SaJan OS : *A Second Chance*

The next morning Samrat decided to go to office. He couldn't sit at home all day and he felt inferior to Gunjan since she was all busy-busy and he was always free. His dad almost got a heart attack when he told him he was coming to office. His mother dropped the puja ka thali and Samrat had just laughed and shaken his head. He got dressed and left for office. It took him all day to understand the work and the management work he would be given in the beginning. Samrat was actually working hard when his phone rang. He picked it up without seeing who the caller was, "Hello." He said in his very professional voice. "How about we do yesterday's dinner today?" Gunjan said in her chirpy voice. A smile spread over Samrat's mouth and his face lit up. But then very gently he said, "Today?" as if checking his schedule. "Yes Samrat, and you can't say you are busy!" she said laughing a little. "Okay. I'll pick you up at 8!" he said with a smile. "So where are we going?" she asked. "You'll see." He said. He could picture her smile. "See you!" she said. E replied likewise and they kept the phone.

Samrat smiled. He smiled more, and more. He was finally getting a second chance. She didn't hate him and she obviously wanted to go out with him. This was good news! Even after a day's hard work Samrat was more energetic than ever! He was ecstatic about meeting Gunjan tonight. He could only think about her. Obviously, after the phone call no work was done at office. All he could think of was what to wear!

Samrat picked out his favourite suit and a red tie. Gunjan loved red. He sprayed perfume like he was a teenager and he sat in his dad's Mercedes and drove off. He reached Gunjan's apartment at 7:50. Not wanting to be early he waiting around the corner before going inside the building. Only when it struck 8 did Samrat start the car. His heart beat was just racing and his hands were becoming sweaty. He looked at himself for a last time in the mirror before giving her a call.

Gunjan came down faster than he had expected, as if she was waiting for him. She wore a black dress, which was long and sleeveless. She looked drop dead gorgeous and Samrat gazed at her perfectness like forever when she said "hey! Now will you tell me where we are going?" 'You'll know the answer if you've asked yourself where I could take you.' He said to himself and then actually said, "Wait and watch!" After that, awkward silence returned. Gunjan looked outside and Samrat looked at the road. Both wondered what to talk about when he finally switched on the music.

"Oh I swear to you, I'll be there for you,

This is not a drive by…."

Samrat smiled a little. 'That was apt.' His grin faded when Gunjan looked at him. She was probably remembering how Samrat left her. Samrat changed the song uncomfortably. After driving for a long time, they were finally there. Samrat was a perfect gentleman. He opened the door for Gunjan, helped her out and walked her inside. A wide smile was playing on Gunjan's lips as she saw the place. It had been so long since either of them had come here. This was where they went for their first date. Gunjan blushed slowly remembering the night. It was indeed "China Bowl." Gunjan loved Chinese food. Samrat hadn't forgotten, how could he.

"So, the usual?" Samrat asked Gunjan as they took their seat. "Do you even remember what the 'usual' is?" she asked. "How can I forget? It's Manchow Soup with Dim sums and then Chilly Garlic Noodles with Devil's Choice!" Samrat said. Gunjan looked bewildered. Samrat smiled looking at her amazement. They ordered their food and then came the moment of truth. Samrat wanted to apologize. He didn't know how to begin, where to begin. "Gunjan, I'm sorry." He said looking down. Gunjan's smile faded and she looked away. "Samrat, not now…" she said softly. "its not the right time…" "It never is Gunjan! It never will be. I had regretted saying all that the minute I left the room but I didn't because I was angry and it was not the right time! Then later, the next day I thought of apologizing but you wouldn't talk to me. Remember what you told me the one time I tried talking to you? That 'not now Samrat, not now.' I didn't tell you then and I couldn't tell you all this while, but now, it is time. It is high time I apologize." Samrat said in one breathe. Gunjan didn't say anything. She just looked around awkwardly trying to keep her tears from brimming.

"I am sorry Gunjan, for everything, for hurting you, for ruining senior year for you, for changing you." He said. "Changing me?" Gunjan said, "You didn't change me Samrat, I changed me. I had to. After college I was so vulnerable. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I had always thought of my future with you! You weren't there any more. I didn't know what to do." She said, her voice cracking up a little bit. "I had to be strong, I had to change. You did nothing to change me! I did." She said defiantly. Samrat just listened to her. There was anger, spite and sadness in her voice. She was still hurt but wouldn't admit it. She did have to change because of him but she just wouldn't say it. Samrat tried to compose himself before saying anything. He didn't want this to end badly. "Gunjan, you…have always…always done the right thing, for you and for me. It was wrong on my part to judge you. You had had some bad experiences and you were infamous in college but I loved you for who you really were, always." He said calmly. He could see Gunjan calm down too. He put his hand on hers and was about to say something when the waiter arrived with the starters. Samrat was forced to remove his hands and the food was served.

