Chapter 6

Part-6

Angad and Kripa went to their room and finalized all the college details……They went to take their marriage certificate, which the registrar promised to give the next day of marriage……….They had already taken visa interview appointment for the following week and had to just submit few papers, once they arrive from the university……..At last by 6 they were all done and finally relaxed a little after a long ordeal……….They couldn't do much last week and before that, other than apply in college and filling in all the required forms……….!! Kripa looked at the tution fee and bit her lips…….Though she was joining state university there, which was not much expensive, still it costed a lot……….!

K: Angad……Woh last year papa ne mere account mein mere mama papa ke life insuarance ke paise deposit kiye the aur card bhi diya tha, taki mein use kar sakun, jo college ke liye kaam aajayenge wahan……..Ussi account se agar transfer karna ho to.……….

Angad kept a finger on her lips stopping her mid sentence and Kripa stopped looking at him a little stunned, to feel his fingers on her lips…….Angad slowly pulled his hands back and smiled at her.……..

A: Tumhare paise ho ya mere kya farak padta hai? Remember, we are married now…?….Woh paise waise hi rehne do……..Aur jahan tak tumhare college ka fees hai, u don't know anything about me……..He said grinning……..Mein ne US mein kafi shows kiye hai college mein jab tha tab……..pehle saal ke baad to, mujhe scholarship bhi mil gayi…….Papa ne jo bhi mere account mein deposit kiya tha last two years, woh mein ne fixed deposit mein dal diya tha……Mein ne papa ko ye baat batayi……..I have enough money for next two years of your college in that account, which dad had set for me……..Aur baki mere income to hai hi……..I have done many shows with good singers around there, due to which I almost got around 1000 to 2000 dollars per show………I have not done lead role, just the side role, experience ke liye I mean and I have earned quite a bit to keep us both stable for couple of years…….Sorry ye nahi kahunga, ki we will have luxury there………! He said chuckling…… I have enough savings for us for now ……..Jab jaroorat hogi, keh dunga……….Aab woh saab chodo aur packing karna chalu kar do……..Aur tumhare recommendation letters aur certificates baju mein rakhna………Do dinon baad visa interview ke liye lagenge……..Papa ke dost ne kaffi madad ki hai humari, nahi to itni jaldi saab manage karna namukin tha…….He said sighing…….Kripa nodded quietly and sat collecting her files……..

Angad kept looking at Kripa, as she sat there looking at her files………

A: Kripa, I know, all this is new and feels quite different as well as at some point akward……..I am still getting used to the idea that I am now married…….! He said chuckiling and I am sure that you feel the same…….But don't worry……….Hum dost the, aur rahenge……...I will be there with you……….Tumhe itni chinta karne ki jarorat nahi hai………Aur dekhna jald hi wahan adjust bhi ho jaogi………! Kripa just silently smiled and nodded, as she did her work……..

Couple of days before leaving Kartik and Priya went to Kripa and gave her a gift, saying it was her wedding gift from both of them……..Kripa and Angad were surprised and opened it and looked inside and Kripa was stunned to see a laptop………

K: Kartik bhaiya ye…….? She asked a little hesitantly………

Ka: Pasand aaya?

K: Par bhaiya iski kya jaroorat thi……..Aliyah aur mein to share karte hain na……..I mean……..she suddenly stopped bitting her lips……..

Ka: Par aab wahan US mein tumhe to chahiye na aur suna hai, wahan computers ke bina chalta hi nahi hai………

A: Not fair bro………Shadi hum donon ki hui hai aur aap gift sirf Kripa ko de rahe ho……..? He asked frowning and Kripa bit her lips……..

Ka: To, teri hi biwi ko de raha hun……..! Ek kaam kar, usse naya lekar dena, ye tum rakh lena……..! He said chuckling……! Angad chuckled and looked at Kripa, who looked at him nervously………Angad rolled his eyes looking at her…….

A: Hey I was just joking…..Mere paas already mac hai……..Acha hua ki bhaiya tumhare liye le aye……..Mein waise soch hi raha tha, ki tumhe ek laptop lekar dun jate hi……….Bhaiya ne kaam aasan kar diya……..Thanks bhai……..! He said smiling and Kartik nodded with a grin……….

K: Thanks bhaiya, bhabhi……..She said slowly with a smile……….

P: You are welcome Kripa……..I hope ki tumhara college ka kaam isspar chal jaye……..Hum ate hain, baad mein tumhe packing karne mein bhi madad kardungi………Priya said smiling and Kripa nodded………They were gone soon and Kripa looked at the laptop……..Angad grinned and took it and opened it…….Everything was set and he smiled happily……..

A: Good, bhai ne already saab load kar diya hai and it is set to go……He said keeping the laptop in front of her……..

K: Angad, tumhe agar ye chahiye ho to……..

A: Common Kripa……..This is yours……..! ok………He said shaking his head and Kripa smiled and took it from his hand as he forwarded it to her……..Wahan college campus par net free hota hai, so you will be connected to net 24 hours……! Par hey, don't tell this to anyone……..Kahin bhai video chat par ane ko kahe, to humara pol khul jayega, ki we are staying separately…….Once in a week or two, we will talk to them on Saturday's, and say we are busy on weekdays, so they don't doubt us……..Kripa looked down unsurely……..Kya hua?

K: Angad aise jhoot bolna……..Woh bhi ma se, papa se……..She said slowly looking at him uncertainly and Angad sighed……..

A: You know, if we tell them, then no way mom is going to allow you to go………So, is that what you want? He asked……..Kripa sighed and kept the laptop down and started leaving, when Angad held her hand……..Kripa, naraj ho mujhse? He asked suddenly, knowing she might be upset………

Kripa looked at him surprised……..Nahi Angad, par aise jhoot par jhoot bolna, acha nahi lag raha……..Par khair, tum sahi keh rahe ho……Ma aise humara alag alag rehna kabhi sweekar nahi karegi……..Aur mein janti hun, ki jo bhi tum kar rahe ho hum donon ke liye kar rahe ho…….Just give me some time……..I will get used to it……

Angad raised his eyebrows……..Get used to what? Lying? He asked mockingly and Kripa frowned and looked at him a little angrily and he started laughing…….At last………Ghussa to dilaya mein ne……! Kripa shook her head and started going out, when Angad stopped her once again…..Hey, I hope you don't make a habit of lying to me……..! Kripa stopped in her tracks and looked at him suddenly angry, because he was the one who had suggested this weird idea and telling her this……….She looked at him and saw that he was laughing at her expense………She just rolled her eyes and left, not knowing what to say…….!

