PEHCHAN (AK) 1-parts 1- 31 - Page 73

Di,
wonderful part!
AK are just too cute for words😳 .. especially Angad ! Loved it & make the story more about AK 😊 & please kill prithvi , stupid donkey!

Madiha

thanks Madiha and sangat.....i will try my best to keep u guys entertained....how about that???

PART 21:

After some struggle, phone calls and enquiries, Kripa finally spotted Dilip mama at the airport.

"Hello uncle," she introduced herself, "you look very different from the photograph in Angad's living room."

"Well…..even you look much younger and prettier than I had imagined," he grinned.

Amused by his comment, she wondered what Angad had told him about her, "you had more hair in the picture," she stared at his bald head.

"Haa!" He caressed his shiny scalp, "that's the fashion these days." A clever Dilip hid the truth about his chemotherapy induced baldness. He knew Angad would question him too, but he would find a way to navigate away from the truth there also.

"Aap kaafi dilchasp hain uncle," chuckling she helped him into the car and drove off to Angad's apartment.

"So what has Angad told you about me?" Dilip laughed and sat on the passenger seat, "oops….I almost forgot, we drive on the right side here."

"You mean left side?" Kripa gave him a quizzical look.

"No right side," he argued and then laughed aloud, "this is THE right side, US is on the WRONG side….got it?"

"Angad was right….Americans do have a different sense of humor than us," Kripa laughed back.

"I am a pakka Indian bhai….so don't call me an American," Dilip mama stretched his neck to look outside the window of the car, "Hai mere desh ki dharti…….it's been ages since I came to India….it's really changed…..but not really," he exclaimed as he relished the musty, warm and odorous air of his homeland.

Angad's uncle was definitely a unique personality, thought Kripa- as mysterious and sometimes inexplicable like his nephew.

……………………………………………………………………

Dilip had his fill of home cooked Indian food thanks to Kripa's culinary skills and hospitality. He was surprised that Kripa was very familiar with Angad's apartment- almost as if she lived there!

"So, Kripa beta, how is everyone at home?" Dilip settled on the couch after a hearty lunch.

"Uh," she hesitated, "t-they are all fine."

"Oh," he sensed the hesitation in her voice, "well….looks like you know Angad and his place quite well…..aisa lagta hai jaise tumhara ghar hi ho," he tried to divert her attention, but was taken aback by her response.

"Jee uncle….ab main yahan hi rehti hoon," she lowered her eyes guiltily, "I am a paying guest here."

"Kya hua beta? Looks like I am unaware of quite a few things here. I know Angad found out the truth about his relationship with Suryabhan. That must have hurt a lot. How is my boy doing now?" A confused Dilip tried to make sense of Kripa's statement and rambled inquisitively.

After a considerable pause, she sat down across from him with her hands folded on her lap, "uncle….I think you need to know everything." Slowly, she narrated all the events at the Sharma household, her life, how Angad had supported her through her parent's demise, her husband's betrayal, Angad's heartbreak and her resolve to leave the Sharma home forever.

"I can't believe that in the six months Angad has been here, so much has happened….jaise tum dono ne apne zindagi ke saare gham in 6 mahino mein hi dekh liye ho," Dilip's voice cracked as he felt sorry for his nephew and the woman sitting across from him.

"Shayad bhagwan ne Angad ko bheja issi liye tha……hum sab ki aankhein kholne," tears rolled down her eyes as she recalled how Angad had helped her at every step, right from encouraging her to complete her degree, to being her sole support after her parents died, to recognizing the truth about her husband and now giving her shelter when she was virtually homeless. His presence in their lives also opened the Pandora's box of a well guarded secret of Suaryabhan's infidelity.

"Angad hai hi aisa….jahan jaata hai sab ke dil jeet leta hai," Dilip replied proudly, "but sadly, he couldn't win the heart of his own flesh and blood."

