Where's the Forward Button?

Don't you feel that at times life just moves so fast? If you just hit the forward button by mistake and all the time that you want to go so slowly and never end, go by with the flash of any eye? And then comes that time that you want to just end as fast as it could, and just that moment that batteries in your remote run out and the forward bottom is forever lost. That's what life is, full of good times and bad times. But I guess there comes a time when you don't know which was the good ones and which were the bad.

The week past so fast no one had even noticed, and soon Kripa's time in Florida ended and she came back home to New York. But if there's one thing we know about New York, its less home more drama. Kripa stepped into her room and jumped into her bed. Don't you just love coming back home after a long holiday? Everything just feels so different, so new, so alive. Just as Kripa was getting to the hang of things in her room, she heard her parents screaming at each other in high pinch. It was funny how they didn't even notice their only daughter had been gone for a week, and than came back. Reality bites.

Kripa's phone rang just as she was getting ready to leave. "Hey Shazad, I was just coming your way", Kripa said answering the phone. "Well don't, just come down I'm waiting for you", he replied. Kripa quickly ran down stairs and hugged Shazad. "I swear, I found ever go on these stupid vacation things with out me I'll kill you", Shazad declared hugging Kripa back. This week was like hell for him without Kripa. He realized that all the other people he considered friends really annoyed him after spending more than a day with them. " Okay, as long as you promise you always come with me on these vacations", Kripa answered back. After a while of talking about the latest news and gossip and jumped up. "Oh my God! I have to show you something!", Kripa yelled out. "What?", Shazad asked. Kripa slowly lifted her shirt a little and showed Shazad her newly done belly ring. "Oh my God, that's a….a…", Shazad couldn't even talk due to the shock. "Isn't is cool", Kripa asked very excited. "It's…cool. Did it hurt?", Shazad asked trying to touch it. "A little. Shazad stop poking me!", shouted Kripa. "Sorry…but wow that's cool", he replied. " I know", Kripa said jumping.

Meem was lying in her bed at home after eating breakfast. She sure did wish she never got involved in all this dating drama. Would it really have been that horrible to stay single and then just have an arranged marriage? Would it have killed her to just listen to her parents? But no, she had to get into all this drama. She felt horrible every time she thought back to that night when Hussein told her he loved her. She felt so guilty. Everything was going fine until he said those three damn words.

"Hussein, I really like you. And I think you're a great boyfriend", Meem clarified to Hussein right after he said he loved her. "Thanks…Your great too. That's why I'm in love with you now Meem", Hussein said again trying to hold Meem's hands. Meem took a deep breath not knowing what to say now. She didn't love Hussein, she didn't know why she didn't love him…but she didn't. But how could she just say that to Hussein? He was so good to her, so nice, so caring. How could she just say it and break his heart? But it be wrong to lead him on too. She thoughts kept drifting from one to another that she completely forgot that Hussein was still sitting next to her. "Meem?", he said in a low voice. "Yeah", Meem replied in even a lower tone. "Meem, if you don't feel…if you don't love me than its okay", said Hussein with a lot of courage in his heart. Of course, this broke Meem's heart. "Hussein, I really like you and I really hope you're the guy I fall in love with someday but…I just…", Meem couldn't talk anymore as she just started tearing. " It's okay", Hussein said. After about fifteen minutes of silence Hussein got up and offered to drop Meem home. It was as simply as that, and it made Meem feel worse. After getting out of the car Meem said bye to Hussein and he said, "I'll call you later". And that was that. There was break up, no drama, nothing. Hussein was perfect…

Angad was sitting on the couch with his phone in his hands. Every two minutes he would dial a number and than hang up. Angad was trying to call Urvashi, to tell her that he wanted to marry Vedika. Ever since Angad left new York, he and his Bua have been on a no talking terms. He really did miss her, so many times he wanted to talk to her but never had the courage to dial her number. After a week of discussing the pro's and con's of getting married, both Vedika and Angad thought that they wanted t get married. So, the next step was to ask permission from the only elder in their lives…Urvashi.

