Chapter 15

PART – 15

A: Hey Kripa…….kya kar rahi ho?

K: Kahan ho Angad?

A: Bas abhi room par aya hun……..he said sighing…….Abhi packing bhi baki hai………He said shaking his head……..Sorry Kripa, tum se milne ka time hi nahi mila………Bahot busy ho gaya tha……He said regretfully…….

K: Koi baat nahi hai Angad……..tum abhi room par hi ho, ya phir kahin jana hai…….? She asked hoping he had no plans…….

A: Room par hi hun……..abhi raat ke dus baj rahe hain madam…….aur subah 4 baje nikalna hai mujhe…….he said chuckling…….aur to aur mera kuch packing nahi hua hai……Par tum kyun puch rahi ho….? Yahan ane ka irada hai kya? He asked chuckling and Kripa stayed quite……Kripa?

K: Mein ek baar milna chahti hun tumse Angad……..Jyada waqt nahi lungi………bus 5-10 minute……..

A: Kripa, pagal ho gayi ho? Kitni raat ho gayi hai…….abhi aogi, to jane ke liye raat ke bara baj jayenge…….na……..mujhe chinta hogi……tum mat ana……..he said frowning……..he was just joking……..!

K: Angad……

A: Mein ne kaha na Kripa…….Acha dekho, mere dost abhi khana lekar aye hain room par, mein tumhe adhe ghante mein phone karta hun……thik hai……..

K: Angad……..but he had already kept the phone ……Kripa made faces and then got ready anyway……..And took the car keys and went out……..She drove all the way to Angad's room, many a times missing the route, but at last she reached the right place and sighed in relief, as she had been a little tensed……..She had her mobile handy, but it was difficult to see and drive at the same time……..! She slowly called Angad once again, but he wasn't picking it up……..She tried again and again until after 4-5 rings, Angad took the call……..

A: Kripa, kya hua, itni baar phone kyun kiya…….Saab thik hai na……? He asked frowning and going out of the room, as his friends were in super party mood in his room……..

K: Angad, sorry…….tum busy the? She asked guiltily hearing the voice in the background……

A: Haan, sare dost room par hai……..he said chuckling…….Khana kya le aye, yahan pura party shuru ho gaya hai…….Kripa bit her lips and was in confusion………should she tell him to come down to meet, or should she just go…….He seemed busy……..And she did not want to disturb him………Afterall, he had been so busy all week and now too he had packing to do……..She should have listened to him and stayed home……..Hey kya hua? Angad's voice bought her back from her thoughts……..

K: Nahi kuch nahi……..thik hai…….tum jane ki taiyari karo………baadmein baat karte hain…….

A: Acha thik hai……..sach koi problem nahi hai na……..He asked with a little concern…….

K: Nahi Angad, aisi koi baat nahi……..bas aise hi phone kiya…….

A: Thik hai Kripa……..I will call you in an hour……..so mat jana…….! He said chuckling……

K: Thik hai…..she said a little disappointed, but did not let it show in her voice……..bye…….

A: Bye…..he said smiling and sighed standing there…….He was missing her and wanted to meet her, but he still had so much to do and he couldn't leave his friends, who came to meet him as well…….He slowly started turning around, when he frowned looking at the car, which was reversing………His eyes grew wide and he looked at his phone and then at the car………He suddenly started running down, and called Kripa on her cell phone………Kripa who was all ready to leave looked down and saw Angad's number and stopped the car, taking his call………Kripa kahan ho tum…..? He asked slowly his heart beating………

K: Woh mein…...woh room par……..

A: Really? He asked walking towards the car from behind and heard Kripa taking deep breathe…….He knocked at the window of her car and Kripa frowned and looked out and her eyes grew wide looking at Angad……..She bit her lips looking at the phone in hand and then looked up at Angad, who was frowning at her………She slowly switched off the phone and rolled the window down and looked up at Angad alomost in tears……….Angad stared at her with disbelief…….She was here inspite of his warning and further she was going away even without meeting him……..!! Car park karo pehle……..he said slowly moving a little away, while Kripa nodded guiltily and parked the car, where it was before……..! She slowly switched off the engine and was about to go out, she heard the passanger door open………She waited and then Angad was sitting besides her looking at her once again……….Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho? He asked slowly…….Kripa looked down…….

K: Woh mein tumse milne ayi thi……..she whispered…….

A: Mein ne mana kiya tha na, ki itni raat ko mat ana……!! He asked her frowning……..Kripa bit her lips and looked away with tears……..When she did not answer, he continued………Aur yahan tak aakar bina mile ja rahi thi? He asked surprised……..

K: Tum busy the, issiliye…….tum ne kaha ki dost aye hain to, mein ne socha…….

A: Kya socha, ki mein tumse mil nahi paunga……..? Ya mana kar dunga………

K: Aisa kuch nahi hai Angad……..mein bas tumhe disturb nahi karna chahti thi……….

Angad looked at her with disbelief once again……..

