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Chapter Twelve
(English dialogues)
Samrat
Samrat looked at the cell phone in his hand thoughtfully. Gunjan had forgotten it in the car last night. Strictly speaking, there was no real emergency to return it to her. It was Sunday afternoon, tomorrow was Monday, he would meet her early morning ' in about eighteen hours to be exact, and could give it back to her then.
Eighteen hours.
Was he actually counting? Why was he counting?
But then, he didn't have much planned for those eighteen hours, did he? Benji and Dia had asked him to come over, but he had declined ... he wasn't interested in looking at the latest ultrasound pictures of their baby. He would have to see them soon enough at some ceremony Benji's parents were doing for Dia next month, anyway.
He could take Gunjan along for that, he thought suddenly. She liked Dia, Dia liked her and she would enjoy the ceremony. He could go across to her house, return her phone and ask her if she wanted to come with him. Just a casual visit. Maybe have a cup of tea with her. A friendly chat. They had inaugurated their friendship last night, after all.
Gunjan
Gunjan looked at the silent home phone and worried her lower lip between her teeth. She was almost sure she had left her mobile in Samrat's car last night ... she had been holding it still when he had landed up, but should she call and check? Would he have called her ... would he have needed to call her for anything? It was the weekend after all ... she was technically off duty, but Dia had said she should keep the phone with her all the time. Maybe she should at least call and ask ... Or should she just wait till the next day?
But supposing it wasn't in his car ... then she needed to look for it at home. So she should check with him. Shouldn't she?
She reached out to the phone, still hesitating, then stopped at a familiar sound, that of the French sliding doors of her bedroom opening, the doors which heralded the arrival of one person only. What was Mayank doing here? He knew Di was at work this weekend. She turned to the door of her room, just as the doorbell rang.
"What are you doing here?" she asked Mayank as he appeared at the bedroom door. Then, as the doorbell sounded again, "Wait a minute, Mayank ... is Di coming back early today?"
"No, and I need your help before she comes back. Gunjan ..." he said urgently as the doorbell sounded a third time and she turned back to it, looking harassed.
"Wait, Mayank ... someone's at the door ... Ma's not here '"
"I know ... she and my mom have gone for a movie ... Gunjan, before Nupur comes back, I need to ..."
But Gunjan had run to open the door, leaving Mayank standing at the door of her and Nupur's room, with a very worried look on his face.
"Samrat??!!!"
He was standing outside, his trademark grin on his face.
"What if I had needed to speak to you?"
She bit her lip.
"I'm so sorry ... were you trying to call? I think I left my phone in your '"
"You did," he told her, holding it up, and entered the house without being asked. She fell back, feeling slightly dazed. She had just spent the good part of the last hour thinking about him, wondering whether to call him or not ... and to see him here, in her house, in the flesh, so to speak, was disconcerting to say the least. Had she dreamed him up ... or was he really there?
"So ... do I get a cup of tea? As a thank you? I came all the way to return your phone."
She came back to life, so confused at his sudden appearance that it didn't occur to her to wonder why he had bothered to bring the phone back at all, when he could have given it back the next morning in office.
"Yes ... yes, of course. I mean ... I'm so sorry, Samrat. Come in."
"I already have," he pointed out. "Where's your family? Don't you have tea at this time? Or something?"
"Mummy's gone out, and Di's not back from work yet," Gunjan replied automatically as she led the way into the living room. "I was just going to make myself ..."
"Gunjan!"
She had forgotten that Mayank was waiting! Gunjan turned to Samrat, looking slightly harassed.
"Samrat, sit, please ... just give me two minutes ... it's Mayank '"
She turned and half-walked, half-ran down the corridor where Mayank was standing impatiently waiting for her.
Mayank??!!! But she had just said that her mother and her sister both weren't at home? So what was he doing here ... alone? With Gunjan? What was going on between them?
A frown on his face, he determinedly followed Gunjan down the corridor to where Mayank was waiting. Gunjan reached him and he immediately started talking to her in low tones.
