Blind date - SG FF - update on page 4

Hi,

So i had started this story before, and now i realized that the topic is closed. 😕

Please go through this story and tell me if you want me to continue...


Prologue:

Hi! I'm Gunjan Bhushan. And this is my sweet little love story...

Well not exactly sweet, as it has its share of sour also!!

I was not desperate to find love, nor that was I hardcore romantic. When everyone around me fell in love like maple leaves fall in autumn, I engrossed myself into books. All I thought about love was waste of time.

But it happened to me!! I fell in love, at the wrong time, with the wrong person, in the most inappropriate manner. We met on Valentine's Day, so maybe love was in the air. Or Maybe his deep enticing chocolate brown eyes were the culprit. The way his looks pulls me towards him, or the way he looks at me and make me feel beautiful...What took over me, I am still unable to figure out. But yes, I love him' I love Samrat, who was supposed to be my best friend's Blind date!!

Index
Chapter 1: All you want is Love	Page 1
Chapter 2: The first time ever I saw your face	Page 1
Chapter 3: You are running on my mind	Page 1
Chapter 4: The dream i had of you	Page 2

Chapter 1: All you want is Love

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.

All you want is love.

-Lennon/McCartney

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

I ran behind the papers as the wind blew them all over in my hostel room.

God!! My notes!! They were scrambled now.

"Hey Nupur, see its raining!!" Diya shouted with excitement as Nupur peeped outside from the window.

Rains in February!! What the hell??- I thought and closed the window on my side, putting the papers neatly in my folder.

"Wow!! Its soo romantic.. hey lets go outside.." Nupur was two steps ahead of Diya. I wondered how these girls manage to find 'Romance' in everything.

"Hey Gunjan, you too come na..", Diya said slipping her feet in her footwear. I opened my mouth to reject her offer, but nupur interrupted.

"Diya, don't waste your efforts. I know Gunjan will not come. She hates rainy season. Right gunjan?" She turned to me and waited for my reaction.

"Yepp! And there should be someone to take care of you two, when you'll get sick of.."

"Wait wait wait,.. we'll be fine. Don't worry. And come on yaar.. you should take this experience at least once. The raindrops falling on your head, they pierce your body infinite times. It feels soo good.." Diya said shivering with anticipation. I could imagine what she was imagining in her mind.

"and its soo romantic.." Nupur had the special ability to find something 'romantic' about everything.

"well, carry on sweeties, but don't count me in for this." I ended the conversation with my usual sentence.

Diya, Nupur and I were friends since first day of our college. And after that we got the same room in hostel. We were best buddies. We called ourselves 'Powerpuff Girls'.

Diya was Just like Blossom, She was the self-proclaimed leader of our group, smart, stylish, she could be fussy at times. But was the most matured among us.

Nupur was Buttercup, beautiful, but aggressive. She had a temper, and she could be really stubborn at times. But she had a softer side too, and she cared for us a lot.

And then I was there, Bubbles. They called me this because they found me cute. I was submissive, shy and the most sensitive one. And my two friends used to treat me like a baby.

We used to hang out together, eat together, study together, sleep.. oops! Don't get me wrong here..But we were just inseparables.

Despite of the above mentioned differences, Diya and nupur were quite alike. They were outgoing, talkative, too romantic, party animals. Though Diya was a little westernized when it came to her dressing sense, Nupur and Diya were equally famous in boys in our college. Nupur was the Indian version of Diya.

But me..? I was totally opposite to my roomies. I was shy, introvert. I hardly talked to strangers. I hated parties; the idea of going to a party itself could make my throat dry. And I was not romantic, I mean I didn't hate the concept of love. But the concept of searching for true love or soul mate seemed alien to me. The one thing common between them and me was, me too was famous in boys, rather whole class. Though the reason was different, I was the topper in my class, and everyone wanted my help in studies.

But still sometimes, I used to say 'Don't count me in'. Because sometimes my bestest friends could act really silly. Just like they were acting now, and just like they acted 4 days back.

...

Diya was standing in front of the mirror, one of her usual pose, when I entered into my hostel room.

"Hey Diya, Looking nice.. Going out?" I asked sitting on my bed, half of the bed was occupied by Nupur who seemed really busy reading the latest issue of 'Mayapari'.

"Yeah. Going out with RV.", She said applying eyeliner.

RV was Diya's boyfriend. Supposedly, he belonged to some royal family in Rajasthan, and some people believed that he's hot too. In my opinion, he was an airheaded jerk. But it was just my opinion. And no one had a strong reason to believe my opinion when it came to love. Well, because my opinion about love was just 'a waste of time'.

"That's cool. But come before the rector closes the main gate." I advised her and Nupur peeped from her magazine to say "ok grandma", just to tease me for my concern.

"Take your time honey.. After all, you're meeting him after 6 long days.", Nupur said to Diya, "Ahh.. How lucky you are.. you got your prince charming.." Nupur sighed exaggeratedly.

Charming..? - I smiled to myself.

"Hey Nups, don't worry, u never know, when u'll get lucky.." Diya said putting some gloss on her lips.

"No yaar! I'm not as lucky as you are. You know, we have many guys in our college. But those who like me aren't good enough and those who are good enough are taken." Nupur pouted as we chuckled looking at her disappointed face.

"Oh, sweety! Don't worry. Well I know a guy who's not only good enough, but the best, and still he's single..",Diya said sitting besides Nupur, who sat straight now, paying all her attention to Diya.

"Really? Wow!! Who's that?", Nupur couldn't hide her excitement.

"Well, the name's Samrat, he's my school mate. He graduated from Delhi and now is here to study Business Management. Fair, Handsome, and witty." Diya provided all the information in one go. I shook my head and got up from the bed, and started walking out. This gossip could go on for a long. But Nupur held my hand and made me sit again.

