Here's the Chapter 8. Hope you like it.
Chapter 8
Do We Fall In Love Only Once?
Gunjan sat in the front seat, completely lost in the completely played in the speakers. Oblivious to her surroundings including the jokes cracked by Samrat, who drove the car.
Raindrops pattered on the windows. A chill ran down her spine each time the lyrics of the melody touched her heart.
O re manwa tu toh bawra hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai bawre
Kyun dikhaye sapne tu sote jaagte
Jo barse sapne boondein boondein
Nainon ko moondein moondein
Kaise main chalun dekh naa sakun
Anjaane raastein
Gunja sa hai koi iktara iktara
Gunja sa hai koi iktara (2)
Dheeme bole koi iktara iktara
Dheeme bole koi iktara
Gunja sa hai koi iktara iktara
Gunja sa hai koi iktara
Sunn rahi hoon sud-budhh kho ke
Koi main kahani
Poori kahani hai kya kise hai pata
Main toh kisi ki hoke yeh bhi naa jaani
Rut hai yeh do pal kii ya rahegi sadaa
Kise hai pata
Kise hai pata
Jo barse ...
(The meaning of the lines is-
Really my mind is a mad fellow. I dunno why such crazy thoughts come to it. Making me have dreams that keep on crashing. Yet night and day I think of those dreams only.
Now these rain drops bring back those very dreams whenever I close my eyes. Oh God! I can't see anything, I have lost my way and how will I tread these unknown paths.
An Iktara plays far away to guide me. Playing sweetly and softly.
With utmost concentration I am listening to my life-like story. But what happens next that nobody knows.
I fell for someone without even knowing that whether this season called love is a thing of a coupke moments or would it stay forever.
This nobody really knows.)
Gunjan's POV
OMG! This song seems to be tailor-made for me. It actually mirrors my situation. Don't I keep harbouring futile dreams about Samrat. If it isn't craziness then what is it? Yet this mind never ceases to dream about his love.
These rains are so wicked. Always bring me deep inside the world of his thoughts. I am really lost. Dunno where to go.
I too need an Iktara to show me the right path.
I don't know what lies in my future but I do cherish whatever life has given me. But my love for Samrat? Is it temporary or would it stay forever?
Nobody knows that including me. I don't know whether I will fall in love again or not. Really no one is aware about it. People say that we fall in love only once. Is it true? Dunno.
Maybe I need the Iktara to get me enlightened.
But wait. What does Samrat feel? Will nature's law apply to him too? Which means he can't fall in love again. With me or anyone else.
Would it be right on my part to reveal my feelings to him? What if he feels offended? Would he leave me? No. I can't lose him at any cost. I won't tell him.
Thus, she took a deep breath. And decided against telling it. In contrast to what she had promised to her Di last night.
"Chashmish."
"Huh!"
"I think you went into a deep sleep. Was it this tiring today?"
"Huh.. umm.. no. I was thinking something."
"Were you thinking about ..." he leaned towards her.
"... me?"
"What ... are you saying... S-Samrat?" His closeness made her too conscious.
"Are you falling for me?" Gunjan gasped at this.
"OMG! Chashmish, your face. It was a treat." Samrat burst out into laughter as Gunjan looked at him all shell-shocked as she tried to hide her blushing face.
"Samrat!" she whined and glared at him.
"Chashmish!" he flashed a wide grin.
"It's been a long time since I cracked a joke." His face changed automatically this time.
"Samrat. It's been nearly two months yet you are not keeping your promise. You promised me that you'll not go over your past. Then why again at it? As much as I knew you, you always lived in your present, right? So why change? Now, come on, smile. "
He smiled.
"See, that's what you are. Now don't only live in your present, think about your future too."
"Okay, Ma'am, I will keep that in mind." He spoke animatedly.
"Samrat!" She frowned.
"Samraat!" He imitated her.
"Kabhi toh serious ho jao." Both laughed this time.
******
They sat at the shore as the waves hit their feets and swept away the sand beneath them. When suddenly he spoke.
"I'm in love."
"Huh!"
He leaned forward as he whispered.
"Yes, I'm in love."
She looked baffled.
'Is he serious?' She wondered.
"With this place, Chashmish. What did you think?"
"Please Samrat. Be serious. If you don't wish to say, then it's okay. I'm leaving."
She stood up to leave as something held her back. It was him.
"Yes. I love someone. And I'm not joking." His voice confirmed it.
"Who is she? Do I know her?"
"No, I don't think that you know her."
"Does she love you too?"
"I dunno, Chashmish. But whenever I look into her eyes, I can feel her love. You know what, I have never felt like this before with any girl. Not even Sheena. It's this girl for which my feelings are very intense."
"You never loved Sheena?" Gunjan asked with much difficulty as her throat went dry.
"No. It was never love. Just an attraction. But this girl? She is everything to me. And I mean it. Love is what I feel for her but none."
'He is not joking.' She realised.
"But who is she? Tell me her name at least."
"Sorry, Chashmish. But that's a secret. And I expect you to purse your lips about it. Well .. you can tell Nupur if you want to but not to anyone else. Okay. Deal?" He stretched out his hand with his fist.
"O-okay.. Deal .." She gave in.
But this wasn't the end.
"Actually, Chashmish. I wanted to tell you long back but was waiting for the right moment. I'm glad that you asked me this question. Really, you're a mind reader. And by the way, you're going to help you with this thing. And I can't hear a no, you know that."
"But Samrat..."
"No ifs and buts. You've got to help me."
"But Samrat .. How will I help, when I don't even know her name? And since when I became your love guru, eh? I think that was your job back in college."
"Sorry. What to do? Things have changed and I need your help. Truth to be spoken, this girl is very much like you, so it's obvious that you can help me."
"No. I am not your date planner. I have told you that before."
"Chashmish, please."
"Samrat, no."
"Please."
"No." She stormed off to the place where his Mercedes was parked.
******
"Chashmish, please. Please help me. Last time, really."
'Yes, it will be the last time. After tjat he would be someone else's. Why don't I help him this last time. At least he will be happy with his love and I will be happy in his happiness.'
"Okay. We will talk about it later."
"Thanks, Chashmish. I hope you're not angry with me."
"No. I am not. I am happy for you."
"Oh. Thank heavens. See, we reached at your place too." He drew up the car at the portico.
She came out of the car and bade him goodbye.
"Bye and Goodnight, Samrat."
"Goodnight, Chashmish. See you."
"See you."
She started for the door.
Samrat looked towards her direction.
'Please turn once, Chashmish. Come on, just once.'
At this, Gunjan turned and waved at him as if she could hear him calling her. He too waved a goodbye to her.
After she was gone, Samrat looked up to the sky.
"Dude. Thanks for bringing this angel in my life. I hope all goes well."
Then he looked towards the window of her room.
"Chashmish. Thanks for turning. See you soon."
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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