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Part 63:

Angad reached the concert hall late thanks to the meeting that carried on for 5 hours instead of two.  He was just glad that he hadn't missed it otherwise, Mishti, would have killed him.  He already had a lot of pacifying to do.  He was two hours late into the concert.  He found himself the first seat in the 8th row away from the stage.  He sighed a relief when he figured he hadn't missed Mishti's performance.  Mishti appeared on the stage looking absolutely wonderful in her outfit which coordinated with "crazy kiya re" perfectly.  She sang the whole song gracefully, with the perfect dance moves.  Angad, however, wasn't too interested in the performance.  He was restless.  He wanted to see prateek.  God knows how well he is being taken care of.  As soon as Mishti's solo performance ended, he got up and decided to leave.  He'll apologize to Mishti afterwards.  He was almost out of the door when he stopped dead in his tracks upon hearing her voice.


Angad turned around right away and froze in his place seeing the sight before him.  She was there.  Breathing, singing.  His feet automatically proceeded towards the stage as she went on.


His eyes quickly calculated the changes.  Her hair, first of all, wasn't waist long anymore.   It passed a few inches after her shoulders.  Wight loss was a big one.  She looked like a person who used to be anorexic a few months ago.


Angad had almost made it to the edge of the stage when two security men stopped him and pulled him back.  He would have gotten violent with them if he hadn't been so shocked.


Angad immediately looked at her arm to see if the tattoo was there.  There was but it wasn't what he was looking for.  She had a temporary tattoo on her arm that portrayed a bunch of roses.  She saw the two security men trying to push him away from the stage.  She gave Angad a weird look.  Why did he suddenly feel that it wasn't his Kripa?



As soon as the curtains closed, Angad tried approaching the back of the stage but once again failed when the security men stopped him.  Mishti saw the commotion and walked over.

Mishti: Let him come!  He is a relative of mine.

Security man: Sorry m'am.  Sorry sir.  You may go ahead.

Mishti: Kya hua Angad??  Kuch chahiye tumhe?

Angad(trying to sound normal): um…I just wanted to be backstage…there aren't any seats in the audience…

Mishti: Oh god Angad….mujhe bata bhi to sakte the…lets go…

Angad followed Mishti and looked around at everyone.  He was disappointed when he didn't see her there.

Angad: Mishti…this is your whole band?

Mishti(not noticing a member missing): yup….this is my band…

Mishti left to do a duel performance with some guy.  Angad didn't want to stay there for another second.  He was seeing her.  He knew she couldn't possibly come back.  He had found her body with the rings on her finger.  He could have not recognized the other rings she had on but there was no way he was going to make a mistake recognizing her wedding ring and the ring he gave her for their first anniversary.

At Shah house: (kartik's house):

Angad walked into the living room and paced up and down the hall impatiently.  He couldn't get the image out of his mind.  The same eyes, same nose, same face, same body frame, same skin complexion, same voice.  People do say god has created 7 people with the same face but was it really possible?  There was only one Kripa and she had left him.  Who was this new person who looked exactly like Kripa?

After about half an hour, Mishti reached home as well.  She saw the tensed Angad walking up and down the hall.

Mishti: kya hua Angad?  Bahut pareshaan lag rahe ho..

Angad: kuch nahi…bas aise hi..

Mishti : bas aise hi?  I don't think anyone can be upset just like that without a reason...come one Angad....you know you can tell me...but. I wont force you...you can tell me when you want.

Mishti was about to walk away when Angad finally spoke up.

Angad: I saw Kripa. (Mishti turned around to face him)…

Mishti: where??  How is this possible?  Are you sure it was her??

Before Angad could say anything, the doorbell interrupted him.  Mishti excused herself and opened the door.

Mishti: oh…tum ho…

Angad wasn't facing the door because he didn't want anyone to see the tears that were falling from his eyes.

Mishti: Angad…This is Prateek's baby sitter.

Angad wiped his tears and turned around only to be shocked down to his wits again.  She was there again!  This time he knew he wasn't imagining because she was handing prateek to Mishti.  After giving prateek to Mishti, Kripa turned back to Angad and smiled.  She freaked out when Angad rushed to her and embraced her longingly.  He was crying, hugging her so tight that she felt suffocated.  Mishti was the most surprised and confused.  What the hell was going on?

Angad(sobbing): Kahan chali gayi thi tum Kripa??  Pata hai tumhare bina mera kya haal ho gaya tha??  How dare you?  How dare you break your promise and go away leaving me and prateek behind like that??

She tried hard to release herself from his embrace.  Now she was asking Mishti for help.  Mishti quickly place prateek in the stroller and parted Angad and her.  She fainted before Mishti could part her and Angad.