"Hey sit na Gunjan.. " she said to me and I obediently followed her orders, she turned to diya again, "But I doubt.."

"Don't doubt my information! Just meet him once. You'll like him instantly." Diya said.

What was I doing in this discussion anyway? - I thought looking at them.

"Wow..! but.." Nupur narrowed her eyebrows, "what's the use of me liking him. He should also like me naa..?"

"He'll like you baba. Listen, He's out of station right now, will be back in Mumbai by tomorrow, he told me yesterday on call. He'll come here to meet me, that time you also come with me." Diya said enthusiastically.

"But what if he likes someone else?" I couldn't help but ask my doubt and both my friends looked at me as if I had disturbed the round table conference.

"He doesn't like anyone. I know it." Diya said with confidence and Nupur grew suspicious.

"How are you so sure about that?" Nupur narrowed hey eyes further.

"Because he told me that he's single, and ready to mingle" Diya said firmly, "and.. umm .. I told him that I might help him..err.. and two of my friends are single" As she said this both Nupur and I looked at her with disbelief.

"And.. I told him that we are going to meet him on this valentine's day." Diya said hesitatingly.

"Wait! What do you mean by 'We'?" I almost screamed.

"And you didn't ask me once before telling him?" Nupur screamed even louder.

"Listen guys.." Diya started but I cut her in between.

"Are you considering me as well?" I asked frantically.

"Are you interested?" Diya asked raising her eyebrows.

"Of course not!!" I said firmly.

"Then don't bother yourself!!" said Diya.

"But Diya , how will I face him , considering that he knows why we are meeting?" Nupur asked with worry.

"Hey dear, why are you so tensed. It will be like a blind date. If you two like each other, go ahead. If you don't, back off. It's just like that." Diya said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Nupur seemed convinced by her explanation.

"Ok!" She said slightly convinced.

"Ok? So done! We 3 are going to meet him on valentine's day." She said and rushed to go.

"Hey! Not 3 of us. Don't count me in for this.." I shouted, but Diya already made an exit before I completed my sentence. I stared at the closed door for a whole minute before Nupur asked a very important query.

"Hey what should I wear at valentine's day?" Said Nupur.

"Whatever you like." I said absent mindedly.

"And what will you wear?"

"I'm not coming!!" I shouted again. I still couldn't digest the whole idea of meeting Nupur's blind date. I mean Diya was going to meet her friend; Nupur was going to meet her prospective date. What was the point of me going there?

But I didn't know that time, that this will be the starting 'point' of my love story.

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Chapter 2- The first time ever I saw your face

The first time ever I saw your face,

I thought the sun rose in your eyes
The moon and the stars were gifts you gave'

to the dark and the endless skies

-Ewan Maccoll

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

*Gunjan*

My mind was full of doubts when we reached at the venue..

It was a party.. Valentine's ball!! At Samrat's college!!

Diya and Nupur looked much relaxed. Obviously, they were used to all this partying stuff. But I hated it. I loved my peace more than the DJ. I liked bethovan's symphony more than the grooving beats. I liked reading books more than dancing wild. I liked writing poems more than meeting strangers. And still I was going to meet one soon. I regretted the decision of going there' well until I saw him'

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

*Samrat*

She was beautiful, gorgeous, simple and .. and innocent. The only bad thing about her was that she was not my date.

I took her slightly trembling hand in mine as Candy introduced us. We had a small shakehand. She smiled at me coyly. And I was smitten.

Gunjan! Her name was as sweet as her. I wondered how her parents knew in advance that their daughter will turn so beautiful and sweet..

By the way Nupur was also stunningly beautiful' beautiful, confident and gregarious.. Just opposite of Gunjan. Hey.. my mind was revolving around gunjan ,it seemed. I mean I couldn't focus on Nupur, who was my date for tonight.

Nupur talked and talked and talked.. Some things I could hear' some I missed between stealing glances at gunjan. But Nupur didn't mind that, nor did she notice. She was too busy in talking.. I liked her; I mean she was a fun to be with. But I couldn't think about us more than that. Maybe there was something else, or someone else who was distracting me. And every time I looked at her, it became difficult to focus on other things.

Candy left in a while as she had some plans with RV. And then there were only us' Me, Gunjan, Nupur and Benji.

"Hey Samrat!" Mayank called me from behind.

"Hey dude! You and here?" I was surprised to see him here in this party, especially when I knew he had a date in the evening.

"Ya, I ran away.."he said calmly.

"what? But what happened..?" I asked as I saw Mayank shrugging as an answer to my question and glanced towards the girls. I didn't nudge him further and introduced them.

"Here, Meet my friend from IIT, Mayank Sharma. And Mayank, Meet Nupur, My date for the evening. And.." I looked at 'Her', and she smiled softly.. God!! She was beautiful.. I could look at her like this for eternity, but my conscious shaked me and told that there were people around me waiting for me to say something. "Meet Gunjan, Nupur's roommate."

Mayank was about to greet them , when Nupur started, " Hey mayank, You are in IIT right? You know my younger sister is just so crazy about IIT, that she wants to study there" I could actually see mayanks chest growing broader by 2 inch by this compliment.

"Well everybody is..and everybody wants to.." He said with a proud smile.

"Ya.. I know. She studies 14 hours a day, just to get in there.. how sad naa?" said nupur startling mayank.

"what is so sad about that?" He asked.

"no, I mean' studying so much, no parties, no life.. and then go to IIT, which is like a Machine which makes engineers.. no actually, a machine making more machines.. you see every IITian looks like a Machine.. rigid face, no smile, stern, judgemental.." Nupur stopped her spontaneous flow after looking at mayank's face, "no I mean, not you.. I'm just talking generally.. you seem like an exception.." she tried to cover up, but that didn't help. Mayank's face was actually looking like what She described a few seconds ago.. stern.. no smile' Hey I liked this girl.. she actually made him quiet. I could see his chest coming to its normal size.

