Gunji all the way

23rd Feb

Gunjan is back. The strong, tough-minded Gunjan, who can hide her hurt, her pain, mask her tears and keep everything inside, because she doesn't want to hurt her loved ones, doesn't want to see them in pain, and above all, will not make an exhibition of her hurt and her feelings because she can deal with them herself, and she WILL deal with them herself.

Her entry, smiling, happy, joking ... only she knew, and maybe Nupur, how much it cost her to keep that smile on her face, to laugh and joke, to see and keep unseen, the sadness and the pain on her friends' faces, because she didn't want their pity, didn't want them to feel sorry for her, and most importantly, SHE didn't want to feel sorry for herself. She wanted to pick herself up and move on - and she would. So they followed her lead, heart aching for her yet marvelling at the strength and courage of the most timid and quiet girl of the college ... like Dia had realised that you didn't need to look cool to be cool, so did they realise that you didn't need to look brave and strong to have the strength and courage of a lioness.

But Samrat ... who's going to tell him? Benji and Uday get that job, one which they could have done without, but they are two of his oldest friends, and they manage to break the news to him as gently as they can, unable to hide their own shock and sorrow. And Samrat breaks ... tears rolling down his cheeks ... wasn't it enough that his Chashmish went through such a ordeal, being harassed and then shot and fight for her life in hospital, and now this? All because of him ... the one person he loves most in the world, the one person he cannot live without ... why is all this happening to her?

And then he sees her ... sitting on her wheelchair ... alone, in tears. With all the others she had managed to hide them, but alone at last, they flow unchecked ... how will she do this? How will she keep herself strong and not break?
Then the voice comes which she was waiting for, hoping for ... "Chashmish."
She doesn't look at him immediately. He kneels next to her, and he's shattered ... how did this happen, you were all right yesterday. And again ... this is all my fault, if I hadn't left you alone that night. And even in the depth of her own pain she can't see him hurt or feeling guilty, so she tries to reassure him. Nupur gestures to him to cheer her up, and he tries, he really does, but she doesn't want his sorrow, his sympathy either ...

Silence ... between Sajan? Awkward silence? They can't meet each other's eyes ... his ridden with guilt, hers with her pain ... she can forgive him for leaving her alone that night, but she can't forget the words that broke her spirit, and her heart.
I'm going to make tea.
I'll help ...
I don't need your help
and Samrat knows that her hurt goes far, far deeper than the physical one in her legs ... and he swears he will heal it, will win her trust back ... because one thing hasn't changed and will never change - he can't live without her and she without him.
Kitchen - she's trying bravely to show both herself and him, that she can manage without him ... but can she? And can she lose heart so easily? How will she do this?

With Sam the genie, that's how. Her own personal genie, to help her every step of the way ... from making her tea, to making her smile again. And to rid her of her fears ... each and every one, even the silliest one - I can't see. Of course you can, Chashmish ... can you see me? Because I'm here with you - always.

Sajan don't need romantic scenes to create their magic. They do it every time they're in the same frame together.

Naveen's scenes:
Gunjan comes home from hospital

SG kitchen scene