:: THEIR STORY SO FAR ::
We all have grown up listening to fairy tales, where the beautiful princess and the prince charming meet, fall in love'. they spend time together, sing, dance, dream'. and in the end, marry and live happily ever after. Whenever we think about a couple, madly in love'the first name that comes to our mind is of Romeo and Juliet. Then whether it is them, or the stories of Heer Ranjha..Laila, Majnu'or, if I may add'Raj, Simran'each of them revolves around one common thing'and that is, the love of two people, which meant life to them'it was their whole world. I won't be wrong in saying that they lived to love each other.
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Today, I'll narrate to you another story of love that stands on the strong foundation of friendship of two amazing people. We already know and love this story, but my reason of writing it again is to revisit the most beautiful journey, that has connected us all'that is the reason of us being here'.and that defines the beautiful relationship of friendship and love.
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It's a story of two people, who never knew that one day, they will stand in front to each other and will share the most beautiful bond of their lives. These two people were poles apart'.they had nothing in common'but destiny had decided to make them cross each other's path. Maybe, it had something in store for them. Was this crossing of path, just a coincidence'or fate had a purpose behind this??!! Let's find this out in this story.
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In the densely populated city of Mumbai, arrived a young, beautiful, shy, introvert girl, Gunjan. accompanied by her elder sister. They came from a very small town, Morena, leaving their father, friends, and every childhood memory behind. It was the biggest decision and resultant change of their lives. With dreams of making big in life and of achieving her aims, she entered this City, with hopes in her eyes and with zest to live her dreams.
Gunjan was a timid and shy girl, who was not at all comfortable amongst people, and thus, she had built a shell around herself, in which she felt protected and secure. A shell where she could hide from the glances of people, from the rush surrounding her. This shell was her world and she was happy living in it.
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When she entered Excel, it was a different world altogether. Butterflies in her stomach were jumping, as she saw everyone staring at her, as if, she was from some other planet. No one was welcoming towards her. Although, many eyes were on her, but none of them had any warmth. Her simple attire, her gait, nervousness, her shyness'everything made her look like a stranger there'.or, maybe, everyone there was a stranger to her. Was it a crime to be simple'was it so wrong to wear specs, was it an offense to be studious??!! Her heart and mind had loads of unanswered questions. So, the best place to evade them was her shell. Hence, she knew, in this world of strangers, in this rush of people, her only refuge was her shell'and she knew her path straight. She was there to study, and this is what she had to Amongst this rush of people, two eyes caught her from behind his huge specs. He was different from the rest'.kind of weird'but he was the only one who extended a hand of friendship towards her. He was Bhavesh Kumar, who was totally a misfit there'his dressing, his walk, his talk'.was he really a part of them??!!! Whatever it was, she thought of him as a nice, simple and sweet guy, who like her, was a misfit in this place. She thought, she could relate to him, but she was wrong. Bhavesh never existed, but was created for her. She was too innocent to understand that it was all a prank played on her by the hottest dude of the college.
Yes, Samrat was the dude of the college. A rich, smart, handsome guy, who was every girl's dream boy. The star basket ball player, whose every move at the ground, his dribbling the ball while running towards the pole, and then doing a basket, left every girl drooling on him. He lived life on his terms'.living every moment, the way he wanted to. He was the most sincere friend, in fact, his whole life revolved around his friends. They meant world to him, because apart from them, his world was empty. Though he was the star of the college, the leader of every prank, every plan'yet, within his heart, he was lonely. Everyone was charmed by his persona, money, status, but no one ever peeped in his heart.
Aren't they poles apart from each other??!! Right from their approach towards life, to their status in the society, to their attitude, their behavior'everything was completely opposite to each other. Then why was it that whenever their eyes met, their gaze took time to move away??!! Why was it that whenever they came close, even though, in the most adverse situations, their heart beats became abnormal??!! Despite the bet, why did he jump in the pool, the moment she fell in it??!! And when he brought her out of the pool, why was it difficult for her to move her gaze??!!! Maybe because, in each other's eyes, they could see the real Samrat and Gunjan, which no one else ever saw. Maybe it was the start of a new phase of their lives'.a phase which changed their life'.a phase that started with adversaries, but had its destination elsewhere'.and the first step towards it was the most beautiful bond of friendship.
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We have heard this many a times that opposites attract. Samrat and Gunjan were as different from each other as black and white. Still, they could feel some connection between them. There was an unknown attraction, warmth and belongingness in their eyes.
He heard her sing and her sweet and melodious voice melted in his ears. How can such a beautiful voice and such great talent go waste??!!! Though he made a bet with his gang that he will make her sing at any cost, but the uderlying notion was to make Gunjan believe that she possesses a quality, a voice, that needs to be heard by everyone. This was the first time, someone praised her and stood by her side to make her face the world. The wings that she had kept safely within her shell, he was adamant that she had to take them out and take her first flight, with the assurance that he will always be by her side.