"So what's your point here? you hate IITians and you're stuck with one? And still you want your sister to get in there?"He asked sternly.

"No' I didn't mean that. I'm sorry. I just wanted to say that it's pretty hectic there.. and still people go there. But anyways my sister is so determined, that she'll get in.."Nupur again said in one breathe.

"That's good for her."Mayank said openly and whispered in my ears, "iske sath rahegi to isike tarah ho jayegi.."

I smiled. Mayank was my best friend. He was not my school friend, nor did we go to same college. But still we used to spend most of our time together. His father was a family friend. And he used to pay regular visits to my house when we were kids. Then the Sharma family moved to Mumbai and we lost touch. But still, when I came to Mumbai for my post graduation, he was the one who came to receive me. And we made sure that we meet at least once a week, despite of our busy schedules.

"hey dude, what happened to your date? Why did you run away?" Benji asked him, and I gave benji a stern look. Why did he have to ask mayank this in front of the girls?

" Well it was just a bad date.." Mayank said plainly.

"so you ran away?... just like that?" Nupur questioned rather disapprovingly.

"Yeah.. any problem..?" Mayank asked coldly.

"Care to explain why you leaved your date like that'?" she seemed well prepared for such questionnaire.

"What the' why should i?" Mayank said and nupur raised her eyebrow. "Ok, miss feminist.. Listen. I didn't leave her like that, or whatever way you thought. I told her that there was an emergency and I might have to go and apologized her, dropping her home after that."

Nupur seemed much relieved after the explanation. I chuckled looking at her expressions.

"Boy! Was she that bad?" Benji said and I gave him another icy cold look. He surely didn't know what to talk in front of whom.

"umm.. Not exactly.. We went to Bandstand, then at an exhibition and then she insisted me to go to her place and watch a movie'" Mayank said.

"Which one?" Asked benji.

"Twilight.. " mayank said with plain face.

"Twilight!!.. which part..?" Suddenly Nupur was back in action.

"It has sequels?.." Mayank asked as Nupur took pity on him, "anyways, so this girl, Anusha, my classmate' she wanted to make me watch this really stupid vampire lovestory, where the always-sad-looking heroine falls for a gay vampire and.."

"Excuse me? What did you say..?" Nupur interrupted Mayank as apparently she was not happy with his description, "Did you watch the film..? Edward is not gay!!"

"Do you..ermm.. Personally know him?" Mayank asked and it was hard for me to suppress my laughter.

"Listen.. You don't have any right to talk about the film until you watch it.." Nupur said sternly.

"There's no way I'm gonna watch it. I have seen the promo's and the vampire guy just looks like a gay.. Even if he isn't, with all that dark red lipstick and all.. he just looks .. like .. like 'hollywood ka shah rukh'.."

"Don't say a single word about SRK okay?" Nupur got up from her seat and said. She was fuming now.. I wondered if I should interrupt. Gunjan was already making a move towards her. I could see her worried face.

"Why? SRK tumhara Mama lagta hain kya?" Mayank said, grinning.

"Enough!! You know what? I'm glad you saved that girl's life.. because you are extremely undateable!! you are a machine tagged as 'Made in IIT'.. that's it!!" She yelled.

"Nupur!!" gunjan whispered rather reproachfully, pressing her hand and she made her sit again.

"tch tch.. So exaggerative you are ! I guess the word you made for me suits more to you.. Ms. Un-date-able!!" Mayank said and Nupur again opened her mouth to say something.

Okay! This is the time to interrupt. ' I thought.

"Mayank! Can I have a word with you, privately?" He frowned at me as I said this to him. He got up and followed me.

"Sam, are you seriously going to date her?" He asked me as soon as we made our way to an isolated corner of the party hall.

"If you like her more, I'll reconsider my options." I said playfully.

"Hell with your options. I was asking because if you date her, I'll stop visiting you.. She's just so.. so.."

"un-date-able, right?" I said sarcastically.

"yeah right.. you saw how she was behaving?"He said.

"And what about you? Do you think you were behaving nicely? Mayank, whats up with you?" I asked him, as he was about to say something more. He remained quiet for a moment before speaking again.

"I know. I'm sorry for all this."He said softly.

"Don't say sorry to me. She's the one who deserve apology." I said pointing towards Nupur.

"what? No way!! " Mayank screamed.

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

*Gunjan*

"No Way!! I'm not gonna say sorry. He's the one who should." Nupur said adamantly as I sighed. This girl was really impossible.

"Nupur, I agree he was harsh. But don't forget you insulted him by saying all those things about IIT." I tried again.

"No I didn't.. I was just.. wait a minute.. did I? " Nupur looked at me , her big eyes grew wider. I shook my head positively in answer.

"Oh god Gunjan! But I didn't mean to.. but he did it purposely." She said.

"how are you so sure about that. How is he supposed to know that no one can dare and speak anything bad about SRK in front of you?" I said and hoped she don't notice the sarcasm in my words. Fortunately she didn't.

"So, what should I do now?" Nupur asked me.

"go and say sorry!! Look he's coming here only." I told her pointing at the direction mayank was coming, and i litterally pushed her towards him.

*Gunjan*

I smiled at myself as Nupur walked towards Mayank. She was just so aggressive. And I was amazed to see a person of her match, Mayank!! He was just so like her.. ofcourse, regarding aggression. The rest of their qualities seemed very different than each other.

"Hey!" I literally jumped at the whisper which came from my left side. It was Samrat!