Mishti: S***!!  Raamu kaka (yea….I couldn't think of a name)….jaldi….Tanya behosh ho gayi hai!!

Kaka came running to help Mishti, the two men and Mishti carried her to her bedroom and laid her on the bed.  Mishti told kaka and Angad to leave the room.  Kaka left right away but Angad became adamant and stayed there.  Mishti took out her stethoscope and checked Kripa's heartbeat.  She checked Kripa's blood pressure as well.  After she was done, she turned around to leave the room noticing Angad standing in the doorway wanting to go and run to his wife.

Kartik had also come home but didn't go to Tanya's room because he knows that when Mishti says leave the room, she means it.  Mishti signaled Angad to leave the room with her and Angad followed.

Mishti: what the heck was that all about??

Angad: Mishti…that's Kripa!!  My Wife Kripa…I saw her in your concert and then right now??  I don't know what's happening..all I know is that that is my Kripa.

Mishti: Angad…you are my friend and I trust you all but…is there any proof you can give me?

Angad nodded, rushed to his room, grabbed the photo album he carries with him everywhere.  Mishti and Kartik both looked through it surprisingly.  There was no doubt that Tanya and Kripa looked exactly alike.

Angad: If that is not a good enough proof…Let me tell you…There is a tattoo on Kripa's right arm that looks exactly like this except it says my name on it.

Kartik(got up from the couch): I'm sorry Angad…..you're wrong there…she doesn't have any tattoos..

Mishti(interrupting): She does.

Kartik: What?

Mishti: she does have a tattoo that says Angad on it.  I wonder how it didn't click to me initially…Kartik…when were operating her…I saw it on her arm…

Angad(tearful from the happiness): so it IS my Kripa!  Kripa zinda hai…

Mishti: Zinda ho kar bhi nahi hai Angad…do you know why she re  acted that way?  Because she has lost her memory.  When she became conscious again after the operation, she didn't remember anything…and whenever things from her past bother her in forms of nightmares or visions…she faints just like she did now.

Angad: lekin Mishti…ek baat samajh mein nahi ayi…Kripa ki train ka accident Goa and Bombay ke beech mein hua tha…to phir woh tumahre saath?

Mishti: me and my friends were there for a picnic in Bombay…we decided to drive along the routes of the beaches to get the best scenarios for our band concerts.  We were packing up after the band when we found her on the edge of waves on the sandbank.  She was unconscious, had some cuts on her arms…but none of that was that serious.  She had an injury on her skull…it seemed that there was a blood block in part of her brain because of the force she probably got hit by…luckily…she hadn't stopped breathing…we rushed her to the hospital near by but they were all busy…because of that accident…so we brought her here as soon as we could….then me being a neurosurgeon operated on her…things didn't seem that well when she slipped into coma.

Angad: coma?  For how long?

Mishti: for about a week….after a week she regained her consciousness and right away asked for her relatives…when we asked the names…she said she didn't remember….then it hit her that she didn't remember her own name….that's when we discovered that she had amnesia…We couldn't think of anything else so I named her after my mother and brought her here.

Angad held his face in his palm trying to absorb everything.

Angad: but wait Mishti…when I went for the body identification….I found one with all of Kripa's rings on her hand…

Mishti: I don't know about that…someone probably stole them from her or something…this was a real miracle though…she managed to survive the rush of the river during the flood, the fall from such a height…I guess she got pushed to the shore by waves…anyways…so yea….that's what happened….

Angad: god!...I hate this!  I always hated the fact that she always had to go through so much…what has she done to anyone?  Why wont god just let her live a day without problems…

Kartik: why are you thinking negative Angad??...tumhe to khush hona chahiye na ki who zinda hai…

Angad (smiled remembering Kripa's words):…you know…Kripa always thought positively…

Mishti: Tanya…not Kripa…Angad…she has developed her own identity now…if you call her Kripa…she will try really hard to connect that name with herself right now and its not a good thing for her…tumhe usse Tanya kehne ki aadat daalni hogi…and you also have to behave like a stranger around her…

Angad: not really…I can become her friend…after all…she is Prateek's "baby-sitter".

Mishti: What do you think will happen when she wakes up now?...She is going to question me you know?

Angad: and I can't tell her the truth?

Mishti: the outcome may now be pleasant…

Angad(sigh): I don't know…make up something.

Mishti: alright…I'll tell her that she looks like a friend of ours who looks so much like her…and she hasn't been seen for a few months now…so when Angad saw you….he just "attacked" you thinking u were his friend…sounds good?

Angad: yea….but I still wish I could tell her the truth..

