My Lover…My Shadow

As the morning sun rose the light shined in through the window upon her face. The delicate golden color of her skin shimmered in the sheer sun light as if she were pure gold. And, upon the edge on the bed fell her shadow. Of undoubted guilt and fear, of darkness falling. Her lover was her shadow….always with her, by her side.

Vedika opened her eyes to a half dressed Angad, sitting on the edge on the bed with a stern and thoughtful expression on his face. He had in his hands a ring, that he kept toying with. Perhaps the way he was unintentionally, or even intentionally toying with the ring giver. Vedika rolled unto the edge, this sudden movement forced Angad out of his trace. He quickly turned around and his eye fell upon Vedika. She had been exquisitely wrapped in the white silk sheet that they had slept on. Her hair fell unto her hip with a slight curl on the bottom. She had in her eyes, a new look. A womanly touch had been added to her beauty. He took her hand and brought her close her to him and kissed her forehead.

"Any regrets", asked Vedika while stroke his naked cheats with her delicate fingers as she lay on his lap. Angad smiled at his lady love, knowing that he could never regret anything having to do with Vedika. "A lot", he said mocking her. Vedika gave a laughed and lightly tapped Angad pretending to be angry at his answer. "Well then, maybe you should leave", said Vedika bringing her head up from Angad's lap and now sitting next to him. Angad gave a sigh, as though he was so shocked with Vedika's answer. He moved closer to Vedika, as Vedika moved further away. " I would, but there's something stopping me", replied Angad still progressing closer to her. Vedika looked around the room, and pretended to have a questioned expression, "May I ask what?" Angad smiled and held Vedika's hand and put it on his chest so she could feel the unsteady beats of his heart. "My heart", he said staring at her. "Me heart, it stopped me then from loving you, and now from leaving you", he added. Both times his heart had stopped him, but for very different reasons. Vedika could feel her left eye get teary as she asked, "So what does your heart tell you to do now?" Angad moved a hair that had been bothering her from the side of her eye and tucked it behind her small ear. He then whispered into her ears, "Its tells me to love you…forever". Saying so they hugged each other, embracing the moment that would be re-lived and re-played in their minds day and night. Angad laid Vedika on the bed again, gently kissing her, moving down her neck…reliving the past night.

Back in New York, Meem sat in her bed reading a book. It was a great book, one that she would recommend all to read. It exposed the truths of child abuse and how horrible it really was. It forced Meem to shed a tear, and to realize how silly she had been for being troubled with her problems. So many in this world would kill to have the life she did. For a second it made her feel guilty. "A Child called IT", revealed to her so much about the world. Humans get to stuck on their own miniature problems that they forget about the rest of the world. Meem had also been like that so a while. But now she was too stop. Her cheap foolish thinking about using Hussein to get back at Shazad filled her heart with guilt. It was pathetic. She quickly got out of bed and went to the bathroom as she was late for class. She checked her phone for the exact time, and was shocked to see fifteen messages from the same person…Hussein.

Shazad awoke from his desk hearing the sound of his alarm. He hadn't had much sleep all being on the internet with ZuZu. He didn't know ZuZu, it wasn't an online relationship of any kind either. She was just a person he met on MySpace, and soon became great cyber friends with. The best part of his and ZuZu's friendship was that they didn't know each other personally. No, real emotional attachments, no opinions, none of that. Simply fact. Shazad, unknowingly would tell ZuZu about all this problems, and vice versa with her. ZuZu had become an addictive part of Shazad's life now. Of course, in no way was he in a relationship with ZuZu. That was impossible…because, Shazad had other plans for a relationship, plans the he would make sure came into act very soon.

Awaking after the sun declared its authority on the sky had become a habit of Kripa. She twisted, turns, moaned and groan on the bed cursing at the sun for being so bright. Even more, at her curtains for being for light and the shade being of no help at all. Kripa's face was a pale white color. It went very nicely with her brown hair and very honey eyes. Kripa got up and scratched the neck while proceeding to the bathroom. Then after, she checked her phone hoping for a missed call or message from Angad but was discouraged to see none. A part of her was scared of losing Angad. Being so very far away, busy with college, they had very less time to spend together. Yet she had faith, that they would work it out for as long as they can…faith. As she sat eating her breakfast a thought occurred to her, "Crap, I have a early morning class". Kripa ran out the room leaving her phone inside.

Kripa met up with Shazad at a caf after her class. They enjoyed frappacinno's and a conversation about opening their own caf one day. Of course, there was no seriousness in this, Shazad and Kripa came up with new idea's every day. It was decided that Shazad would drown his father's business after completing his MBA, and for sure would need to start something new. And so, Kripa and Shazad planned everyday, one day it's a caf, one day a fast food store, one day a bollywood movie. "So, I'm meeting up with Meem today", said Shazad. Kripa took another sip from her frap and raised an eyebrow at Shazad, "Why?"

