Samrat was almost done with his work when he heard a knock on his door.. He didnt feel like turning around so he said, "Gunjan.. Since when do you knock on the door?" Mamiji came inside, "But I do." She said. Samrat stood up and smiled at his mami. He touched her feet and hugged her. "Samrat Shergill in casual clothes!" Mamiji said mocking at him.. "What should I do Mamiji? Orders from Gunjan.." he said sighing. "You look good! But if your uncomfortable .." "No No.. Gunjan spent an hour shopping for me! She would feel bad if I didnt wear them!" Mamiji nodded. "Aap yaha?" he asked. "I just wanted to speak with you.. its been so long since I saw you beta!" she said. "How are you Mamiji?" he asked. "I am fine. You tell me ? How are you doing. Gunjan tells me you plan to work on Sundays as well!" she said. "Why do you work so much!!" she added. "Mamiji.. you know why I am doing all this.." he sighed, "And I started working on Sundays now because of the upcoming tender.. This one is really important!" he said. "Isn't it always?" she said. "Or is it something else?" she said suspiciously. "What else?" he asked. "How are things between you and Gunjan?" she asked. Samrat looked away.. "I know I dont have a right to ask.. but you know I care" she said.. "Mamiji.. you have all the right to ask! And me and Gunjan are happy!" he said looking away. He had never learnt how to lie so he was bad at it. Mamiji held his hands, "I only wish for your happiness Samrat, I may not be your mother by blood but I love you as much as your mother would have!" she said. "I love you too mamiji.. and you have given me much more than anyone could." Samrat had tears in his eyes thinking about all the love he had got from his mamiji. Gunjan who was stone still standing at the door also had tears in her eyes. She had seen another side of Samrat today. His love was so clear. Mamiji was right. He only opened up in front of her. "So now tell me? Whats wrong between the two of you? Your happy na Samrat?" she asked worried. "Mamiji, Gunjan makes me happy. She is very nice and we are happy together. Look what she did to your son. He said showing his clothes. She taught me how to be happy even when your in great pain. She always takes care of me and. And..she is a genuine person!" Samrat said genuinely. "But whenever I have seen her she is just busy in all the household stuff, for which servants are there. Its as if she is running away from something. She makes meals.. Why? There are 3 servants for the kitchen.." Mamiji said annoyed. "Mamiji.. have you had lunch?" he asked. Mamiji looked confused, "Samrat I am serious here..!" "Me too. Have you had Lunch?" he asked. "No.. Why?" "Than wait until you have the lunch Gunjan makes." He said proudly as if he had taught her everything! "Do you.. I mean.. Do you love her?" mamiji asked. Samrat blushed. Though his cheeks didnt turn red he blushed. His eyes lowered and he smiled. Mamiji had got her answer. But Gunjan had her ears wide open for a small yes or something but she couldnt hear a thing. She peeked inside and saw Samrat's head dropped. 'What had he said? How could I miss this part' Gunjans heart was taking leaps and she was getting all excited. But the question was.. WHY? Why did she want to hear a YES? Why did she care so much? Why was she standing at the door and blushing whenever Samrat said anything to praise her. When he said all the things she shouldn't have got credit for Gunjan had smiled and her respect for him increased even more. "Oh Well.. lets have lunch." Mamiji said smiling widely at Samrat. Gunjan scuttled out of the room to avoid being caught eavesdropping on their conversation.
Samrat and Mamiji came out for lunch. Gunjan was anxious to know the answer of Mamiji's question, Did Samrat Love her? She kept thinking of the possibilities. Her heart said yes. He did, or else why would he care for her so much. Why would he wear casuals if he was uncomfortable in them? The Samrat Shergill she had known didnt do anything he was uncomfortable in! That meant he loved her. Then her mind argued saying Ofcourse Samrat didnt love him. What reason had Gunjan ever given him to love her? What had she done for him? Why would he love someone like Gunjan? She undermined herself and as Samrat looked at her and smiled her face had a smile on it. Why was this happening to her? "Lets eat!" Mamiji said. Gunjan squeezed those thoughts out of her mind.. (though she couldnt ) and concentrated on the food. She served both mamiji and Samrat and then sat down to eat herself. Mamiji looked at the food suspiciously. "What is this?" she asked. It looked weird and had a weird smell. "Thai Curry mamiji" Gunjan said politely. "If you dont like it, I will get something else made Mamiji." Gunjan said. Before Mamiji could agree with the second option Samrat said, "No Gunjan, she will surely try it!" Samrat said smiling. He had never fancied fancy food or junk food. He was just content with his dal-roti-aloo. He still tried it. Gunjan looked at Samrat as he tasted it. As his smile widened Gunjan got the signal that he had liked it and Ofcourse he added, "Its Perfect Gunjan!" he said. After his conformation Mamiji tried it. And she actually seemed to like it because instead of saying how it was she ate another spoon and then another until her bowl was empty. "A-mazing Gunjan. I really hope you would teach me how to make it!" she said. She looked at Samrat and said, "Now I get your answer!" They both shared a laugh and Gunjan laughed too. She knew what answer Mamiji was talking about as she was eavesdropping.