A: Kripa, you are unbelievable………Mein do hafte se tumse mil nahi paya, iska matlab ye nahi ki mein milna nahi chahta tha tumhe……..I was missing you as much as you did……But I had work to do, so much that I hardly had time to eat or drink……..But I was missing you too….!! He said shaking his head………

K: Mein janti hun Angad…….issiliye…….

A: Issiliye kya……yahan tak aakar bina mile ja rahi thi? He asked with a frown…….! For god's sake Kripa…….you are my wife…….! Hak se niche ane ke liye nahi keh sakti thi……! He asked angrily……..

K: Angad, woh mein ne socha…….she said nervously……

A: Galat socha tumne……..he shouted angrily…….And Kripa shivered at his tone and her eyes filled with tears………Do minute ruko yahan…….mein abhi aya………He said authoritatively and went out……Kripa wiped her eyes, as she kept looking at him…….He went up climbing two steps at a time and went to his room, telling them that he would be back in an hour and ran down after taking his jacket and his volet……He was soon sitting in the car………Chalo, reverse lo yahan se……..Aur mein jahan kehta hun wahan turn lo……..Kripa slowly did as he said and drove to where he directed……..Soon, they were near a small park, which was open and well lighted and after parking, Angad got down without a word………Kripa slowly got down as well, locking the car and going behind Angad nervously……..Angad went and sat a little far away from the general public and Kripa followed him and sat besides him on the bench……..She then felt Angad's arms around her, pulling her near him and she looked up at him…….Angad just made faces at her and pulled her to him and Kripa sighed in relief……..Puri pagal ho tum…….janti ho…….He said scholding her gently…….Kripa smiled slowly, but did not look up………I love your independence, but I hate your irresponsibility………Dekho raat ke 11 baj rahe hain…..He said showing her the time………Itni raat ko akeli bahar nikli? Kyun?

K: Woh Angad…….tumhare jane se pehle bas ek baar milna chahti thi……..She said slowly and Angad looked down at her……..

A: Jaise mein ne kaha bilkul pagal ho…….he whispered looking in her eyes with love and Kripa smiled…….

K: Sorry tumhe disturb kar diya……..

A: Disturb to tum mujhe din raat karti ho……..He said chuckling……..Din mein yadein banker, aur raat ko sapnon mein…..! He said kissing her forehead…….So, nothing new there………Haan par tumhare muh se sunkar ghussa aa raha hai……..! Kripa looked up at him……..Tumhara hak hai…….Pata hai na ki bhul gayi……Hope mera patta katne ka irrada nahi hai……..he said mockingly……..

K: Angad…….kuch bhi kehte rehte ho……..jao baat nahi karna mujhe tumse……..

A: Hey sorry baba…….humare paas jyada time nahi hai……..!! So, please no rutna vagera today ok………You know mein ne ek bhi bag pack nahi kiya aab tak……….

K: Mein chalun bag pack karne? She asked with mischief and Angad looked at her with wide eyes……..

A: Really? He asked challenging…….Itni himmat hai……..? Kripa's eyes widened……..

K: Angad Khanna, are you challenging me?

A: Yes Mrs. Angad Khanna……! I am ……..Chalo room par……..mere sare dost wahin hai…...

K: To?

A: Tum mein himmat hai, ki wahan aakar ye kaho ki tum meri girl friend ho………! Aur mujhe packing karne mein help karne ayi hun………? He asked chuckling……..

K: Thik hai……..challenge manjur hai…….chalo……..Angad looked at her suspiciously and Kripa chuckled ……..Angad got up to see, how far she could take this and walked behind her……..Kripa sat in the car, waiting for him to sit……As soon as he was in, she started and drove towards Angad's room…….Angad kept staring at her suspiciously, not knowing what to think……..While Kripa smiled knowing his suspicion……..She parked back, where she had before and got down………Angad got down too………Chalein…….She asked and Angad smiled and nooded, raising his eyebrows…….Kripa slowly walked in front, while Angad followed behind her……He saw her hesitating and then shaking her head and smiled, knowing she would turn now and say she needed to leave…...But his eyes widened suddenly, as he saw her going forward instead……He started frowning, when they reached his floor, thinking if she was really serious……..But his mouth really opened in horror, when he found her knocking on his door and some one opening it…….He slowly walked towards her, when she smiled at some one, who he couldn't make out, but soon reached and found his group student Mike……..He was looking at Kripa with fascination as well as wonder………

K: Sorry to disturb you guys…..I am Kripa Sharma, Angad's girl friend……..And I am here to help him pack, as he said that he is not yet packed for tomorrows trip…….

M: Sure Miss. Sharma……..Anything the beautiful lady wants……..He said grinning at Angad and looked back at his fellow students, who started getting up with a smile……….They one by one started leaving wishing stunned Angad good night, cleaning up before leaving………Kripa bit her lips trying hard not to chuckle at Angad's expression and slowly walked in for the first time in his room, when everyone was gone……! She went in and looked around with delight, as his room was well arranged and nicely maintained………She turned around and saw Angad looking at her open mouthed and chuckled, going to him………

K: So, shart to mein jeet gayi……..aab mera innam………? She asked grinning………Angad rolled his eyes and suddenly closed the door of his room and went to her, holding her in his arms and kissing her senseless, until they were both out of air………Kripa surrendered to him willingly, as eager to be with him, as he was……They were too lost in eachother for next 2 hours, just trying to feel eachothers arms………At last Kripa slowly sat up and looked at Angad shyly……..Angad chuckled looking at her…….

