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Part 26:

Angad opened his eyes in the morning when he heard noises of closet doors and drawers opening and closing.  He saw Kripa running around, trying to find something.

Angad: Kripa...are you looking for something?

Kripa: yea....looking for decorative ribbons....the thin ones that you tie around a gift box....mom wants them to pack 'thank you' gifts for all the guests...  sorry for waking you up..um..there is a stopache pill and a glass of water on the side table....have it.....im sure you have a headache..

Angad(): i do...thanks...

Kipa: thanks?....Am I your neigbour that you are thanking me?  (both giggled)..chalo...jaldi se ready ho kar neeche aajao...sab intezaar kar rahe hai..

Angad went into the bathroom and came back in a matter of minutes.  When he came out, Kripa was already gone.  He quickly dressed himself, combed his hair and walked out of the room.  When he walked downstairs, everyone was at the breakfast table while Kripa, Aliyah and Anjali served them.  Coincidently, Josh and Druv arrived at the same time Angad arrived.  Each girl headed to their life partner to serve them.  After they were all served, the ladies were about to go into the kitchen but Naina stopped them.

Naina: Aaj hum sab saath mein breakfast karenge...chalo Kripa...Anjali...apne apne pati ke saath jaa kar betho.

Kripa and Anjali shyly nodded and followed Naina's orders.  Aliyah stood there with a frown on her face.

Aliyah: mom..what about me??

Naina: tum jaa kar apne hone waale pati ke saath betho...

Aliyah: ok mom.......

Aliyah happily went and sat beside Josh.  Dadi, who was sitting beside Naina, admired all three couples and her eyes filled tears immediately.

Naina: mamma....aap ro kyun rahi hai?

Devyani: ro kahan rahi hoon?...ye to khushi ke aansu hai....apne baccho ko apne apne zindagi ke saathi ke saath dekh kar aankhein bhar ayi...kaash mein apne pote poti ko bhi dekh sakti..

Dhruv: dadi....aap mujhe apna beta maanti hai na?...to phir mera aane waala beta ya beti jo bhi ho...aapka pota ya poti hi kehlayenge na?

Anjali was feeling morning sickness out of nowhere so she got up and ran for the bathroom.

Naina: aur mamma...mein jaanti hoon...Kripa bhi humein jald hi koi khush khabi sunayegi....

Kripa wanted to escape the situation and she had the perfect excuse, anjali.

Kripa: um..mein zara Anju ko dekh kar aati hoon..

Kripa got up and walked away as quickly as possible.  naina, and Devyani giggled.

Naina: lagta hai sharma gayi...

Angad just played with his food wishing that they would stop talking on this topic.After a few minutes, Kripa and Anjali came back and went back to their seats.  For some reason, this morning, Naina was in the mood of teasing the couples.  Devyani and Naina had planned something before breakfast.

Naina: mamma...aapko yaad hai..jab mein is ghar mein bahu ban kar ayi thi...aap mujhe dilip ko khaana khilane ke liye kehti thi.....

Devyani: haan...aur aaj bhi muje yaad hai kiss tarah se tum sharma jaati thi...mujhe yakeen nai hota mein bhul gayi.....Kripa aur Anjali...tum dono ko bhi ye rasm nibhani padegi...meri tabiyat theek nahi thi pehle aur baad mein ek ke baad ek kaam aata raha...chalo...aaj sab yahan par hai...aaj ye rasm bhi puri kardo.

Kripa and Anjali exchanged looks and then followed devyani's wish as they had no other way.  Kripa slowly looked at Angad who was already staring back.  She started feeding him while constantly trying to avoid eye contact.  Anjali was not as shy with dhruv, as their relationship was different.  After breakfast.

All the guys settled on the couch while the girls went upstairs to hangout.  The guys were talking calmly and with relaxed tones for once but this time, the girls came screaming and running down the stairs.  Kripa leading the other two girls.  From what it seemed, Anjali and Aliyah were chasing Kripa.  Anjali was walking fast, she wasnt allowed running, but Kripa and Aliyah were running like anything!  They jumped around the living room, not noticing the guys being there.  

Anjali: Aliyah make sure you catch her..i cant run much...but make sure Kripa doesnt get away!!  humein isse accha mauka nahi milega...

Aliyah: Anjali..i am trying my best...but you know how she is......woh truth or dare ki game mein escape karne ke liye kuch bhi kar sakti hai!!

Kripa: I am not letting you two dare me for ANYTHING..i know what your dare will be!  I am never letting you two catch me...unless you guys make me say truth...but no dare.....i know exactly whats going on in those brains of yours.

Aliyah: Oh come one!  You've been through worse dares before!

Kripa: i know...but this time....im going to win....no way i am doing that!!!

They jumped around for a few more minutes while the guys just stared completely shocked at the girls' 14-year-old-like-behaviour.  Angad and Dhruv were the most surprised since they had always tought Kripa and Anjali were "quiet girls".  Josh, however, wasnt that surprised because he knew Kripa and Anjali were not quiet.  Aliyah was always loud so she was no surprise to the others.  At one point, Anjali and Aliyah had Kripa cornered.  Kripa started walking backwards so that she could escape around the corner of the couch.  All three girls so immersed in their game, completely oblivious to the guys.  Kripa kept moving back but she reached the end of the sofa and landed flat on Angad's lap.

