Forced ff AK part up pg41 22/07 - Page 14

It was too late. The other man had already cut off and Angad was left hanging on the phone totally in despair about what to do.

Meanwhile Riddhima and Alia got home and were about to open the door but The spare keys kept under the mat were not there!!! Their hearts' pounding could almost be heard from a meter away. Aliyah quickly got her keys out while shouting at the top of her voice for the intruder to get out. No answer. "We are coming in!" No answer. Impatiently, Aliyah burst through the door whilst Ridzy was still in two minds. She finally followed Aliyah to protect her and then grabbed the vase by the table and turned it over so that it became a lethal weapon. Adrenalin was punping uncontrollably through them. Allie got her phone out in hand ready to ring for the police. They approached the sofa and could see a large male figure sprawled out over it. Both of their breathing was uneven and shallow. It had looked as if he was... dead. But they did not want to take any chances so they crept up to it and Alia bravely shook it once. It did not move at all so she tried again... But still it did not move so frustrated, Riddhima pushed it and he fell to the floor and a bellowing could be heard throughout the house and probably a few houses onwards as well. "Who dared to push me?!!!???" The man turned around and rage was evident in his eyes. They could see a fire burning inside of him until he finally realized who it really was. He calmed down slightly, still irritated but Alia and Ridzy were bursting with laughter. She dropped her vase and went up to him.

Angad had entered the flat thinking that he could at least meet Riddhima once to make sure she is okay. He trusted Armaan with his life but his heart was to anxious meaning that he had to go there. As usual, he was lying on the couch watching TV and he did not even realise when he dozed off. He was so tense about the blackmailers that he did not even think to say anything to Riddhima about him being here. And anyways, it would have attracted more questions than answers. His jerky slumber consisted of a vivid dream on the blackmailers and their game of life and death. He was dreaming that somebody was holding a gun to Kripa's head and then just as he was about to stop them, he saw a gun in his own hands and Riddhima standing across from him. The blackmailers had wanted to either kill Kripa, or get him to kill Riddhima. He ' he was stuck. Torn between family and love- he did not know what he should do. His body was paralyzed with fear and the blackmailer said he was taking too long. The blackmailer was about to shoot. Angad's grip on the gun tightened. One'. Two' thre- he felt himself jerking and being pushed by the blackmailer. He was falling! He hit the ground and reality almost at the same time. It did not stop him from shouting though. Angad's hands and head were incredibly sweaty from the dream and he rralized' it could still be reality. Who was it that entered Riddhima's flat?!? It took a long moment for him to realize that it was none other that Riddhima herself. He settled down a little when he saw her laughing. It was reassuring and- hey wait a second- he had just been pushed over by his little sister and here he was thinking about how reassuring it was? "How was the trip down there Angad? That should teach you to mess with my plane tickets!"
"It is bhaiyya for you, and God! Ridzy! You'll never change will you, how many times have I told you that it was not my fault and even if it was, is that a way to treat your older brother?" His nose must have been growing by then but what could he do? It was either a white lie, or a grave truth. "Hey, don't blame me on this one, you should not have snuck in the house without asking or telling us."
"I know where you keep the keys Ridzy, your too predictable. Anyway, you thought that I was a chor? what would a chor be doing sleeping on your couch?"
"I.. . I thought it was a dead body..."
For the first time in years, Angad felt normal. Ridzy's natter would always cheer him up, and annoy him to no extent. Yet there were still signs of vulnerability in her. "Haa, ha ha, you'll never change, I bet you were pooing your pants when I was in here right. You are such a scaredy-cat"
"Am-not"
That was the last straw for Angad. He chucked a pillow at her aimed perfectly."Are-too"
She replied with a mighty throw. Owww' her throw had gotten stronger lately."Am-not"
"Are-too" meanwhile they had started a pillow fight in between them much to Aliyah's distress