Days went by fast and at last Kripa and Angad were all set to go and were on their way to airport…….Kripa tearfully bid bye to everyone and nervously walked with Angad looking back couple of times at Avantika with tears……….Avantika too closed her eyes wiping her tears and Dilip patted her shoulder taking her near………

D: Bas do teen saal ki to baat hai Avantika………..Phir humare sath hi rahegi………Dekho, agar dusare ghar jati, to humesha ke liye vida karna padta, par aab kum se kum humare sath hi rahegi humesha ke liye……….He said and Avantika nodded with watery smile.……….

Al: Yes mom, think as if they are on their extended honeymoon……she said chuckling…….Avantika chuckled hitting her lightly……..Aliyah hugged her with a sigh, missing Kripa as well.……Kartik and Aliyah had left yesterday evening for Andaman Nicobar Islands for their honeymoon………..Dilip wanted to get a package for Angad and Kripa too, but Angad shook his head, saying that they did not have time and had to see to their paper works and everything………Dilip had even arranged their stay through net in San Diego for couple of weeks, until they found a studio apartment, where Kripa and Angad planned to stay for couple of days and then go to their college housings from there………Angad had applied for a separate room for Kripa, but as there were none available, Kripa accepted what ever was available……..Angad had his previous room and had extended his stay there for next two years already..………They were both in different colleges and they would be staying a little far from each other.……..

Kripa was nervous wreck all through her flight, while Angad kept cheering her up and telling her to relax…….Kripa had difficulty understanding the airhostess and was worried, how she was going to fit in the college in between strangers, who she might not even understand…….……!!

At last after 20 hours of journey they reached their destination……….Angad completed all the formalities and they caught a taxi to the flat which Dilip had booked for them…………

A: Kripa, tum ruko yahan, mein office mein jakar keys le ata hun……..He said keeping the luggage near the door of their apartment……..Kripa looked at him a little nervously and nodded………Don't worry Kripa……..Bas panch minute mein aya………Ok…..he said with encouraging smile……….Kripa nodded and Angad ran out leaving Kripa with the luggage………..She stayed there without moving a muscle tensed to her feet, when she heard some noise………She sighed in relief and looked up, but suddenly found couple of huge guys, coming towards her………She looked at them fearfully and then looked away and light sweat covered her forehead as she held her breathe………But then she found them going to the apartment opposite theirs and sighed in relief closing her eyes, when they closed the door behind them………..Suddenly a hand came on her shoulder and she jerked shivering a little, frightened and tensed once again and looked who it was and found Angad looking at her with concern and frown………Kya hua Kripa, itni ghabrai hui kyun ho? He asked holding her cold hands……….Kripa slowly composed her self and shook her head, and suddenly hugged him closing her eyes…………Angad looked down at her a little confused as well as stunned………..He hugged her back and slowly wiped the sweat on her head…….Acha chalo, mein keys le aya hun…….Andar chale………Kripa nodded feeling a little embarrassed and moved away, giving him space to open the door………..She helped him carry their suitcases inside and looked around the flat feeling a little better, when Angad switched on the lights………..She slowly walked inside and kept her purse near the table and stood there, her hands still shivering a little, while Angad bought everything inside and closed the door, locking it securely………

He then looked at Kripa and burst out laughing……….

A: Kitni darpok ho Kripa………Mujhe nahi pata tha ki tum itna daarti ho……..He said grinning, trying to lighten the situation………Kripa looked down a little embarrassed, but kept quite……….Angad after few seconds stopped and looked at her………He could see her nervousness and uncertainity…….He slowly went to her and kept a hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him tensly……..They had tried to avoid all sort of intimacy after their first night, and had strictly slept on their side of the bed, though Angad had affectionately kissed her forehead or cheeks 2-3 times……….But the way Angad was starring at her, Kripa felt the same fire buring in his eyes, which she had seen the first day………She looked down nervously not knowing what to do or say once again, while Angad's fingers, which were on her shoulder, slowly moved up and he circled her bare skin with his fingers, looking at it………..But suddenly, he backed off and turned around composing himself………..

A: I promise, there is nothing to worry about………Ache bure log to saab jagah hote hain……..Hume savadhani rakhni chahiye, par daar daar kar jeena to koi jeena nahi hua na……...Try to face the world Kripa………Aise daar ke kuch nahi hoga……….He said sighing, trying to avoid looking at her……..For some moments there, he really wanted to pull her to him and…….He shook his head trying to take out all the thoughts out of his mind, which were making him restless.……..Jao, tumhe fresh hona ho to jakar fresh ho jao aur phir bahar jakar kuch kha lete hain……….Meri car bhi le ayenge jakar phir………

Kripa nodded and quickly took her small suitcase and went in the bedroom, which was equally nice and quickly took her clothes and toiletories and went to the bathroom…………Her heart pounding loudly………She took her time and freshened up……….At last after half an hour or so, she came out feeling a lot better………..She kept drying her hairs, once outside, but suddenly stopped, feeling Angad's eyes on her………..She couldn't look at him and tried to continue what she was doing, but then looked up not able to resist……….She found Angad staring at her, and as soon as she looked up, he smiled and walked inside…….

A: Mein abhi aya fresh hokar……….Phir nikalte hain…….He said and went to the bathroom with his towel……….Kripa turned around looking at the closed door and smiled shyly and went to the dresser and quickly got dressed……….She was about to put sindoor, when Angad came and stopped her……….Kripa, aab India jane tak sindoor mat lagana……..Kripa looked up at him with a frown…….Samjha karo Kripa, we are going to live in our college housing with other kids……..We decided to stay as friends, right………Aab agar unhe ye pata chale ki tum married ho, then naturally they will be curious…….Yahan Indian students bhi hai kaffi……….They will be full of questions and you will have to answer them all………Instead just be one of them, a student and nothing else……….Just remember that we are friends here and nothing else for now…...!! That will be easier………Ok…..Kripa slowly nodded feeling a little awkward, but kept the sindoor box down, knowing he was right and slowly got up………Her mangalsutra was also a plain chain with two small black beads and a diamond pendant, which Angad had choose for her……….saying this would go with all the dresses……….