Shazad really didn't know why. He didn't know the reason behind his obsession or whatever you would call it was. He didn't know what pleasure he got from bothering Meem so much, but he did. He wanted Meem back. Or maybe not want her back, but just bug her a lot until she was forced to come back. Maybe he was in the alternate universe, where he was in love with Meem…because with all the fascinations, and complications of this world, he surely hadn't fell in love with her here. " Shazad!", screamed out Kripa to break him out of his trance. " Look Kripa, don't worry…imma take care of this Meem stuff mad fast", assured Kripa. Kripa of course wasn't very assured. But decided to let Shazad play his little game.

Back in Boston, Angad and Vedika both went off the their classes. In the halls, class rooms to anywhere else both would meet in eye contract, smile and turn away. Angad knew so much was at stake It wasn't as if Angad had forgotten about his commitments with Kripa. He knew very well what had to be done now, and he was ready for it all. He wasn't going to cheat Kripa anymore, he wasn't going to cheat himself anymore. This is what he wanted, to be with Vedika, to be with his love…all he was scared of was losing a friend in all this mess. But Angad had now left fear far behind. He was wrong, he had made many mistakes…it was now time to correct them all. Perhaps time too was on his side this time, because it was spring break now and Angad had bundles of time to settle mall this mess.

Vedika and Angad were too meet for dinner that night. Angad was in his dorm, getting some things ready when Vedika came in. She hugged Angad from the back, and Angad felt all the tension, all the worries fly far away. Angad turned around and kissed his love and hugged her. Vedika made and sad face and held her ears. " Jaan, I cant go tonight", she sad still holding her ears. "I have a late class", she added.

Angad held her hands and smiled. "It's okay. Vedika, love…I have to go for a while". Vedika had a confused expression on her face as she asked, "Go where?"

" I have to go to New York for a day or two", he said.

"Why, is everything okay?"


"Yeah, no everything and everyone is fine, I just have some stuff", he said praying she wont ask anything more.

"Oh well, okay. You want me to come with you?"

Angad smile a kissed Vedika, "No, I can handle it. But I'm going to leave tonight, so you can help me pack".

"With pleasure", she said while taking his clothes out of his cupboard. Soon after, Angad was ready to leave. He tightly hugged Vedika, and gave her a kiss that made her knees weak. " I love you", she said as he went into his car. "I love you too Vedika, and I promise…after I come back, I'll never leave". Saying this he left on his way, leaving Vedika who was giving a silent prayer for Angad's safe keeping.

Late that night Angad finally reached home. He already informed Urvashi about his coming, so Urvashi was all prepared for him. It had been so long since Urvashi saw her little boy, even though he wasn't all so little anymore. When Angad came in, Urvashi hugged him and realized how big he really became. Angad had a light stubble and looked as though he had no sleep. Which actually was true, for the past two nights he really didn't have any sleep. "How's my big college boy", she asked while getting him some food.

"I'm good, just a little tired", he replied.

" College is good right. I was so worried when you decided to just drop by like this. Oh, did you inform Kripa, I forgot to"

"Bua, Kripa is actually the reason way I came", he said. Urvashi had always been Angad's friend. He knew it be foolish to try and hide anything from her. But, it be foolish to tell her the whole truth as well. Well maybe not, but its easier that way. Angad fell asleep ready for the worst tomorrow.

"Come on Meem", begged Hussein. Meem rolled in her bed. She'd been talking to Hussein on the phone for countless house now. Hussein, still trying to convince Meem to go out with him. "Hussein, I have to go to sleep", laughed Meem. "Look, just tell me if a have a chance", asked Hussein. Meem rolled her eye's again. Meem thought again. Should Meem give Hussein a chance? "Hussein, I'll talk to you tomorrow". Meem hung up and though long and hard. Maybe this dating stuff just wasn't for her. Her world was way to simple and her life was way too controlled for all this. She shouldn't forget her parents, her ambitions and…it just didn't make sense. It all was way too much trouble.

Kripa was at the park sitting with Shazad. " You know what a meniscus is?", he asked. Kripa looked at Shazad, "Yeah…" Shazad started laughing. His behavior just confused Kripa even more. "Shazad, are you on something", she asked worried.

"No!!! Its just a funny word…meniscus", he replied.

Kripa rolled his eyes, and turned around and stood up. She was walking forward, with her shadow in front of her. From the side, and car past and blocked the sun causing her shadow to disappear. Upon where her shadow was before, was now a man standing right in front of Kripa. Her lover…was also her shadow. Un faithful, disappearing into nowhere without a sign.


Kripa jumped at the sight of Angad and ran into his arms. Shazad was also very surprised. "Hey man", he said giving him a hug and a punch. "So, how are you guys", asked Angad. "Well, I'm fine, but I think your girl could use a little something to cheer her up", said Shazad while leaving Angad and Kripa alone. Angad and Kripa sat by the lake next to each other. Kripa was confused…Angad seemed different. Angad didn't even kiss Kripa yet. It all confused Kripa a lot, there was an awkward silence between them.