"Hey.. " I tried to smile covering up my bewildered looks, But he obviously cought the frightened side of me and he gave an awkward smile.

"relax! Its just me..", He said softly.

God!! Sometimes I would act like the most coward person in the world. I mean I could scream the hell out of me just by a mere sight of a cockroach. I avoided going in dark places alone. In my whole life I watched only one freaky movie ' "The sixth sence", and spent the next 2 days wondering if I'm dead or alive.

But today I broke all my records! His soft whisper made me jump..! Great..!

"Ahmm.. are you afraid of me?" His question made me come out of my reverie.

"Why.. Noo.. Ofcourse not!..It was just unexpected to me.. that's why.." I tried to explain.

"Well, that's good. Because you are the first girl, who was standing beside me for a whole minute without a single word." He said cheekily. Wait a minute, is he hitting on me? I shook my head slightly in an attempt to throw away that weird thought of my mind.

"I'm sorry." I said looking down.

"Hey, don't say sorry.. I'm just joking. And I suppose you don't have any problem in looking at me. After all I'm not that ugly." He said playfully and I looked at him. His gaze was fixed at me and somehow it captured mine also. There was something in his eyes, something very intense.. that made his eyes special. Ugly?? He was beautiful, if I can use the word for a boy.. or should I say , he was handsome? Yes, he was the most handsome guy I ever saw. Not that I check every other member of male community. But somehow, he captured my attention. God!! Wats up with me? Gunjan! Turn your gaze.. Turn your gaze' but where?.. oh god!! For god's sake, look away'

With great difficulty I broke that eyelock. I wished that one of us disappears somewhere for I didn't want to look at him again. It was so awkward for me and for him too, for he also didn't speak again. What if he read my eyes, whatever I thought about him.

I scanned the crowd with the hope of finding Nupur and spotted her, standing with mayank in a corner. They were having a conversation. But after taking another look, I realized it hardly looked like a conversation, they were having an argument. By god Nupur!! When will she grow up.

"Hey look, they're doing it again..come.." Samrat said and started walking towards their directions.

"Hey Samrat!" I called him, and he again looked at me in my eyes. But this time I managed to control my mind, "I'm sorry for all this.. you know.. for everything nupur said." and I trailed off.

"sorry? For this" he pointed at Mayank-Nupur and I shook my head. "Gunjan, who said all those things?"

"Nupur.." I whispered.

"And whom did she addressed those things?" he asked softly.

"Mayank", I replied even more softly.

"Then why are you apologizing yar?" he said grinning.

Why did i..? I didn't know. I looked at him. He was looking at me with curiosity.

"Because I felt like saying sorry." I shrugged and walked towards the fighting twosome.

*samrat*

I was amazed to hear her answer. First time in my life I met a girl who apologized even when she was not at fault, just because she felt like doing that. I smiled to myself. She belonged to a different species, or maybe she was an angel. Well she looked like one.

We came near Mayank and nupur and she resolved their argument. They seemed quite tamed. Then they apologized to each other, shook their hands. And I was a passive onlooker of all these incidents. As if I didn't know both of them. I just knew the angel who was sorting their issues, and she had all my attention. She looked so beautiful.

"Sam!! Time to hit the dancefloor.." Benji, who disappeared a while ago suddenly emerged and said. Besides him was a girl, our classmate, holding his hand. So! Finally he got a date. "See ya there dude!" he said and disappeared again in the crowd.

"Wow!!" before I could say anything a scream came from nupur's side," that's so cool.. lets go..I love dancing" she said.

"Hey me too.. lets go." I said and we started moving towards the dancefloor . But not all of us. Gunjan stayed behind.

"Come on Gunjan",I turned to her and asked , but she shook her head negatively.

"I don't dance.", She said, "Please carry on."

For a second I thought of backing off and staying with her, but hey! Nupur was my date. I didn't want to make her feel bad. And I had to control these weird feelings I was getting about Gunjan. She proved to be the biggest distraction for me. Maybe this was the time, when I could focus Nupur instead of her and have some time with Nupur.

As we went on the dance floor, the DJ changed grooving beats changed to a slow number, on request.

Dil kyun yeh mera shor kare, dil kyun yeh mera shor kare
Idhar nahin udhar nahin
Teri ore chale

Ohh! For god's sake.. not this song.. I thought, while my eyes already started searching her.

Dil kyun yeh mera shor kare
Idhar nahin udhar nahin
Teri ore chale

The girl in my arms,Nupur, was equally stunning, beautiful. But still my heart was seeking her. My body was in coordination with Nupur, on the dancefloor. But my mind was with her.

Zara der mein yeh kya ho gaya
Nazar milte hi kahan kho gaya
Zara der mein yeh kya ho gaya
Nazar milte hi kahan kho gaya
Bheed mein logon ki woh hai wahan
Aur pyaar ke mele mein akela itna hoon main yahan

It was a perfect song for my situation. I was here dancing with this beautiful lady, and she was there sitting on a corner table alone. And still I felt that I'm the loneliest person in this world without her. was it just attraction? I needed to find out what was it.

Partners changed and Nupur went to mayank who was dancing beside us. I excused myself from my new partner and walked towards her table. But to my surprise, she was not there. I looked around, she was talking on her cell. She looked so happy. Who was it? I moved a little close.

"Ohho, I'll take care of myself. Don't worry.." she continued without noticing my presence.

"ya.. ya.. ok baba.. oh.. now don't start it again.." she pouted. I realized that I was evasdropping her conversation, but I couldn't help it. I was just too curious.

"Ok.. Bye good night.. love you too.." She said and ended her conversation. But my heart sank by the last few words she said. She turned to find me standing a few feet away, and she jumped with fear just as she jumped before.