"Nahin uncle, aisi baat nahin hai….everyone except….except," she paused, "except Prithvi adores Angad in that house….they are just scared to say anything against Prithvi."

"Looks like that man has quite an influence on everyone…..but why would he betray a beautiful woman like you?" Dilip shook his head, "some men will always be pigs!" He recalled how Prithvi's father, his estranged friend, whom he had forgiven just a few months ago, had done the same to his sister.

"Uncle…..I would rather not talk about him….aap bataaiye….kya aapke liye chai banaaun?" She wiped her face with both palms and stood up.

"Beta," Dilip stood up and touched her shoulder, "I am glad you trusted Angad. Achcha hua tum yahan aa gayi. I know Angad will take good care of you."

"He is my best friend in this world," she smiled tearfully.

Dilip smiled inwardly and thought, "I am not sure my nephew thinks you are just a friend."

"Jee…aapne kuch kaha?" She asked

"No…no beta….come sit with me…..tell me more about yourself," he urged her to sit down again.

"Ok…..but uncle you know everything about me….tell me more about yourself." She smiled.

"Arre beta…I am a boring, old, single man….let me tell you about Angad instead…..tum tho jaanti bhi nahin hogi wo kitna badha badmaash hai," Dilip roared and then pulled out an album from his bag, "let me show you his pictures."

"I would love to see them, " Kripa came closer, eager to view glimpses from his past. The enormous collection of photographs was proof that Dilip mama was obviously very fond of his nephew. He had photographed Angad's life right from the time he was in his diapers to his graduation from college.

"How cute! So sweet! Oh my God! Oh no!" Kripa exclaimed as she saw various poses of little Angad- naked in a bathtub, pulling another girl's pony tails, licking his birthday cake with his tongue before the candles were blown out, kissing a blonde girl at his high school prom , a very handsome athlete dressed in his football uniform.

An astute Dilip noticed the expressions on Kripa's faces change from happiness, shock, amazement to sadness mixed with a cringe on her face especially when he was surrounded by other women or too intimate with them. Even though a self proclaimed lifelong bachelor, Dilip was very adept and reading women and their feelings. Again, he smiled inwardly and thought, "best friends? NAAA! Yeh friendship se kuch zyaada lagta hai mujhey. Lagta hai aag dono taraf lagi huyi hai."

"Aapne kuch kaha uncle?" She caught Dilip uncle gazing at her face while she perused through the album.

"Kuch nahin beta…..here….you can keep this album safely somewhere….after all it belongs to Angad…main kya karoonga iska?"

"Sure uncle," she complied.

"Achcha beta….I would like to meet Suryabhan one day…..can you take me there?" Dilip asked.

"Jee…wo uncle….I…I," she was at loss for words, "I don't want to go to that house again."

"Ok…I understand…..I will go myself…..maybe with Angad."

"Uncle, I don't think he will go," she replied.

"Hmmm…..Ok….let me think what I can do then." Dilip tapped his chin and rested his head on the couch.

Their conversation was interrupted by the unlatching of the front door. In stepped, a very sweaty, out of breath and a beet root red Angad with his guitar case, "IS ANYONE HOME?" He shouted impatiently.

"Oh…Angad…you are here?" Kripa got up quickly.

"Yes of course I am here Ms chauffeur-I-will-pick-you-up-in-the-evening….na apna phone answer karti ho…..aur itni dhoop aur garmi mein mujhey walk karke aana padha! GALTI KI TUMHEIN CAR DEKAR!" Angad whined and gnashed his teeth at her.

"That's what happens when you criticize women drivers," she was unperturbed by his outrage and patiently waited for his reaction to Dilip mama's presence.

"Arre arre….yeh bachchon ki tarah ladh kyun rahe ho?" Dilip sprang from his seat and stunned Angad with his sudden appearance.

"M-Mama?" Angad's guitar case slipped off his shoulder; he stared at his uncle with disbelief and then glanced back and forth between a smiling Kripa and his mama, standing with his arms wide open to welcome his nephew into his arms.