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The Talent Parade was approaching and she followed her words like a good student, totally unaware of the bet. Whenever she was nervous, he was there to comfort her. Whenever anyone made fun of her, he was there to respond on her behalf. It was a bet for him'.but was it really just a bet???!!! Maybe, he himself did not have the answer to this. Days passed and the one-time strangers were now on very good terms. The day of the Talent Parade came, and after a whole lot of problems, Gunjan made her Guru Samrat proud. She sang'.she sang for HIM'because, she could not let his efforts go waste. The shy girl, who could not look in people's eyes, faced the audience, as he stood by her side. She won'they won. It was a very special moment of her life. The hall was resounding with claps for her'it was her first attempt to come out of her shell...and what a great result she got.
As time passed by, their friendship grew. The coolest dude and the sweet, simple girl'who no one could ever believe would spend even a minute together, were the most comfortable in each other's company. For Samrat, she was his only friend, with whom he could be himself, and not THE Samrat. He always had friends in his life, but Gunjan gave him friendship. The more he got to know her, the more he was in awe of her. Her beautiful eyes, her innocent smile, her caring nature, her pure and sincere heart, her sensibility, her simplicity'she was undoubtedly, one in a million. And Samrat knew that there could be no one like her.
He knew that she would never bear the bitter truth of the bet'.he wanted to tell her'.but was scared of her reaction. He did not want to break her heart.
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Her wearing specs was used by some people to make fun of her, but for Samrat her specs became her identity. From Gunjan, she became "Chashmish"'his Chashmish.
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At times, Samrat and troubles were synonyms. It was difficult to figure out whether he loved falling for troubles, or they got attracted towards him.
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Samrat was warned by the Principal that he had to clear the upcoming exam, if he wants to stay at Excel. Studies and Samrat'.if the earlier were synonyms'.this one was a complete antonym, How can Samrat study'what will happen to his image if anyone sees him with books??!!! No, he could not do it'.but he had to do it. How, when, where'.were the most difficult questions for him, but he never knew the answer would be so simple. Gunjan heard his convo with the Princi'and there she was'.his best friend'.to help him in every way. This time, Gunjan took his hand in her's and made the difficult task, a simple sail through for him. Everyday, he got his notes from her, she was there to solve any query of his'and the best part was'his cool dude image in front of the college was never questioned. Sitting at his home, they studied'RG's used to be the second home. These exam preps gave them a chance to spend more time together. Their friendship was growing leaps and bounds. Samrat was amazed by the beauty of Gunjan's heart. Looking at her, he used to wonder, how can this girl be so honest, sincere and dedicated??!!! For Gunjan, it was a challenge, not with anyone else, but with her own self that she will make Samrat pass in the exams'.because, she could not see her best friend fail. Time used to fly in their studies sessions. Gunjan's whole concentration used to be in the books, lectures and notes'.whereas, Samrat had to come up with his naughty self time n again, and got a stare from Gunjan, that made him go back to the exam preps.
Soon after the exams started, Gunjan came to know of Samrat's bet. She was shattered. "He used me for a bet'..he helped me, because he had to win this bet'that friendship was for a reason?" The girl was in a state of shock. She had just found her friend in this alien place'.but friend'.was he really a friend? She was back in her shell, her own world. It wasn't peaceful there too. Still, she could hide herself from the world. He saw her upset and knew that something big has happened. "Is it coz of me'.have I done something wrong?" He was hell confused and worried for her. Despite getting such a big shock, Gunjan didn't withdraw from helping Samrat. She knew how important passing the exams was for him and trying to compose herself, for others, she helped him in every way. From within, she was totally shaken.
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The day exams ended, she told Samrat about the bet. What he feared had actually happened. He had nothing to say in his defense. But he was cursing and blaming himself. The friends went in opposite directions, with a heavy heart.
********Samrat knew he could not let this happen. He had to get his friend back in his life. It was his mission now, and Samrat had to accomplish it.
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What could be a better time than the New Year party at his house??!! His eyes were following her throughout, as if asking for one chance to let him clear his stance. But Gunjan was extremely hurt and she could not let this happen to her again. He sang to her, "chodo jaaney bhi do na why..", but was it this simple'could she forgive him so easily'.what's the guarantee that this will not happen again??!! She left the place. He followed her and they were both finally alone, in a crowded house, where they talked. With tears in her eyes, she asked him whether he is always like this'whether any feelings, any emotions even matter to him??!! Her stance was clear. She left his house, and he was standing with tears in his eyes and regret and curse surrounding his heart. "Am I really such a bad friend?", he was trying to figure out.
