Chapter 8

PART 11

"Hey! Kripa! Wait up!" Kripa heard someone yell as she was walking towards the front doors. Kripa turned to find Prithvi running towards her. She stopped and waited for him to catch up.

"What is it, Prithvi?" she asked him, not particularly in a mood to talk which was perfectly understandable.

"I just wanted to talk," he informed her. Kripa sighed, but agreed. What could Prithvi want now? The two exited the school and headed for the lake.

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It was dark and dank in the room when Angad Khanna woke up that morning. It was early, only 7:00. He groaned and tried to turn over and go back to sleep, but to no avail.

'This is ridiculous. Why can't I sleep anymore?' he wondered. He knew why, though. He had been having that dream again. The one he'd been having ever since the train ride.

'Why would I have such a recurring dream? It doesn't make any sense… unless… maybe my subconscious is trying to tell me something?' he thought. He reluctantly got out of bed, and proceeded to get dressed. He glanced over at his dresser, noticing a picture of him and Kripa resting on it. They were holding hands and from the looks of it laughing. They didn't seem to be acting, either. He thought it was a rather odd picture, especially since he couldn't even remember it being taken or even putting it on his dresser.

'How did that get there?'

He sighed and reached out for the frame, moving to throw it away. He was holding the picture above his trash can when he realized he couldn't.

'Maybe I'll just keep it a little while longer,' he thought, placing it back on his dresser gently. His train of thought was interrupted by a tapping. He let in the guy that was trying to deliver the message. He came in, promptly handed the letter, and then left. Angad frowned and picked up the letter. 'Would would be sending me mail this early?' He opened the letter and began to read.

Angad,

Would you please meet me across the lake today at 8? I have something to discuss with you.

Love,

Harshini

Angad sighed as he folded it back up and placed it in the pocket of his jeans. He glanced back at his alarm clock, noticing that it was now 7:15.

'Well, I have time for some breakfast and then I'll go out and meet her.'

He left his room, careful not to run into anyone. Especially Kripa.

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"What is this about, Prithvi?" Kripa asked him after the two had situated themselves under the oak tree.

"You know how the social was last night, right?" he asked. Kripa nodded, a fleeting look of pain flashing across her features. Prithvi didn't notice. He never did.

"Of course, Prithvi. What about it?" she asked.

"Well… Harshini and I both realized something last night. We realized that we shouldn't be dating. That it was all a big mistake," he told her. Kripa nodded, curious as to where this was going.

"Okay."

"We broke up."

Kripa patted him on the arm sympathetically. A month ago she would probably be so excited that she wouldn't even be able to speak, but now she didn't feel that way anymore.

"I'm sorry, Prithvi," she said sincerely. Prithvi looked at her strangely, his bright brown eyes probing hers.

"I heard you and Angad called it quits, too," he commented. Kripa inhaled sharply, trying not to think about their messy 'break up'.

"Yes, we did," she said simply, not wanting to talk about it any further.

"Do you think that…," Prithvi started, but stopped. Kripa glanced at him curiously.

"Do I think that what?" she asked. Prithvi smiled.

"Do you think that we did the right thing by breaking up?" he asked her. Kripa shrugged. She didn't like where this was going. She didn't think she felt that way about Prithvi anymore. Her heart had been stolen by a gray-eyed god, and the thing that hurt the most was that it would never happen between them.

"I don't know, Prithvi. I don't know."

"I've been thinking. At first it seemed so right. I really thought Harshini was the one for me. When I saw you with Angad, though, I was so confused. I still felt something for you, and I became so jealous. It was so strange. I guess I had just convinced myself that I was happy with Harshini that I hadn't even thought about how happy you make me. I guess what I'm trying to say is… I love you, Kripa," Prithvi said, looking at her for a reaction to his words.

Kripa felt herself go numb. This wasn't happening. Why couldn't she just love Prithvi back like she was supposed to? Why did Angad have to go and ruin everything? Kripa sighed deeply.

"I just don't know what to say to you yet, Prithvi. You hurt me. Deeply," she told him. Prithvi had the decency to look ashamed.

"I know… and I hope you can eventually forgive me. Just… think about it, okay?" he asked her. Kripa nodded wordlessly. Prithvi stood and gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead. "I'll see you later, Krips," he told her and headed back towards the school. As soon as Prithvi was gone, Kripa felt the tears well up in her eyes again. She shook her head vigorously, trying to stop herself from shedding any tears.

'Stop it, Kripa! This is what you wanted, isn't it? This was your plan all along and it succeeded! Why am I so upset, then? I should be happy that Prithvi wants to be with me again… shouldn't I?'

Kripa glanced across the lake, and caught a glance of brown and black hair. Her heart sank at the sight of Harshini and Angad.

'He doesn't love me that way… I can't believe I even thought he did for a second,' Kripa thought sadly. She saw Harshini lean in and kiss Angad, and she choked back a sob. Why was her life so complicated? It was his entire fault. She blamed Angad.

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"Angad! I'm so glad you came!" Harshini exclaimed excitedly, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him down to her. Angad sighed and faced the girl.

"What's this about, Harshini?" he asked wearily. Harshini grinned.

"We can get back together! Prithvi and I broke up last night… we both thought it was for the best! Isn't this great?" she asked him.

'Yes, of course, bloody wonderful,' Angad thought bitterly.

"What makes you think that I would get back together with you after what you did to me? You left me for Prithvi, Harshini."

Harshini looked apologetic for a moment.

"I'm sorry, Angad. I thought he was the one. He just made me realize that the only one for me is you," Harshini explained. She leaned in and kissed him. Angad was so shocked that he didn't realize what was going on for a moment. He pushed her back gently.

"Harshini, don't."

Harshini's eyes darkened in anger.

"What's wrong with you? I know you still want me! Why else would you get together with Kripa?" she demanded. Angad cringed.

"Don't talk about her like that!"

Harshini looked at him, surprised. She sighed deeply.

"I apologize, Angad. I didn't realize that she actually meant something to you."

'She means the world to me.'

"It's alright, Harshini. A month ago, you're right; I would have killed for this. Now, though…" Angad glanced across the lake and saw a pretty brunette sitting under the oak tree. He abruptly stood, starting to walk away from Harshini.

"Where are you going?" she yelled after him. He turned to look at her.

"I'm going to go do something that I should have done a long time ago," he yelled back, and sprinted to the other side of the lake.

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Note:

Okay, sorry it's short. This is one of the last chapters. 2 chapters to go till the end! Thanks to everyone for their support and lovley comments! Hope you guys like this part!!

-Natasha