A: Aab kyun sharma rahi ho……..Mere sare doston ke samne to badi bahadur banker ayi thi……..Kripa chuckled hitting him with his pillow and quickly started getting dressed……….

K: Chalo jaldi…….do baj rahe hain, aur tumhara packing baki hai…….Angad sighed and slowly got up………Kripa was already taking out his clothes and folding it neatly and keeping it aside…….Angad took out his suitcase and other things he needed and sat there, while Kripa packed his bag neatly…….Angad, niche gadi mein ek bag hai, tumhare liye le ayi thi……..Lekar aao na………Angad raised his eyebrows, but then kissed her cheeks and went out with a smile…….Kripa waited for him to come, while he came looking inside the bag, with half the items in his hand……..She shook his head at his eagerness and chuckled…….

A: Ye saab tumne banaya? He asked looking at the snacks and other things and Kripa smiled and nodded……..Angad chuckled and went to her and kissed her tightly on her cheeks…….Thanks…..Aur ye? He asked showing her the gift wrap and clothes…….

K: Mere liye……..budhu……..tumhare liye hi hai……she said shaking her head and he grinned and opened it curious like a little child………He grinned looking at the wonderful perfume bottle and the clothes……..She hoped he liked the perfume as she had spent around 200 $ on that……..!

A: Wonderful………He said smelling it…….! Thanks……..aab ladkiyon par impression acha jamega……..He said grinning and Kripa rolled her eyes………

K: Haan, sautan le ane se pehle jara khabar kar dena mujhe………

A: Kyun aarti ki thal sajani hai kya……..he asked grinning…….

K: Nahi uska murder karne ke liye logon ko hire karna hoga mujhe…..! She said sweetly and Angad laughed going to her and hugging her from behind………

A: Love you………

K: Love you too………She said slowly with tears………

A: Kripa…….Kripa chuckled wiping her tears………

K: Sorry…...

A: I will miss you……….

K: I will miss you too……..Mein tumhe airport chodne aa rahi hun……She said as a matter of fact and Angad raised his hands, giving up………

A: Your call…….! He said with a smile………Kripa smiled thanking God that he did not protest………! Suddenly Angad pulled her to him and started kissing her and loved her until, his alaram started at 3.30……..They sighed and slept in eachothers arms for couple of minutes and Angad slowly kissed her chin and got up…….He pulled her up to the shower and they quickly took shower and got ready……..By the time they got ready and hugged and kissed somemore and left the room, it was already 4.10……..Many of the students were also out with their bags and were surprised to see a girl with Angad, as it was the first time he had someone with him……..! But no one commented and walked towards their cars…….Finally Kripa breathed a sigh when they were in the car and Angad chuckled……..Kya hua?

Kripa chuckled a little embarrassed……..kuch nahi…….chalein…….Angad nodded with a grin and they were on their way………Soon they reached the airport and Angad checked in and they went towards the cafeteria and ordered some sandwiches and coffee, as both were hungry…….They ate silently, talking in between…….Finally, Angad's group called him as boarding had started and Angad got up, putting the trash away……..He looked at Kripa, who was silently standing there, with her purse and went to her and kissed her forehead……..

A: Apna khayal rakhna aur sambhal kar room par jana…….Kripa nodded with a light smile and waved at him as he walked towards the security check…….When he was atlast out of sight, she slowly turned around wiping her tear and walked out silently………She went to the parking lot and drove off towards her room……..3 long months of wait, was something she did not know how she was going to go through……..!

But time never stops………It keeps its pace and so does life…….Both Kripa and Angad, inspite of missing eachother, became busy in their studies, activities, concerts, practice……..so on…….Kripa was more bolder, blended with all the kids, went to parties as well as joined other activities to keep herself busy……..She was well known as well as respected in the college and was happy…….! She still had not decided about her final year, but was thinking about it seriously……!

Ka: Hey Kripa, tumse kuch help chahiye…….! Kanan said coming in the room one evening……..

K: Kaho Kanan……..

Ka: There is a charity event in our college and we need volunteers to help with it…….

K: Sure kanan……..why not……..

Ka: There is a problem here Kripa…….She said with hesitation……

K: What problem? She asked frowning……

Ka: Woh Prithvi bhi hai iss event mein……..She said slowly and Kripa stood there stunned for a moment……..Then she shook her head……….

K: Doesn't matter…..I will be there……Kab aur kahan jana hai……?

Ka: Are you sure?

K: Haan Kanan, I am sure……! She said and Kanan smiled at her nodding her approval……..

