We Fall in Love Only Once (A SaJan FF) Chapter 10 Pg 36 - Page 15

Chapter 6

Heightened Emotions

First day was over. All work done. Gunjan stood alone waiting for Dia to come. It was pitch dark outside, with a clear sky above. The street lamps glowed bright as last of the workers were leaving for their homes.

Some minutes passed away. All were gone. Not a single soul to be seen.

Where is Dia?' she wondered and started to walk towards the bus stop.

Honk-Honk.

She heard the honking of a car. She turned.

Samrat signalled her to come with him. She shook her head and said a no. But he insisted. She couldn't resist and complied. He came out of the car and opened her side of the door, as she proceeded to sit. He went to the driver's seat and started the car. They hit the streets soon.

Silence was the only thing between them now. No words, no sounds. Only their eyes were doing the talk.

Suddenly, the car stopped. No, he stopped it.

Samrat turned to Gunjan, who was panicked. He leaned forward and hugged her tight.

"I missed you, Chashmish. I really missed you. Why did you have to leave me?"

She was taken aback by this sudden move of his but hugged him back too. She could feel his grief.

"I am sorry, Samrat. I am really sorry. I didn't know that Sheena ..." she couldn't say any further.

But he wasn't listening to her. He was lost in her arms, clinging on to her as if she were his lifeline, not ready to leave her at any cost.

"Samrat ..."

"Huh ... Oh ... Sorry," he apologized as he finally left her.

"Samrat ... What all happened to you? You had to bear so much and I wasn't there for you. It is I, who should be sorry, not you. I am sorry that I left you like this. Alone ..."

"No, Chashmish. You don't have to. Just don't have to". He hugged her again. This time a bit relaxed.

"But Samrat ..." she whispered.

"Don't say anything. Just keep quiet for a while." He commanded.

She didn't say a word as he held her close.

******

The waves came and retreated with a rhythmic poise. Cool breeze hit against their faces as they sat at peace on Marine Drive.

Gunjan could feel him being at ease after so long. A glimpse of contentment after years of torment was glowing on his face.

"Samrat!"

"Hmmm ..."

"I am sorry about your family. I didn't know about that too."

"It's okay. You needn't be sorry. It was my bad luck, I guess. But it's okay. Now they're with me. I am fine." His voice had a streak of sarcasm.

"Samrat! I understand that your parents were at fault but that doesn't mean you'll talk like that. Family is important for everyone, so it is for you. Don't worry, everything is going to be fine." She rested her hand on his hand.

"Chashmish! I wish that were true. But it's never going to be. I hate my dad. I don't like my mom either."

"And Suhani? What's her fault?"

"No. I don't hate her. I love her with whole of my heart. She is the one who suffered the most. Why will I hate her?"

"Hmmm ... you shouldn't also. But Samrat, your parents ..."

"I don't care about them. The only ones who matter in my life are Suhaani and you. Don't bring this topic ever. I don't wish to hear about them."

He held her by the shoulders so tight that it hurt her. But this pain was nothing in front of what she could see in his eyes at present. She cupped his face.

"Samrat, I assure you that I won't leave you again. And I am happy for Suhaani, that she got back her brother. But do hear the side of your parents. There's always two sides of a story."

Samrat couldn't argue any further. He just nodded and left her shoulder.

'The situation needs to be lightened up.' Thought Gunjan.

"You didn't tell me that you're a Shergill. I mean, the Shergill."

"Chashmish, I didn't need to."

"What you didn't need to? Eh? All your life, you said that you were Samrat Sehgal and now only I come to know that I was friends with a Shergill." She had an imp of mischief in her eyes.

"Very unfair." She added with a pout.

"Okay. Okay. I am sorry, okay. Here, I hold my ears. Okay?" Saying so he held his ears.

"Hmmm... Okay. Forgiven but you've to tell me the reason. Now." She commanded with a grin.

"Okay, my dear Chashmish. Your command is accepted. Actually, I am the sole heir to Dad's business empires and he had many rivals, who might have harmed him or me in some way. So I had to adopt the fake surname Sehgal' for security reasons. Fine. I hope that helps."

"Better."

"Now, will you tell me what all you did these years? Or that also you don't know? I didn't know, Samrat, I am really sorry ... ha ha ha ... You sound so melodramatic ... Have you also started watching movies like Nupur, eh?"

"Samrat!!!!" She whined and started for him as he sprang up and ran.

Thus the moon and the sea witnessed the sweet camaraderie of these old friends who had met after years. However, they were unknown to the game of fate.