Kripa: oh my god...im so sorry.......

Angad(teasingly): its ok Kripa....your not that heavy.....besides....this is not the first time your sitting in my lap.

Josh: thats for sure...you were sitting quite comfortably in his lap just yesterday....

Kripa turned a beet root pink.  Everyone laughed, including Angad who put his arm around her while laughing.  Kripa punched his chest playfully then hid her face in his shoulder to escape the embarrassment.

Josh(took out his cell phone): here...wanna see?

kripa took the cell phone from him, and blused even deeper when she saw a picture of her sitting in his lap while he held her by her waist.  Seeing the picture, Angad blushed himself.  Just then, Naina grabbed the cell phone out of Kripa's hand.  Kripa got out of Angad's lap at once noticing Naina there.  She wanted to bury herself in the ground somewhere out of embarrassment.

Naina: accha....to ye baat hai??....Angad...kuch aur dino mein tumhari god mein Kripa nahi hogi..lekin ek choti si Kripa hogi....right?

Kripa shyly ran up into her room.  Angad stayed until Naina left and then quietly followed Kripa up to their room.  When Angad entered the room, he saw Kripa sitting on the bed twiddling her thumbs.  She looked a bit worried.  He understood right away that it was because of the constant baby talk in the house since the past few days.  How could they expect this from her?  First, she gets forced into marrying him and now they are nagging her with the whole "Angad's children" thing.    He silently went and sat beside her and took her hand in his.

Angad: Kripa...look...you..

Kripa: Angad...can I say something?

Angad: of course you can Kripa...

Kripa: Angad...mein bahut dino se dekh rahi hoon....dadi ki aankhon mein ek hi khwaish hai...aur woh ye ki woh hamare bacche dekhe...Mom ka bhi yehi sapna hai...mujhe unki baaton se bilkul bura nahi lagta.  It's completely understandable, their feelings, their dreams...i know what they feel lekin...jab bhi mein unki aankhon mein dekhti hoon..I feel guilty...mein soch rahi thi..ki...agar tum chaho...aur tumhe sahi lage to.....to ....i mean......(took a deep breath) We can give it try

Angad was shocked at her last statement.  She was willing to take that step with him just for the sake of Naina and devyani.  Now he truly realized that she did not consider herself any different than them.

Angad: Kripa..I.....I dont know..i mean.....I dont want you to take such a big step until we develop full feelings for each other...If you take such a step, it will be a drastic change in your life....that change won't be so big with me..im a guy...but such steps are always important for girls....i know we've committed before par us waqt halat aise the kripa...aur tumhe kya lagta hai?  Mein itna selfish hoon ki mom aur dadi ki khushi ke liye tumse......

Angad looked away looking hurt.  Kripa felt guilty for saying such thing.

Kripa: Angad...mera woh matlab nahi tha...lekin mein bhi itni selfish nahi hoon ki mom aur dadi ki khushi ke liye mein itna bhi na karu..we're married Angad...everyone will have expectations...we will have to reach those expectations sooner or later...so i thought...Im sorry if i hurt you Angad but...i couldn't think of any other way...

Angad: Kripa....you dont have to think about this...I know why you are saying this but I dont agree with the decision at all.  Our relationship needs more time Kripa...i know that..i also know that you understand....so let it be...ok?...aur rahi mom aur dadi ki baat....to unse mein baat karlunga...

Kripa: nahi Angad...abhi nahi...abhi ghar mein khushiyan hai...mein nahi chahti..ki meri vajah se in khushiyon mein se thodi si bhi khushi kum ho..please...

All Angad could do was nod.  kripa gave him a tight hug while dropping a few tears at his consideration for her feelings.  Both parted after a couple of minutes.  Angad wiped her tears.

Angad: Kripa...never cry please.....you look horrible when you cry..

Kripa: How mean!!!

Angad: what?...everyone looks beautiful when they smile...and i hate tears....

Kripa: ok ok baba...i'll try not to cry...

Angad: try not to cry?  whats that supposed to be?

Kripa:...it means exactly what its supposed to mean...chale?...bahut saare preparations baaki hai.....

The two weeks of wedding preparations went in full swing.  They passed by as quick as seconds.  Anjali would usually get tired by afternoon and then sleep throughout the rest of the day.  She was only in her third week of pregnancy, but as told by the doctor, she had a weak uterus which caused her to get tired easily.  Josh and Aliyah were as happy as they could ever be.  Kripa missed her parents every now and then throughout the preaparations but Angad would always consoled her after she told him.  Both told each other everything since they were not only husband-wife or friends, they were each other's diary.  Angad's feelings for Kripa just grew stronger each minute.  Kripa had finally realized that she no longer had a crush on her sweet hubby, but she was well in love with him.  Angad always thought that Kripa "likes" him.  Kripa always managed to hide her true feelings from him.  He decided to tell her about his feelings as soon as Aliyah's wedding frenzy ended.

Preview: ALIYAH-JOSH WEDDING!
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