Chapter 26

Part: 25

Angad tried to fool his own heart for couple more days. But he lost his appetite and sleep and longing to talk to Kripa. He doesn't have Kripa's home phone number and has no guts to visit her in person. "Ek phone toh kar sakti thi na. Stupid!"
Aaliyah informed Kripa how Angad is missing her and Kripa felt happy."Wo sach much mujhey miss kar raha hai? Kahin Dadi ki plan toh nahin? Aaliyah ki bhi ho sakti hai! Chalo, Let him call me if he really misses me" Kripa talked herself cuddling her pillow that night.
Neither Angad called Kripa nor did she. Wedding date came close to 4 days and Suryaban came back with all arrangements and purchases. Netra helped with the venue and other arrangements in Mumbai.
"Maa! Mein office jaakar cards baantkar aati hoon" Kripa got ready with sky blue crepe sari and gold jewelry. Gayatri curled her palms around Kripa's head as if taking out the nazar "bahut sundar lag rahi hai, dulhan ki mahek aagayi hai" she kissed her forehead and bid bye.
Suryaban stopped her "Angad toh tumhara colleagues ko cards detey hai na phir tum bhi baantney ki kya jaroorat thi?" He sounded disliking of her meeting Angad when just few days left for wedding.
Gayatri interfered "jaaney deejiye, uski mann bhi karta hoga ussey dekhney"
Kripa felt shy and walked out. Her heart is jumping to see Angad and keep blushing remembering Gayatri's words. "Mann toh bahut kar raha hai, kya who bhi aisi sochta hoga? But he never called me??"
Everyone including Ms.Tannu and Mr.Mittal welcomed Kripa and showed their happiness. She personally invited everyone and walked into Angad's cabin to see empty room.
Kripa sighed and left her card with his name on his table and turned to leave the room.
"Angad!" she mumbled when saw Angad entering into the cabin. Angad's face lit up to see Kripa "Hi! Kripa! How are you? When did you come?" he walked her to the sofa. He wanted to say "I miss you" but again remembered she left without informing him and resigned without his knowledge.
He took a card from the bunch in her hand and read "hmm., so cards baantney aayi ho!" he walked to his table "Mujhey bhi invite kar rahi hai?" he took his card from his table. Kripa looked into his eyes and smiled "haan, kahin bhool gaya toh."
He walked to her and looked into her eyes "Bhoolna? Dadi haina har waqt yaad dilaney ke liye. Shadi sey bhaagna bhi chahta hoon magar himmat nahin ho rahi hai." He laughed loudly and sat beside her crossing his right foot on his left knee as looking into her eyes and thought " Kripa! I missed you," just spoke out " Kaisey ho?"
"Kitney baar poochogay? Theek hoon, shadi ki tareek nazdeek aa rahi hai, mann naach rahi hai." She sarcastically commented blinking her eyes and rolling her tongue.
"I missed you, bina bataye kyon chali gayi thi? No phone, no communication? Resign bhi kardi?" Angad dropped his hand around her.
She looked at him and squeezed her lower lip "If you missed me why dint you call me? Not even once?"
He pressed her head to his "I don't have your Nainital number. Bina bataye chali gayi thi. I was shy to ask Dadi about your number."
Kripa made big eyes and laughed at him "Shy? Aur tum? Angad! tum sach much badal gaya hai. Wo college wala Angad kahan kho gaya tha?"
"Tab ki baat different hai Kripa! Now I'm opposing our marriage and Dadi sey yeh poochoon ki 'I miss Kripa and I need her number?' Woh kya sochegi?" Angad blushed.
Kripa surprised and dropped her jaw "Toh you really missed me!! Iss mein chupaney ki kya baat hai. Jada se jada sochegi ki tumko mujhsey pyar hogaya hai" she blushed and twisted her braid to her fingers.
Angad sighed "pyar"!! He gave cheesy looks at her and giggled "Kripa! Pyar toh mein tumsey humesha karta hoon. Magar yeh pyar alag hai. Chalo, phirsey hum shuru hogaye hai.
Kripa also sighed and about to say something and Angad interfered "khana khaogi? Shall we go out?"
He didn't wait for her answer and took her hand to grab her up "Chalo".
Kripa is trying to understand him by following him silently. When they are at the door Misthy arrived. "Hi Angad! Sorry for coming without calling before. I think you are going somewhere? I was just passing by and thought I could meet you. Can I have your quick suggestion, please!"
"No problem, Misthy! We are just leaving for lunch. You can come anytime no need to prior calls or appointments." He led her to sofa dropping his head around her waist. Kripa stood with fuming inside "Pata nahin isko dekthey hi mera BP bad jaati hai" She thought.
Misthy opened two jewelry boxes and placed on the sofa "Do you remember, two days ago we did some jewelry shopping? That guy delivered them today, just now. Tell me which one would be good for me."
Angad checked both for few seconds "this looks too clumsy now and this looks better. You have long neck this would look good at you." He chose one out of the two.
Kripa is observing with shock "mere saat shopping karney ki mann nahi raha tha!! How much interest he is showing now? Long neck, what an observation!!" She thought cursing him under clinching her teeth.
Misthy left after few more minutes and Angad drove Kripa to the restaurant.
On the whole drive Kripa is trying to analyse Angad and his personality towards other ladies. She twisting her eyebrows, squeezing lips, face is becoming red every now and then.
Angad is also observing her and thinking that she is upset coz of Misthy "abhi sey jalan? Possessive?
Angad stopped in front of a shop while Kripa is in her thoughts.
"Chalo, I want to buy some bangles for you." Angad told the reason behind his halt when Kripa twisted her eyebrows.
"Bangles? Why? I don't want anything." Kripa pouted with anger remembering his shopping with Misthy.
Angad looked from corner of eyes "Dadi told me to buy something for you. I also wanted to buy something for you. I liked the bangles when we, I mean, me and Misthy was shopping two days ago. I couldn't buy that time coz you are not here and I want you to approve it."
Kripa decided to go with him but changed mind after hearing that he chose them when he was with Misthy "Nahin Angad! iski koyi jaroorat nahin hai. Waisey hi I bought a lot of jewelry already." She turned her face other side.
Angad turned her face to him, "It's my gift for you for your wedding."
Kripa showed big eyes "MY WEDDING!!!"
"KRIPAAA" Angad's pleading tone made her laugh "Tumsey jaada gift kya hoga, Angad? I'm fine now."She tried to remove his hand and turn her face away.
"Misthy sey jaltey ho?"
Kripa stared into his eyes and lowered by shaking her head confusingly "Mujhey bhook lag rahi hai".
Angad rolled his tongue "Pehley bangles then only food." Angad led her into shop.