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But, he was the cool dude for no ordinary reason. He had to win this battle too. He had hurt her, and he would heal her wounds. He will not let her go away from him. The mission was much clearer this time and was started with full zeal. Luckily, things worked for him. Gunjan had to represent Excel in some events and he knew that she would be very nervous. "What if, she is not talking to me? I cannot let her be nervous and alone"'.he resolved, as he knew he had to be with her, his best friend had to be with her'and help her in every way to win these events also.
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For this reason, from the best friend, he became her secret friend. He was like a shadow for her, cheering her up, whenever she was low. Somewhere in her heart, she knew that it was him. She knew that it can't be anyone else because, whatever the secret friend was doing was totally Samrat-ish. The secret friend gave Gunjan, a lucky charm'. a beautiful bracelet '..that would always make her feel her friend's presence and support.
Days passed by and so did the day to day college routine. Life wasn't the same for both, Samrat and Gunjan. She was trying her best to increase the distance, and he was adamant on getting his best friend back'.nothing more, nothing less!!!
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Like other ladies, lady luck again shone for him. Valentine's ball was coming up and Pinci told Gunjan that she had to dance in it. "Dance and ME'..Not Possible'No way'how can I dance'I've never danced.." Again she was at a crossroad. Call it fate, or whatever, Princi gave Samrat the task of making Gunjan learn dance. He was over the moon and rightly so. Dance practices began. Swinging in his arms, when their eyes met, the heart beats raced'.time seemed to freeze in those moments'.everything else seized to exist. There was a distance, yet, there was closeness'there was awkwardness, yet there was comfort. They were silent, but the silence spoke.
The Valentine's night came. Gunjan went there with the sole reason of meeting her secret friend, because he has promised to come in front of her in the ball. Dressed in white, Gunjan entered the College'and he was stunned. White seemed to be her color. It reflected her purity, her angelic beauty even more. Looking for her secret friend, her eyes were uncontrollably falling on him. In his maroon velvet coat, he was looking ultra dashing and was the centre of attraction of every girl present in the room. But his eyes were tracing her'the most beautiful girl in the entire crowd. The evening was going on in full swing. Samrat and Gunjan became partners in the games and they won every round'.right from the "knowing your partner" one (like a partner's compatibility game), to the one in which they ate maximum numbers of green chilies.
The evening was approaching its end'only the dance was left, followed by the announcement of the "prince and princess of the evening". Gunjan's curiosity about her secret friend was at it's peak. Till now everything was going fine, but the falling of bracelet from Purab's (Samrat's friend) hand, turned the tables. Gunjan thought that Purab was her secret friend, who has done so much for her and who supported her throughout the College events. Thankfully, Purab told her the truth that whatever he did was because of Samrat. He was just the face, who was executing Samrat's plans. "It was Samrat?...I knew it would be him'No one else knows me more than him'he has done so much for me and what did I do?" Gunjan was walking on the guilt path now, but she had to rectify her mistake. Her heart was telling her all along that the secret friend could be no one else but Samrat'.yet her mind was not accepting it. But now, she could not delay getting, not her secret friend, but her real, best and most special friend back.
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Samrat was extremely sad on the fall out of his plan. "Why does it happen with me?", he was thinking, rather questioning, looking at the sky. "Samrat", he heard his name, and it seemed as if his prayers had been answered. She was standing there with a smile on her face. Yes!!! She was back'his best friend was back. He couldn't have asked for anything else'.she couldn't have asked for anything else. Life instantly became complete, their hearts and minds were relieved as if someone had taken off the burden of some heavy blocks from there. The evening became beautiful and the journey of their friendship re-started with them dancing to "Khuda Jaaney, mein fida hun.."'yes, Khuda hi jaaney, what this friendship will gradually lead to.
With smiles on their faces and shine in their eyes, they danced, leaving every sad thought behind, and marking the beginning of a friendship that was not because of any bet, or reason. Surprises for them didn't end here. As they were crowned the "prince and princess of the evening", they seemed like some real prince and princess. A perfect end to a perfect valentine ball. But was it the end??!! No, it wasn't !!!
The friends had just gotten back together and this called for celebration. Samrat took Gunjan to this chai stall (tea stall), where he used to go when he needed to spend time with himself, away from his cool dude image, away from the eyes of everyone, away from the crowd. This place was so peaceful, so calm, so beautiful'.a perfect place for the friend's reunion. Samrat and Gunjan had a lot to say, to share, to tell. Gunjan started to apologize'but there wasn't any room of an apology between them. "Tum kitni Januable ho, Chashmish", he told her looking at her face lovingly. "Januable, woh kya hota hai?", she asked unable to figure out as she had heard the word for the first time. "Januable matlab, sab se pyaara", and his voice conveyed that she indeed was the most beautiful, the most januable girl. The night was passing and the friends were riding on the roads, having a time of their life. He dropped her back home and thanked God for giving him his friend back.