Kripa reached the charity event on time and found atleast half the college sorting and packing and went to the administrator and signed up for the volunteer work……..She was given work in couple of sections and was shown what she needed to do and Kripa went and started her work……..She waved and talked to many who greeted her, while working side by side and became busy……..It was afternoon and Kripa still had lot to do, but then suddenly she found some one staring at her and frowned and looked up……..Her eyes widened, when she saw prithvi looking at her , and when she looked at him, he looked away……..Without another word, she started looking through the things, hoping he would leave, but suddenly she found him standing in front of her…….It was almost a year now she had last seen him……!

P: Kripa…….

Kripa looked up angrily at him…….

K: Leave me alone Prithvi……..Mujhe tumse koi baat nahi karni hai…….She said going the other way……

P: Ek minute kripa, mein sirf tumse maafi mangna chahta hun…….He said guiltily looking down and Kripa stopped what she was doing, looking away…….I am really sorry for my behavior kripa…….I know sorry kehne se meri galti kum nahi ho jati, par phir bhi maffi mangna chahta hun…….Jo kuch bhi hua, mein uske liye sharminda hun……Bahot mahinon se pachta raha hun, par kabhi tumhare samne ane ki himat nahi hui……..Aur aaj jab tum samne dikhi, to khud ko rok na saka……Meri bhi ek behen hain, aur mein janta hun meri galti shayad maffi ke layak nahi hai, kyun ki agar kisi ne Mishti ke sath aisa behave kiya hota, to shayad mein usse jaan se maar deta……he said angry at his own behavior……..Issiliye tumhara aur Angad ka ghussa samjh sakta hun……..Aur maffi ki umeed bhi nahi karunga……..! He said slowly turning around and going away……….Kripa waited for 3-4 seconds more and then turned around and frowned looking around……….But Prithvi was gone……..For some reason, she felt as if Prithvi was really sorry…….! She sighed and slowly started working……..

At last around 7 in the evening, they were done and the boxes dispatched to the areas, where they were needed………

Kripa found someone besides her looking at her and she looked up…….The girl looked familiar, but Kripa couldn't make out, where she saw her………She was also staring at her and walking towards Kripa………

K: Hi……..Kripa said slowly smiling a little at the girl………

H: Kripa…….Kripa Sharma right……..? She asked with a small frown……..Kripa looked at her with a smile and nodded……..Vow, small world………Mujhe nahi pehchana……..? She asked her and Kripa looked at her with confusion……..Harshini Batra, from Delhi Kendriya Vidyalaya…….She said with a smile and suddenly Kripa's face lit up……..

K: Harshini? She said surprised…….and Harshini chuckled…….Tum yahan?

H: Hey tum bhi to yahin ho…….! She said rolling her eyes and then chuckled……..Kripa chuckled…….

K: Mein yahan arts student hun……..You?

H: I don't study here………I am here to see my cousin…..! She said with a smile……..Vow, you have changed……..! And for the better I guess……You look wonderful….….she said with a grin and Kripa smiled……..

K: I did change I suppose…….she said chuckling….…Chalo, cafeteria mein…….

H: Haan chalti to, but I need to find my cousins……Masi ne kaha ki yahin honge, she said making faces…..I am here to surprise them…….! She said with a chuckle…….

K: Ek minute, mujhe ye bas itna clean karna hai…….Waise kya naam hai tumhare cousins ka…….I might be able to help you here…….Kripa asked clearing the tables and putting all the thrash in the bin…….

H: Josh and Kanan…….! Kripa stopped what she was doing and looked up surprised……

K: Tum Kanan aur Josh ki cousin ho? Harshini nodded………

H: You know them?

K: Kanan meri room partner hain…….Aur achi dost bhi………

H: Oh vow……..Phir to bahot acha hua………chutiyan maje se kat jayegi aab………she said chuckling…….

K: Chalo, kanan mera canteen mein intajar kar rahi hai………Josh bhi wahin ane wala hai……..

H: Really, to chalo…….she said grinning and Kripa chuckled and took her along……..

K: Tum kis field mein graduate hui ho…….Harshini chuckled……

H: Abhi nahi hui, bas abhi exams hue hain……I did commerce though……..Aur phir programming bhi kiya hai……I am in midst of job search….…Kripa nodded smiling……They entered the canteen and Harshini grinned looking at Kanan and Josh……She tapped on Kripa's shoulder and asked her to go in and keep quite, not to tell about her and Kripa nodded smiling……

As soon as she reached Kanan looked up with a frown……..

Ka: Kripa, kahan thi aab tak……..kab se intajar kar rahe hain…….

K: Sorry woh mein……

Ka: Kya sorry……dopahar ka khana bhi skip kiya tumne, aur aab itni late ayi ho…….she said rolling her eyes…….

J: Common Kanan, stop babying her……Baitho Kripa, thak gayi hogi na……Kripa smiled tiredly and slowly sat down looking at the doorway……Kisse dekh rahi ho? Kripa looked at Josh and smiled shaking her head……She then saw Harshini coming from behind Josh and Kanan with a grin and shouting loudly in their ears, taking them both by surprise………Kripa started chuckling and so did Harshini, while Josh and Kanan looked up surprised……..Harshini, yahan? He asked stunned…….