Angad sighed as he got dressed…….There was only one person, who knew about them and Angad had told him to keep it a secret………He was a good friend, and he had helped him a lot and even saved his life during his sea excursion…….And then they became friends after that………Though they hardly met, due to their busy schedule, Angad had kept in touch and had told him in confidence about his marriage and about his plans………

Angad called India to let Dilip and Avantika know that they safely arrived and after they all talked to Kripa and when they were satisfied, they kept the phone, asking them to keep in touch regularly……..

Once Angad was ready, they called a cab and then went to Angad's room directly………Angad took Kripa near his car and asked her to wait there and ran up to his room and bought his keys…………He met couple of his friends on the way and talked to them for a few minutes and ran down…………Kripa was still standing in the same position where he had left and Angad sighed………

A: Chale……Kripa looked and him and nodded………Kripa stop being so nervous ok…….I know this is a new country for you and everything is new……….Par ye log bhi humari tarah insaan hi hai……You are not in some alien planet………he said chuckling and opening the door for her……….Kripa smiled a little and sat in while Angad shook his head and sat inside, a little worried about her.………

They went to near by restaurant and had some dinner and then went back to their flat………..Angad then showed Kripa all her college details online and told her the rules and regulations of the college and housing and then gave her a prepaid credit card he had as well as a cell phone.……….

A: Kripa, issmein se tum 2000 dollars tak cash nikal sakti ho, ya credit card ki tarah use kar sakti ho……Mein tumhe ATM kaise use karna hai, kal bata dunga……Baad mein bank mein joint account khol denge..…..Aur ye raha mobile, kabhi bhi kuch bhi jaroorat ho to phone kar dena………..Ismein mera aur India ke saab numbers stored hai aur tum direct unhe bhi phone kar sakti ho, jab tumhara maan kare…….ok……Kripa nodded looking at it and slowly took it with her cold hands…………Kripa, tum samjh rahi ho na, ki mein ye kyun kar raha hun……….If you still don't want this, then we can still stay here together……..I don't have any problem with it………..It's your call……….he said taking her cold hand in his………..I don't want you to feel preassured in anything………Mama papa ko jo thik laga unhone kiya………And we respected their wishes……..Par aab yahan, we are free to live life like we want………I am good with both…….You are ok with my decision right……..? I just wanted you to enjoy your life, rather than take responsibility at this age…….!! Kripa slowly nodded somewhere feeling that this was a good decision………She too did not feel she was ready for this relationship and needed some time and she even wanted to be a little independent, rather than leaning on everyone for everything, as she knew she had led a very sheltered life and she had to over come her fears and be a wife, Angad can be proud of………She was afraid and did not know how she was going to make her self go through this path, but somewhere her fears about her and Angad's relationship were also the reason, she wanted to stay in the campus housing……..She was still not confident, if their relationship will survive or not……She knew she was thinking rubbish and it was her fear, which was making her nervous………She also knew that marriages are forever and she and Angad are tied together in this holy matrimony, but still she had her doubts…….She looked down almost in tears as she listened to Angad, who was still talking……..Mein har mahine, tumhare account mein paise jama kar dunga aur tumhare mess ke aur room ke bhi direct payment ke liye apply kar dunga……So, tumhe koi problem nahi hogi……….Aur agar books aur stationaries order karni hai, to tumhare library mein tumhe websites ke information mil jayenge………..You can buy it giving this credit card number and don't worry about the amount………If you need anything at all, just give me a call and I can be with you in half an hour……….ok…….Kripa blinked her tears and slowly looked up with a smile and nodded…….Hey mein tab se bole jaraha hun, aur tum ho ki….bolti hi nahi ho…..

K: Neend aa rahi hai, so jaye……..She said biting her lips slowly………Looking at him shyly……….Angad looked at her for couple of minutes and then started laughing and Kripa joined in and chuckled as well……..They soon went to their side of the bed and fell asleep, tired from the journey………

Kripa woke up early morning around 4 not able to sleep after that and freshened up……….She looked around the kitchen to see if she could find anything, to make breakfast, but realized that there was no grocery at all……..She sighed a little, her stomach rumbling due to hunger………She knew that there were few packets filled with sweets and other things Avantika had packed for them in Angad's bag……….But she hesitated to open it herself, so just drank some water and sat there looking out through the window………She was tired by 7 and still Angad was not awake……….

K: Angad, utho na…….She said atlast, shaking him a little, feeling a little akward to wake him up, but there was no other choice……..

A: Kripa kya hai……..sone do na………He said taking the blanked above his head……….Kripa sighed uncertainly looking at him…….

K: Angad, bhuk lagi hai, woh ghar mein kuch bhi nahi hai, dudh bhi nahi………She said slowly and Angad came out of the covers and opened his eyes suddenly………Then he heard Kripa's stomach rumbling and he started chuckling, while Kripa looked down embarrassed……..

A: Panch minute do, mein kuch le ata hun……..He said getting up and quickly brushing and wearing his pants…….He was out in 5 minutes and was back after 15-20 minutes with few groceries……….Ye lo, hope ye kafi hai……..Jyada kuch nahi hai……bas do-teen din ke breakfast ke liye hai……..Phir parson to college ka cafeteria mein saab milega…….Kripa nodded taking the bags and went to the kitchen, without saying a word, as she was starting to have headache due to hunger……..She quickly put the bread in the toaster and did some tea for both of them and cut few fruits Angad had bought and set the table, by the time Angad came out taking bath………Are wah….……..I am really impressed………!! He said grinning and having his breakfast………..Acha suno, thodi der baad hum shopping chalenge……..

K: Shopping?

A: Haan…….

K: Kya khareedna hai?

A: Tumhare liye kapde………

K: Angad majak mat karo……..she said rolling her eyes, busy eating……..

A: Are sach baba……..Tumhare paas hardly teen char jeans hai……….If you want to get adjusted and be one of them, then you need to be like them……..Ok…….Otherwise, you will always be an outsider and would not be able to adjust……..They finished their breakfast and Angad sighed grinning………Aab chalo taiyar ho jao.………

K: Itni jaldi…..

