Chapter 12

Part 11 - Darkness

The sun spread like a bird across the vast blue sky, and the rays slowly made their way into the room openly approving the couple sleeping on the bed locked in each other's arms.

He opened his eyes as the rays of the bright sun fell his eyes, but that didn't disturb him. The thing that disturbed him the most was that he had his hands wrapped tightly around someone, and he had a clear idea who that someone was.

He looked around to notice Kripa sleeping peacefully in his arms looking like a complete angel. And, he really didn't want to remove his hands from her, but he was forced, since what if he hurt her by mistake as it is he was way too strong than her. She was way too weak, and he didn't want to take his chances, so he tried to remove his hand from her waist.... but it was nearly impossible since Kripa was holding onto him so tightly, as if holding onto for her dear life.

He pulled his hand, and that forced her to wake up. He groaned in disappointment, as he noticed her open eyes slowly – look at him, then close them again, but a second later she opened her eyes quickly, as she realized this was not her dream, but the reality.

They both got up at the same time, both looking a bit awkward, since they had been so close – holding onto to each other. Angad looked away as he scratched his head, while Kripa had her eyes lowered out of shyness.

"ummm....." Angad said trying to initiate a conversation, "you want to use the washroom"

He noticed she had her eyes lowered, and he was pretty sure that she was smiling within herself, but not quite expressing it, as she nodded.

"okay.... then" he replied as he got up from the bed, and then said, "i will go get the paper," as he walked out of the room

She took a deep breath as the reality sinked in. They had been so close... way to close to each other...

Kripa instantly smiled and blushed at that thought... when she noticed Angad at the front door as he called out to her, "Kripa" she looked up and instantly lowered her eyes, as she realized he had seen her smiling by his expressions she could surely make that out.

"I ......." out of the corner of her eye she could notice he was scratching his head, "i.. ii....." he said it again, and now she was starting to get annoyed, and without a thought she blurted out loud, "Angad, spit it out man its NOT like you are telling me you love me or something".

She bit her tongue, as she realized how that must have sounded, and looked at him. He was completely red, and apart from the redness she could not quite make out what he was thinking.

Cursing herself she turned around and pretended to tidy up the bed, in order to avoid any awkward incidents, but she knew Angad was still at the door.

She heard him clear his throat, but she just stayed the same with her back facing him, and she heard him say, "I want to takeyououtfordinnertonight"

"What?" she replied turning around on her heels

"I want to take you out for dinner tonight," he said staring at the floor

This was getting extremely hard for him, especially since they had been so close to each other before, which had lead him to be unsure how to ask Kripa out for dinner.

And, then she had blurted out about revealing feelings, which had caused him more difficulty as he could think of nothing, but that love you bit.

And, all that remained on his mind was that did she love him? Did she really love him? What about him? Did he love her?

"i had like that," he heard her say

And, he scratched his head, and smiled, as he walked out the door wondering why it had been so hard to him for asking her out.

************

As Kripa looked out the window she had no idea about the incident earlier that day. Why they both were all tongue tied in the morning? They had never been like that before especially Angad was always open, and up front about everything. Then, what had happened today to make him all tongue-tied?

A part of her knew that she loved him, and that was her heart, but her brain instantly dismissed that thought, but at times even her brain betrayed her.

"Kripa," she heard Angad say, instantly she looked at him, "we are here" he said

"Ooo...," she glanced out the window to notice the new chinese restaurant welcoming them in.

She opened the door, got out, and closed the door behind her... when suddenly she heard someone yelling... She turned around at that noise to notice this man came out of no where running right at her. He was holding something in his hand, by the time she realized he was coming with great speed towards her it was too late... he looked really violent... and she could see police behind running to catch him.

She prepared herself for the worst until a second later someone pushed her roughly to the side, and pinned against her with her back railing onto the truck behind her.

Kripa glanced up in fear to notice Angad looking back at the man, with his hand around her, basically he was covering her entirely. From this close she could notice that he had not shaved this morning and those tiny strands of hair on his face were giving him this hot sexy look.

She heard screaming, and that forced her to look up only to notice that man was now holding this woman, and threatening the cops that if they didn't leave him alone... he would kill the lady... she gasped in shock...

