Chapter 15

Part:14

Kripa is tossing on the bed "yeh mein kya kehdiya? Do I really like Angad. Do teacher's Angad and meri Angad ek hi hai? "meri Angad" yeh kahan sey agaya? Why do I always refer him like that? He must have forgotten me by now. Does he know where I am? If both Angads are the same Teacher must knew it. Is this the reason she wants to tie me to him? I don't think so. Meri Angad (she blushed again for addressing him like hers) is in Mumbai only. Did he go to London? Does he have a maama in London? Pata nahin. I never bothered to know about his personal details then why am I thinking about him so much? I forgot his features now. Do I recognize when he comes in front of me? What if I ask teacher for his picture?"
On the other end Angad is tossing on his bed and rubbing forehead to pillow intermittently. "Why am I not interested in any girl? Nobody attracts me like I dream. Mama, papa, dadi sab mere peechey padey huvey hai shadi ke liye. Why don't they leave me alone? When will I see 'my girl'? Simone, Tannu, Ruby,sheetal so many girls…but no one is like I consider second time. How can I think of marrying any of them? Yeh Aaliyah bhi kuch bhi kehdeti hai.." He walked into the balcony for some fresh air and to stop his chain of thoughts. A cheer came into his face when his looks locked on opposite balcony "Kripa!!" kahan hai wo? How does she look like now? Is Aaliyah right that I'm waiting for Kripa?" he smiled for his thoughts and leaned his back against balcony parapet wall "I don't think so" he turned his eyes again on opposite balcony "Does she really stay in Nainital? What if I ask dadi? What would dadi think about me? No, I shouldn't take any hasty step. What if Kripa looks same as earlier as Stupid, fool, innocent? Can I take it now?!! It might be difficult!!" He sighed heavily rubbing his heart and walked back into his room to lie on bed.
Devayani opened the door and smiled at Kripa as she is expecting her in the early hours of that day.
Kripa in her peach color sari and loosed braid hair is looking elegant. Kripa bent and touched Devyani's feet three times and pressed against her eyes. Devyani blessed "Phoolo Phalo, kush raho. Duniya ki har kushi tumhey miljaaye. Jaldi tumhey behat pyar karney wala humsafar miljaaye."
Devyani caressed Kripa's cheeks "Bahut sundar lag rahi hai. Meri hi nazar lag jaayegi"
She snapped her fingers and closed her eyes and took a deep breath "mmmmmmmmm… .haaa..kya kushboo hai. Aap cake bana rahi hai na?" she rolled her big eyes and walked into kitchen.
"Teacher! I know you make chocolate cake for me. This whole cake is only for me. And papa ordered a big cake for guests. Aap shamko aa rahey hai na?"
Devyani shook her head "meri honeywali poti ki baat kaisi taal sakti?? Jaroor aaoongi. I wish I would bring my most eligible bachelor along with me." Kripa hugged her affectionately and grinned "Today I don't wanna hear any unpleasant baatey."
Devyani laughed.
Kripa sighed heavily and hugged Devyani from behind "If I marry your Angad would you stay with me for life? I know one day I have to leave my home town, my parents, my house but I would be happy if I marry your grandson so that I don't have to leave you"
Devyani pressed Kripa's head to hers and caressed her cheeks. She turned to her as she felt wet cheeks "Jaroor rahoongi. Bhagwan aashirwad de tujhey meri poti banadey" Kripa shied and hugged Devyani "I wish too, dadi!" she thought in her mind.
Devyani moved Kripa away and kissed her forehead. Kripa blushed. Devyani looked into her eyes "Angad sey pyar karti ho?"
Kripa startled and grinned and rolled her eyes by raising eyebrows "Kisss Angad sey?"
Devyani made funny face "your choice of Angad!!"
Kripa laughed "Teacher aap bhi na. I told not to bring any unpleasant things and you started" she took Devyani's chunni end to roll to her finger. Devyani lifted her face up "tell me the truth, don't you wanna hear about Angad "
Kripa filled tears and shook her head sideway "I don't, what if he rejects me?"
"Mein hoon na!!" Devyani wiped her tears from cheeks. Kripa smiled "Love should happen on its own, teacher! You should never force someone to love you"
"Wah! Lagta hai aaj sach much Kripa badi hogayi hai!!"
Kripa smiled "I leave now; I have to help mama and papa. I'll be waiting for you and cake"
Devyani sighed after Kripa left and thought to call Angad as he would be still in bed that morning.
Angad's bedroom:
"Hi Dadi! Aap kaisey hai? I'm missing you. Why don't you move here? Kya hai uss Nainital mein?"Angad answered the phone call from bed.
"Meri baat chodo, are you still in bed? When will you grow up?"
"Dadi! Aapki daant sunkey bahut din hogayi" he laughed and got up from bed "Come home, dadi!"
"Aaoongi jaroor, tumhara shadi par. I already fixed a girl for you. Tell me when are you coming to see her?" Angad gave the receiver to Naina before Devyani finished her sentence.
Naina gestured and Angad whispered 'dadi' and left.
"Shadi ki baat suntey hi Phone tumhey dediya tha!!" Devyani sighed. "dekho Naina! I have fixed a very nice girl for Angad. Bahut jaaney pehchaan ki hai. Agar tum log yahan aye toh rista pakka karletey hai"
"Ma! You know how stubborn Angad is. Unless he says yes we couldn't even come there. Send her picture probably I could able to convince him"
Devyani sighed "whatever you did so far is enough to show how much you could convince him. Anyway let me talk to Angad"
"He already left" Naina lied on Angad's gesture.
"I know he is making you lie to me" Devyani sighed and hung the phone.
"You made me lie to your grandmother." Naina angered on Angad. He apologized and left for work.
Evening in the bar:
"What are you seriously thinking, Angad?" Shabbir asked sipping his beer.
"Dadi called in the morning" Angad replied "I felt bad for lying to her and thinking to visit her"
"Visit who? Kripa?" Aaliyah patted on his shoulder from behind.
"Think of the devil, why do you always escort Shabbir?" Angad irritated greeting her.
"Patni dharm, I'm his fiance and it's my duty to keep an eye on him. What if he follows you?" Aaliyah taunted Angad and leaned on Shabbir.
Shabbir pressed her with one hand and kissed on her temple "I love you, and trust me, I want to pull Angad from this and I never follow him"
"Pata hai yaar, I just want to let him know what he is missing." Aaliyah winked at both.