"I tried calling you a lot yesterday", he said suddenly.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I forgot my phone at home".

"Oh…."

Kripa couldn't take with anymore. Talking as if they were strangers. "Angad, what's up…you seem tensed".

Angad took a deep breath and looked at Kripa, trying to meet her eyes. " Kripa…I think…", he couldn't finish it. Hurting Kripa scared him too much. Kripa was his best friend, how can he just break her break like this? "Angad, stop beating around the bush and come out with it", she demanded. This was just annoying Kripa now. If whatever Angad wanted to say was bad, then well…she might as well hear it and get it over with.

"Kripa, I think maybe…this long distance thing is getting too hard".

"Oh…"

"Kripa, I…you're my best friend, I don't want to lose you as a friend".

" You..", Kripa was stammering now. Did Angad just break up with her? She couldn't comprehend. "Angad…so your saying you just want to be friends"?

"Yeah….just friend", he replied. Angad still couldn't meet Kripa's eye's. Kripa knew there was more to this. Maybe Angad didn't want to break up with Kripa. Maybe there was something wrong with his heart again, and he was just…Yes. That could be it, she loved Angad and she would support him no matter what.

"Angad, tell me the truth", exclaimed Kripa.

She knew. Angad knew she knew. She wasn't going to by the whole long distance crap he was throwing at her. He had to tell her the truth. He didn't want to, he didn't want to her more hurt in her eye's. But he had to now. There was no other choice, Kripa had full right the know.

"Kripa…Vedika goes to my university", he said closing his eye's.

It was as if the sky fell on Kripa just now. Everything became so clear. " You…did you cheat on me?"

Angad looked at Kripa with sorrow in his eye's. He couldn't take it…the guilt was eating up everything in him. "I'm so sorry Kripa", that were Angad's last words to Kripa before the left the park. Kripa sat there for a second trying to hold the pain in, trying to be strong but it wasn't working. Kripa ran to the court were Shazad was still playing and hugged him and cried. "What happened Kripa", asked Shazad.

Angad went home and started packing his clothes to leave. Urvashi came in asking him what he was doing. "Angad you just came yesterday…beta don't leave so soon", she begged. Angad walked to Urvashi and kissed her forehead. "I have to go Bua, Vedika's waiting for me", he said.

"Wait, what"?, asked Urvashi. "Where did Vedika come from? Angad, what about Kripa…you".

"Bua…I made some mistakes, but not anymore. I love Vedika Bua, I love her more than anything…I know what I did to Kripa…"

"What did you do to Kripa? Angad, please…don't tell me you. Angad, did you cheat on Kripa?"

"It was a mistake Bua"

"You damn right it was I mistake, Angad you and Vedika…", yelled Urvashi but unable to complete her sentence and Angad interrupted her.

"No Bua! Cheating on Kripa was a mistake, being with Vedika, loving Vedika isn't".

Urvashi gave a light laugh, "Angad...do you hear yourself"

"Bua, I'm happy with Vedika. You can either be happy for me, or just let me stay happy. I know I'm wrong, but I'm okay with that, as long as I'm with Vedika I'm okay with anything", saying so, Angad left his house and drove away in his car.

Vedika was folding her clothes and putting them away, when she received a call.

V- Hello
S- Vedika? Is that you?
V- Yes, who's this?
S- Shazad.
V- Oh my goodness, Shazad! Hi, Oh my god, it's been so long. I know why you called, I'm sure Angad…
S- Yeah, your Angad came. I cant believe you. I cant believe you would do something like this.
V- Shazad what are you talking about?
S- I'll tell you what the hell I'm talking about. As if you don't know.
V-What?

Meem went to sleep really late. She'd been talking to Hussein again. She really did enjoy talking to Hussein, he was very funny. He make her laugh so much until her stomach would start hurting. She love it. IT not HIM.

PunjabiKiller25: My best friends boyfriend cheated on her…and broke up with her.
ZUZU4U: Aw I'm sry…u shud be wit her. Support her though dis
PunjabiKiller25: y jea I noe….I will
ZUZU4U: bud ur mad sweet, I now u'll handle it…newayz g2g
PunjabliKiller25: iight holla1

It was late at night, and Angad returned to Boston. He slowly stepped into Vedika's dorm and went for her room. He stopped seeing Vedika standing in front of him. At that moment, all the pain, all the anguish, the guilt, the anger all left him. He just wanted the hold Vedika, to hold her in his arms and stay like that. As he walked to Vedika, suddenly Vedika put her hand out and told Angad to stop right there. Angad could see the pain he saw in Kripa's eyes, now in Vedika's eye's…

To be cont….

Writers Comments- Well I didn't plan for cont this fast, nut I missed this ff. So I decided to start it early. Hope you all liked this part. This season will be very interesting. A lot will happen. Hope you are all prepared for another unpredictable season. Sorry the part wasn't that good though. I'm sure I made a few mistakes.

COMMENTS PLEASE

Karishma*********