She had been so close to being in place of that lady, if it weren't for Angad - she wouldn't even get the opportunity to admire him as she would be standing in fear of being killed.

"Angad," she said holding onto him more tightly, "why can't she just push him?"

"incase you haven't noticed Kripa he is holding a gun," he replied still looking at the back of the man

"No! He is surely holding a knife," she replied trying to glance at his weapon

She noticed he opened his mouth to speak, but shut it again, and a second later he said, "Kripa, wait here"

"say what?" she asked pulling him more closer

"I will be right back," he replied

"No," she literally yelled as she knew exactly what was on his mind, "you are not going......" then she looked down in fear and holding him she cried, "what if something happens to you?" as put her hand on his shoulder hugging him now.

"Kripa," he replied patting on her head, "trust me..." he held her chin up to make her look at him as he said that.

She looked deeply in his eyes... she did trust him... But, the matter was not of trust now...

"No, you are not going," she protested hugging him again

"Kripa," he whispered, "please try to understand... I can definitely do something here... see if something happens to that lady... I will never forgive myself for not helping her out when I had the opportunity to"

"But...."

"Nothing will happen to me... okay?" he said, as he pulled away and then he kissed her forehead, as he walked away.

She held her breath as she saw Angad walk away from her.... it was too late to stop him now.... And, all she could do was pray that Angad would be right...

A second later she gasped, as she noticed Angad pull something out and roll it, and then he pushed the lady to the side, while holding onto the man tightly with his one hand, and that roll of paper on the man's back.

The lady fell onto their car, while the police rushed in from the front, and handcuffed the man, while they thanked Angad for helping them out.

She immediately rushed to his side and hugged him from the back. He turned around smiling at her, while she asked, "what was the paper for?" as she looked deeply in his eyes

"i was going to say hands up"

"oo" she smiled

"see that was nothing," he remarked

"You have no idea how those thirty seconds were for me,"

He just laughed out loud, when Kripa noticed this lady come towards them, and mutter, "thank you!"

Angad just hugged her instantly, while the lady cried on his shoulder and thanked him a lot. They spent quite a few minutes trying to calm the lady down, who was completely terrified, even as two policemen tried to comfort her.

As they waved a goodbye, and started to walk into the restaurant. They heard a huge round of applause, as they noticed a bunch of people had assembled, and they were cheering Angad for his act of bravery.

Kripa just beamed in happiness and walked by Angad's side feeling proud for being his wife.

The atmosphere had suddenly changed and Angad was aware of that. Everything was going just fine, until Kripa had walked into the restroom... And, a completely different Kripa had walked out. Though she kept denying he was aware that something was just not right...

"you cried," he asked finally saying out what was on his mind

"no" she replied looking down... And, he realized it was a weak no, more like a defeated no.

"you sound different, and I can notice your face you know... that makeup is not going to fool me... you get it?"

He was expecting her to yell out loud, and deny that, but instead all he heard was, "no"

Her eyes were completely dull, and she looked down too. What had happened? If only he could know what had happened in the rest room.

"you are not helping in making me believe that you are telling the truth,"

For the first time in five minutes she looked at him dully... And, he realized she remotely resembled someone, who had just lost something.

He placed his hand on top of hers, and he noticed her jump in her seat.

"Kripa, tell me what happened?" he asked the question for the third time since she had been back

Before he could get an answer he felt someone touch his back, instantly he turned around to notice Kripa's parents.

"Mumma" he turned around to notice Kripa rise from her seat and hug her mother instantly.

And, as Gayatri pulled Kripa out of her hold to glance at her... Angad noticed Kripa had her head down, and he knew more like feel that she was crying now...

"Beta, what happened?" asked a worried Gayatri pulling Kripa's chin up

"kuch nahin mumma/ its nothing mumma" replied Kripa with her head down, "hum baas aapko bahut miss kar rahe the/ I was just missing you"

Gayatri just hugged her, while a confused Surya and Angad glanced at each other. But, Angad was more confused, since Kripa was perfectly fine before walking in the restroom, in fact he was aware that Kripa spoke to her parents on a regular basis, surely it couldn't be only that she was missing them. It was some other reason, but what could it be?

And, he didn't even get a chance to get the answer as Gayatri asked him a minute later, "Angad, if its fine with you can we take Kripa with us for a few days?"

