Here's the Chapter 10. Hope you like it.
Chapter 10
Conflicting Notions
Gunjan woke up as she heard some noises near the window. She saw a shadow lurking around there.
'Must be Samrat. Why can't he use the door? Let me help him get in.'
She went there and helped him get in. His face, now clearly visible in the lights of her bedroom, came to her notice. She got terrified for a moment.
''You? Again? What on earth brings you here?'' Gunjan asked him, tensed and anxious.
''Can't I come to see you also, Milady? All I wish is to see your face first in the morning all my life.''
Gunjan felt a blush creep in on her face much to her own shock and his amusement.
He took her hands in his. His gaze stuck at her eyes. She could feel them gazing at her.
''And your eyes ... So much of innocence. And so deep that I would happily be drowned in them till eternity, my pretty lady.'' He added while coming close to her.
Her heart kept beating quite erratically. She might have skipped a beat or two.
'What's this? Why do those brown eyes draw me in? What lies in them? Why my heart's not listening to my mind? Feels like history's being repeated. Gunjan, remember? You love Samrat. Then why think like this about Zorro?'
But her heart didn't listen.
He came near. His hands drew her close to him. She naturally went into his arms as if she belonged there. Their eyes were locked into each other's. With no one around, it seemed they were the only two present there and none. His gaze went down to her lips. Which she could feel as well. She closed her eyes surrendering herself as he drew her so close, leaving no scope for any space between them. Their faces came near, his eyes closed now. Their lips touched each other in the gentlest way. A feathery touch. So magical. So pure. Love's warmth had spread inside their minds, bodies and souls as they were lost in this divine feeling. Slowly, they parted. Both stood silent, shy. She blushed heavily. He smiled faintly.
''Gunjan! Gunjan! Gunjan wake up. It's 8. You never sleep this late.''
******
Gunjan sat on her bed. Surprised and shocked. Blushing red like a tomato.
She had dreamt of him. Again. It's been a week since she met him. But she saw this dream for the tenth time.
Nupur sat next to her, observing her. She knew there was something which bothered her sister.
''Gunjan. I know that you wish to share something with me. Shoot.''
''Di, it's the same dream. Though a bit lengthy than the previous ones. And weird too.''
''Uh-hmm. Okay. What did you see?''
''I saw him. He and I ... We ... We shared a kiss! And that's weird.''
''OMG! Gunjan! You kissed? Oh I am so excited. You don't know how much happy I am for you. And ...''
''Di! Control yourself. You're getting me wrong I guess.
'It's only a dream, Gunjan. And what's so weird in a kiss?'' Nupur found it very difficult to stop herself from laughing.
''Di! Stop laughing. This is serious. I have loved Samrat only. Then why this? And that ...'' Her mind went to the last action.
''Offo, Gunjan. Where is it written that you can't fall for someone else. Come on, Samrat has also moved on. You should move on as well. And I think this mystery guy must be very romantic. If I weren't with Mayank then I would have definitely fallen for him. I am so jealous of you.''
''Not only you, Nupur. Count me in.'' Dia came in.
''Dia, now you don't start again. How many times will I tell you two that I don't feel anything like that for him.'' Gunjan was irritated.
''Oh come on Doll! Nupur is right. You should give yourself and that guy a chance. Who knows he might be the right one. Oh God! It sounds so exciting. Wow.''
Gunjan silently watched her sisters discussing about making Zorro their 'jija'. She shook her head.
'They will never change. Stuck in their romantic notions of love. How will they when they have got their love. But I? Am I ready for this? Is it right if I think of him in that light? No, I think. I have loved Samrat and none. And love only happens once. Then why bother about this lover boy?'
'' 'Coz there's some spark between you. Give him a chance, no. If love's coming to you, then don't stop. Let it come. Leave the rest on Him.'' Dia read her mind it seemed.
''Yeah. Dia is right. Why are you still stuck on one person? Be selfish. Think about yourself too. So no more arguments. You're going to date this mystery guy. But yes, one thing. Please ask him his name. We two had to toil a lot to know his name. I hope you get it easily.'' She giggled. Dia joined her too.
Gunjan got angry. Very angry. She stood up to give them a nice beating as the duo realised it late. They ran as fast they could with Gunjan on their heels. They went downstairs to the hall when they saw a guy. And they all came crashing much to his amusement. He stopped smiling and helped them get up.
Dia couldn't recall who he was. But something did ring in the minds of the other two.
''Champu! Champu. Oh My God! When did you come?''
The guy also seemed happy. He came forward to hug the two.
The three got lost with their conversations. However, their attention went to someone grumbling. Dia stood there, feeling left out.
Gunjan realised the folly.
''Sorry. Sorry, Dia. Let me introduce you. Champu. This is Dia, my cousin. Dia. Champu. My best friend.'' Gunjan beamed.
''Champu? That's weird! '' Dia exclaimed.
''Arre, yaar. Gunjan, tum bhi naa. Yeah, that's weird coz that's a nickname given by her. My name's Neil. Neil Oberoi.''
''Oh. Oh. You are 'the Neil Oberoi'?''
''Yeah. Don't know about 'the' but I'm Neil Oberoi.'' He replied smilingly.
''OMG! No wonder I thought I knew you. Wasn't able to recollect the name. Sorry.''
''It's okay. Such trivial things often happen in big countries, Milady.'' He said taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on it.
Nupur was highly impressed. He just used SRK's dialogue. But Gunjan got stuck at the last word.
Milady.
'Zorro.'
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