"Oh you..! you really scared me." She gulped and said sighing heavily.

"Boyfriend?" was only word I could say. It sounded like a plain word rather than a question.

"What?.. oh .. no no.. IT was my bhai..!" she answered , much to my relief. And I was smiling again.

"So you don't dance..?" I asked and watched her playing with her cell. She slided the screen of her cell again and again and cleaned it with her thumb by rubbing it, as if it was alladin's chirag.

"No." She said looking down.

"Why?"

"Because I never did."

"Don't tell me you never danced in your whole life." I said with surprise.

"No.. I mean I danced, but when I was in kindergarten. Not after that." She said innocently.

"And why is so?" I asked, snatching her cell from her hands. The way she was sliding its screen, it could break in two pieces soon.

"That is because, I'm a bad dancer." She said taking the cell back from my hand and gave me a flaunting smile. Now that was a million dollar smile.

"Let's Find out!" I forwarded my hands towards her. for a moments she looked at it blankly.

"Oh.. No.. thanks . I'm a really bad dancer." She said as she realized my motive.

"Come on gunjan.. you need to try this." And I grabbed her hand and took her on dancefloor. Another slow number was being played at this time.

Khuda Jaane Ke.. Mein Fidaa Hoon

Khuda Jaane Ke.. Mein Mit Gaya..

Khuda Jaane Yeh Kyun Hua Hai Ke Ban Gaye Ho Tum Mere Khuda..

We stood face to face and she gulped looking at me. I smiled at her.

"Samrat, this is my favorite song.. I don't want to remember any embarrassing moments when I'll listen this song next time.." she said and made a puppy face.

"Dancing with me is embarrassing for you?" I said with fake anger, and as I expected, it hit the right chord.

"hey, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean that.. I was just.." she stopped as I rolled my eyes and gave in,"Ok, leave it. But don't blame me if I stamp on your foot." She said and we broke in a chuckle.

*Gunjan*

He was instructing me about where to place the hands, how to stand, how to move the legs and how to follow the beats. But I couldn't get all of those things. Still I tried to follow him sincerely. He was a good instructer. He will make a good choreographer.. I thought.

"And lastly, for a good coordination, you should trust your partner completely." He said me pushing me away from him, and with a jerk I was pulled back again, " So trust me", he said catching me in his arms, "I wont let you fall."

I looked at his eyes. They were reflecting the same intensity I saw sometime back. And I trusted him.

Tu kahe to tere hi kadam ke
main nishanon pe
Chalun rukun ishaare pe
Tu kahe tho khwabon ka bana ke
Main bahana sa

Mila karu sirhaane pe

Tum se dil ki baatein seekhi
Tum se hi yeh raahe seekhi
Tum pe marr ke mein tho
Jjee gaya

Khuda Jaane ke mein fida hun
Khuda Jaane mein mit gaya
Khuda jaane yeh kyun huwa hai
Ke ban gaye ho tum mere khuda

The rest of the night was in blur for me.. I wanted to live only these moments, this dance.. In his arms.

Oh my god, I was in his arms.. I was just so close to him. Immediately moved a little back maintaining a safe distance. I looked around and found Nupur chatting with Mayank and Benji. Her eyes met with mine and she signaled me to see the watch. I took a shot at my wristwatch. It was 9.40PM! Time's up..!

*Samrat*

"Oh my god.. I need to go." She freed herself from my hold suddenly.

"you are going soo soon?" I was disappointed.

"Ya I have to..The rector will close the main gate at 10PM." She said in an alarming voice.

Not fair! I thought. I felt like spinning the earth backwards, till the time I saw her first time. But alas! I was not Rajanikant.

"wait na, I'll drop you girls.." I said in a hope to spend few more minutes with her. She turned back and smiled at me.

"No, we'll manage. Bye Samrat, it was nice meeting you." She said softly.

"bye" was all I could say. She literally ran towards Nupur,bid farewell to Benji and Mayank, then they made an exit from the party, and I stood there watching them go.

I could completely understand how 'Prince Charming' must have felt each time 'Cinderella' left him and ran towards her home at midnight. The only difference between him and me was, his Cinderella had those extra two hours..

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Chapter 3: You are running on my mind

It's like an obsession, an addiction
You keep on running straight across, straight across my mind
I'll never look away
It's like the sun has opened up my eyes
You're straight across my mind

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Thank god its Friday! I am really glad to realize it. I mean I don't like to sit in the boring classes all the day and pretend that I am paying attention, just so any of my teachers don't catch me off-guard. You know it's very tough to match people's expectations. And my teachers expect a lot from me, considering the fact that I have topped the class for consecutive 2 years. Well why not? I am so focused on my aim, my studies. Well I have been focused for two years and a half, but can't say the same about the past 1 week. Okay! Maybe since the valentine's day party! The dance, the magical dance.. His hands around me and his intense gaze on my face.

I thought about the day after Valentines day when he suddenly turned outside our Hostel to meet Diya (Well that was doubtful as he stared at me most of the time). It was our traditional day and we were playing the classic play of 'Devdas'. I wasn't very big fan of such events and Nupur and Diya had literally blackmailed me into participating. I don't know why I agreed but I somehow ended up with the part of 'Paro' and was dressed in a typical white Bengali saree. All the girls in my hostel showered compliments on me and said I was going to steal everyone's hearts, even if I didn't say a single dialog. But I thought they were being kind, and supportive.

And then just as I stepped out of my hostel room, I saw him standing in front of the hostel , chatting with Diya. He looked so handsome in the black button up shirt and blue jeans. He looked at me and from the look of his face, I knew he liked it. I froze there for a second before moving towards them. What the hell he was doing here?

"Hey I called samrat, I thought he'll give us a ride to college" Diya informed, reading my mind. She looked at him to say something. But he was lost, and speechless.