Samrat looked at Mayank and disliked him at sight. Sure, he was tall and quite good-looking ... if you liked those smooth good looks. Samrat didn't. There was something about Mayank he instantly distrusted. Why was he standing so close to Gunjan, for one thing? And why was he at her bedroom door? Didn't he know Gunjan wasn't that kind of girl? He should stay in the living room, shouldn't he? Why was he inside the house at all when Gunjan was home alone? And Samrat didn't like the look in Mayank's eyes as he looked at Gunjan. There was something sly in his eyes as he spoke pleadingly to Gunjan in a low voice ... what was he asking that Gunjan was obviously unwilling to do? No, he did not like Mayank. He should warn Gunjan that the fellow was no good. She was such an open, trusting creature that she obviously had no idea what the guy was really like. Even if she had known him for a long time.
Gunjan shook her head at Mayank and smiled ruefully.
"You'll get me into trouble," she told him and Samrat moved closer protectively. Trouble? What sort of trouble? This Mayank had no business getting Gunjan into trouble. He'd better let Mayank know that he wouldn't allow anything of the sort to happen. Gunjan was his friend, a dear friend and the sweetest of girls. He would not allow Mayank to take any advantage of her.
Both Gunjan and Mayank looked up in surprise as Samrat approached them, his face unfriendly.
"Samrat! I'm so sorry! I left you waiting out there alone! I'm really sorry."
"It's all right," he said, and looked at Mayank. The other guy gave a friendly grin, at least, that was what Samrat supposed it was meant to be. To him, it looked forced, ingratiating. Was he nervous at being caught making a wrong move towards Gunjan? Samrat didn't know, but he was going to make sure Mayank realized he wouldn't allow anything of the sort to happen.
"Samrat, this is Mayank Sharma. I've mentioned him before? He's the lawyer friend I told you about. He went through that contract for us. And Mayank, this is Samrat Shergil. My boss."
"And friend," added Samrat firmly. He wanted to let Mayank know at the earliest, that he was more than just Gunjan's boss, that he was her friend and would look out for her.
Mayank grinned back and put out a hand. Samrat looked at it distrustfully for a second, then reluctantly shook it.
"Pleased to meet you," said Mayank. "Gunjan mentions you a lot. She's really happy at work. And we're all really happy she's doing so well."
"You're even more happy because your own plans are getting closer to succeeding," accused Gunjan teasingly and she and Mayank laughed together, at what was obviously a familiar joke. Then Mayank looked pleadingly at Gunjan again.
"Right now all my plans are going to go down the tubes if you don't help me," he said. "Gunjan, please ..."
Gunjan shook her head very firmly.
"Forget about helping you, she'll blow up if I even talk to you," she told Mayank . "You'll have to think of something yourself." She turned to Samrat. "I promised you tea, Samrat. Come, sit while I make it."
"I'll come with you," Samrat said easily and as Gunjan opened her mouth to protest, "I'll get bored sitting alone outside."
She seemed as though she would argue, then changed her mind. Samrat followed her to the kitchen, and to his intense annoyance, Mayank followed them too. Why couldn't the guy leave Gunjan alone?
"How about a movie?" said Mayank. "Shahrukh Khan?"
Gunjan shook her head.
"You're inside this house, that itself is going to set her off. Going out with you?! No question!"
A faint sense of puzzlement started growing in Samrat's mind? What exactly was going on? Who would be angry at Mayank being in the house? Her mother? Because Mayank was alone with Gunjan? But Gunjan had said they were family friends, hadn't she? And what was that about not going for a movie?
"Then ... what? ... what should I do '?" began Mayank and looked at Gunjan again. "Come on, Gunjan! You're not helping at all."
"I don't know, Mayank. Use the tried and tested ... paneer pakodas," she suggested and shot Samrat a look that was so full of mischief that he actually took a step back in puzzlement. Mayank seemed to understand exactly what Gunjan was saying, though. He groaned.
"Not again, Gunjan! I made them last week! Come on ... give me a break! Anything but that!"
Gunjan shrugged and put the kettle on to boil. She seemed to think the discussion with Mayank was over.
"Cake?" she asked Samrat and pulled a box out of the fridge. Then she pulled another packet out and handed it to Mayank. He took it and made a face. Gunjan busied herself in arranging the tea tray.