"ughhh- you guys just break it up!!!! I am doubting that I can leave you 2 alone in the house now. What are you-6? Guys I am younger than you and I know how to behave" Aliyah tried to break it up but got two pillows in her face for taking the trouble.
"You stay out of it!!!! " They said in unision
"Well fine then!!! Gosh- you two are so short-tempered. I guess it runs in the family, but I have no idea where you get it from, Padma aunty and dilip uncle are soo nice!" she said while returning the pillows with a mighty throw. She shook her head and went into her room to get her things so that she could stay with her friend for some time and when she came out she found an exhausted Angad and Ridzy on the couch panting but still stupidly throwing (well by now it was more or less passing) the pillows at each other.
"If you two are done now, I need to tell you that I am going to my friends house"
"Noooo! Allie, don't go and leave me with this monster" Ridzy said looking at Angad
"Well who said that I want to stay here with you, huh? I was only here cause you can't look after herself and needs mum to send your brother to come see if she is okay!"
"Okay guys, please don't start this again, well atleast you are on your best behaviour for now. You know if this is best behaviour I would hate to see you two being bad!"
"Fine, fine. Anyway, Angad is here for a meeting right?" As soon as she said that, his face fell a little, remembering the real cause for his trip to India but he then pasted a fake smile on his face for Ridhhima's sake but the glint of sadness could still be seen in his eyes
"Uhh, yeah... I think that is now cancelled Riddhima so I need to go today. I am only here to see you for a bit but I have to leave in an hour, my flight is at 7:00pm (it was 12:00 then)"
"That means you have ages, why don't you just wait with me?"
" Uhh.. UMM, Sorry did I say the meeting was cancelled? I meant it was still on but is in two hours."
Angad knew he was not convinving but he had preparations to do. After all, it was time for mission Kripa Sharma to speed up a little.

Angad knew he was not convincing but he had preparations to do. After all, it was time for mission Kripa Sharma to speed up a little.

Back in the big apple, Kripa was learning to get on with her own life even though a big part of it was still missing. Her business was very busy at the moment so she had barely any time to think about Angad at all. Even then she caught herself remembering the past and some of the beautiful memories they had shared together. Like the last Holi we had spent together. That was one of the last memories that Kripa had of them that were even remotely positive. After remembering some things, she realized that anyone like Armaan must have thought that she was to blame to walk away from such a beautiful relationship. After all, true love only does come once- no WAIT she thought, I have never loved Angad, yes NEVER! The person I loved was merely a faade that still is visible to the world and everyone in it. Everyone except her, that mask had crumbled in front of her own eyes many years ago. She was crazy not to tell Armaan and after what had happened, she knew that Armaan would have made it easier for her but then a little corner of her heart had prevented her from ruining what Angad and Armaan shared. He may not have been a good lover, but he certainly was a good friend, she was sure about that. Since a long while ago, she had been enduring the pain Angad had caused her all on her own.She had somehow managed but now' she felt as though she was falling into deppression at the age of 21! No- that couldn't be, NO! Kripa wouldn't see the face of Angad Khanna again. It was the only way to move on with her scattered life. I mean, it was not fair. She starts to believe that she is happy with him but then he ruins it, throwing her life to bits. And just when she was starting to find peace in her new life, he comes back and takes with him her carefully placed poise that she had painstakingly built up to be the mask that stops her from breaking down. He couldn't just come and go into her life like a tornado whenever he likes leaving her to pick up the broken pieces of her heart. And that was it, Kripa knew that she would not let Angad Khanna come into her life again if it killed her!

Angad was back in New York with a fresh plan formulating in his mind. He had to finish off what he started and quick. He was going to try to get closer to Kripa, and make her realize that he had changed. How- was the problem. I mean come on- it couldn't be that hard! Angad decided to start by talking to her, so he made his way to her place. Ting! The musical note of her bell sounded with no answer. Ting! Angad rang the bell again, his hopes slightly faltering. No answer again. He gave the bell one last ring with a sigh and turned when she finally opened the door. "Kripa can we talk?" The reply was a door slammed in his face. He tried again and this time with a quick opening of the door. Just as he was about to open his mouth to say something the door slammed in his face.