"MAMA!" Angad ran and hugged his uncle. Both men laughed and cried together, slapping each other's backs; Angad still shell shocked by his uncle's sudden appearance, 'aapke baal mama?" Angad released himself and glanced at the bald head.

"I joined a seniors basketball league……ab Michael Jordan jaise khel tho sakta nahin hoon….dikh tho sakta hoon na? Iss liye baal shave kar liye," Dilip lied again, laughing heartily.

"Oh mama……you looked great with those hair," Angad shook his head, "any ways…..any slam dunks? Or rather, did you impress any senior aunties on the court with your hoop skills?"

"You rascal!" Dilip punched Angad playfully, "I don't need to impress women…..women need to impress me….you know how picky I am?"

Angad forgot his heat exhaustion and anger towards Kripa's callousness, "thanks Kripa," he smiled at her sheepishly, "so that's why you needed the car? I-I am sorry I lashed out at you. "

With raised eyebrows, she folded her arms, "Apology accepted……but I have still not forgotten your comment about women drivers."

"Sorry," he touched his ears in apology, "you are the best woman driver in the world."

"No, I think she is the best woman in this world," Dilip placed a protective arm around Kripa and grinned, "a woman who could teach my nephew to be JUST friends with women, is special indeed….kyun Angad?" He purposely winked at his nephew, who shuffled uncomfortably on his feet, hoping that his uncle would not blurt out the truth about Angad's feelings for Kripa. Kripa was amused by his statement and wondered what he meant.

"Y-yes of course," Angad cleared his throat and avoided eye contact with Kripa, "mama….how come you lost so much weight?"

"Basketball…..and lots of other exercises off and on the field!" Dilip winked again and laughed heartily.

"Mama!" Angad muttered, "kabhie tho sharam kiya karo."

Kripa smiled at the two men and then decided to leave them alone, "aap log baat kariye…..I will be in my room….call me if you need me.'

………………………………………………………………..

SHARMA HOME:

Kartik and Rahul sat at the dining table, sipping their afternoon coffee in silence.

"Yaar Rahul, the house is so dull and lonely without Kripa," Kartik finally spoke.

"Papa….papa…..chachi kahan gayi hain?" Little Kavya jumped into his father's lap, "Main unhein bahut miss kar raha hoon. Mere guitar hero bhi nahin aate aaj kal…..kahan gaye sab?"

"Beta," Rahul touched his nephew's hand, "chachi has gone to meet her friend…..and guitar hero has gone back to America."

"When will they come back?" Kavya asked impatiently.

"KAVYA BETA!" Mishti wheeled out of her room, yelling as always, "beta andar jaakar homework karo."

"Nahin mujhey chachi chaahiye….wo hamesha help karti hain homework mein…..aapko kya pata homework mein kya mila hai? Aapne pehle kabhie help hi nahin ki," Kavya flapped his hands defiantly and refused to budge.

Kavya had touched a sore chord; self pity had made Mishti so self centered that lately she had even ignored her son's basic needs. Kripa had been like a foster mom to Kavya, and in his innocence he had spoken the truth- the bitter truth.

"Aao beta…main help karti hoon," she replied tenderly this time. Kartik nudged his son to go with his mom. Mishti held her son's hand and wheeled back with him to her room.

"Even poor Kavya is missing Kripa," Kartik sighed.

"And Angad too…I feel bad for him bhaiyya," Rahul sounded dejected, "I guess it was dad's fault….mom never said anything all these years, but it explains why mom and dad were always so distant…it's almost like they were never there for us, and now poor Angad…he didn't deserve that rejection."

"You are right Rahul. We should have stopped Angad at that time. Mom says he has moved back to the US. I wonder if we can find his number….we should at least call him….kyun?" Kartik asked.

"NO ONE IS CALLING THAT BAST**D!" Prithvi overheard his brothers and walked in, "pagal mat bano tum dono."