"Samrat!" Diya snapped him.

"Gunjan.. Umm.. U .. look like a bride" He had said hesitantly, and I had blushed like mad. How bold was he to say that!

I couldn't say a word after that. He couldn't stop stealing glances at me even as he drove us to our college. And the rosy red color never left my cheeks. And since then I am not able to stop thinking about him.

I don't understand why I'm so damn attracted to the guy who's supposed to date my best friend. Oh that's terrible. I feel terrible about thinking about him continuously for the past week. I feel terrible for having such a freaking low self-control , cause I'm not the type of girl who easily gets smitten by any random guy. But then again, he's not just some random guy. He has the most magical eyes I've ever seen, he looks heavenly in black.. so delicious... I blush thinking about him. And I feel terrible that he has the power of making me blush.

Helloo! I'm trying hard not falling for him, but I just can't help. I have never felt such kind of pull towards any member of male population and I never entertained the boys who were interested in me either. But this is just special case, maybe this is my first time and that's what makes it special. Huh..! I hope it's just a passing crush. Otherwise, If Nupur and Samrats relationship happens, I might end up with a heartbreak. Oh – no no, I have avoided this all the time. Love has no place in my life. It feels great to be in love initially, when you have those rosy glasses on. But eventually it leads to heartbreak, whatever the catalyst is! And I have seen the after effects of the heartbreak, Armaan bhai's struggle when he was on the verge of being an alcoholic after Anjali left him for his own best friend Atul. What have I learned from the said example, To avoid a heartbreak, avoid love.

Focus! I need to get back my focus. I need a lot of books, which will keep my tiny head busy like bee. Maybe I will work on the seminar I have to deliver at the end of the semester. And then read more books. I have to go to library.

"Gunjan!" Nupur yelled from the last bench, breaking my thought chain.

My friends are backbenchers! They also had forced me to sit with them initially in our first semester. But it didn't work out for me. First reason- my eyesight. Well I didn't like the idea of increasing the number of my specs. And secondly, they talked too much which left me distracted. I obviously didn't gave the second reason to them when I convinced them I had to sit in front rows. Initially they was not so happy about the idea, but as they realized that it was helpful for them as they never missed any notes, any notice about surprise tests when they sneaked out of the class using the back door of the class. Gosh, they were thankful that they at least had one geek in the group so they don't have trouble in submissions or exams. And I didn't mind either.

I looked around myself uncomfortably, just to realize that the class was over and people started moving out already. I rose from my bench grabbing my backpack slowly, and looked at my friend who approached me literally stomping all the way from last bench to where I was standing.

"I have been passing you the notes for the last one hour. You didn't replied a single one!" She exclaimed angrily. This was code-red! If Nupur was passing notes, then it was kind of emergency. But today I was too engrossed in Samrat's thoughts to pay attention to them or reply back. And she was visibly pissed off by that.

"What are you doing here? You said you will never attend Miss Monisha's classes again?" I asked her chuckling softly. Ms. Monisha was our Maths teacher, she was a tiny woman with a really strong and deep voice. From the looks , you could easily perceive her as a kindhearted woman, but she was the opposite of that. She was students worst nightmare. People called her Monster. And when Nupur had been in her class last time she had caught her red handed reading a film magazine. And after the public humiliation, she had sworn that she will never return to that class, even if she fails! The fact that she was in the class proved it was an emergency.

"I .. uh.. Samrat called." She said nervously and my heart raced at his mention.

"What did he say?" I asked tentatively.

"He wants to see me." She replied and I felt my heart sinking. So, he wasn't interested in me. I was a fool imagining all the things over the pats week. Well, wasn't that expected, considering the fact that Nupur was the one he was being set up with? I need to control my own freaking thoughts about him as soon as possible. I should be happy for Nupur, but I was not. And as I sensed she was also not totally comfortable with the idea. As I kept looking at her I realised she was waiting for my response.

"What did you say then?" I asked her as she traced her long hair with her fingers nervously.

"I didn't know what to say. I didn't expect him to call. I mean we were hardly together at the valentines day party! I figured he wasn't interested." she said looking at me intently. Did she think that I spent too much time with him that day? She should not get an idea that I'm interested in him, though I might be, actually.

"Well it seems he clearly IS interested in you dear!" I said animatedly, in an attempt to wipe any doubts in her mind, "Go ahead! Meet him."

"Really?" She smiled a bit. "Well then, he'll pick us up at 7 from our hostel."

"What??" I couldn't believe she said 'US'. Was she dragging me with her in this? "Nupur, I know you might be feeling nervous. And you want someone with you. But I won't be the third wheel tagging along!" I said desperately. What if I end up staring at him all the evening? No-no-no… I wouldn't give any chance to my friend, she was too quick to pick these things up. And besides, if she was really interested in him, I didn't want to be the reason for her to hold back.

"Oh bubbles! Grow up. What makes you think I need a company to face him? I am Nupur, I don't shy away from guys." She said confidently.

"Then why do you want to drag me along with you?"

"He will be with his friends. And I don't want to go alone"

"Take Diya with you!" Nupur narrowed her eyes when I said that.

"You know she's going out with RV tonight. "She said with a hint of irritation, "OH common, don't be a spoilsport! You know what, I was nervous because I knew you wouldn't listen to me. And I guessed right. You are well off with your books. But there's more to life than you think. But no. you don't want to let loose. You always have your own way." She said in one go. God I hate her. She always sounds like I'm an anti-social element. She probably didn't know that how the person she was supposed to date affected every ounce of me. Just two meetings and I was so shaken, I didn't want to see him anymore. At least not when I had no future with him. Wait! Was I thinking about a future with him? What was I thinking? I shook my head desperately in an attempt to shake him out of my head.