A: Hmmm……Don't you want to visit places around here……..? Chalo aab……..He said grinning and Kripa smiled and got ready……..There was as and then nothing to do in their room…...….They went around the city looking at the sites, then went for shopping and purchased many things for Kripa……..Had lunch at a restaurant and visited couple of places and then were back after dinner at night………Next day Angad took Kripa to the college and showed her around the campus and then went to see her room……..Kripa looked around nervously as people stared at them, but Angad smiled and nodded at them, keeping a secure hand on her shoulder and took her in……….They went to the cafeteria and Angad explained about the few dishes she would like to eat and what she could get for her breakfast etc, and then went to the library……….At last tired they went back home……….Kripa was unusually quite, in her own thoughts, when Angad shook her………

K: Sorry…….Woh sham ka Khanna……….

A: Aisa karte hain, aaj pizza order kar lete hain….I don't have any energy left for now……He said grinning…….Kripa nodded and they had their pizza in their flat, though Kripa hardly ate any………Angad was also quite in his own thoughts and did not force her…….Atlast they packed up for tomorrow……….Kripa almost had tears in her eyes and she was a nervous wreck…….They were laying on the bed, in their own thoughts……..She turned the other way and closed her eyes wiping her tears slowly, while Angad turned around and looked at her, when he heard her sniff…….Hey, kya hua? He said touching her arms and Kripa shook her head and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep……..But Angad did not buy it and pulled her slowly to him and kept her head on his chest and hugged her…………Kripa cuddled to him, feeling much better……..She was feeling so lonely already and she was dreading about what she would do tomorrow……

A: Batao, kya baat hai…….? He asked slowly, though he knew why she was so nervous……

K: Kuch nahi, bas………

A: Kripa……..Batao, kya chal raha hai, tumhare iss chote se dimag mein………He said smiling a little encouraging her…….

K: Woh Angad, aaj tak mein kabhi akeli rahi nahi aur……..She kept quite looking down………

A: Kripa, you won't be alone there………Remember you are sharing it with another girl, who is Indian as well………

K: Mein to usse janti bhi nahi………She said a little childishly and Angad suppressed his laugh……

A: To kya hua, ek do din mein jaan jaogi……Hume kahan janti thi……..? Par aab dekho, humari to shadi bhi ho gayi………

K: Angad majak mat karo……….She said looking down…….

A: Are majak nahi baba……..Common Kripa……..Stop being childish……..You meet people, know them and then become friends……..It is a general phenomenon……..Bas achi tarah baat karo, and that's it, time will take care of everything…..Kripa sighed looking down…...Angad sighed looking at her silence..….Kripa, be brave ok……..I assure you 2-3 dinon mein tum adjust ho jaogi, aur tumhare friends bhi ho jayenge……….And you will feel good……….ok……You know what, staying in campus with friends, having fun with them, all these are unique experiences, which you would always cherish and think about in future……..Tumhe aaj nahi pata chalega ki mein kya keh raha hun, par ek din, tum inn dinon ko yaad karke, bahot miss karogi……I am sure, you will have wonderful time, where you can solely concentrate on yourself and your life, the way you like…….Samjhi ki nahi..…..Kripa nodded like a little child and Angad could not resist gathering her close and kissing her cheeks lightly and comfort her……..Kripa was so nervous, that she took comfort in his arms, without a thought or awareness……..Slowly, Angad's soothing voice made her a little better and she was soon asleep, while Angad was still awake looking at Kripa, who was asleep in his arms……..Was he doing the right thing? He did not know the answer…..He sighed and thought of giving her sometime………If she did not adjust, then he would rent a flat and they could stay together………..!! He was almost tempted to shower her with kisses and make her his, looking down at her innocent face………..He couldn't sleep a wink, with Kripa in his arms……..He later got up, putting Kripa's head on the pillow and went out to see TV, and fell asleep on the sofa sometime midnight……….

Kripa woke up at her usual time and freshened up and quickly got ready……..Angad was going to drop her at her room and then go to his room………She somehow was missing him already…….The way he had taken her in his arms yesterday and consoled her softly, touched her heart………..She found him asleep on the sofa and smiled at him lovingly………She knew she had to do this for them………She did not want him to feel more responsible towards her, like he did as well and wanted him to fulfill his dreams………She quickly packed all her stuff as well as her clothes and went to prepare breakfast for them……… Angad woke up, when he heard the noise of the vessels and looked at Kripa, who was busy preparing breakfast………He smiled and mumbled a good morning to her, stretching a little……..His back aching……..

K: Good morning…..Kripa said blushing a little……..Tum fresh ho jao, nashta taiyar hai……..

A: Abhi aya………he said grinning and freshening up………They had their breakfast and were all set to leave after cleaning up the place by 10……….Kripa nervously took her purse and came out…………Angad couldn't resist himself and went to her and slowly kept his hands on her cheeks………..Kripa, jab bhi tumhe meri jaroorat ho, phone kar dena…….Mein aa jaunga……Ok………Aur agar thode dinon ke baad tumhe lage ki tum wahan nahi reh sakti, to hum flat rent karlenge……….Thik hai………At least give it a try and see if you like it………You don't have to be so nervous……..He said kissing her forehead………Kripa smiled shyly and nodded……...He slowly bought her near and hugged her………He couldn't resist kissing her neck softly and felt Kripa shiver………She was his wife, the thought bought a different kind of possessiveness and protectiveness in him……….He slowly straightened and smiled at her sofly……..Chale…..? Kripa nodded and they slowly walked out…….Angad kept their luggage in the car and then went to the rental office and gave them their keys and they were on their way to their college………..Angad carried Kripa's stuff upstairs and kept her things in her room………You can pick either side……… She looked the other side of the room and found it empty as well and walked there, a little away from the door, so she could have some privacy……Angad smiled and kept her luggage near the bed and looked around with a sigh………It was small, but well furnished and even had a small kitchen to cook…….Kripa, yahan niche office mein tumhe sari yahan nazdik ki information mil jayegi……Aur yahan campus ke bus ki bhi information hogi wahan, jo tumhe kahin jane ke liye kaam ayegi……….And remember, you just have to call me, and I will be here in 20 to 30 minutes or so………Ok…….Kripa nodded looking down, holding on to her hands tightly………

A: Mein chalun…….he asked at last uncertainly and Kripa looked up at him with tears and nodded………Kripa…….