"Prithvi yaar," Kartik stood up, "Angad is our brother….wo bhai hai hamara…..at least we should give him a chance…..he's a nice guy….apni jaan par khelkar hum sabki jaan bachaayi thi usney."

"Bhaiyya! Uffo! Don't you guys get it? That was all his chaal! Chaalbaaz hai wo….kamina hai saala!" Prithvi barked, "he was a bad influence on all of you…especially Kripa!"

"NO BHAIYYA!" Rahul stood up this time, "I don't believe it….I know bhabhi very well. She would never leave us all unless she was really hurt…..you really hurt her feelings."

"Abbe Rahul," Prithvi scoffed, "tu abhi bachcha hi hai….you won't understand…..kal agar Muskaan kisi aur aadmi ki baaton mein aakar tujhey chhod kar chali jaati hai, tho tu kya karega?"

With a deep sigh, Rahul looked away from his brother, his idol, "I think bhaiyya, I will first question myself. Why did Muskaan leave me if I loved her so much? Maybe bhaiyya, you never loved her…..or you just took her for granted…..I don't think I would ever do that to my Muskaan."

"Romeo kahin ka!" Prithvi gave him a dirty look, feeling slighted, "since when did you learn to talk back to your older brother?"

"Prithvi! Rahul is right," Kartik intervened, "I think we need to go and get Kripa back. She needs to know that we all still love her and want her back in this house."

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Prithvi retorted, "wo apni marzi se gayi hai, aur apni marzi se aayegi!"

"Beta…..Kartik is right," an ailing Suryabhan emerged from his room after overhearing his sons, "we should all go and bring our bahu back. Prithvi, don't make this an ego issue. Bring her back. She is your wife. Abhi tho sirf 2 din huye hain, zyaada waqt ho jaayega tho log baatein karne lagenge."

"Give it some time; itni jaldi nahin karo usey wapas lane ki," Gayatri joined in the conversation.

"But why mom?" Kartik asked, "why is she staying at a friend's place when we are all here. And who is this friend?"

"An old friend of mine," Gayatri replied curtly, "Right now, both Kripa and Prithvi are angry. It's best they don't see each other for a while. If they are meant to be together, no one can stop them."

"Gayatri, yeh kya bakwaas hai? Sharma ghar ki bahu itne din bahar rahegi tho kya kya sawaal uthenge samaaj mein? We are not an ordinary family. People would create all types of stories." Suryabhan complained, "let me go and bring her back. Wo meri baat kabhie nahin taalegi."

"NAHIN SURYABHAN! Aap kahin nahin jaaenge." Gayatri stopped her husband, "aaj tak maine aapse kuch nahin maanga, bas wafaa maangi thi, wo tho aap de na sake, bas aaj meri ek baat maan lee jiye…..leave KRIPA ALONE! SET HER FREE! If she is meant to be our daughter in law, she will be back. And yes Prithvi, I agree with you, Kripa apni marzi se gayi hai, aur ab wapas aayegi tho bhi apni marzi se. I DON'T WANT ANY MORE QUESTIONS FROM ANYONE…..PLEASE GO BACK TO YOUR RESPECTIVE ROOMS!"

If anyone had doubts about who was in charge at the Sharma home, Gayatri's bold statement had made it clear that as long as she was there, no one could confront or object to her decisions. Suryabhan and his sons were well aware of the fact that she had always placed her family's interests ahead of any personal gain. Her words, "wafaa maangi thi, wo tho aap de na sake," stabbed him in his heart, rendering him speechless.

All the men stood with bowed heads, silent and passive.

"I think, I will join the office once again." Suryabhan stunned everyone with his announcement, "I've received several calls from work that things are not going well. I think I need to come out of retirement and take charge again."

"But why dad?" Prithvi was frustrated, "main hoon na."

