Chapter 18

Part: 17

Angad and Kripa confrontation

Kripa's heart is beating fast as she entered Angad's cabin. She took a deep breath to smell him and swirled with a smile. She walked to the table and looked at Angad's picture. She took the frame into her hands and caressed it "You put on weight, Angad!" She caressed the frame as tears of joy filled her eyes. "I'm longing to see you. I was dreaming about you all these years! Do you remember me? I wish to see you soon. Dadi also wants to bring us close." she brought the frame close to her lips. She is about to kiss it and heard familiar voice near the door. She placed back the frame as she turned her face towards the door.
"Mittal jee! I got all the details about the meeting. I couldn't reach in time because of traffic and there was a big accident on the way too."
"Yes, Mr.Angad ! I heard it, Shabbir Sir informed lately." Both stepped into the door.
Kripa is staring at them. Her heart is beating fast and feeling her throat is getting dried. She's feeling steam coming out of her ears and going breathless. Angad turned his face from Mittal to Kripa and stunned.
Kripa astonished to see her dream in front of her eyes. She swallowed the lump in the throat as a cheer sparked at her face. Angad dropped his jaw with unbelieving looks. He took small steps towards Kripa and twisted his eyebrows and caressing her face with his looks. His heart is taking deep beats with unknown excitement.
Mittal knows about Angad's habit and settled his throat to bring them into the presence.
"Sir! This is Kripa Sharma, our new assistant to Ms.Tannu. She joined us last week and will handle your appointments along with Ms.Tannu"
Kripa recovered and stretched her hand "How are you doing, Mr.Angad? Glad to see you"
Angad is still under shock and looked at her hand and slowly met them with his and pressed softly. He joined other hand to confirm if he touched right hand. He caressed the hand and pressed between two palms.
Mittal understood Angad is flat for the new girl and took initiative to save her. "Ms.Kripa! you can leave for home, I'll take care of rest of work."
Angad came into the presence "It's ok, Mittal. Let me know her for few minutes." He turned towards Mittal still holding Kripa's hand as if he is asking him to leave the room. Mittal set his collar and walked out taking deep breath silently and thinking in mind "His eyes caught this innocent girl too"
Angad turned towards Kripa who is looking at him adorably "OH MY TATTOO!!Am I dreaming? How come you are here? Don't say this is a dream." He pressed her fingers with right hand and holding her wrist with his left hand. Kripa smiled feeling his touch "This is not a dream, Angad!" she mumbled and tried to pull her hand softly.
He shook his head and tightened his grip "This is not a dream. You are real, my real tattoo!!" He hit his head to hers."I can't believe It is real. I saw you yesterday and thought it was hallucination. Now you are in front of me." He bent on her to kiss her cheek and she backed off by turning her face aside. Angad surprised and a giggled with big smile on his face and shook his head sideway "hmmm…you grew up!!!" he patted her had softly with affection.
Kripa blushed. He walked her "take a seat please, Kripa!!"
He walked around table and took his seat other side of the table "So, when did you come to Mumbai?I know you moved to Nainital. How did you join my company? After so many years how did you remember us?"
Kripa smiled as taking her seat "We moved two months ago, Mama ki tabiyat kharab huva tha. My bua lives here. We are living with her. Bua knows Mittal Sir and I got the job"
"Glad to know you moved here. My dadi also lives in Nainital"
Kripa swallowed as she knew the truth but hid her excitement "Really? Where does she live?"
"Hmm, somewhere near court I don't know actual address as I visited that place when I was fourteen. After that I never been there and dadi only visits us occasionally."
Both stayed silent for a while as taking breath from earlier excitement. Angad checked her from head to toe. He got up and walked to her. He pulled the chair close to her. Both chairs are almost touching one with other.Her knees are between his knees.
"You changed a lot, looking matured." He laughed softly "Yeh sari, yeh choti!! What happened to the earlier appearance, tattoo??" He caressed her sari ends and strands, and pulled her plait to front.
Kripa blushed "Meri ek naam hai, Kripa." She lowered her eyes to escape his sharp piercing looks "this is me.That time I thought western clothes would help me to escape teasing in the college."
Angad laughed and patted her cheeks "Teasing! You couldn't anyway escape them. You were so innocent, foolish, and stupid."He caressed her chin and pulled her towards him holding her two shoulders. He caressed her strands. His fingers tickled her ears running goose bumps all over her body. Her cheeks turned pink. He bent on her to kiss her cheek. She astonished and got up from chair to run out of the room. He grabbed her hand and she tried to free herself "Angad! chodo, please" Her voice came out trembling and husky.
"Dinner pey chaley?"
She shook her head sideway"Mama is not well and I want to be with her."
"Tomorrow lunch?"
She shook her head as agreeing.
Angad pressed her hand and released "Goodnight! And Take care!"
She ran away.