"Would you just dial the number!", Vedika said annoyed after watching Angad fiddle with the phone for the past half an hour. Vedika came and sat next to Angad and put an arm around him. "Buddy, be a man! Call her…she's waiting for you", Vedika said trying to lighten up his mood by sounding like a guy. Angad took another deep breath and hugged Vedika tightly. " It's really going to hurt if she isn't happy about us. She's the only person who's opinion about us matters to me. The rest of the world can hate us and I wouldn't give a damn, but she's more than a parent to me Ved. She's my God", Angad said with his eye's close and his head on Vedika's shoulder. Vedika slowly caressed his hair and consoled him with hope, "Babe…she feels the same way about you. You're the younger one, its your responsibility to make the first move. She'll be happy as long as your happy Angad. You just have to trust yourself and her. She loves you so much, I know she'll be happy. I can just feel it. "I hope so Vedika, because if she isn't happy I don't know what I'd do. I cant live without you, but I cant take such a big step without her blessings. Angad and Vedika sat there holding each other, now they both were dreading this phone call.

Meem was in a small restaurant alone thinking about Hussein. He called her twice and both times she didn't pick up. She was scared. Scared of what he's say, what she's say. It was all just so scary. If only she had someone to talk to. But then again, she didn't want anyone to talk to. This problem of Meem's always got the best of her. She was horrible at expressing her feelings, or problems to someone. It was so hard to trust anyone, even the closet friends. She was drinking her coffee when someone tapped her from the back. Meem practically dropped her mug seeing so biological father standing in front of her. "Excuse Me", Meem said raising her eye brow. Waqas, Meem's father looked at her humbly and said, "Meem. May I talk you please". Meem gave out a light laugh a stood up, "Yes you may. But I wont talk to you, nor will I listen to you", she replied coldly. "Look, I know I disappointed you as a father, but please…just let me explain myself", her father begged. "No! I don't want to know you, or understand you or anything. I just want you to leave", she exclaimed. As Meem was about to move, Waqas held her arm and pleaded, "Just 5 minutes Meem". Just then from behind a hand came over to Waqas, "I think you should let her go sir", said the voice. Both Waqas and Meem turned to see Shazad standing there still in his caste. "Who are you", Waqas asked. "I'll give you a full introduction mister. But after you let go of the girl", Shazad replied getting closer to Meem. Waqas let go of Meem and Shazad quickly put his arm around her. "I think now, before I call the police, or punch you, you should leave", said Shazad strictly. That's what Waqas did, he left heart broken. " New lover?", asked Shazad. Meem laughed a little and answered him, "No…he's just some old guy. Whatever. Thanks Shazad". "No problem buddy, so I got to go, but you take care", he said leaving the restaurant. "Yeah, I'll catch ya later", she said patting him on the back as he left.

In that same restaurant, Kripa met up with her boyfriend Sahil. She had to tell him about Raj…and well she decided she'd keep the other guys to herself. "So, I missed you", Sahil said taking a next to Kripa. "Yeah, me too", Kripa said warily. They ordered their drinks and began talking. First it was just general things that was going on, music, movies and so on. As time passed, Kripa got more anxious to let Sahil now about Raj and Florida. "Sahil, I have to tell you something", Kripa said softly. Sahil suddenly gave a smile, "Is it about the guys you were with in Florida", he asked. Kripa almost fell from her seat when she heard that. "How…how…did", she couldn't even think after that. "Kripa, I have friends who went to the trip too. I knew from before you came back", he said as casually as he could. "Oh…Sahil I'm really sorry. I don't know why I did…I'm just sorry", Kripa said. "I know. And I'm happy you decided to be honest. I mean's a lot", Sahil replied. "So, what do you think", she asked. Sahil took a breath and looked Kripa straight in the eye and said, "I really like you Kripa. And…I want to be with you. I just need some time to let this go. If your okay with it, then…". Kripa's head suddenly thought that Sahil was the buggiest faker ever. What kind of a guy says that? How was he not angry with her? It pissed her off, but she decided not to show it, "Okay", she said smiling.

Angad finally got the courage to call Urvashi. Every time he heard the phone ring his heart started beating faster. And then…he heard her voice. "Hello?", asked Urvashi. Angad took a deep breath and spoke, "Hi Bua. It's An…Angad". :Angad, beta how are you. You didn't call for so long, is everything okay there?", Urvashi asked very happy that Angad finally called. "I'm good, how are you?", he asked happy to hear her voice and not the phone ringer. "Oh you know, work then home, work then home. So your semester is over for this year, what are you doing now?", Urvashi asked. "Nothing just…Bua I'm really sorry about last time. I know you were disappointed in me and I just…I'm sorry", he clarified.

"Don't worry Angad. And I'm sorry too. I mean, you have your personal things and I shouldn't be judgmental about it", Urvashi said.

"Bua…I really love Vedika. I really cant think of live my life without her anymore", Angad said.

"So, it's that serious?", she asked.

"Yeah…Bua I askedVedikatomarryme", blurted out Angad.

"I didn't get that, what happened", Urvashi asked.