"Besan," Mayank said, and he was obviously sulking. Sulking, but resigned. He pulled out paneer from the packet Gunjan had handed him, and started cutting it up, his face grumpy. She pulled another box from a shelf and plonked it on the counter next to the paneer, then ignored Mayank as she poured boiling water into the teapot.
"Tea's ready," she told Samrat and started to lift the tray. He took it from her before she could pick it up. Mayank looked at them as Gunjan started to lead the way out of the kitchen.
"You guys can't do this! Aren't you going to help me?"
"You don't need help," Gunjan pointed out. "You've had enough practice. And, Mayank, you know Di will know instantly if I help you. You can't hide it from her. You'd better do it all yourself."
"The things I do for ..." he muttered and Gunjan gave a small chuckle.
"The things you do for love," she told him and he shrugged and gave a half-smile. Gunjan smiled back and walked with Samrat out of the kitchen. Samrat felt uncomfortably warm.
LOVE??? Gunjan??? And this Mayank???
He wanted to kill somebody. With his bare hands.
This guy was not right for Gunjan. Couldn't she see it? He was ... just ... not right. He was cunning, underhand, forceful, overbearing ... look how he had persuaded her to help him even when she clearly didn't want to, how he was forcing his presence on her when he, Samrat, had come to spend some time with her ...
Samrat had to make Gunjan realize how wrong Mayank was for her. It was his duty. Gunjan was his friend, after all. And she was completely unworldly wise, innocent ... anybody could take advantage of her and she wouldn't even know ... she was so gullible, so trusting ...
And she was waiting for his answer, and as usual, he hadn't heard her question.
"Sugar?" she repeated and he gave a small nod.
"Where were you lost?" she asked him and he gave an embarrassed smile.
"Oh, nowhere. I was just wondering ... Chashmish ..." he took a deep breath and decided to try. "What was all that about? Paneer pakodas and movie ... and ..."
She looked mischievous again and glanced at her watch.
"I can tell you, but it might spoil the fun. You'll find out in about ... three minutes '"
"Three minutes??!!!" came a voice from the door, and Samrat looked up in annoyance. Drat that man, couldn't he stay in the kitchen and get on with what he had to do? And leave him, Samrat, to talk to Gunjan in peace?
Mayank was standing at the doorway, a streak of besan paste on his forehead, looking extremely harassed.
"Three minutes?!" he repeated. "Gunjan, they're not done ... the oil ..."
She gave a 'tchah' sound and giving an apologetic look at Samrat, moved quickly to the kitchen.
"Two minutes now," she told Mayank and swiftly dropped in a small spoonful of paste into the hot oil, shaking her head as it sank to the bottom. Mayank's expression looked even more nervous.
"I'm gone today," he muttered and she shot him a sympathetic look. Samrat was by this time at the kitchen door, watching them closely.
So they all heard the sound of footsteps at the front door and the sound of the key turning in the lock at the same time. Gunjan reacted the fastest, she turned, pulled Samrat's arm and started to hurry him back to the living room. Mayank turned back to the stove and dropped in a couple more spoons of his precious pakoda mixture, looking immeasurably relieved when they rose to the surface accompanied by a hissing, crackling sound. And a very pretty girl, wearing an expression of extreme irritation appeared in the corridor, where she could see all three occupants of the house, Mayank at the door of the kitchen, ladle in hand, Gunjan and Samrat halfway down the corridor, all wearing looks varying between puzzlement, guilt and nervousness.
Chapter Twelve
(Hindi dialogues)
Samrat
Samrat looked at the cell phone in his hand thoughtfully. Gunjan had forgotten it in the car last night. Strictly speaking, there was no real emergency to return it to her. It was Sunday afternoon, tomorrow was Monday, he would meet her early morning … in about eighteen hours to be exact, and could give it back to her then.
Eighteen hours.
Was he actually counting? Why was he counting?
But then, he didn't have much planned for those eighteen hours, did he? Benji and Dia has asked him to come over, but he had declined – he wasn't interested in looking at the latest ultrasound pictures of their baby. He would have to see them soon enough at some ceremony Benji's parents were doing for Dia next month, anyway.