K: Mein thik hun Angad……Tum jao……..she whispered blinking her tears……….Angad nodded slowly, seeing the kids, who were outside and looking at them curiously………He smiled encouragingly and nodded at her and slowly turned around and left…….He went down with heavy heart, and looked up at the building once and slowly walked towards his car………

He immediately took the phone and called his friend telling him that he had dropped Kripa at her room and was going home…….His friend reassured Angad, that she would be alright and Angad left with a sigh….…Kripa wasn't aware of this but Angad had made sure, that she had someone here, he trusted, in the college, to see to her needs and guide her………Because if she knew, his purpose would fail……….So, he just wanted someone to keep an eye on her and help her when she needed and inform him about her from time to time………

Back to Kripa, she nervously looked at her luggage and found two cubboards besides her bed and a small desk…..She did not know who was her room partner yet, but knew that she might be here in a day or two, as college were starting tomorrow……….

She took her things out of her suitcase and neatly arranged it in the closet next to her bed……..She kept her files and laptop in her laptop bag and kept it in the top shelf and arranged the rest in the drawers below……….She was all done in an hour or so and kept her suitcases below the bed………She sat there silently on the bed, nervous about going out of the room, when her cell started ringing…….Surprised she looked who it was and found Angad's number and smiled with relief…….

K: Angad…….

A: Are tumhe kaise pata mein hi hun……..!! He said chuckling…….

K: Bas pata chal gaya……..Tum pahunch gaye apne room…….She asked nervously, hoping he would be here……..

A: Pahunch gaya tha, par wapas ana pada……….Kripa frowned, but suddenly relaxed to know that he was here……..

K: Matlab?

A: Matlab, tumhara kuch saman le aya hun…….Darwaja kholo……He said chuckling and surprised Kripa opened the door……….He grinned and gave her a small bag…….

K: Ye kya hai…….?

A: Ma ne jo sweets pack kiye, wahi hai……..Tumhe waise bhi yahan abhi khane ki adadt nahi to socha ye kaam aa jayenge, in case of emergency……….Kripa smiled and took the pocket……….

K: Tum thoda le jao……mein abhi………

A: Nahi Kripa……..Tum rakh lo…….Waise bhi mere itne dost hai ki le jaun to do min mein khatma ho jaye……Tum yahan nayi ho……..Sath rakh lo, agar bahar jane ka maan na ho to ghar ka kha sakti ho……..Mujhe adadt hai bahar khane ka……..

K: Thanks Angad…….

A: Tumhara saman kahan hai…..He said frowning and looking around……..

K: Closet mein…..kyun?

A: Tumne sara set bhi kar liya……he said rolling his eyes…….Kash tumhe mere room le ja sakta………..woh bhi jaldi se set kar deti tum……….But its boys floor, so can't do it………He said making faces……Kripa chuckled……..Bye, mein chalta hun……Kripa wanted to stop him and ask him to come down for lunch with her, as it was almost 12………But, she couldn't say a word………Angad looked at her nervous face and smiled…….Acha ek kaam karte hain……..Niche tumhare canteen mein jakar kuch kha lete hain……Phir nikalta hun………Kripa suddenly looked up happily and Angad shook his head with a smile…..

They went down and took what they want and sat together and finished their lunch………

A: Saturday subah 11 o'clock taiyar rehna, bahar chalte hain………..Aur haan, papa ka phone aya tha, unhone tumhare music teacher ka phone number aur contact address diya hai aur kaha hai every Sunday 2-4 woh free hai, agar tumhe join karna ho to……Kripa nodded……….Waise, mein woh area janta hun…….kafi safe hai, so you can take a bus, which comes right in front of your campus and goes down few lanes near the address you need to go……..Mein ye Sunday chalunga aur tumhe dikha dunga…….ok……Kripa nodded……You want to go to Library and borrow some books……..? He asked, wanting to make sure she would have something to do and Kripa nodded…….They walked to the library, which was couple of blocks away and Kripa showed her Id and was given temprorary card……..She took couple of books and Angad showed her how to check out and were soon back to her apartments……Bye….take care……Uppar jaogi na khud? He asked a little uncertainly at her nervousness and Kripa nodded…….She had been quite and he knew……He smiled at her and slowly waved and walked to his car, while she waited as he left……Angasd purposefully did not wait for her to go up and went off, feeling a little uncertain once more……..But he sighed and went off anyway…….Kripa nervously walked up to her room, looking around the empty co-oridors, where kids were coming in with luggages and settling in, they nodded as they walked past, some grinned looking at her, while others greeted as they walked past……..Kripa just nodded nervously at them, and sighed in relief, as soon as she walked in her room and closed the door.………She sat there with her books, but she was far away in her own fears, to read even a page………Time flew by and it was almost 4 in the evening…….Kripa stilled as she saw the door opening and suddenly a slim girl walked in………She was dressed in tights and t-shirt and had goggles on her eyes……..She removed her goggles and looked around the room and then saw Kripa staring at her……….

Kanan: Hi, Kanan……She said smiling at Kripa with attitude…….Kripa looked at her nervously and slowly smiled and nodded…….

K: Kripa ………She said slowly……..

Kanan: Nice to meet you Kripa……..She said with a grin and bought all her luggage in………Kripa looked at 4 big bags she bought and then at Kanan, who was busy looking at herself in mirror………lagta hai, ki tum nayi ho yahan……….She turned around with raised eyebrows and Kripa nodded……..I am a 3rd year student here……….And you?

K: Second year arts……..She said politely……..

Kanan: Never saw you in the campus though……..She said frowning…….You speak Hindi? Kripa nodded……..cool……..So, dusare college se ayi ho…...?

K: Haan, mein bas do din pehle India se ayi hun……mein ne first year India me kiya tha, aur yahan ki online test di thi………To unhone mujhe 2nd year mein admission de di………Kanan whistled nodding and kept her bags on the bed………Aapko kuch help chahiye………Kanan looked at her surprised………But shrugged………

Kanan: No, thanks……I am fine…….Kripa kept quite and Kanan started unpacking her things and arranged it in her closet……….Kanan's phone started ringing…….Hey baby……How are you? Miss me?

