Chapter 30

Chapter 29

Kripa goes to the Khanna House the following morning to see if Angad would talk to her, hoping they could sort this out mutually. Sadly, Naina informs Kripa that he was staying at a friend's house last night and isn't feeling good. Well this definitely brings on some guilt for Kripa. She then goes to school, hoping to run into Angad, but alas, he never shows up for any classes.

**********

In the morning Angad sees that he is at Prem's apartment. Prem doesn't live with his parents, just wanting some freedom and independence. In any case Angad tells Prem his whole story of rejection and suffering. Prem is really sympathizing towards Angad, since he knows the pain of not being able to be with the person you love, which in Prem's case was Mukti. Prem tells Angad to hold tight because Kripa will realize sooner or later what Angad truly means to her. Angad is just in no mood to listen about how Kripa isn't ready, he just thinks these are all excuses of hers because she is scared, scared to let someone take her heart away, giving him full control over her emotions, making her vulnerable. He is fuming with anger because of her actions.

Angad then leaves Prem's house and goes back to the pub to get a little to drink, while Prem leaves to go to college. When Prem returns home from college he finds Angad missing, so he immediately calls Kavya and Neev in order to find out his whereabouts. Prem then looks around his neighborhood and comes across the same pub where he found Angad last night. Prem decides to check it out and spots Angad getting wasted AGAIN. Prem gets Angad in the car eventually. Prem directly calls Kavya and Neev and tells them to distract Dilip and Naina so he can sneak Angad home and in bed to rest before his parents realize Angad is drunk. Kavya and Neev comply and they start fighting outside so that Dilip and Naina have to break it up before it "actually" turns violent. Prem gets Angad in his room and drops him on the bed, while he himself starts panting for air, cursing Angad's habit of working out. Soon after the mission is accomplished Prem leaves and Angad rests trying to become sober again, only time could fix his state in time for the party. Yes today is Kripa, Prachi, and Kavya's birthday party and Angad is not looking forward to seeing Kripa. He just can't look at her without feeling anger and pain.

Prem has filled in Kavya and Neev before he leaves about the whereabouts of Angad and what had taken place last night between Angad and Kripa. Kavya is just really irritated with Kripa because he knows for a fact that Kripa is in love with Angad, she is just terrified of the thought of not being independent and having to feel weak. He knows one major reason she won't admit her love is because she fears it will ruin their friendship if it doesn't work out. Neev feels really bad for Angad, since Angad put himself out there and got rejected. Neev figures this is probably what Prachi had felt, unwanted and unloved. Neev knows Prachi is brave, so brave that she risked everything for a chance at love. It is just amazing it worked out in the end and that's what Neev wishes for Angad and Kripa, for all to work out in the end. Well around six in the evening, Angad wakes up with a minor headache, and finds Anjali waiting for him to take some medication. Anjali's loving and sympathizing nature is enough to make Angad feel a little better. At least some people cared about him, he thinks to himself while taking his medicine.

They all start getting dressed for the Sharma kids' party, Angad a little hesitantly. Angad wears a black suit, a grey silky shirt with the first couple buttons open exposing his tanned chest along with spiky hair. He looks great as usual, though his eyes told a different story, one of misery and anguish. He is so not in the mood to look at Kripa, to have to gawk over her petite perfect figure, if only he didn't have to go. Kavya plans to wear a brown suit with an emerald green silky shirt, while Neev wears a black suit with a red shirt. Anjali wears a mint green sari with heavy embroidery all around it, Prachi wears a fuchsia pink sari with embroidery and Kripa wears a black sari with full silver embroidery. They all looked gorgeous. They all arrive at the Sharma House, while Angad stays downstairs; Anjali and Neev make their way upstairs to wish their lovers a very happy birthday.

**********

Kavya is trying to get ready, he has on his brown suit's pants and is walking around his room without his shirt on. Anjali opens the door and sees Kavya standing around half naked so she quickly turns around. She is standing there quite stiff at the moment while Kavya begins to approach from behind. He shuts the door in front of her, closing it, leaving them completely alone in the room, with Anjali still facing the door and Kavya facing her back. Kavya whispers in her ear, "Where is my birthday gift Anju…" in the sweetest way. He gently turns Anjali and inches near her, close enough to kiss her, but Anjali brings the gift right in between their faces, blocking his attempt at a kiss, leaving Kavya a little irritated. He quickly takes it, drags Anjali, and sits on the bed opening it quickly. He finds that it is a scrapbook, which says on the cover, "Kavya and Anjali Forever Together". Kavya gasps looking at the priceless gift as he opens the first page consisting of their baby photos with them playing / fighting, honestly you couldn't tell even from day one with them whether they were enemies or friends. Kavya flips through it with Anjali sitting closely and admires her crafty nature to create such a wonderful gift. The pictures are of things she cherishes, it shows she cares enough to keep them all these years, and it isn't just pictures but movie stubs and diary entries about the stuff they fought over, presents, little gestures, etc. It is just the most perfect gift for Kavya. Now he really knows that Anjali too feels they were at least friends back then, if not more. He turns to Anjali, who rests her head on his shoulder and kisses her forehead saying, "Thanks Anju, I will forever treasure this" While Anjali blushes watching him look through the book.

**********

      Neev has casually walked into Prachi's room, seeing no one, and then he decides to wait for his lady love in her room and flip through some magazines. He sits there humming a random tune. That's when Prachi comes out wearing a white towel, hair slightly wet from her shower, lost in her thoughts. She doesn't seem to notice Neev sitting on her bed, but Neev sure notices Prachi. That image of Prachi will stay imbedded in his mind for eternity, he is so sure. He doesn't know when his jaw drops and drool has started forming, he is too busy staring at her to notice. Neev yells, "HOLY CRAP!" Well Prachi finally turns around after hearing that comment and panics yelling, "NEEEEEV!! GET OUT!!" Neev smirks at her uneasiness as he approaches her. He comes close enough and to pulls her to him, making her body collide with his. Then he makes her sit down on the bed and gives her a box. Prachi takes it into her trembling hands and begins to open the box. It is a beautiful ring that has an engraving underneath, which says, "Neev and Prachi forever…" Prachi is very touched by the gesture. Neev bends on the ground and slides the ring on her delicate finger vowing, "Prachi, I promise I will always be with you, always love you! I promise!" Prachi hugs Neev with tears spilling from her eyes in happiness.

**********

      Kripa is sitting in her room, thinking about yesterday. She feels so horrible about what happened, but she didn't know what to say to make it better. Surely she couldn't just say she loves him, well she couldn't that since she has no idea herself. She just sits and reaches out for the necklace Angad had placed on her neck last night, but she can't feel it. It isn't on her neck. Panic arose within her. She just has to find it. She begins looking around her room and sure enough spots it on the floor. She picks it up in relief, and for the first time examines it closely, there is something else written in the back. It breaks her heart looking at the words, "Eternally yours, Angad" She thought about the words that came out of Angad's mouth last night, I regret everything… I regret coming into your life… Have a Happy Birthday Kripa… It hurt so much, every word he had spoken has cut through her heart with searing pain. She doesn't know what will happen tonight, she doesn't know what to say to him, if he will even acknowledge her presence. She just doesn't know…

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