50 bells, 20 door slams and 70 attempts at buying her coffee later, Angad had finally realised that this was not the way to go.By then he had already wasted three days.

But his sharp brain had already formulated something else: a plan B. Angad rang her phone with an unknown number and "Kripa I will, I will' I will jump off of this cliff unless you agree to talk to me. Are you listening,? I will do it! I-" It was too late, she had already cut off. And so Angad continued with useless plans again and again to no avail. By the end of the week, he had tried, cajoling her, making her jealous, worried for his life- wait, that must ne it! The only way left now was to try plan be but with a new twist! Yep, if anything would work, this will. He knew that she loved him and so that must mean that she can't stand to see him hurt! Obviously the last time it didn't work because she did not believe him! Angad started to get to work with preparing for his plan. It was a little filmy, but it should do the trick.

He had timed it perfectly so that Angad was there when Kripa was coming back to her house. As his watch struck five, he could see the hired men form around the corner and could hear the sound of high heels clicking from behind him that Angad knew must be Kripa. Ah! Perfectly on time! The men approached him and started to pick a fight with him. It soon escalated into a physical fight. One of the men punched Angad! But he did not fight back. A.other punched him in the same spot, but still he did not fight back. When the third man punched him in the face, a visible streak of anger was there in his eyes yet his immense control stopped him from fightin back. Owww, this is kind of starting to hurt now. I hope Kripa would act soon'

From behind Kripa dropped her bags yelling "Angad!". He turned but then got punched in the stomach making him double over in pain. "Angad stop this, fight back!"

"No'. Not .. Until you talk to me." He said between deep breaths.

"Angad stop this nonsense, I' I will get help" she said almost in tears. But Angad stopped her again with his words.

"Kripa, no just' just promise me you will talk to me!"

"Angad-" she couldn't finish as she was interrupted by his grunt from the second consecutive punch he received in his stomach.

"Okay, fine, I promise, just' just stop this!" Angad responded quickly to her words and punched the three performing a typical filmy hero style beating. Soon enough, the goons were laying on the floor begging for mercy and Kripa took Angad into her house'

Well, that is what Angad was hoping would happen. But instead, Kripa just turned and went straight into her house leaving him there in pain. He could not believe his eyes! I mean, he knew he was not a saint to her but still, did she really want him to suffer? He fumed with anger and pain, this time not from the beating he was receiving but Kripa's indifference. Luckily a man came and stopped the fight so that Angad did not have to stop his act. As Angad went home, the past few weeks replayed in his mind again and again. Her action had stung, stung his heart and resulted in igniting a fire of rage inside him. A fire that had not been ignited for many years now'

What he had not seen was Kripa's eyes flooded with tears at the sight of his pain. Or her heart reaching out to him with every blow that he received. Sure she had gone inside without stopping the men. After all she had a newly made resolve that she had made that would have gone to pieces if she had tried to help. She had a clear idea of what would have happened it she helped: she would let him in her house, hear a few of his sorry words and become a minion that would obey anything he would say. She had her own self-control, but when Angad put on his remorseful face, she knew that all sane thoughts would go out of the window and eventually, her heart with it. And Kripa was not going to let that happen!

However, she could not just watch him in pain so she called a neighbour that she knew to go and stop the commotion outside. After all, she was not cold hearted. She wouldn't let anyone be subjected to that especially since even though she desperately tried to deny it, that man was hopelessly in love with her and vice versa.

Unfortunately for her, she had not anticipated the full effect of what her indifference would do to him. It was a whole lot more that the slight pain of rejection she thought he would feel. Unknowingly, Kripa Sharma had ignighted a fire that would not die without taking something precious with it. And disastrously, this time, it could be her' again'

Aishu...😃😃
my half term is coming up next week so more parts then and I know exactly what will happen for the next few parts which makes my job easier meaning that updates would hopefully be a lot more frequent.
Anyway, I hope you liked the part and do comment!