Mishti: well you will…not like we have to hide this from her forever…just a few more days…It's for her good Angad…and you know what?  You have more time to be with her because her case is the one that you have to handle…

Angad: Oh…well…I don't think it's a good idea Mishti…because I know that I won't be able to treat her as my patient…I will become very emotional and might not try some of the therapies that seem harsh…

Kartik: well Angad…think of it this way…You either try those harsh therapies on her OR lose her forever.  What's your pick?

Angad: well…when you put it that way…I'll go for it!

Angad was ecstatic that night.  Sleep was sleeping far away from him.  He wanted to go and give her the longest hug to delete all the empty moments he didn't spend in her arms.  He somehow managed to fall asleep while cuddling prateek.

--::--::--

Angad scanned the room quickly once he woke up and didn't find prateek.  Just as he opened his mouth to call Mishti, she entered with an annoyed look on her face.

Mishti: wake up you sleepy head!!!  Its already 10!!  You have to go for that last conference today at 12! Make it quick!

Angad: Relax woman!  Where is prateek!!

Mishti: Tanya has him!!!  Don't worry….lets go…..

Angad quickly got up and escaped into the shower to stop Mishti from screaming like a complete lunatic.

--::--::--

Angad sat himself down at the breakfast table.  Breakfast?  More like pre-lunch.  His eyes wandered all over the house searching for his lady love.

Kartik: Ahem Ahem…woh terrace pe hai…

Angad(embarrassed): um..kaun?..kiski baat kar rahe ho tum?

Mishti: O come on Angad…we're not stupid…Tanya terrace pe hai…prateek ke saath…tum chaho to usse mil sakte ho…maine usse sab kuch samjha diya hai…

Angad: um Mishti…I was wondering if me and Kripa could go and live in my bunglow…

Kartik: don't worry Angad…we're taking good care of her…

Angad: I know that Kartik…I trust you completely…but I don't know…I feel I will be able to cure her properly if we both are alone…I can slowly help her dig into the past…

Kartik: but Angad..

Mishti: Nahi Kartik…I think he has a point….you see…her attention would be diverted in so many directions here….when she is at Angad's place. she won't have many distractions and she will be able to let herself explore her past…

Angad excused himself and went to see Kripa.  He couldn't help it.  He tried not to go there but his feet automatically took him there.  She had prateek cuddled against her arms while she whispered sweet nothings to him, making him smile and laugh at her expressions.  Something stir in his heart.  God how long he had been waiting to see that sight he had always pictured in his dreams.  He slowly walked up to her making sure that he didn't surprise her like last night.  She stopped playing with prateek when she noticed Angad a few steps away from her.

Tanya: Good morning!...almost afternoon now…

Angad(giggled): yea…slept late…

Tanya: One of those days when you can't sleep no matter how hard you tried?

Angad: nope…just one of the days when I miss my wife a lot and can't sleep.

Tanya: yea…um…Mishti told me about her…I am extremely sorry….destiny does wonders!

Angad(thinking to himself): pehle yakeen nahi hota tha…lekin tumhe mere saamne paa kar main bhi keh sakta hoon….destiny does wonders.—to Tanya: by the way…I'm sorry about last night…I didn't mean to freak you out like that it was just that..

Tanya: don't worry about it…Mishti ne sab kuch bata diya hai mujhe…and it wasn't your fault…actually….I am an amnesia patient…I don't remember…

Angad: I know…in fact …You will be under my supervision from tomorrow, most likely…I will be handling your case…

Tanya: oh…that's a good thing I guess…Mishti and Kartik bhai have tried but they couldn't get me back into my original identity….maybe you can…

Angad: If you don't mind discussing…can you predict some things about yourself?

Tanya: as of now all I know about myself is that I am married.

Angad(confused and surprised): How do you make that out?

Tanya: well..when I opened my eyes in the hospital after losing my memory…there were two things I knew about my self soon…one was that I was married because I was wearing a mangalsutra…and the second was….

She took a pause which caused Angad's face to catch a confusing frown.  Her palm secret moved up her arms and caressed the tattoo under her t-shirt.  Angad's hawk eye noticed it right away and smirked to himself.

Angad: go on…

Tanya: oh…um…I am guessing I am about 23-24 years of age..

Angad: I see…anyways…I was actually wondering…would you like to be Prateek's permanent baby-sitter.  Mishti tells me that you have been babysitting him since we've been here and prateek just loves you…

Tanya: oh She's just too nice…

Mishti: no need to lie to us Tanya…we all know how much prateek loves you…he is laughing and smiling when he's with you…we haven't seen him like that when your not around…

Angad(blurted): apni maa ke paas hota tha tab bhi aise hi hasta tha…

Tanya: well…prateek ki zindagi mein main uski mama ki jagah to nahi le sakti but…I would love to be his permanent babysitter Mr.…

Angad: Khanna….but no need for the formality…you can call me Angad.