He just wanted to refuse to that, surely he couldn't let Kripa leave him, so he just waited Kripa to refuse to that question, but all he got was silence.

She did not even reply to that question. Did her silence mean she wanted to go?

So, he decided to call out to her, "Kripa?" and that's when she turned around.... And, it pained him greatly to see her look completely depressed and defeated.

"Angad, if its fine with you I want to go"

She noticed at the end of her words he looked really hurt, but she was sure that she just imagined it.

They looked at each other for a while. Angad just tried to search for the answers in her eyes, while she just waited for his approval.

After a few seconds of staring, Angad looked away, and replied, "ye.... yeah... sure"

He could feel all the emotions in his throat, and he was extremely hurt that Kripa was going to leave him... Couldn't she see that he needed her? How could she leave him like this?

He heard Surya clear his throat and say, "We promise she will come back soon Angad"

Angad just looked up at them and gave a smile as they walked out leaving him alone – it was a fake smile, but he would give it, since he didn't want Kripa to see him hurt. Perhaps, she really wanted to be away... just because he wanted to be with her... it didn't mean that she wanted to be with him too...

If her happiness lied in being away from him... then, he would surely stay away from her, even it meant forever.

There was a drastic change in the weather. All the leaves had wilted and dried almost turned a deep shade of brown, and were fallen on the streets. The dryness and the chill cold cast nothing, but darkness in the city. But, the change in the weather was nothing compared to the change in Angad Khanna's life.

His life had turned completely upside down... there was no mistaking the dark circles under his eyes, which reflected his inner feelings... he slept and dark work... He looked defeated, depressed, and at times his employees had to endure his bad temper.

Not one person had imagined that the charming Angad Khanna would take such a drastic change, and everyone wondered as the reason behind his change. Some speculated that Angad's wife had died, while others muttered that his wife had cheated on him or something.

This month long separation had been painful for Angad, extremely painful. And, he had understood one thing he was not interested in Kripa, but he had fallen in love with her. He loved her with all his heart, and that's why it hurt him to not see her around... He couldn't even remember an hour that had passed by when he hadn't remembered her... she would always remain of his mind occupying his thoughts. And, he constantly regretted for letting her get away from him.... if only he could go back in time and not let her leave him...

Any phone ring made him jump, and he would literally run to answer it, hoping that it was from her... but she never called... there was not one call her... no email... nothing... did she not care about him? Didn't she miss him? Like, he missed her. Here he was dying to even see her, but apparently that wasn't the case with her. She had not once called, nor attempted to even speak to him. Why?

He had bottled up all the emotions inside him to the point he had fallen sick. He was having a loss of appetite, migraines, very moody times, and he could barely even sleep these days. Not that he didn't try, he did try to sleep, but failed miserably as soon as he closed his eyes his mind would be captured in thoughts about Kripa. And, even if he fell asleep by mistake he would dream about her... dream that they got back together, except all the happiness did not last once he woke up as he would realize that she was gone... and, then would come disappointment and pain...

He tried to make his sickness go away, but failed miserably at times he would end up walking up to the Sharma mansion, hoping to get a glimpse of Kripa, but he never saw her.

This whole separation was getting completely ridiculous. He wanted her back in his life. He just couldn't bear to live without her... he would go to the Sharma Mansion and try to persuade her to come back, but if she didn't.... then he would force her... yes, he would drag her out of that place, because this was getting completely out of hand, and it was time to put a stop to this nonsense.

Cursing Kripa, he got up from his chair, and walked out of the room with a determined look on his face.

If Angad thought that Kripa did not feel anything, then he was highly mistaken.

All day long she would sit alone in her room doing nothing... just lost in thoughts about Angad. At times, she would even call him and then hang up as soon as she would hear his voice, as that's all she wanted to hear... his voice.

And, she would keep replaying the time they spent together in her head in order to help her survive. She was in a terrible state... she could neither cry nor be too sad, as she didn't want to inflict any harm on their kid, so she would try to distract herself every day, but would fail to get distracted, as her heart would ache only for him... During the day she would to put a cheerful face up for her parents, but as soon as night fell she would sit in the darkness by her balcony crying in moonlight.