"I asked her to marry me…and she said yes", replied Angad.

SILENCE

Angad slowly hung up the phone and put it away. Urvashi gave her reaction, and it was just as Angad expected. Vedika walked into the room after coming from some grocery shopping. The single tear that fell from Angad's eye's told Vedika exactly what had happened. She went up to him and hugged him, It'll be okay Angad. It'll all be okay", Vedika said. Now she was crying too. Angad let go of Vedika and just left the room. Vedika felt horrible. She knew Urvashi wasn't happy with Angad after he cheated on Kripa, and she was pretty sure Urvashi didn't like her much either. Vedika felt so guilty for coming between Angad and Urvashi. She felt as if it was all her fault. It really hurt. All day Angad was silent. He wouldn't talk to anyone, he wouldn't eat or do anything. It killed her to have to see Angad like this. It really killer her.

Back in New York, Meem finally met up with Hussein at his dorm. It was time to face it. And Hussein was making such a good effort to make things work, and Meem thought she should too. " So, how was your day", Meem asked taking a sip of her coffee. "Good, but I missed you a lot ", Hussein replied holding her hand. "Yeah…I'm sorry I had my phone on silent all day, I didn't get your calls", Meem said. "It's okay. Meem I know you feel weird about al this but…I'm okay with it. I really am, I'll wait for you for as long as you want", Hussein assured Meem. "I know…and I'm really happy your such a good person Hussein. I don't think they make em like you anymore", Meem said with a tear in her eye. Hussein kissed Meem and hugged her. He really did love her a lot.

Back in Boston, Angad's silence become intolerable. Vedika didn't think it would make much difference, but she still tried to call Urvashi and ask again. "Hello", Urvashi said answering the call. "Hi…um…I'm Vedika", replied Vedika with sweat falling form her forehead. "Oh…hi Vedika. If you calling to..", Urvashi was interrupted by Vedika. "Please, just listen to me. I know your probably not fond of me. And I know you think it's crazy that Angad and I want to get married and I know…it really is pretty crazy. But, I really love your nephew. And I promise to try my best and beyond to keep him happy. I promise to be the best wife and daughter in law I can be", Vedika said crying. "It's not you Vedika. I know you're a good person", Urvashi said. " He really loves you. And, it's killing him to know that your not happy with his choices in life. Maybe it's the wrong time to get married, but Bua…when is the right time? Is there a right time? I promise you, I'll never allow him to leave college to support us. I promise, I wont let him make any wrong decisions about himself or us. We'll work everything out, I promise", Vedika assured her. " well, taking to you took up the responsibility to call me shows that your will work it all out", said Urvashi impressed with Vedika's maturity. "I just…he really needs to know that your happy with this. And if you aren't, we'll wait…we'll wait until Angad is done with college and has a job, but he needs some sort of reaction from you. It's killing him, and me", cried Vedika. "Okay. Don't worry…I'll come for sure. And I think I can say happily, I Angad made the right choice by wanting to marry you.", replied Urvashi with tears in her eye's too.

Kripa sat by the bench in the park looking at the stars. In summer time everything feels so good. The warm wind, the light sky, the smell of flowers. It's all so pretty. Shazad came up and sat next to her. "Hey buddy", he said taking another look at her belly. "Stop looking at it!", complained Kripa. Shazad laughed. "So, I heard you had a lot of fun in Florida", Shazad said. "Yeah…I guess I did", Kripa laughed. "So you do know, they named you Miss. Friendly of the Century is year right", he added. "Yeah, and I also know, that friendly is another way of saying sl*t", Kripa replied rolling her eyes. "Well do you blame people. I mean, you pretty much cheated on Sahil, and you have no regrets about it", Shazad said. Shazad secretly really wasn't happy with Kripa. Kripa's new behavior really did make Shazad mad. " Whatever Shazad, I really don't care about what people think. I'm done with caring about others. I mean, I'm sure Sahil did the same too, it's just he's a guy and no one talks about guys when it comes to these things.", Kripa said annoyed at Shazad for bringing this topic up. "No Kripa, he didn't do anything while you were gone. He waited for you, and I think you should stop comparing every guy to Angad", Shazad said angry at Kripa now. "Shut the hell up Shazad. And maybe you should try to live your own boring life instead of bugging me about mines", she fired back. Shazad laughed and got up, " Hope your having the time of your life Kripa. But trust me…when your flings are over your going to realize that all you ever had were flings…and Kripa flings never last", saying that Shazad left the park and Kripa there alone.

To Be Continued…

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