"You won't give up, would you?" I said looking at my best friend, as she smiled wickedly nodding her head, "Let's head up to hostel. We have two hours before he picks us up. And I need to eat something before we leave. You know I'm grumpy when I'm hungry" I said submissively as she clapped and hugged me excitedly.

"But I happen to love the grumpy version of you" She squealed as I shook my head at her comment.

I just hoped I could gain myself control back and try not to drool over the handsome face who had me wrapped up around his finger.

I was tapping my fingers over the stearing wheel when I heard Mayank clearing his throat, as if to gain my attention. I looked at him quizzically.

"What?"

"I have never seen you so nervous." He said in a matter-of-factly tone.

"I don't know what you are talking out." I said with a shrug. I was playing dumb to hide the fact that I was actually nervous like hell! I didn't know why but I never felt both nervous and excited around a girl before. She kinda messed with my ability to think straight.

"I know anybody can feel nervous when he's dating that girl, Nupur.." He said with a smug smile as benji chuckled on his joke,"But this is your own choice. You only called her, didn't you?" He said grinning widely now.

I wanted to tell him she was not the girl I was thinking about lately. It was her best friend, Gunjan, who was giving me a hard time for past few days. I mean I was a fun-loving, outgoing kind of person. I loved to party and hang out with friends. But lately, nothing could amuse me. The thoughts of her were so distracting I wasn't even able to concentrate on my studies. My mind was always filled with images of her, her eyes, her smile, her slow dancing with me , she dressed up in a saree like a bengoli bride. My lips must have been curled up cause mayank was looking at me with amusement.

"If you think Nupur's that horrible then why did you agreed to come today?" I asked narrowing my gaze at him.

"Well, that's because I might be handy in keeping her distracted arguing over some of her favourite sassy movies, and meanwhile you can share an eyelock with your gal, whats her name..?" He looked at benji who responded immediately, "Gunjan!"

I stared at them blankly.

"I.. um.. Why do you think…"I opened my mouth to protest but benji shut me up.

"Don't deny it Sam! I've seen you acting like a lunatic over the past week, and you have been miserable."

My friends are A.W.E.S.O.M.E! They figured it out on their own. I was a little pissed off at my own behaviour. I gave it away too quickly. But I was equally amused when I realised Mayank had mentioned her as 'My Gal'!

"So Mr Lunatic, this is your Full moons night." Mayank said grinning as his smile infected me too.

"Well, I guess today's Lunar eclipse.." Benji interrupted us as he pointed out in the direction of Diya's hostel. We followed his gaze and saw Nupur coming out of the hostel gate. I scanned for 'My gal' but she was nowhere to be seen. A wave of disappointment was sweeping over me slowly but I recovered myself and waved at Nupur, who was accompanied by a girl. I stepped out of my SUV to greet them as they crossed the road and walked to where I had parked it.

"Hey Nupur" I greeted her and gave the other girl a friendly smile, only to find her looking at me. My eyes still searched for her hoping that she might emerge from the hostel gate anytime soon.

"Hey Samrat!" Nupur said following my gaze and I forced my eyes back to focus on Nupur," This is Maria, my friend from hostel. I hope she can join us..?"

"Oh, yes! Totally." Benji said before I could say anything, and I just glared at him.

"Sure, hi maria! Meet my friend Benji and Mayank" I introduced them, and as they exchanged pleasantries, I lead them into the car. Nupur took the seat beside me when Benji mayank and Maria sat in back seat.

"So, how was your week, hectic?" She said with an amused smile. I wondered briefly about what was the reason she looked so amused.

"It was a blur.." I said taking a deep breath before starting the ignition and wondered why her friend didn't show up, "How was yours?"

"Nice!" She said and flaunted a smile. I smiled back. But I might have showed the wariness I was feeling because her next question caught me off guard.

"So you are not so happy to see me again?"

I heard Mayank chuckle in the back seat and Nupur turned to him.

"Excuse me Mr. IITian? Any problem there?" she growled literally.

"Nopes Ms. Chick-flick! I was just wondering what idiot on earth would dare to admit that question of yours" Mayank said with a crooked grin.

"Well you have been brutally honest last time we met. Why don't you answer that question." She looked irritated.

"Well I am happy to see you Ms chick-flick, to be honest. Because you don't look over the top today." He said checking her knee-length navy blue cotton dress out.

She opened her mouth to retort, but then closed as she realised it was a compliment, it was kinda weird. But it was coming from Mayank.

At that point I wasn't even sure if mayank was trying to distract her for my sake or he actually liked messing up with her. I realised if I don't interfere soon, they would continue their banter endlessly.

"Hey you look great Nupur." I said smiling at her. It was true. She looked stunning. And I saw my words reflected the look in Mayank's eyes. Interesting!

"Thanks Samrat!" She said while giving Mayank a look. A look that said that compliments should be given in a decent way. I smiled.

Maybe this evening would not be as bad as it felt initially. Nupur was a great girl. I was supposed to take her on a date. But I ended up asking her to come for a friendly outing. I specifically told her to bring her best friend Gunjan. How obvious could I make it for her. Maybe that was the reason she didn't come. Maybe she wasn't interested at all. But I remembered how she had turned red the last time when I complimented her. And the dance.. I have to find out. But first I have to find out whats going on in my friend Mayank's head. I thought while parking in front of Rustom's Grill.

Stupid, idiot, mad.. I cursed myself inwardly.

I was a fool to think that I had taken the right decision by not going out with him,..uh.. them!

I thought it would be easy to stay home and indulge myself in books so I don't have to see Samrat and Nupur together. And that's why I made up an excuse for not going out.

"What ?" Nupur said, "Oh.. no no no.. you cant do that to me. You said you were coming."