He could take Gunjan along for that, he thought suddenly. She liked Dia, Dia liked her and she would enjoy the ceremony. He could go across to her house, return her phone and ask her if she wanted to come with him. Just a casual visit. Maybe have a cup of tea with her. A friendly chat. They had inaugurated their friendship last night, after all.
Gunjan
Gunjan looked at the silent home phone and worried her lower lip between her teeth. She was almost sure she had left her mobile in Samrat's car last night – she had been holding it still when he had landed up, but should she call and check? Would he have called her – would he have needed to call her for anything? It was the weekend after all … she was technically off duty, but Dia had said she should keep the phone with her all the time. Maybe she should at least call and ask … Or should she just wait till the next day?
But supposing it wasn't in his car … then she needed to look for it at home. So she should check with him. Shouldn't she?
She reached out to the phone, still hesitating, then stopped at a familiar sound, that of the French sliding doors of her bedroom opening, the doors which heralded the arrival of one person only. What was Mayank doing here? He knew Di was at work this weekend. She turned to the door of her room, just as the doorbell rang.
"Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?" she asked Mayank as he appeared at the bedroom door. Then, as the doorbell sounded again, "Ek minute, Mayank … Di aaj jaldi vapas aa rahi hai kya?"
"Nahin, lekin uske aane se pehle mujhe tumhari madad chahiye. Gunjan …" he said urgently as the doorbell sounded a third time and she turned back to it, looking harassed.
"Ruko, Mayank … lagta hai koi aaya hai. Ma ghar pe nahin hai …"
"Jaanta hun … voh aur meri ma movie ke liye gayi hain. Gunjan, suno … Nupur ke aane se pehle, mujhe bahut zaroori baat …"
But Gunjan had run to open the door, leaving Mayank standing at the door of her and Nupur's room, with a very worried look on his face.
"Samrat??!!!"
He was standing outside, his trademark grin on his face.
"Agar mujhe tumse kuch zaroori kaam aa padta to kya hota?"
She bit her lip.
"I'm so sorry … kya tum phone karne ki koshish kar rahe the? Shayad kal raat mera phone tumhari gaadi mein reh gaya …"
"Reh gaya tha," he told her, holding it up, and entered the house without being asked. She fell back, feeling slightly dazed. She had just spent the good part of the last hour thinking about him, wondering whether to call him or not … and to see him here, in her house, in the flesh, so to speak, was disconcerting to say the least. Had she dreamed him up … or was he really there?
"So … kya mujhe ek cup chai milegi? As a thank you? Main itni door tumhara phone vapas karne aaya hun."
She came back to life, so confused at his sudden appearance that it didn't occur to her to wonder why he had bothered to bring the phone back at all, when he could have given it back the next morning in office.
"Haan … haan, of course. Mera matlab hai … I'm so sorry, Samrat. Andar aao na."
"Andar to main already aa gaya hun," he pointed out. "Ghar ke baaki sab log kahan hain? Tum sab iss vaqt chai nahin peete? Ya mehmaanon ko nahin pilaate?"
"Mummy bahar gayi hain, aur Di abhi tak kaam se vapas nahin aayi," Gunjan replied automatically as she led the way into the living room. "Main apne liye banane hi lagi thi …"
"Gunjan!"
She had forgotten that Mayank was waiting! Gunjan turned to Samrat, looking slightly harassed.
"Samrat, baitho, please … main bas do minute mein aati hun … voh … Mayank …"
She turned and half-walked, half-ran down the corridor where Mayank was standing impatiently waiting for her.
Mayank??!!! But she had just said that her mother and her sister both weren't at home? So what was he doing here … alone? With Gunjan? What was going on between them?
A frown on his face, he determinedly followed Gunjan down the corridor to where Mayank was waiting. Gunjan reached him and he immediately started talking to her in low tones.
Samrat looked at Mayank and disliked him at sight. Sure, he was tall and quite good-looking – if you liked those smooth good looks. Samrat didn't. There was something about Mayank he instantly distrusted. Why was he standing so close to Gunjan, for one thing? And why was he at her bedroom door? Didn't he know Gunjan wasn't that kind of girl? He should stay in the living room, shouldn't he? Why was he inside the house at all when Gunjan was home alone? And Samrat didn't like the look in Mayank's eyes as he looked at Gunjan. There was something sly in his eyes as he spoke pleadingly to Gunjan in a low voice – what was he asking that Gunjan was obviously unwilling to do? No, he did not like Mayank. He should warn Gunjan that the fellow was no good. She was such an open, trusting creature that she obviously had no idea what the guy was really like. Even if she had known him for a long time.