N: Tumhe? No way……..I am trying to enjoy my freedom…….Nishant said chuckling………

Kanan: Nishant not fair………Jao, enjoy karo…….Why do I care……….!! Dusari mil gayi to khabar kar dena……….yahan ladkon ki koi kami nahi hai…….koi na koi to mil hi jayega……..

N: Really?

Kanan: Want to see……….Shamko aa jao aur dekho mera kamal………

N: Hey sochna bhi nahi……jaan se maar dunga usse………

Kanan: Jelous………?

N: whatever……..Par jo baat mein batane wala hun, ussase tum jaroor jalogi……Ma ne rishta laya hai mere liye…….He said chuckling and Kanan frowned………

Kanan: Not again yaar………Why don't you tell your mom…….!!

N: Kanan, Mein yahan MS karne aya tha aur aab naukri bhi lag gayi………Aab ma chahti hai ki mein settle ho jaun…….Aab unki kya galti hai isme………

Kanan: Haan koi galti nahi hai……..Karlo shadi phir……..Mujhe kya bata rahe ho………

N: See I told you……you will be jelous………

Kanan: Bye Nishant have fun with this new girl……She said switching off the phone angrily and throwing it on the table……..But it slipped past the table and went on Kripa's bed other side, which Kripa caught it before it went further………Sorry…..She said going to her and taking the phone…...Do you have a boy friend……..Kripa frowned a little and then shook her head…….Good keep it that way……..They are all one and the same…real pain in neck……Ladki patani ho to raat din dum hilate ghumte hai humare age piche, aur ek baar phas gayi to attitude dikhate hain……..They think we are stupid toys to play with……..She said banging her phone……..Kripa sat quietly taking her book back, not wanting to interfere…….By the way that was Nishant Saksena, my boy friend……waise to bada hai mujhse…….Par hum college party mein mile the……..He was handsome and cool……….MS complete hua tha uska tabhi, but then we clicked and things just went out of hands and then we fell in love and now, he is showing me attitude and all……….Aab job kya lag gayi top company mein, khud ko hero samajhne lage hain………Bas shadi shadi aur shadi………Man, I told him just couple of months back, that until I have a job, I am not going to marry him……….!! Par uski ma hai ki piche hi padi hai…….By the way, he is from Mumbai as well………He came here 4 years back to do his MS…….She said rolling her eyes………Kripa just listened to her and then finally nodded and got back to her novel……….Waise I am born and bought up in US, aur mujhe pehle shak tha ki kahin Nishant green card ki tayari to nahi kar raha, I mean using me and all that……..But then I knew that he truly loves me……..She said grinning………Any way……that's a lot about me……….So, who are there in your family……..? Any brothers or sisters…….? Mom dad…….

K: Nahi, my mom and dad were killed in an accident long time back………Mere dad ke friend ke paas rehti thi……Unhone hi mujhe yahan bheja padhne…….Kripa said slowly……

Kanan looked at her with a frown, but then nodded……..That's sad……..I can't imagine my life with out my parents…….!! And I have a brother………who is absolutely crazy and you won't believe it, but he stays just a floor below, ofcourse opposite wing though.……….she said rolling her eyes………Kripa looked at her and smiled nodding amused that she was talking non stop………

Kanan: Anyways, I need to go now……..I am meeting my friends for drinks…….Want to join us? She asked with eyebrows up……..Kripa shook her head and Kanan shrugged and was off as quickly as she came in……..Kripa stared at the door and sighed in relief as she was tired………She looked down at the huge bags besides her bed, which were left as they were……….Kripa sighed shaking her head and looked at her novel and kept it aside a little tiredly………She closed the door and slowly closed her eyes and started reharsaling her music in low voice……...At last, once she was done, she looked at the time and went down to the cafeteria and had her dinner… She sat on the table, feeling lonely as well as awkward, to sit like this all alone………Thankfully, she told what she wanted and the lady in there understood her and even helped her a little, when she came to know that Kripa was new here…….She was done soon, and ate little what she could and thanked the lady shyly who greeted her goodnight cheerfully ………She walked up nervously like before and reached her room…….By the time she came up, her phone was ringing…...It was Angad once again and Kripa smiled switching on the phone……

K: Hello……….

A: Kripa, kya kar rahi thi……do baar phone kiya mein ne…..He asked tensed…….

K: sorry Angad…….bas abhi niche khana khakar ayi hun………She whispered……

A: Oh ok……Acha dekho, mein kal apne friend ke sath Los Angeles ja raha hun…….Woh humne kuch instruments khareede the, uski delivery leni hai wahan se……….You will be alright here? Mein sham tak laut aunga……..Kripa stilled for a moment, but then sighed……..

K: Thik hai Angad, tum jao…….Mein thik hun yahan…….Tum meri chinta mat karo………She said nervously……..

A: Thik hai…...Tumhari room partner ayi?

K: Hmm…….

A: So, how is she? Are you comfortable…..?

K: Thik hai…..Pata nahi, woh ate hi bahar chali gayi…..So….

A: By any chance is she with you, I mean in your class?

K: Nahi 3^rd year mein hai…….

A: Oh……That's fine……..Atleast you won't be alone at room now….……tum so jao aab aur phone karna agar kuch problem ho to……ok……

K: ok…..bye…..She said keeping the phone and staring at it………She felt so lonely………She almost wanted to run back to their house in Bombay, in the safety of her own room, where everyone was there……….She wiped her tears slowly and cuddled up in the blanket……….

Back to Angad, he said bye and kept the phone sighing……...It felt odd……….He still couldn't believe that he was married and that too with Kripa and she was here, still they were living in college housing…….!! Of course it was his idea…….And he wanted her to have this experience of being independent, though he knew how difficult this would be for her……..And further, it would have been difficult as well for both of them……..Her college was on one side of the city and his was on other side and further, their classes were in different timings………And Angad was on trips constantly for his performance………….And they practiced in college campus at all odd hours, which would have been a problem for Kripa as well……..Now they could both concentrate on their careers and Kripa could do what ever she wanted, without added responsibility and try to be independent and develop her self-confidence……..It would all work out at last and he felt good thinking about it this way…….He went with his friends Shabeer and others and had his dinner and came back to his room…….He took his guitar and slowly started singing, thinking about Kripa and their first night, smiling and shaking his head a little…….