Mamiji sat with both of them for sometime and they they talked about how life was going and what was their future plans. "What about kids!" Mamiji asked suddenly. This was especially to mock Samrat. Samrat and Gunjan's faces flushed with embarrassment. They looked down immediately and Gunjan started to grin. Mamiji looked at both of them waiting for an answer. "What? Tell me? Aren't you'll going to have kids!" Ok this was getting really embarrassing. Samrat wondered what to reply. What would Gunjan think if he said 'Soon?' or should he say. 'we havent thought about it' or maybe, 'its too early!' He just looked up to glance at Gunjan whose head was lowered. "Ok baba. Dont tell me. Now I have to leave. It was really nice spending time with you two. And Samrat.. you two better come over more often." She said as she bid them adieu and walked out of the front door leaving an awkward ambience behind.
No one could say a word after how Mamiji had ended the whole discussion. Gunjan's mind flickered from kids to their first night when samrat had held her hand and kissed her. Her face flushed as she remembered her saying that she needed time and samrat agreeing and going to bed. Those days were so strange she thought. Then once they were back at Mumbai it was better until Neil showed up and ruined their building relationship. Samrat had been quiet all along. He had been very cooperative and never complained a single bit. He had always been there. Now her mind went to today's little conversation she had overheard and she started to wonder again. She was stuck between her mind and heart when both of them stopped arguing and turned to her to say 'How Do You CARE!" and that was it. There was more matter to discuss within her. Why did she care how Samrat felt. It was his feelings he could deal with it himself. But then why was she excited. Why did she feel like taking her heart's side and she knew it was not because her mind was always criticising her where as her heart always spoke in her favour. She knew there was something unknown. Something she couldn't realise. But could that be love? No one knew.
When she came back to her senses she saw Samrat gawking at her. She became conscious again and settled her hair behind her ear. "What happened? Why are .. are you looking at me.. like that?" she stumbled as she failed to choose the right words. Samrat laughed for the second time in his life and said, "Was wondering where you were lost" he said. She looked down embarassed, "Sorry, was just thinking about something." She said and her smile turned into a blush. She didnt want to specify what that 'Something' was. "Something?" Samrat said. "Is it serious? Because you weren't smiling while you were thing of 'Something' " he said. Then his eyes narrowed and he asked, "Is he troubling you again? Did he call?" he asked. Gunjan had almost forgotten about her brief talk with Neil this morning. But was that even important? Samrat would get upset about this if she told him. But what if he knew. What if he caught her lying. "Yes" she said. "But that was not what I was thinking about.. Neil doesn't make a difference anymore" she said trying to convince herself and samrat with that. They both were silent for sometimes. Inside Samrat there was only fear, the fear of losing her. The fear that one day she would go away and he would be all by himself again. His life would become black and white again. He couldnt even think of that. He touched wood and said, "So how about a game of.. what was that? Snatch. Yeah." He said. Gunjan smiled and nodded eagerly. She really needed to forget those thoughts haunting her.
Gunjan explained ' The main aim of the game is to make words. You have lettered tiles and you Place the tiles face down and take it in turns to turn them over until a word of three or more letters can be made. If you see and say the word first, take it. Watch out. From now on the game has 2 sides as words are made both from the centre pool of letters or snatched from other players if changed by one or more letters. So your CAT can become their CART to be snatched away as TRACK seconds later. Play on until all 100 letters have been turned and you agree to stop playing and start scoring. Samrat seemed to like the game and they started with it! (Thats my fav game 🤣 )
Initially Samrat took sometime to understand as he was new to the game. Gunjan was getting most of the words. But some place in the middle Samrat was in on the game. He snatched for then half of Gunjans words like arch became dyarchy which Gunjan believed was not a word. They fought over it for about 15 mins and then finally Samrat got the word as on checking the dictionary DYARCHY was a word. Gunjan twitched her lips and started to play the game more seriously. She had never lost this game and samrat was appearing to be very good at this. He knew such strange words that she couldnt even think of. Who could think that MICE could become CRIME. Gunjan tried hard but finally had to give in as Samrat stood as the WINNER! Gunjan was in awe of Samrat. Gunjan had just found another new side of him as his face had been normal even after winning! IMAGINE. When Gunjan wins she always jumped and shrieked but Samrat was normal. It was so much fun. For both of them. After so many years Samrat had felt like a kid. He had felt like he had someone to go to. He felt happy and delighted. Playing Snatch was amazing. He felt like a child again. It was almost 5 when they kept the game back and sat down to do a little chit-chat as they both were bored!