Ka: Oh my God…….tum yahan kaise aa gayi…..Kanan said getting up shocked……..Harshini chuckled and hugged her……..

H: Bas aa gayi……! How are you sis……? She asked chuckling……

Ka: At the top……Tum batao…….so finally exams ho gayi……

H: Yup……..She went and hugged Josh with a grin…….Kripa smiled at them both…….

Ka: Harshini, ye ……

H: Kripa Sharma hai……..! Janti hun…….Balki tum se jyada samay iske sath bitaya hai mein ne……..Kanan and Josh looked at her surprised…….

K: Harshini meri bachpan ki dost hai……..6^th tak hum sath mein pade hain…….!Kripa supplied……..

J: Vow……..! Can't believe it……Small world……!

H: I know…….Harshini grinned sitting down……..Josh bhaiya, please kuch jaldi se mangao na………bahot bhuk lagi hai………

Josh chuckled and nodded…….They all ordered their dinner and sat with their plates……….

J: So, when did you come to US?

H: Bas kal hi ayi…..Aur aaj yahan aa gayi……She said grinning……….

J: Aur ruki kahan ho…….

H: Abhi masa ne hotel mein booking kiya hai thode dinon ke liye………

J: Mere sath shift ho jao…….I just took a flat for my self here on rent……Papa ko batane hi wala tha ek do dinon mein…….If he had known, he wouldn't have booked you in hotel, but anyway, no problem, we will cancel it…….

H: Oh vow……..phir aur kya chahiye……..Kripa, tumne tab achank school ana kyun band kar diya……..Kuch aur problem hui thi kya school mein…….? Harshini asked, unaware about Kripa's tragedy………Kripa stilled for a moment and slowly looked up with a sad smile…….

K: Nahi…….school mein kuch nahi hua……..Mere parents ki death ho gayi accident mein, so mein Bombay shift ho gayi mere mama papa ke friends ke sath, unke ghar……..She said with a lump and looked down and Harshini looked at her wide eyes…….

H: I am so sorry…….she said slowly looking at her and Kripa smiled awkwardly…….Mujhe laga ki woh bachon ki ched chad aur bhi chal rahi thi, issiliye tum shift ho gayi……..Hume teacher ne kuch nahi bataya, bas itna kaha ki tum shift ho gayi dusare school………She said looking at Kripa…….Kripa looked down deep in her own thoughts……..

Josh and Kanan too became silent, knowing Kripa had gone through a bad time……..! Kanan had already told Josh about Kripa's stage fear and the reason behind it, and Josh knew all about her school life and childhood from Angad…….!

Ka: Kripa, khana khao, subah bhi kuch nahi khaya tumne………Kanan said slowly nudging her and Kripa looked at Kanan with a smile and nodded…….!

J: Harshini, masi kaisi hai……..Pata hai Kripa, our moms are twins and so alike, that you will never know who is who……..Josh said grinning and Kripa smiled……….Yeah she vaguely remembered that Harshini had told her about her mom's twin sister living in states and now she knew the connection……..Even Kanan had told her that she had lots of relatives in Delhi and Rajashthan……..

K: Harshini ne bataya tha mujhe, ki uski mom ki twin US mein rehti thi………Aur dekho kismet ka khel……I became friends with you both, when I came here……! Kripa said chuckling…….Josh smiled nodding…….

J: That is why it is said that our fates are sealed the day we are born and we have to accept whatever comes our way, and try to be happy inspite of what ever it may be………! He said and Kripa looked at him with a smile and nodded……..

H: Hey bhai……Is there a love story which is going on here……..You seem to understand Kripa awful lot more……..Kripa's cheeks turned red and Josh chuckled………

J: No way Harshu…….Angad mujhe kacha chaba jayega…..! Kripa shyly chuckled……..

H: Angad……..?

Ka: It's a secret……..Kanan said grinning……….

H: Boyfriend, Harshini asked kripa and Kripa chuckled nodding and looked at Kanan and she smiled……Really? You have a boy friend……..? She suddenly shouted and people around them looked at them…….

Kripa's cheeks turned red, while Harshini bit her lips……..

H: Sorry…….

J: Harshini madam……..ye college hain…….Stay low…….He said chuckling and rolling her eyes……..

Harshini made faces and looked at Kripa with surprise…….I can't believe it………!

K: Boyfriend nahi Husband……Kripa whispered, not wanting to lie to her……!Harshini's eyes widened and she stared at Kripa stunned…….

H: You are married…….?

Ka: Yes dear, but no one other than we two know……..so keep your voice down…….

Harshini raised her eyebrow and Kanan slowly told the rest……Harshini sighed……..Vow……! You are giving me shock after shock…….Kripa chuckled and so did Kanan and Josh…….

Josh's phone started ringing and it was his dad asking about Harshini……..He told him about her safe arrival and shifting to his flat and kept the phone……

J: Chale madam…….He said to Harshini…….Tumhara luggage bhi le ana hoga…….!