He was the only solution to make her pain go away, but she couldn't go to him... she couldn't be selfish enough to control his life. From day one, she had spoken to him as if she had some right on him, but now realized that was such a big mistake.... she had no right on him...

A tear slide down her cheek, as she remembered the promise she had made to her self a month ago, the promise that she would stay away from him forever... she would never enter his life, and just leave him alone for his happiness.

She gasped as she heard the sound of thunder outside. She ran upto the balcony and closed the door, as the heavy wind was blowing all the curtains away nearly tearing them apart, and all the papers were running around in the room. She stared outside to notice heavy rain falling, and lightening in the night sky. Then, she heard sounds of thunder again, and that's when the lights went out.

She sat there by the balcony with only a small light coming from the moon on the floor, and stared in the darkness wondering about Angad. That's exactly when she felt her baby kick, so she immediately put her hand on her stomach, and spoke to their kid.

"I am going to tell you a story today," she said, with tears coming in her eyes, "the story of your mommy and daddy..." she paused for a second wiping her tears, and smiled as she began, "your mommy and daddy met a few months ago in a Las Vegas casino, ofcourse I don't remember anything about that meeting except that we both were completely drunk" she laughed at that, but instead choked on her tears, "soo.... daddy was this really nice guy, he was all serious and everything" when the tears were uncontrollable she decided to stop the story, and said, "i m sorry, but i can't continue this story.... let me tell you some other one... i promise it will be much better... okay?" so she sat there closing her eyes, and wiping her tears, once she thought she could start... she began, "once in a land there was this princess, she was nice, but a bit mean, and she never believed in things like love as she believed they were nothing, but a lie... She was very selfish, and just focused on her life, but all that changed when a prince came by...." she paused as she felt another kick, "glad your liking it" she whispered touching her stomach, then she continued, "the prince changed everything... he brought all the world's happiness on her steps... he cared so much for, perhaps no one had cared that much for her, and she was happy very happy, she had literally never felt such happy. Unknowingly, she started to fall for him... she started to care for him, and she started to place his happiness above her to the point that she had to ---".

She heard another sound of thunder, this one was much louder than the previous one, and then she heard a noise. At first she thought she just imagined it, but when she heard it again she straightened up.

Holding on to the floor she decided to get up, and call her parents, but changed her mind when she realized that she was old enough now, why should be scared?

Putting up a brave front with one hand on her stomach she pushed the curtains aside to notice no one, but that was impossible...

She had heard someone for sure, maybe it was downstairs or something... so she decided to walk to the door, until she heard the noise again, and this time she heard it clearly.

Taking god's name she opened the balcony door, and stepped outside. The heavy rain fell on her making her completely wet she went to the other side only to feel someone cover her mouth.

The person pushed the balcony door, and forced her inside... And, then they closed the door behind them still holding to her tightly... she struggled to get out of their hold, but failed miserably as their hold was tight, and then she heard them whisper in her ear, "its me"

At first she thought she had imagined.... it surely couldn't be... it just couldn't be...

And, then the person lifted their hand out, and she turned around to face Angad.

But, how could it be Angad? This was just a dream... this had to be a dream... how could Angad be here? As it is she kept imagining him everywhere, this had to be her imagination...

She closed her eyes, then opened them again. And, at one point even pinched herself, but when she still continued to see Angad she became confused, and that's when she heard him speak, "you are not imagining me, Kripa"

She gasped in delight. It was really Angad... it was really him.... her Angad was standing right in front of her, and he was completely wet..... o if only she could tell him how much she had longed to see him, and be with him... She really wanted to hug him... she really did....

But, suddenly that nasty voice inside her brain spoke "remember your promise, Kripa", and that was the end of everything... She turned around, and said, "go away, Angad" feeling herself chock as she said that.

She wiped her eyes, and that's when she felt him turn her around. He looked at her, while she just stared at the floor... she couldn't bear to look in his eyes... they always made her forget everything... actually, he made her forget everything....

"why kripa?" she heard him say, and she could sense pain in his voice

she was just imagining it... in fact, he looked much more happier she told her self, but her heart screamed at her and told her to look at him... he had grown so weak now – he had definitely lost a good chunk of weight, and the dark circles under his eye----

"why did you leave me kripa?" he was holding her and shaking her now

Tears formed in her eyes as she realized his condition. He had turned miserable all due to her... he had grown attached to her.... damn!