Tanya's eyes widened.  The image of her tattoo and Angad's face flashed in front of her.  Mishti saw the expression change on Tanya's face and diverted the topic.

Mishti: Oh Tanya…the band is here!  Angad..you said you wanted to meet the band right?..lets go…they're in the living room…Tanya…give prateek to me so you can go change…

Tanya nodded, handed prateek to Mishti and rushed into her room.  She closed the door behind her and leaned against it.  She pulled her sleeve up to reveal the tattoo.  It did say Angad on it.

Tanya(talking to herself): so what?...he isn't the only Angad in the world…there are so many other people named Angad I am sure…and if I was related to Angad Khanna…he would have told me and Mishti…the man still misses his wife….snap out of your thoughts Tanya…you are happy in your life the way you are.  You have a great brother, sister, and awesome friends.  I don't have to worry about the family that didn't even care to find out how I was…where I was…

She pulled herself out of the thoughts and walked into the washroom to get ready.

On the other hand, Angad had walked down the stairs with Mishti and Prateek.  one of the girls from Mishti's band couldn't move her eyes off of him.  Mishti noticed and giggled as she reached her friends.

Mishti: don't even try…he's happily married…and you two are taken….

Angad gave them all a smile.  Everyone smiled in return.  They all lined up in an order as if it was supposed to be that way.

Mishti: alright…now with the introductions…

Tanya(talking as approaching them): Can't start the intros without me here now can you?

Everyone: Hey Tanya!

Tanya: He guys!  What's up….

She went and took her place in the line.  Angad's eyes followed her everywhere.  She looked beautiful in the pink halter and black skirt.

Mishti: okay…this is Tanya…you guys got introduced a few minutes ago…She is the guitarist kam pianist kam singer of our band.

Angad shook hands with her making her feel electricity travel from his palm into hers and up the shoulder.

Mishti: This is Armaan…the drummer kam singer of our band.

Angad(shaking hands): Nice to meet you Mr.Armaan.

Armaan: no need for the formality…you can call me armaan.

Mishti: Meet the one and only me!...I am next in line..

Angad: oh move on!...I've known you for too long…

Mishti: whatever…anyways…she is Barkha…the one with the violin and one of the singers of our band.

Angad: nice to meet you!

Barkha: same here…

Mishti: Eijaz here…Barkha's guy…he's the one who takes care of the rest of the music that cant be included in only violins, pianos, guitars, or drums.  He is the DJ basically…along with being a singer.

Angad: Hey!

Eijaz: Hi…actually…Mishti forgot something…I don't really make the music. I just edit it and make it sound….Newer…

Mishti(rolled her eyes): Whatever!! And last but not the least…we have Rahul.  He is like Tanya…except he doesn't play the piano….he is a guitarist kam drummer kam singer of our band..

Angad: lots of similarities between you and Tanya I see.  Lots of talent in all of you I must say!.

Mishti: Alright T.A.M.B.E.R!  This is Angad….Angad Khanna…my high school friend and Kartik's close friend.

Angad :Tamber?

Mishti: that's the name of our band.

Tanya: Tamber…it's a name that means Music Pitch. (okay. I didn't make this up…it really does mean that..lol….pretty cool!)

Armaan: It used to be Amber before Tanya joined our group.

Barkha: She is a good luck charm for us.

Eijaz: Before she joined us…we weren't that popular

Rahul: but now…we are almost up on the top of the live band groups…

Angad moved his head from one member to another as they talked.

Mishti: alright Angad now…we have to go for our practice…you have to go to your meeting…so I think you should be taking our leave…

Angad: are you kicking me out?

Barkha: something like that…

Tanya: Our performance is going to be a surprise…

Rahul, Eijaz, Armaan, and Angad (rolled their eyes): Women!

Tanya, Mishti, and Barkha: Excuse Me!

Not wanting to argue, the three ladies made their way for the basement.  The guys decided to join them. 

Angad: Um...Tanya?

God he was having such a hard time calling her that but he had to.  Tanya turned around and walked to him with a smile on her face.

Angad: um...how long is your practice going to be?

Tanya: I'm not sure…it should be done by 6….why?

Angad: well…because I wanted to discuss some terms before you became Prateek's permanent babysitter.

Tanya: oh..um..i think it should be done by 6..