Though their relationship was tied due to his parents, he slowly started seeing her as his wife and was even trying to vision her with him……….Their first encounter, both surprised him as well as kept him dreaming about his future with her………!

Back to Kripa, she was also looking outside the small window, when the door opened and Kanan walked in……..

Kanan: Hey…….you missed on one good party………Any way, mein abhi bahot thak gayi hun…….Kal baat karte hain…….Goodnight………

K: Good night……..She said smiling a little amused, that she was giving her info even before asking, as if they were long time friends………She saw her take her clothes and hum as she went to the bathroom……….Kripa sighed and tried to sleep, as Kanan changed and slipped below the covers……….She was almost asleep when the door burst open and the lights were switched on…….Kripa got up suddenly too frightened and looked at the door, where some one was standing with boxing gloves in his hands……..

J: God damit Kanan…...Kitni baar kaha hai ki apna cell phone on karke rakhna……..I knew you were in the bar with other girls……….I hate it ok…….I don't like you going with them…….

Kanan: Bhai, this is girls room for gods sake…………Go away……..You can't dictate my life………Aur mujhe pata tha ki tumare chamche tumhe mere bare mein khabar jaror denge………Issiliye phone off kar diya tha……She said laughing and showing him the cell phone……..Aur tum to aise keh rahe ho jaise mein pura din drinks leti rehti hun………I just had one glass of wine…….. ok……..Now go away and let me sleep……..

J: You are not supposed to go to bar at all Kanan………You don't even know what type of crowd comes over there………Agli baar tumhe dekha na, to ma ko bata dunga……Aisi khabar legi na ki yaad reh jayega………..

Kanan rolled her eyes and slipped in covers covering her face and ears……….

J: Do you get me Kanan……..!!

Ka: Go away Josh………I hate you………

J: I don't care……..He said with a frown and then looked at Kripa who was looking at him a little suspiciously and frightened……….Sorry, I know wrong timings, but…..Anyway, goodnight………He said shaking his head, looking once more at Kanan and closing the light and the door, as he went away……..

Kripa just kept starring at the door, still shaken up……..

Ka: Hey that's what I was talking about……..Don't worry………He is just a big over protective macho brother……….Common relax……..Sorry, actually mein jaldi jaldi mein door lock karna bhul gayi…….Tabhi aise andar aa gaya……She said shaking her head and going and locking the door …….Kripa stared at Kanan as she slid in covers with a sigh and closed her eyes……..Kripa couldn't sleep for a long time, as she was still totally nervous and fearfull…………She got up early next day and freshened up and got ready by 7……….She looked at the time and then went down to have her breakfast……..Once done she walked back up…………She found Kanan getting dressed………

K: Sorry……..Mein…..

Kanan: common in……….no problem…….Mera ho gaya…….Best of luck for the first day at the university……….Meet you in the evening………Kripa nodded and looked as Kanan walked off………She quickly got ready and closed the door and went to the office, where one of the faculties was supposed to give her orientation as well as introduce her to the lecturers……….

J: Kripa……Kripa Sharma……..Josh called looking at her……..

Kripa looked up and gasped……….He was the same person, who had entered their room late night…….Kripa nodded slowly a little nervous, after the way he had angrily walked in yesterday…….

J: Josh Kapoor…….He said introducing himself…….Sorry about yesterday night…….You know my sister is a little crazy and all……

K: That's fine…….She said trying to compose herself a little and looked around uncertainly……..

J: You can call me Josh……just Josh……..He said with a grin and Kripa nodded bitting her lips…….She was totally tensed as and then and further noticing that he was the same person, who had barked up in their room, made her unsure about him……..Hey, Kripa…….Don't worry, I am not such a bad guy, you know…….He said chuckling as if reading her thoughts……..By the way I am a senior in this college, major in Media Technologies, Journalism, Photography and recently joined as a faculty during my internship and I have also a completed my MS here..………Kripa smiled and nodded again and Josh looked at her amused as she had hardly talked……..Any way….…..I am here to show you around the campus, on the request of our seniors, as you have just recently moved from India and I will introduce you to your faculties and answer whatever questions you have………We have until lunch time….….So, shall we? He asked showing her the door……..

K: Kripa nodded silently and walked with him………Josh gave her complete tour of the classes she would attend, as well as the books she needed to purchase and introduced to many of her faculties……He gave her the list of books, she would need, gave her the list of teachers who would teach her along with their email id's so she could be in touch and ask if she had any questions, then told her the system of the education as well as what is expected of her and the homeworks and assignments………He even told her about the testing process and the extra classes she needed to attend, for getting to level with the current class….…..He looked through her subjects and told her about the credit system etc. And then told her about the subjects in details and what her first semester would cover……….

J: Kripa, there are many extra curricular activies you can join, including instruments, swimming, many different sports as well as indoor games and dance……..You can even score some credit points with that..…..You will get all the information about who to contact and how to join them through this brouchure and this are the cds of the softwares you need to update in your laptop…….I hope you have one of those……..Kripa nodded……Good……So, when you upload this softwares, you will get access to many sites of the college as well as notes and would have access to hear your lectures again through them, if you don't understand or miss it……The passwords are written in this paper, he said showing……Kripa took them and looked at them……..Do you need any help with those……? He asked looking at her doubtful face and Kripa looked up surprised…….She slowly nodded a little embarrassed……..Josh smiled…….It's ok……..I understand that this is fairly new system for you and you will need some time to get adjusted……..Ok…..

J: So, what can I help you with?

K: I don't know how to load softwares in the pc…….she said unsurely…….

J: Oh ok…..Not a problem……...you can bring your computer to the library after lunch, say 2 pm and then I will set it up for you……..Is that fine…….

K: Kripa sighed in relief and smiled……..Thanks……She said sincerely……..

J: Any time Kripa…….So, have any company for lunch…..? If you want you can join me ? Kripa looked at him surprised………Hey I too need to have my lunch, so why not go together……..!! Josh did not give her any choice and walked towards the canteen and Kripa couldn't refuse and slowly walked with him………They went to the cafeteria and took their trays and sat there……So, you know Hindi.……?