Harshini smiled and nodded, keeping her plate away……..

H: kanan……tum nahi chal rahi ho?

Ka: Na……I stay in my room……..Bhai akele shift hoga…….Mein to direct sasural jane wali hun 4 months ke baad…….! She said chuckling…….Harshini grinned and nodded……

H: Bye Kripa……we will meet soon……..! I am here till Kanan's marriage…….! Kripa smiled and nodded and they waved and went off…….

Ka: Vow…….she is like a storm……Kanan said rolling her eyes…….But really its amazing that you were childhood friends……..She said grinning……..

They quickly finished and walked to their room tired from the busy day…….Both were fast asleep soon………

Next week flew by soon as Kripa had some exams……..She was mostly busy on weekdays with her studies and classes…….

Her phone started ringing, when she was in library and she smiled looking at Angad's number…….

She walked out with her books and said hi to him……..

A: Hi sweet heart…….how are you? Angad asked grinning and Kripa blushed at his endearments…….

K: Mein thik hun Angad………tum kaise ho? Kahan ho…….

A: Jahan bhi hun, bahot bure haal mein hun, yaar…….he said sighing and Kripa asked with concern what the matter was……..Angad started chuckling at her innocence……..Mera matlab tha ki tumhare bina meri buri halat ho rahi hai…..I am missing you……Jane se pehle aise ungliyon mein ghumma diya tumne, ki uska nasha aab tak nahi utra…….He said chuckling……..Kripa bit her lips shyly and smiled……Kya kar rahi thi?

K: Kuch nahi library mein thi……..Abhi room par ja rahi hun...

A: I wish I was there………

K: Ek mahina to nikal gaya……..aur do mahinon ki to baat hai……! She said slowly and Angad smiled……….

They talked for a long time and then kept the phone ………..Kripa smiled closing her eyes…….She missed him too…….! She missed Avantika and everyone else as well…….She frowned thinking about staying here all alone for one full year……..! That would be just too long……..!Would she be able to do it…….? She sighed, knowing if she did not then she would not get the graduation certificate……!

After another week or so, Kanan told Kripa about their universal studio trip, they were planning and asked her if she would accompany them………Kripa had nothing else to do and they had a weeks break for early spring and she accepted…….Kanan was happy that Kripa was going with them and they booked their tickets for the same………They booked a 2 bedroom suit and the flight tickets and were all set…….Kripa told Angad about the trip and he asked her to go enjoy and have nice time without hesitation……..Kripa had felt a little akward, knowing she did not ask him first, but sighed when he was totally ok with it…..They all left for LA soon and checked in the hotel…….Aliyah, Kanan and Kripa share a room, while Nishant and Josh shared one…….

They spent their first day looking around and then started with the studios the next day…….Kripa was afraid going in every ride, but Nishant, Josh, Harshini and Kanan, constantly pushed her and took her in and soon, she got used to it………They enjoyed 5 full days there and were back by Saturday………! It was a wonderful trip, but still Kripa missed Angad's presence every single moment……..

Soon the routine started……..Kripa got a call from a local senior citizen group, where she had signed up for volunteering every week and they asked her if she was free every Saturday for 8 hours, as they needed some people for the weekends…….Kripa readily agreed and signed up her name online for next 3 months…….!

Kripa got ready for her first day for volunteer and went to the given address………She looked around and slowly went in and gave the receptionist her ID card and the girl smiled and took her in the waiting room, where some 100 elderly people sat talking, eating and watching TV……..! She introduced them all to Kripa and told Kripa about how she could help and what chores are there to do and after introducing to some other students, who were there to volunteer, she went away……Kripa got into it straight away and was very much welcomed warmly…….. She started cleaning the kitchen with the other girls, when suddenly she heard loud voices, laughter as well as clapping in the room…….Surprised she went out and was stunned to see Prithvi talking to them……It looked like he was very much at home here and was very much liked by most of the people, by the way they were all talking to him…….She could not believe that he was here…….!! Did he just come or was he a volunteer here as well, the question suddenly came to her mind and she swallowed and ran in to compose her self and slowly started doing her job, deep in her own thoughts……..It would be so difficult to work here if he did…….!

Prithvi, was still unaware of Kripa's presence and was busy with the people talking and helping them out……! He was a regular volunteer here from last 6 months and came atleast 3 times a week to help out……..He knew most of them by names and was cheerful and behaved with them as if they were friends, rather than the elderly people, which they liked most…….

Kripa was done in the kitchen and slowly came out, as she couldn't hide there for ever and Prithvi looked at her a little stunned………For a second, there was awkwardness, until someone called to Prithvi and he went to help the person………

They both worked side by side silently, not much talking to eachother…..Kripa mostly did the work, which needed little interaction with the people around, keeping her self in the background……While Prithvi was in midst of them, making them comfortable, trying to give what they want, seeing that they get what they need to sit in comort and have their medicines…….