I sighed and explained, "Nupur, I don't feel okay. And I want some rest."

"But you were okay two hours back." She said accusingly," Why are you making up excuses?"

"I am not making excuses. I just don't want to come. "

"Why?"

"I have stomach pain"

"You were alright few hours back."

I sighed again. "Nupur, My chums are on. And I don't feel like going anywhere" I lied. But I knew the excuse of the monthly member never failed.

"Oh.. uh.. then should I call him and cancel it?" She said apologetically. I felt bad about ditching her.

"No! Why would you. Don't you want to meet him? Go take Ritu or Maria with you." I had suggested her and she took Maria with her.

I thought I will be well of with my books but I had been delusional. I couldn't help but think where they might have gone, what they might be doing. I tried reading, making coffee, watching movie on my laptop, but all had failed. My thoughts were still wandering around Samrat. I wanted to see him.

I sighed miserably and just then my mobile beeped.

'Bubbles, feelin Ok?'

It was from Nupur. I smiled that she was out with him and still texted me to check on me. I felt bad for ditching her.

'More than ok :-) njoying the night?' I typed.

My mobile beeped again.

'Good. V wl be back in sm tym.' I smiled and looked at the watch, it showed 9.15. She still had 45 minutes. My mobile beeped again after two minutes.

'Come out. We're out.' Her text was vague.

'Why? U come in' I texted back.

'Samrat's here 2 c u'

"What the hell?" I literally shouted. He came to check if I'm okay or not?

My heart skipped a bit. What do I do? I ran around the room frantically before stopping in front of mirror. I was wearing my red tank top, sweatpants and black shrug. I looked shabby. My hair were a mess. I need to change. I thought. Just then my mobile beeped again.

'Bubbles, cm soon!'

I looked at the watch. It was 9.30. I only had 30 minutes. It seems I don't get to change. I quickly combed my hair and straightened the creases off my sweat pants. I looked at my reflection in mirror and sighed. Well for what it was worth for, I certainly looked like a patient.

As I stepped out of the hostel and saw them standing across the road, I forgot all the apprehensions I had about my looks. He was chatting happily with Nupur when he spotted me and waved at me. I crossed the road in a jiffy and reached them. While I greated all of them, I felt samrats eyes were fixed at me all the time, which made me blush a little.

"Where's Maria?" I aksed Nupur.

"In her room.. " she motioned towards hostel," she took leave as soon as we reached here, she had some assignment to complete. And you don't realise it , but you took 10 minutes to come out." Nupur pouted, "Were you sleeping, bubbles?" she asked in concern.

"Uh.. no.. I was lying down" I lied for the second time.

"Nupur told us you were not feeling well" He said studying y face, "you look tired"

"I feel better now." I said looking at him. And I actually felt better looking at him.

"What happened?" he said with concern, which pleased me a lot.

"Um.. its nothing , I'm okay now." I said uncomfortably,"how was your evening?"

"It was good" He said but his eyes said otherwise.

"Hows your stomach-ache" Nupur said. Didn't she know we were not supposed to refer stomach-ache in front of boys! Well, for one, they might figure its related to MC periods, and that's embarrassing. And if not, they might assume its related to stomach infection, leading to loose motions, and that was gross to discuss with a guy, when you are so attracted to said person so much. I huffed and gave her a look. Samrat, however, had not missed the look. I wonder if he was repelled by that idea.

"you know what, if your stomach is upset, you should eat ice-cream." I was totally thrown off guard by his comment, but he continued, "Seriously, I do it whenever my stomach is upset. And we have 'Natural's' here.." He said seriously motioning towards the ice-cream shop on the right of our hostel. I smiled and realised he was not repelled by it. In fact he was discussing his own experiences and sharing tips.

"Great then, we'll buy the icecream." Mayank said, signalling benji to come with him.

"Wait, I will also come" Nupur said and followed them.

The way they all left was a little suspicious, but I didn't mind it, as that meant I got to spend next few minutes of his undivided attention.

"So.." he said and I looked at him. "How have you been?"

I looked in his eyes. He was looking at me intently. I knew he wanted to ask me how had I been for the last week.

"Good." I said briefly, not knowing what to say. Great! For the whole evening I wished I could see him, talk to him. And now here he was in front of me and I didn't know what to say. And to add further, I was too shy to look at him, that I chose to stare at my toenail.

"Well, I have to admit, you look damn pretty to be a patient." He confessed sincerely.

I stared at him. He was crazy or what? I was standing in front of this man in my night wear, with puffy eyes and messy hair and he says I'm pretty. But the way he looked at me left me with no doubt that he meant what he said.

I gave the most natural reaction to his words- blushed, looking everywhere but him!

"And now you look even better, all paleness gone!" He commented smirking, hinting at my rosy cheeks.

I was saved as I noticed our friends were back with ice-cream. For the rest of the time I didn't have the courage to say anything, or looked at him, as I felt his intense gaze never left my face.

Hello friends,

So what do you think about this FF ? Want me to continue? Be generous and comment if you enjoyed and want to read more….😃

Ofcourse i know i have given quite a lot of material to you, so i will wait patiently to get feedback from you guys.😳

Regards,

Amy😊

Fabulous concept !!👏 Just read Prologue n 1st Chapter...n I must say this story is so interesting...I'll definitely read rest parts of this story...Please do continue...Thanks for the PM.

Joseph.

Wooow.. Really awesome..👏

big resss , will reply back after reading it 😃😃

Wow woww great start of this ff..d prolouge and the3 chapters were awesome.👏.i ws totally engrossed while reading this.its so sajanish...😳.ur really an amazing writer,..just love this concept..plz do continue soon..would love 2 read ahead..and thanx 4 d pm..:)