Gunjan shook her head at Mayank and smiled ruefully.
"Tum mujhe problem mein daal doge," she told him and Samrat moved closer protectively. Problem? What sort of problem? This Mayank had no business getting Gunjan into any problems. He'd better let Mayank know that he wouldn't allow anything of the sort to happen. Gunjan was his friend, a dear friend and the sweetest of girls. He would not allow Mayank to take any advantage of her.
Both Gunjan and Mayank looked up in surprise as Samrat approached them, his face unfriendly.
"Samrat! I'm so sorry! Main tumhe vahan akele chhod aayi! I'm really sorry."
"Koi baat nahin," he said, and looked at Mayank. The other guy gave a friendly grin, at least, that was what Samrat supposed it was meant to be. To him, it looked forced, ingratiating. Was he nervous at being caught making a wrong move towards Gunjan? Samrat didn't know, but he was going to make sure Mayank realized he wouldn't allow anything of the sort to happen.
"Samrat, yeh hai Mayank Sharma. Maine pehle bhi tumhe iske baare mein bataya hai. Yehi hai voh laywer dost jinke baare mein bata rahi thi. Mayank ne hi voh contract hamare liye check kiya tha. Mayank, yeh hai Samrat Shergil, mere boss."
"Aur dost," added Samrat firmly. He wanted to let Mayank know at the earliest, that he was more than just Gunjan's boss, that he was her friend and would look out for her.
Mayank grinned back and put out a hand. Samrat looked at it distrustfully for a second, then reluctantly shook it.
"Tumse milkar bahut khushi hui," said Mayank. "Gunjan tumhare baare mein bahut baat karti hai. Voh apna job bahut enjoy kar rahi hai. Aur hum sab bahut khush hain ki voh kaam par itni jaldi settle ho gayi hai."
"Tum to aur bhi khush ho kyunki tumhare khud ke plans kaamyab hone vale hain," accused Gunjan teasingly and she and Mayank laughed together, at what was obviously a familiar joke. Then Mayank looked pleadingly at Gunjan again.
"Abhi to mere saare plans khadde mein jaane vale hain … agar tumne meri help nahin ki," he said. "Gunjan, please …"
Gunjan shook her head very firmly.
"Meri help karne ki baat chhodo, agar maine tumse abhi baat bhi kari, to yahan atom bomb phat jayega," she told Mayank . "Tumhe khud hi kuch sochna padega." She turned to Samrat. "Samrat, main tumhare liye chai bana rahi thi. Aao, baitho, main banati hun."
"Main tumhare saath aata hun," Samrat said easily and as Gunjan opened her mouth to protest, "Akele baithe main bore ho jaunga."
She seemed as though she would argue, then changed her mind. Samrat followed her to the kitchen, and to his intense annoyance, Mayank followed them too. Why couldn't the guy leave Gunjan alone?
"Movie kaisi rahegi?" said Mayank. "Shahrukh Khan?"
Gunjan shook her head.
"Tume iss ghar ke andar aa gaye ho, ussi se dhamaka hone vaala hai. Tumhare saath bahar jaana?! Savaal hi nahin paida hota!!"
A faint sense of puzzlement started growing in Samrat's mind? What exactly was going on? Who would be angry at Mayank being in the house? Her mother? Because Mayank was alone with Gunjan? But Gunjan had said they were family friends, hadn't she? And what was that about not going for a movie?
"Phir … kya … kya karun …?" began Mayank and looked at Gunjan again. "Come on, Gunjan! Kuch to socho! Tum kuch bhi help nahin kar rahi."
"Main sach much nahin jaanti, Mayank. Vahi purana tareeka try kar lo … paneer pakodas," she suggested and shot Samrat a look that was so full of mischief that he actually took a step back in puzzlement. Mayank seemed to understand exactly what Gunjan was saying, though. He groaned.