"just leave Angad!" she screamed as she moved back, "go away... okay... just leave me alone... i don't like you okay?" and she cried as she said that..

"And, do you think I like you? Do you think i care for you or something?" he screamed back at her as he moved in front...

She cried even more, but firmly replied, "just get lost! Okay, I hate you... you get it... i just hate you" the words she thought she would never have to tell him... she was telling them now... more like forcing herself to say them...

"O ya?" he replied as he walked in front, and pinned her to the wall, "you hate me do you Kripa?" he asked

They were so close now... way too close, and she could barely even move... he had placed his hands on the side to make sure she didn't escape... she helplessly looked at him...

She managed to muster up the courage and looked up and found herself looking into his bewitching eyes again... She immediately melted... all her complaints drained away... everything just vanished.... the only thing that mattered was him and only him.

"yeah," she replied biting her lips

"well, i will prove you wrong!" he answered as he captured her lips with his.

And, was it any surprise that all her complains fell apart? Her brain entirely betrayed her?

She weakened at his one touch, and went completely at his mercy. She had missed him, and she could sense that he did too.

They kissed for a while, until they were forced to stop in order to catch their breath, but a minute he was kissing her again.... And, before she knew it he had lifted her in his strong arms, and carried her to the bed.

"Angad, I want my ice-cream," screamed Kripa a while later

"since, when did you start eating a ice-cream?" questioned a amused Angad staring at her face

"Angad, go now! And, get me some" she yelled

"okay okay," he replied as he reluctantly got up and put his shirt on, "give me a minute, okay?"

"****" Kripa muttered as she got up

"What?" asked Angad

"You can't go" she replied as she got up, "my parents... what if they see you?"

"sweety, we are married you know? I am not your boy friend" replied Angad with a smile

"But, still" she replied putting her robe on and slipping on her slippers, "what if they see you?"

"Look Kripa, they won't care.... Honestly, they won't, so don't you worry... now get back into bed its cold out here" he replied as he walked out of the room closing the door behind him.

Kripa sat there for a while staring at the space blankly with a smile on her face, and she blushed, as she remembered what had just happened a while ago.

And, then she spotted something on the ground... she bent down and picked up only to notice it was a wallet... it was Angad's wallet, and it was open.... There was some lady's picture in it, but she couldn't quite make out whose the picture was until she switched on the table lamp, and that's when she stared at the picture in surprise.

It was her picture... oh god! How could she have been so stupid? Why would he carry her picture unless she meant something to him? And, here she had believed it to be something else...

Tears came in her eyes... these ones for entirely different reasons... out of happiness more like...

She looked at the picture again through her tears... it was a old picture of hers... this picture was taken two or three years, and Angad had stolen it out of her album.

She smiled as she realized it, taking out a pen from the drawer, she made all sorts of marks on the picture when she was satisfied with her work she closed the wallet, and put the pen away.

"here you go," said Angad walking into the room

He frooze in the spot when he noticed her face...

"what?" she questioned

"you were crying again, weren't you?" he asked sitting beside her placing the ice-cream bowl on the side.

"no, i wasn't" she replied wiping off her tears with a smile

"Kripa, we really need to sort out a few things out" he said, "I need to know why you left me?"

"Angad, i was missing my parents," Kripa replied picking the ice-cream bowl

"liar," Angad muttered as he pulled onto his lap

"i m not lying," replied Kripa taking the first bite

"Kripa, you better spit everything out or else I will force you" he said seriously

"o ya? And, how can you force me Khanna?" asked Kripa looking in his eyes as he took another bite

"Want to welcome tickling again," he replied with a grin

"you won't dare," yelled Kripa as she tried to get out of his hold

"o i can do anything honey" he replied in that teasing tone of his "now spit it out b/c you are starting to really PISS me off"

"Angad, can it wait?" she asked making a cute puppy face

"NO!" he stated firmly, "i have had enough torture.."

