Chapter 16

Part: 15

Kripa's birthday party went very well with almost 100people presence from known families. Kripa looking elegant and attracting everyone with her sky blue sari and latest new hair style. Suryaban introduced Kripa to everyone. All eligible bachelors tried to make friendship with Kripa. Kripa though sometimes got irritated covered her irritation with a cheerful smile for curtsey. She noticed Devayani's eyes were following her wherever she was moving all the time.
"Happy Birthday sis!!" Prithvi wished from Boston on the phone.
Kripa jumped "Prithvi! Kaisa hai tum? When are you planning to come? Meri shadi?...mama has fears and worrying about my marriage. My teacher is trying to help me out of situation. I wanna work either in Nainital or Mumbai.." Kripa updated him excitingly.
Prithvi promised that he will definitely attend Kripa's marriage if she informs before time.
A few parents pursued the matter with Suryaban. Both Sharmas felt happy for the good response from the parents of eligible bachelors. Kripa is worried now if she has to agree for the alliances instead of taking up a job. Dadi also worried if Kripa's parents settle any of matches as they are equally good and appropriate for Kripa.
"Surya! Please consider my proposal too." Devyani explained about Angad at the discussions after the party.
"Maasi jee! Baat aisi hai to aap unhey yahin bula letey hai aur Kripa ko dikhatey hai. Hum bhi kush hojayengey jaaney pehchaan rista lekar." Gayatri excited as the alliance is from Devyani.
Suryaban also agreed for the proposal with little hesitation "Maasi jee! Mujhey koyi objection nahin hai. But you are saying that Angad needs some time before going for wedding?"
Devyani searched for words "Haan, wo kya hai ki Surya! Angad wants some time to settle down." she gathered some more words and continued "humari Kripa also wants to take up some job. Let's give her a chance to enjoy her life too. Why don't we give a chance to her to experience some work? either in this town or outside for a year or two?"
Kripa is excited for her beloved teacher taking her side and using the opportunity in right way. Devyani gestured with her eyes. Kripa thanked with her eyes.
Suryaban stil not satisfied "Maasi jee! Kripa ki kya maan na? She is young to take her own decision and she might be thinking working is easy task. I don't want her to trouble herself and I want her to settle in her life."
"I'm there with you and with Kripa. I'll take the responsibility wherever she wants to work. Just give me a word that you offer your daughter to my grandson." Devyani tried to convince Suryaban.
Both Sharma couple surprised for her interest and affection on Kripa, and felt happy for her alliance. "Maasi jee! Bus ek baar Angad ko Kripa ko dekhney ke liye aaney deejiye then we can go for their engagement. We can fix the marriage date lately."
Kripa slept with sweet dreams praying her wish to work would come true first and lately she become Angad's bride if everything goes well.
After a week,
Devyani approached Suryaban who is in deep sorrow in the hospital. Gayatri became seriously ill and was admitted into hospital a few hours ago. Kripa is crying sitting in a corner. Devyani consoling both as doctor informed her condition is stable but needs to keep under continuous observation.
Next morning Netra came to visit Gayatri and advised Suryaban to bring her to Mumbai as she needs observation under good doctors consultation. Everyone together decided to move to Mumbai. Suryaban took his family and reached Mumbai with Netra. Netra arranged for good hospital and doctors for Gayatri which helped Gayatri to recover within a month. Netra forced suryaban to stay another month as Gayatri needs good rest.
One night everyone is enjoying dinner with chatting on various general subjects. Netra is surprised to know about Kripa's interest in working over that in a city like Mumbai.
"Wah yeh toh bahut achi baat hui. I'm impressed to know it. Damini bhabhi is very much worried about Gayatri di and she wants you all move here. Now I don't let you go back to Nainital. Kripa! Batao. What kind of work you wanna do? Did you try anywhere else before? Where do you have interest in?"
"Netra Aunty! Aisi kuch thoughts to nahin hai. But I have graduated in Arts and having qualifications like art, music, karate." Kripa explained.
"Hm! Yeh music, art ..I don't think you get any job in those grounds unless you try in film or music industry." Netra is thinking where to get her to join.
Kripa took initiative "Netra Aunty! Anything like secretary, personal assistant, accountant ..that kind of job is also okey for me. And I heard aaj kal computers mein, call centers mein bhi bahut acha demand hai"
Netra shook her head "Toh, I can do one help. I know many companies where you can comfortably join." She called someone immediately and excited to inform Kripa that one job is fixed for her.
"I'll drop you tomorrow in that office and make sure you feel comfortable with them." Netra informed her plans. Kripa is excited and thanked Netra.
At the same time with Angad:
Angad got call from one of his batch mates before leaving for home "Hey Angad! Do you remember me? I'm Manek. Tumhara batchmate in M.K.College of Arts and Sciences. " Angad is surprised "Hey Manek! How can I forget you yaar! Kahan ho? where were you all these days?"
"Bataoonga, pehley come over now to the club where you meet Shabbir everyday" Manek hung the phone. Angad is surprised and went there after an hour.
"I was in Ahmadabad for three years and moved to Mumbai a year and half ago. Anittah told me that you all are here only."
"Anittah? Wo toh CLAWS ki haina? How do you know her?" Angad frowned.
"We met in a movie theatre last year and slowly ishq hogaya tha and we are thinking to tie knots soon. And I'll invite you jaroor aana.
I'm collecting all details from our friends, batch mates. I'm trying to gather everyone once for all. Before that we should meet and I'll inform you venue and time."
Angad informed Shabbir and Aaliyah about Manek and they joined Angad soon in the bar. Manek called Anittah to meet him immediately.
Aaliyah surprised to see Anittah with Manek "Love with rival?"
Shabbir winked at Aaliyah "Agar kal Kripa miljayegi na Angad ka bhi love with rival stamp hojaayega."
Angad smiled "Ishq !! wo bhi Kripa sey ? and rivalry toh college mein tha ab hum sab friends hai."
Aaliyah and Shabbir exchanged looks and Angad defended his statement "I'm just saying about Manek and Anittah."
Anittah and Manek confused about the subject but thanked Angad for his statement about friendship.
Manek informed that he knows where Raj, Harshini and many others. All decided would meet on Sunday evening in a disco.