"Phir se, Gunjan! Pichle hafte hi to banaye the! Come on … give me a break! Aur kuch nahin soch sakti?!"
Gunjan shrugged and put the kettle on to boil. She seemed to think the discussion with Mayank was over.
"Cake?" she asked Samrat and pulled a box out of the fridge. Then she pulled another packet out and handed it to Mayank. He took it and made a face. Gunjan busied herself in arranging the tea tray.
"Besan," Mayank said, and he was obviously sulking. Sulking, but resigned. He pulled out paneer from the packet Gunjan had handed him, and started cutting it up, his face grumpy. She pulled another box from a shelf and plonked it on the counter next to the paneer, then ignored Mayank as she poured boiling water into the teapot.
"Chai tayyar hai," she told Samrat and started to lift the tray. He took it from her before she could pick it up. Mayank looked at them as Gunjan started to lead the way out of the kitchen.
"Hey, tum log kya kar rahe ho! Meri madad nahin karoge?!"
"Tumhe madad ki koi zaroorat nahin hai," Gunjan pointed out. "Kaafi practice ho chuki hai. Aur Mayank, agar maine madad ki, tum jaante ho Di ko pata lag jayega. Tum Di se kuch bhi chupa nahin sakte. Tume sab kuch apne aap hi karo."
"Kya kya karna padta hai …" he muttered and Gunjan gave a small chuckle.
"Love ke liye kuch bhi karega," she told him and he shrugged and gave a half-smile. Gunjan smiled back and walked with Samrat out of the kitchen. Samrat felt uncomfortably warm.
LOVE??? Gunjan??? And this Mayank???
He wanted to kill somebody. With his bare hands.
This guy was not right for Gunjan. Couldn't she see it? He was … just … not right. He was cunning, underhand, forceful, overbearing … look how he had persuaded her to help him even when she clearly didn't want to, how he was forcing his presence on her when he, Samrat, had come to spend some time with her …
Samrat had to make Gunjan realize how wrong Mayank was for her. It was his duty. Gunjan was his friend, after all. And she was completely unworldly wise, innocent … anybody could take advantage of her and she wouldn't even know … she was so gullible, so trusting …
And she was waiting for his answer, and as usual, he hadn't heard her question.
"Cheeni?" she repeated and he gave a small nod.
"Kahan kho gaye the?" she asked him and he gave an embarrassed smile.
"Oh, kahin nahin. Main sirf soch raha tha … Chashmish …" he took a deep breath and decided to try. "Voh sab kyat ha? Paneer pakode … movie … dhamaka …"
She looked mischievous again and glanced at her watch.
"Main bata sakti hun, lekin phir drama ka surprise chala jayega. Tume pata lag jayega … takreeban teen minute mein …"
"Teen minute??!!!" came a voice from the door, and Samrat looked up in annoyance. Drat that man, couldn't he stay in the kitchen and get on with what he had to do? And leave him, Samrat, to talk to Gunjan in peace?
Mayank was standing at the doorway, a streak of besan paste on his forehead, looking extremely harassed.
"Teen minute?!" he repeated. "Gunjan, abhi huey bhi nahin … tel …"
She gave a 'tchah' sound and giving an apologetic look at Samrat, moved quickly to the kitchen.
"Ab sirf do minute hain," she told Mayank and swiftly dropped in a small spoonful of paste into the hot oil, shaking her head as it sank to the bottom. Mayank's expression looked even more nervous.
"Aaj to main gaya," he muttered and she shot him a sympathetic look. Samrat was by this time at the kitchen door, watching them closely.
So they all heard the sound of footsteps at the front door and the sound of the key turning in the lock at the same time. Gunjan reacted the fastest, she turned, pulled Samrat's arm and started to hurry him back to the living room. Mayank turned back to the stove and dropped in a couple more spoons of his precious pakoda mixture, looking immeasurably relieved when they rose to the surface accompanied by a hissing, crackling sound. And a very pretty girl, wearing an expression of extreme irritation appeared in the corridor, where she could see all three occupants of the house, Mayank at the door of the kitchen, ladle in hand, Gunjan and Samrat halfway down the corridor, all wearing looks varying between puzzlement, guilt and nervousness.
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