"okay, then" she replied, "let me finish this first"

"No! Kripa, I am very well aware that you will come up with any excuse to escape, so how about we start talking now? Something happened in the restroom tell me what it was"

"ahhhh!" she yelled as he pulled out the bowl from her hands, "You have to give that back to me once I am done.... Anyways, so I went to the restroom"

"And?" asked Angad eagerly looking at her

"I saw these two girls, and they gave me this look, but I ignored them... And, then I over heard them talking...." she paused, "They were talking about you.... They said that you and this girl Tania looked so cute together, and how you guys loved each other (at this point Angad looked amused) and you were planning to even get married to her, and then they were like how I came between you two..."

Angad burst out laughing...

"What's so funny?"

"You are sooo innocent, Kripa" he stated pulling her cheeks

"What do you mean?"

"That was a whole pile of crap, Kripa..." he laughed again, as he said, "And, I can't believe you fell for it ms. tv-addict"

"Are you serious?" asked Kripa

"Kripa, haven't you seen in movies when someone hates you... they make something up to hurt you... Its all the time in tv shows & movies, so how could you fall for it?" he replied

"There was no Tania?" asked Kripa feeling delighted

"There was a Tania" replied Angad, but once he noticed her look, he immediately answered, "But, not like your thinking... Tania had feelings for me, but I never did... It was only one sided... it was nothing, Kripa"

"Why didn't you have feelings for Tania?" asked Kripa

"Kripa! What? Now, you are feeling bad for her... You want me to have feelings for her or something?" he asked with his teasing tone back

"no, I dont mean that" said Kripa looking a bit lost

"I can't believe you left me for such a stupid reason. You could have come to me and asked me for the reality... see we wasted a entire month in this"

"Hey! Mister, it wasn't only my fault... You could have come after me as well right? Or stopped me from leaving!"

"And, you would have stopped at my words?"

"Ye," she replied as she saw him lift his wallet, "Don't take it!"

"Why?" he questioned looking at her

"Dont!" she replied trying to pull it out of his hold, but he managed to open it up..

"KRIPA!" he yelled, "what did you do?"

She smiled as she replied, "your punishment for stealing,"

"And, now this your punishment for drawing marks on this beautiful picture" he replied taking out his cell

"What are you doing?" she questioned

"Taking our picture!" he replied

"No, Angad! I hate taking pictures! Besides, this is not Kasamh Se!"

"What's Kasamh Se?" asked Angad

"Its a Ekta Kapoor Show, and I heard from my nurses that in one of the episodes they showed that they had pictures of their "night" together as well"

"Ahhhh! Excellent idea!"

"No!" screamed Kripa trying to get out his hold, but it was too late, since Angad had already taken their picture together.

Angad walked on the beach to notice Kripa on the side looking at the vast blue ocean. She had a cute smile playing on her beautiful lips.... As he glanced at her he realized she was the most beautiful girl, he had ever layed his eyes open... beautiful from both the inside and out.. And, especially these days she had this glow on her face...

He stared at her for a long time.... He couldn't take his eyes off her, she looked extremely beautiful and sexy in that baby pink salwaar kameez... the kammez showed the size of her legs, which appeared to be skinny.. while, the salwaar was quite short.. with a white-pink dupatta swayed on her neck....

She had hazel eyes, thick long eyelashes, eyebrows that were small and just required a bit of cleaning.... straight hair that were a bit more than shoulder length, but thick with shiny texture falling from the sides, while the earrings dangled as she shook her head....... her small lips were tempting due to their colour and texture, and her cheeks were so adorableee.... he wondered why he hadn't noticed them before...

The only thing that he disapproved about her... was the nose, which was perfect in length wise but a little bit huge (not extremely) but the tip of her nose appeared like a small ball... The top was straight and perfect, it was only the tip that he had a problem with.... but soon he did start to like it... as although, it looked different, it appeared cute and did suit her... He couldn't picture her with long straight thin nose.... and just smiled as he tried to picture her with different types of 'noses' in his mind...

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I know half of you are going "Is this mismatch?" This was supposed to be totally "goodygoody", then why did I separate them for a month? o trust me even I have no idea! I sat down with the clear intention of making this part w/ confessions & honeymoon, but instead I wrote something completely different!

And, its mainly because either this part was going to be short, or the last part, but since many of you requested a long part - I came up w/ this! Next part will be the last part to the ff!  and it will be coming up on Sunday next week.

I will be waiting for your comments!