At last around 7 in the evening, Kripa was fully tired and left after everyone retired to their rooms……Thankfully Prithvi wasn't there and she left sighing with relief……..This continued for next two weeks, until Kripa was forced to interact with Prithvi many a times, due to their work…….But she was even a little surprised and pleased to see that Prithvi was not the person she thought he was…….She slowly tried to put her guard down and talked to him without hesitation when needed, though they were not proper friends like before……Time flew by and soon it was around 2 months since she started volunteering……..Angad called whenever he got time, though it was only for 5 minutes or so, as he was busy always, while Kripa too kept herself busy…..Though she never mentioned to Angad about Prithvi, or that she was volunteering along with him or became friends again, as they hardly had time to speak about themselves, that she just did not give it much of a thought……..Angad's trip got extended further……..Kripa was sad, but knew that it was not in Angad's hand as well……Their group was really progressing well, so they had opportunity to present at one or two countries more and they had to stay…….

K: Prithvi, please can you take him in, his health is not looking good……..Kripa said one day, when she was volunteering…….Prithvi immediately came to her with a frown and looked at the elderly person, who was leaning back and breathing very slow and was hardly able to walk……..

P: Kripa, tum ruko, mein nurse ko le ata hun……..I think he needs medical care immediately…..He said running out……..The other two volunteer and the management personal also came and tried to see if they could help………Soon Prithvi was back with the nurse, who had already asked the ambulance people to be ready, if they needed them……..Doctor was in the way too, as she checked and told the management to call the ambulance around and take him to the hospital………

N: Kripa, can you go along with Mr. Samuel and be there in the hospital, until his family comes…..

K: Of course…..I will go with him……She said running to the locker room and taking her purse……..

P: Kripa, you better go with the ambulance……..Nahi to tumhe itne bade hospital mein dhundna mushkil ho jayega……..

K: Par Prithvi, meri car?

P: Mein sham ko le aunga……..Don't worry……..Yeh mera phone number hai……Call me if you need any help before that…….Kripa nodded giving him her key without another thought and ran out, where they were already taking the patient in the ambulance…….The nurse introduced the medical team to Kripa and said she would accompany the person and would be there for a while…….Kripa went with the ambulance, though she never was in this situation, she was not as nervous as she had been before and waited in the waiting room for almost 3 hours………Her cell phone started ringing and it was Prithvi……..Kripa, kahan ho……Mein hospital mein hun……

K: Mein 4^th floor ke waiting room mein hun Prithvi, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit ke baju mein……..

P: Ok…..will be there in 10 minutes…..He was soon there and Kripa sighed in relief……..So, How is he doing?

K: I don't think he is going to make it Prithvi…….Doctors ne kaha hai ki he is not responding to the treatment……Unke gharwale kab ane wale hain…….Kitni dukh ki baat hai na ki woh iss waqt sath nahi hai……..

P: They might take a little longer I suppose…….Woh East coast mein rehte hain……Aur booking karke ane tak, it might take around 8 hours…….

K: I hope they don't be too late……Pata nahi yeh log, budhe ma baap ko aise akele kaise chod sakte hain…….

P: Nahi Kripa, this was Samuel's decision…..Unke bete last 4 months pehle bahot insist kar rahe the, ane ke liye…….But he did not want to go……! He was born here and he wanted to stay here on his own……! He sighed………Anyway, tum jao, mein rukta hun yahan……It is not necessary, nurse ne mujhe kaha ki tumhe bhi bata dun aur ghar jane ke liye kahun, but I don't want him to be lonely at this time……Sorry, issiliye tumhe pehle phone nahi kiya…….Kripa smiled at him with respect, her anger on him slowly diminishing.……..

K: Koi problem nahi hai Prithvi……Mein bhi ruk jati hun……You won't be alone as well……..

P: Nahi Kripa, you go and rest…….Mujhe koi problem nahi hai……..

K: Friends ke liye itna to kar sakti hun na……! She said smiling and Prithvi looked at her a little uncertainly……..

P: I don't think I deserve your friendship Kripa………

K: Just forget the past Prithvi………ok……Mujhe koi shikayat nahi hai tumse……..I promise……..Her phone started ringhing and Kripa saw Harshini's number and smiled……

H: Thank God……..Phone to uthaya……..Kahan rehti ho pura din aaj kal……..? Jahan bhi ho pata do, mein aa rahi hun……..We are going for dinner…….Kal phir tum raat tak busy rahogi……..

Kripa chuckled…..Sorry Harshini, hospital mein hun……..

H: Hospital, she asked shocked…….Any problem? Kya hua…..? Josh…….! Kripa hospital mein hai…..Kripa……

K: Hey cool down……..Mujhe kuch nahi hua……She said rolling her eyes………

H: Phir hospital mein kya kar rahi ho?

K: Puri baat sunogi tab bataungi na………she said chuckling a little sadly and told her about Mr. Samuel and said she would be here till his family comes……..Harshini sighed in relief…….

J: Harshini…….kya hua Kripa ko……..Kripa rolled her eyes, hearing Josh's concerned voice and she heard Harshini making some sound ……..

