you so depressing?" Samrat asked. "Who sleeps at 3?" "Humans!" I said. "But I just woke up!" he said. "And I am bugged." "Why?" he asked. "Because Louis proposed!" Dia blurted. "WHAT?" Samrat shrieked. "Dia!" I whined. "What did you say?" he asked lowly. "Nothing!" I said stomping off. I was pretty sure Dia would be sitting and explaining everything to Samrat, huh. Why did she have to drag him into this? She couldn't tell him everything. I told her everything in confidence. She was my friend, she would never do that to me.

* A Week Later *

I kept thinking about this over and over again but reached no sane conclusion. It was already Graduation day and I still had no idea what I was doing. Louis called everyday, he never directly asked what my answer was. He just stalled for sometime, talked about random things, asked if my mother was back, how was grad preps going, etc etc. Our conversations lasted maximum for 5-10 minutes. It was awkward. I didn't blame him. I was keeping him hanging. But the truth was that I was highly confused and I had no idea what to do. Dia was busy with her wedding preparations already. Her wedding was two months away and she was excited and anxious about every little detail of the wedding. Mayank had already given me a job. He wanted me to do the interior for his new flat he would gift Dia on their wedding. This was a surprise for dia so I couldn't share it with her ofcourse.

On the positive side, Samrat was much better now and he was completely normal. We spent alot of time watching movies and he finally got "Ma ke haath ka khana" as he called it. He had complained to my mother about how terrible I was at cooking and that my husband would have food poisoning for the rest of his life. "He will have a good immune system, unlike yours!" was my reply.

Finally, I was going to get graduated! Graduation ceremony started and all of us went and collected our pass certificates. I had scored a 78% . I was happy, not so happy, but satisfied. Mayank had got a 96% and Dia, she had managed a 83. Samrat had got a 60%, but he didn't care. He was enjoying his last moments in college and so was everyone. Most of them had already got a job and were well settled. I felt like the only one out of place. Samrat was chilled out, he knew he could take over his father's business whenever he liked. Where as I had no interest in fashion designing so there was no chance I was going to take over mom's. Samrat seemed kind of aloof since Dia had blurted out that Louis had proposed. Sigh. I didn't know who I should tell, I had to tell someone how Samrat felt, I had to confirm some how that what I had heard was 100% true and not some rotten joke Samrat had played on me. I was trying to convince myself that it was a joke, this friendship meant alot and I don't know if I feel the same way for Samrat. I don't even know what I feel. Again I put those thoughts out and act normal. Everything was NORMAL.