Kanan: Of course bhai……..She is from Mumbai afterall……..Kanan said joining them with her tray……

J: And here you are Ms. Universe……….Kal ka nasha uttar gaya, ki abhi bhi baki hai…….!! He asked angrily…..

Kanan: Common bro not again……Josh just rolled his eyes and looked at Kripa, who kept her tray aside………

J: So, Kripa, not used to this food………He asked eating his lunch…….Kripa smiled…….Yahan mile ki distance par ek Indian restaurant hai…….Chaho to wahan bhi ja sakti ho…….You will get all Indian varities…….

Kanan: Full of oil……she said making faces….

J: Bandar kya jane adrak ka swad……..he said chuckling and Kripa bit her lips to keep herself from laughing, not wanting to offend Kanan……Josh looked at her with a twinkle in his eye and grinned……..

Once they were done, Kanan left saying she was going to her class and Josh left for library asking Kripa to join him there, with her laptop……..

Kripa soon reached library with her laptop and Josh helped her set everything and then showed her what all she could do and how she could opereate the sites and then said bye and left as he had another appointment with a new student……….

Kripa sat there for a long time looking through the site and extra-curicular activities, etc…….She wasn't much into sports or games and did not know any instruments and neither did she ever go for swimming……At last sighing she switched off her pc and walked out of the library………She took a parcel up with her from cafeteria,sighing and looking at the sandwich again……….She was getting bored with the same bread and cheese and everthing………She planned to bring few groceries with Angad's help on Saturday, so she could make her own food and eat……….When she was in the room, she frowned looking at Kanan, who was boiling noodles and had made some omlets………Kripa looked at her with surprise………

Kanan: Hey want to have some………Don't worry it is not that bad…….She said grinning and switching off the hot plate…….

Kripa smiled and looked at her a little uncertainly, feeling as if she was intruding……...But Kanan just grinned and served two plates and gave one to her………Kripa looked at her a little surprised, but Kanan was already eating hers with a grin………Kripa looked at her plate and then at Kanan, when Kanan looked up……….

Ka: Common Kripa, I am not a murderer………Try it……I promise, I am not going to poison you……..! She said chuckling and kripa looked down a little embarrassed…….

K: Aisi koi baat nahi hai Kanan, thanks………Mein to bas ye soch rahi thi, ki iss sandwich ka kya karun………Canteen se le ayi thi………

Ka: Koi baat nahi hai, cut it in half and it will go wonderfully with this noodles………Infact, let me take out some chips and drinks and we can have our own party………She said chuckling and running to the freeze…….Kripa looked at her surprised as she bought chips, drinks and two glasses and filled them……..Kripa smiled a little and cut the sandwich and gave half to Kanan, who grinned and thanked her………They started eating and Kanan talked non stop and made Kripa reply……….They were atlast done and cleaned up after them and sat on their beds with a sigh.……..

Kanan: I wish ki ek TV hota yahan……Don't worry, I will get one tomorrow………Nishant ko keh dungi, to le ayega…..…She said grinning………Hey Kripa, how about we go to see a movie? She asked grinning…….

K: Itni raat ko? She asked surprised……..

Kanan: So, I have a car and the theater is just a mile away……..And it's just 9 dear……..She said rolling her eyes……

K: Josh ghussa nahi honge?

Kanan: For your info Kripa maam, I am not a baby anymore……..I don't need his persmission, even if he thinks I should……..She said frowning…….Common yaar, aab to padhai bhi start nahi hui hai………

K: Nahi mujhe nahi jana, waise bhi mujhe neend aa rahi hai…….Subah classes bhi hai.…….She said slowly……..kanan shrugged……..

Kanan: Ok, your wish……… but I want to go now……..She said with a grin and dialed someone's number and was out if minutes……..Kripa sighed, locking the door behind her and closed the lights, switching on the bed side light and started reading……..

After about half an hour or so, there was a knock on the door and Kripa went to open it……..She was surprised to see Josh standing there…….

J: Sorry Kripa, par Kanan se baat karni thi……..

K: woh to yahan nahi hai…….Woh abhi thodi der pehle movie dekhne gayi hai……..Josh closed his eyes shaking his head angrily……….

J: Sorry…….Good night……..He said with a smile and walked off……..Kripa sighed and slipped in covers, while her phone started ringing……….She smiled looking at Angad's number…….

A: Hey Kripa…….Kaisa raha aaj orientation……..

K: Acha tha Angad……….Tum wapas aa gaye?

A: Haan abhi aya…….so, are you settled…..? Any problems?

K: Nahi koi problem nahi hai……

A: Thik hai……you take care ok…..Mein abhi rakhta hun…….Niche khane jar aha tha, to socha tumse pehle baat kar lun……..Aaj pura din khana khane ka time hi nahi mila……..Late ho gaya to restaurant band ho jayega…….

Kripa looked at her hands and sighed…….She so wanted to ask him to comover, but………Thik hai Angad, goodnight…….She said slowly and heard him say Bye……..

K: Bye…..She said and kept the phone……..She closed her eyes thinking about Angad………She wasn't sure if Angad was really ok with this marriage or not……….He was close to his family, she knew that and had accepted their decision showing his respect………..But was he happy with this………? Would he regret this marriage at some point………When he had suggested the idea of living separately, she had been a little shocked……...And she couldn't say no to it, thinking may be he was right………They needed to know eachother, before going forward with this relationship and this was perfect solution……….Yeah responsilities and all were also the issue in here, and both felt the need to give eachother space, but Kripa's biggest concern was if Angad was really happy with this all or not…...Kripa wasn't afraid to hold her share of responsibility, but she did not know if Angad would like the responsibility at this stage, when he so much wanted to pursue his career……The reality was that she hated to stay alone and she was feeling lonely here……..But, she knew he had dreamed about being a rock star since his early college days………Seen his passion and enthusiasm………Knew he worked hard for his dream……But now, he not only had his career to look for, but her as well and she did not want him to feel obligated or pressured to do something which he did not want………She sighed, hoping she could adjust here soon………She was unsure of what to do and what not to, unsure about everything, but atleast she had started somewhere………! Though nervous and afraid, she made up her mind and closed her eyes, saying a silent prayer to give her some strength to do this for their future.……