They sat in their bed looking lost in their thoughts. Samrat rested and shut his eyes. Gunjan just looked at him adoring him more every second. "Why do you work so much when you get so tired?" she asked still looking at him. Samrat's eyes opened and he looked at Gunjan. "Its because of the tender, remember, I had told you!" Gunjan nodded, "But I am talking about generally. Why do you work so hard. Its as if you are trying to prove yourself to someone. Its as if Thats the only thing left in your life! Thats all Thats important to you!" Gunjan said. She wanted to know how Samrat was before getting married, what happened with his parents.. Why was he always so quiet? Gunjan waited for him to answer. She remembered what Samrat had told Mamiji, "You know why I work so much.." as if he didnt want to say it or even think about the reason. Gunjan wanted to know. She wanted to get to know the inner Samrat. The actual Samrat. Samrat propped himself up on a pillow and turned to Gunjan, "I like working Gunjan, I feel happy when I work!" and almost immediately Gunjan replied, "But why? Why are you so quiet and calm.. why dont you ever get angry.. Why do you always keep to yourself..? What happened in your life?" she asked. She had a million questions forming in her mind which she wanted to let out. Samrat was just 28 and he worked so hard. Why? What happened before she came in his life? Samrat sighed. Gunjan made herself comfortable as she knew a long story was coming up.. "You really want to hear my boring story?" he asked. Gunjan smiled and nodded. Samrat finally sat up in bed ready to being his story. This was the first time he would be telling someone about the whole story.
"I don't remember much. But there are some memories of my parents which are vividly fixed in my mind. Dad used to come in the evening from Office and get chocolates for me. We werent very rich. Just a middle class family. We were happy. Ma used to stay at home and me and dad used to go for work.." Samrat laughed, "School was work for me" he said. Dad used to teach me how to play the guitar. He was an amazing musician. That was his job. We were satisfied. I had many friends but one day.. everything changed. Dad had an accident while he was coming home and mom went into shock. My custody was given to Mamaji and Mamiji. I was just 8 or nine odd years old. I didnt understand what was happening around me. I didnt see dad anymore. I missed him. And then Mom never returned. She died in hospital and my life took a turn. Mamaji was never too attached to me but mamiji took good care of me. I was teh oldest. Rahul was 3 years younger to me. Mamaji paid for my school and everything. And me.. I felt lonely and lost in this big world. I didnt know how things worked. I couldnt open up to Mamiji. And in front of Mamaji I always went numb. And this way the immature kid, Samrat, started to become more quiet, more introvert, very mature and before I realised I was deep into depression. I had forgotten how to smile. My soul had curled up and enclosed itself.. I never talked to anyone. I even stopped talking to myself. I had lost my own self. Mamaji taught me how to do business and as I was so scared of him I listened to each and every word he said and since then I have been working hard. Whenever I was busy at work I forgot about my worries and my loneliness. Mamiji had been more than a mother but I still couldn't open up. I thought that if I did then I would lose her as well. I was scared. And even today whenever I think about Ma and Papa I just.. think.. what if.. what if all that wouldn't have happened..." Samrat said. Gunjan could see the moisture in his eyes.. she could feel his sadness and hear his heavy voice. Gunjan wanted to comfort Samrat but she couldnt think how she would do so.. She knew his heart was heavy and he felt emotional. Gunjan realised that everything around her seemed blurry and before she realised she had tears in her eyes.. "You know Sam.. rat" she said. He looked at her. "The first.. tim..time.. I .. saw you!" she stumbled. But before she could proceed, "Gunjan, stop crying, will you? Now your making me emotional!" Samrat laughed. It was so fake Gunjan thought but she smiled. She wiped her tears and looked at him.. "So what were you saying? The first time you saw me...?" he asked wanting to know what she thought. "I thought you were such a coward and always scared.." she laughed. "O yes, I dont know about scared but I was nervous! You came across as a very quiet person.. The only thing I was thinking was that how would we communicate!" he said. Gunjan laughed. "I am sure you realised later how much I talk?" she said. "Not really! You were always so engrossed in your thoughts.." he trailed off. He forgot he was reminding her of all the pain she had gone through. He changed the topic immediately, "But I didnt know you cook so well?!" he said.. Gunjan half smiled. "But I thought you were a boring person who I would never be able to understand.." she said her eyes locked with his.. "And now?" he asked.. looking deep into her eyes and sinking in. "Now.." she said, it was difficult focussing on what she was saying with Samrat eyes locked with hers. She looked away.. "Now.. I am amazed. You are so honest, true and a superb human being!" she said. "And I feel I still havent figured you out.. Everyday.. I see a new side of you. I learn something new about you. How a person can be so selfless and think about someone else." She said.. Samrat smiled, They stared at each other. Their eyes speaking for them. Both wanting to say so much but couldnt find words. Just stared at each other as if time had frozen and they hoped they would never have to look away. But finally after long, Samrat sighed and said, "Dinner?"...
Gunjan came back to life and looked at her watch. "Hmm"...
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Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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