There was pin drop silence at the table and they both ate dim sums and drank soup. Gunjan was trying to calm herself while Samrat was thinking of something to change the subject. "Do you remember when we first came here?" Gunjan said. Samrat was surprised on her change of mood. She threw a weak smile at Samrat and said, "I was so nervous. You were always the perfect man. You had been a perfect gentleman and I was smitten by your gorgeousness," she said slightly embarrassed, "You were so chilled out that day. You got me to this restaurant and made small talk. You asked me to dance, you called for desert, you made me comfortable, I was so happy to be with you." She said almost whispering. Samrat smiled slowly, he was nervous too, he was just acting cool, like all blokes do. He had ordered desert because all through out main course he was so busy talking and trying to make her comfortable that he had not eaten properly. He had been a gentleman all night because of the article he read on first dates. It had all worked out perfectly, she still remembered that day. "I was happy too. That night I was so happy to be back from the tournament, I just wanted to hug you and sleep, but when I saw those pills, I was frightened, thwarted. I didn't think before reacting. I was insecure. I am so so sorry Guns! I never meant to hurt you!" "And yet you broke up with me. Yet you didn't come and say sorry. I was waiting Samrat, even on the last day of college I waited for you. But you never came!" she said explaining her side. "I wish I had," he said. Gunjan took a deep breath and said, "Anyway, that's all in the past. Let's just speak about something else!" "Alright, let's talk about your friend, Rajeev!" Samrat said. Gunjan laughed a little. 'Am I so transparently jealous?' "Where did he take you?" Samrat asked. "He took me to La Belle, Taj" Gunjan said. 'The most expensive restaurant in Mumbai, great move.' "But you hate sushi!" Samrat said. "Yes, I did, but I had to eat it anyway. He seemed to love it though!" Gunjan said with a small frown. Samrat laughed this time. 'So she is having more fun with you then! One point to me.' He thought.

The entres were brought in next and then the desert. Samrat made sure everything was according to how Gunjan liked it. The closed walls were opening and the silence was turning into chatter and conversations. The distance started to lessen and the heart came closer again. It was like these three years never happened.

As Samrat dropped Gunjan home, she said, "I had a great time, I would love to do it again!" "And this time we go for Indian food, my choice!" "Yes! Sure." Samrat smiled. "Samrat," she said slowly, "Whatever happened, its okay. I forgive you. It wasn't entirely your fault, so I'm sorry too. A relationship works from both ways and so does a phone, so next time don't wait before calling, you can call me whenever you want!"

Samrat smiled widely and watched her enter the building. There it was. His life was set again. He was happy, she was happy, everyone was happy.

We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

Love isn't difficult, what's difficult is not letting ego and selfishness come between love. That ruins the relationship. Love is bliss, one can destroy love or create love, Laws of Conservation of energy doesn't imply!

Res!

Manji?? :O

-Edited.

Aren't we seeing each other on IF after a REALLY long time?!
My god. 😃

Anyway coming to your OS,
It was LOVE.<3

I really , really loved it.
An amazing idea, put well through words. :)
Apt on SaJan, completely.

wowwiiee manji..awesome update
i loved it..
Mera bas chale toh i tell u to make a ff out of this..
But it ll be asking for too much u suppose..
all in all amaaazing os
just loved it
enjoyed it evn more than the prev one :)
great job
loved every bit of convo sajan had..

Originally posted by: AttractiveAdya

Res!

Manji?? :O

yep, its me 😃

Fab..Fab..Fab..!
Thank u so much 4 d 2nd part.I 'LOVE' ur writing style.it's Outstanding.A perfect ending of this OS.it was just WOW!ur writing makes me greedy;)Great Job,keep it up.:)
P.S:Plz update Sajan love Saga.

Originally posted by: blue_jay

Thanx for this 2nd part of your previous OS Manjari... It was just perfect...

Ok, I just read the 1st part and kinda disheartened, me thought you have ended it there 😆

But it was awesome... All the past MU cleared up and SAJAN starting afresh... The dinner date was beautiful...

Thank you so much ! Im glad you enjoyed it 😃😳

Originally posted by: MoNayaHolicPrag

wowwiiee manji..awesome update
i loved it..
Mera bas chale toh i tell u to make a ff out of this..
But it ll be asking for too much u suppose..
all in all amaaazing os
just loved it
enjoyed it evn more than the prev one :)
great job
loved every bit of convo sajan had..

waiting for more work from ur side:) seriously :D

hey pragya 🤗