H: Thik hai Kripa, baad mein milte hai……kuch chahiye ho to batana………Bye……

K: Bye…..she said keeping the phone…….She looked at Prithvi, who was leaning back with closed eyes…….They stayed there for next 6 hours, when a couple, as well as another man and two kids came in with anxious expression……..There was a doctor, who showed them to Kripa……

D: Mr. Adams, this is Kripa, a volunteer from the Senior Citizen…….She was here with your dad the whole time, until he took turn to the worst and we had to send everyone out……..Kripa, he is Mr. Samuel's Son……..He said with a nod and excused himself……..

The man and his wife came to her and thanked her and Prithvi with tears and at last Kripa and Prithvi left……….

P: Kripa, bahot raat ho gayi hai……Aab agar wapas senior citizen home jakar room par jaogi, to bahot der ho jayega….…Mein tumhe drop kar dun room par……..Kal subah tumhe wapas le jaunga, tumhara car collect karne…..Kripa stilled a little, looking at the time…….

K: Nahi Prithvi……tum kyun takleef karte ho……..Mein cab se chali jaungi…..

Prithvi sighed, knowing she did not trust him and she was right about it………He sighed knowing she was right not to trust him, so nodded and they walked out…….He was silent all through the way out………Kripa could see his tensed as well as sad face and felt bad for declining his offer so suddenly……..She knew that Prithvi regreted everything he did and was repenting……..She had also seen a very wonderful side of him, as he volunteered in senior citizen home and how much everyone adored him……..She knew it was time to forgive……..Though Angad would not agree, she could see that Prithvi was a changed person…….She opened the taxi door half way and then closed it and looked at Prithvi…….

K: Prithvi, agar tumhe koi problem nahi ho, to mein tumhare sath hi aungi……..She said slowly and Prithvi looked at her for a few minutes, and then he smiled slowly and nodded…..

P: Chalo…….He said and soon they were on their way…….No one talked, but soon they were near Kripa's campus………Kripa though she did not say anything, was a little nervous and sighed in relief, when she saw her campus……….She got down and waved at him and thanked him for the ride and he nodded and went off……..

From that day, Kripa was free with him and they became good friends………

Kripa's 3 months as a volunteer were over and she opted out, as her finals were coming, but promised to join them again after her finals in her next semester…….And further even Angad was going to come in a day or so and she was totally looking forward to meet him……

Ka: Hey Kripa, thank god aaj tum mil gayi……..pata nahi kahan rehti ho aaj kal pura din……..Anyway, ye vacation mein free ho?

K: Kisliye Kanan…….

Ka: Pehle to meri shadi hai, aur tumhe ana hai……Second, one of my friend is opening a restaurant, and he needs help……..Bas ek hafte ke liye hi……He has a very low budget as he is not getting much loan and asked if we could help him and we all decided to pitch in…….This is if you want to…..! No obligation…..Hum sab ja rahe hain, thought you might enjoy some time together……But there is only one problem that Prithvi would be there…….I hope you don't have problem with it…….If you don't want to then that's fine too……! She said painting her toenails…….Hey look, beautiful color……want to try……she said showing her the nail polish…..Kripa took it from her and started painting her toes……Waise tumhare ashique ki koi khabar…….?

K: Hmmm…….Kal aa raha hai……..! Kanan looked up at her with wide eyes……

Ka: Really…..?

Kripa grinned and nodded……..

Ka: Vow, at last…….! Good for you…….!

K: Kanan, mein aungi, tumhare dost ki help karne……! You know that Prithvi and I are ok now…….So, will be there……Just dates bata dena……!

Ka: Sure girl…….Thanks……Aur meri shadi? She asked looking at her waiting…….Kripa sighed…….

K: I don't know Kanan…….! She said dramatically…….Aab yahan hoti to thik tha…..par…….

Ka: I am going to kill you………So, stop making excuses…….she said smiling sweetly and Kripa chuckled…….

K: I am not so keen to die so young Kanan……..She said with humour……I knew you would go to any lengths…..So, I kept my timetable free…….!

Kanan grinned and nodded………

K: Hey, I wouldn't miss it for the world……….She said chuckling as she painted her last of the nails………

Ka: Good, I expect no less…….Finals ki preparation kaise chal rahi hai…….Tum to dopahar ko pura time library mein hoti ho aur mein sham ko classes mein……..We don't even meet now a days…..And your Saturdays are almost booked……..voluntary work, classes or your secret husband……She said with a grin…….Kripa chuckled giving her back her nail polish bottle………You are not the same girl any more, who used to sit in the room for hours all alone…….But I am glad that you are so active……Next year tumhara last year hai, par mein to nahi rahungi yahan…….But atleast now you won't miss me…….she said with a wink………

K: That's not right Kanan…….! I am gonna miss you……..But I am happy for you…….! She said sincerely…….Kanan smiled, but did not say anything…….

They went to bed, after talking for a while……..Kripa was up early and got ready with a grin……..She quickly took her keys and was on the way to the airport to receive Angad, telling Kanan about it……..