Angad: alright then…be ready at 7…we'll be out on a dinner with prateek…we'll discuss the terms then..

Tanya: I'm sorry but something wrong with being at home?

Mishti: Don't worry Tanny baby…he's a safe guy!  He is asking you to join him for dinner because me and Kartik are on a date tonight…and our practice does go up until 6 which means no one will be able to cook…

Tanya(red from embarrassment): oh..um…sure…at 7 then?

Angad: Yea…I'll pick you and prateek up.

Tanya: Sure thing. 

She bid him bye and made her way to the basement staircase again.  Angad mouthed a "thanks" to Mishti once Tanya had turned away.  Mishti smiled, bid him bye, and followed after Tanya.

Mishti: Why are you standing here Tanya?

Tanya: ok whoa Mishti…forgive me for saying so but your friend is really hot!!

Mishti(giggled): took you a while to figure that one out sweetheart…

Tanya: well…I didn't look at him so closely until right now…but…he's already married so I am going to make sure that I don't look at him that way….

Mishti: but you know his wife is..

Tanya: I know that Mishti but your first love isn't easy to forget…I'm sure he hasn't moved on yet and wont be able to for a while…and besides…you know I'm married as well…

Mishti(in her mind): Ironically to him only dear..

Tanya and Mishti joined the other with their practice for the upcoming concert.  Prateek stayed in his toddler's rocking chair and smiled.  He sure had taken after his mother in this case.  He loved it when the music got loud.  Once Tanya got engaged in her practice and babysitting prateek, time flew by for her but for Angad, every minute spent seemed like an hour!  He practiced whatever he was going to say to her today so that nothing wrong slipped out of his mouth.  He didn't want to say anything that would push her into her past suddenly.  He knew very well that he would have to take things super slow with her.  He even got the idea of working his charm on her since he noticed the way her looks caressed him this morning.  He had felt the question arise in her heart.  If she did fall in love with him again, both could get married and build another world of happiness.  That way, he didn't have to risk her slipping into coma.  He had read her case file earlier and it seemed that if she put too much pressure o
r stress on her brain, she can slip into coma once again.

--::--::--

Angad stared at her when she walked down the steps looking elegant in a sky blue and navy chudidaar kurta.  Prateek was dressed in similar colors where he wore a sky blue t-shirt and navy pants.  How he wished he could go and change to match their colors.  Well, at least he was matching the sky blue.  He remembered the times when him and Kripa would dress up so that they matched.  For all marriage ceremonies, for all dates, any special occasions, they would be wearing similar colors, looking elegantly beautiful together.

Tanya settled in the back seat with Prateek while Angad sat behind the wheel.  He wished she would sit in the front with him but he knew that it would be too awkward for her if he asked so he let he do what she wanted.

They took their seats in the reserved table this time Angad taking a turn holding prateek in his lap.  Tanya watched on affectionately.  Angad finally thought it was about time he broke the ice.

Angad: So Tanya…you are 100 percent sure that you want to do this?

Tanya: never been so sure in my life…I just feel this strange attraction towards prateek...Maybe we were related in our previous lives….

Angad(thinking to himself): I don't know about previous life….but you two are related with a very strong bond in this life itself..(to Kripa): Alright then…let me tell you my conditions...

Kripa felt nervous now.  The man had conditions??

Angad: First of all…I will be paying you for this..

Kripa: but why?  I don't mind just babysitting him without a pay…I'm not doing this for money…

Angad: I know..mishti told me but even then…that's the way I am…so is it a yes or no?

Kripa(thought more): alright.  I accept.

Angad: Now my second condition…along with prateek….you are going to have to take care of a big baby i.e. me!.

Kripa(surprised): You??

Angad(chuckled): Actually…I need a PA.  You don't have to be at the hospital…I already have a secretary there…but for times when I'm not at the hospital…I'll need a PA..

Kripa(chuckled): Alright….I accept if and only if you promise not to pay me for this.

Angad: no fair…

Kripa: well..is it a yes or no?

Angad: getting it my way I see…alright….I accept...

Kripa: awesome..

Angad: now my last and a must-be-accepted-for-this-job condition….

Kripa felt nervous…she felt her stomach in a knot.  She worried that if this condition was one that she couldn't accept, she wouldn't get to be Prateek's babysitter.  She wanted this job no matter what!  She couldn't stay away from prateek for 'some' reason.

Angad: You must live with me in my house!

CHECK PAGE 48 TO SEE THE CHARACTER SKETCHES OF NEW CHARACTERS AS WELL AS THE ACTORS TAKING UP THE ROLL.  A COUPLE OF MORE NEW CHARACTERS MIGHT BE INTRODUCED SOON.

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