"Prithvi, you have too many personal issues to deal with. I have received several complaints regarding your inefficiency at work these days. I HAVE NO CHOICE!" finally, Suryabhan spoke up against his middle son, "Rahul…..kal se tum mere saath office chaloge."

"Yes dad, I would love to go but I have applied for an MBA also. Agar mera admission ho jaata hai tho…" Rahul hesitated as Prithvi gave him another dirty look.

"Jab admission ho jaayega, tab chale jaana…..abhi mere saath kuch seekh loge tho achcha rahega. I would rather be your mentor than Prithvi teach you the wrong ways of doing business."

"DAD!" Prithvi stood all alone in the vast room as his family silently retreated from the living room, "ANGAD…YOU SCOUNDREL….YOU HAVE RUINED MY WHOLE LIFE!" He shattered all the coffee cups on the table, riled and enraged, his hand bleeding from the glass, but no one stopped to turn around.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

ANGAD'S PLACE:

After Kripa left to give them privacy, Dilip sat Angad next to him, "so nephew, looks like these past six months have been more eventful than the 27 years of your life."

"Mama, you are right. I have gained and lost a lot in these six months. Gained a friend like Kripa but lost all faith in humanity. Became the star music student at the academy, but a rejected, illegitimate son of one of the most prominent persons in this city…..ironic isn't it?" Angad's wavering voice could not hide his pain.

"I know son," Dilip placed his arm around Angad, "it's my fault. I should have told you everything before you came to India. Maybe I was expecting too much from Suryabhan. That element of pleasant surprise I was hoping for turned out to be the most unpleasant shock of your life. I am ready to pay penance for my mistake beta…..I will talk to Suryabhan."

"NO MAMA!" Angad sprang up from the couch and walked towards the window, "No….you don't need to do anything. I have spent 27 years without a father; I am sure I can live the rest of my life without his presence in my life."

"Angad, I have known Suryabhan since we were kids. He might be weak, but he is inherently a good person. Most likely, he buckled under pressure from his family. Shayad akele mein tum se mile tho alag baat ho."

"Mama…if you love me, you will do nothing of that sort. Aapko meri kasam!"

"Kasam?" Dilip was flabbergasted.

"Yes kasam! I don't want to talk about Mr. Suryabhan Sharma anymore….aap bataaiye mama….how come you are here in Mumbai?" Angad turned around and smiled at his uncle.

"Well….I have decided that I move back to India, for good."

"Really? That's great mama! I am so happy you will be here with me." Angad was ecstatic.

"I know you would be surprised but I plan on living in Nainital."

"Why Nainital? You haven't been in touch with anyone from there in years."

"You are right. I haven't been in touch with my family, but I have been in touch with one person." Dilip grinned mischievously.

"M-mama?" Angad's eyes widened, "is it that woman you loved in college?"

"Beta I loved her….in school, in college….in job, in retirement…I have always loved her and still do."

"But I thought she married someone else," Angad was perplexed.

"We Khannas specialize in falling in love with married people, kya karein? Hamari fitrat aur kismat mein hi yeh likha hai," Dilip chuckled, "except in my case I loved her before she got married…..and now she is a widow……soch rahan hoon ab usey bataa hi deta hoon ki I have always loved her…….teri nai generation ki tarah nahin hoon ki shaadi shuda se hi pyaar kar baitha……by the way does she know you love her?"

"M-ama," Angad shushed his uncle, "dheere bolo….deewaron ke bhi kaan hote hain."

"Jaanta hoon…jaanta hoon….lekin bhaanje jee, what is this friendship-wendship? Since when did YOU start believing in friendship between the opposite sexes?"

"Mama," Angad lowered his voice, "that's the only way I can be close to her….uska dost bankar."

Both Angad and Dilip now faced the window in the living room. Engrossed in their conversation, they did not notice, Kripa tip toed out of her room for a cup of water. She would have ignored their conversation but the mention of her name caught her attention. Hiding behind a curtain, she froze in her feet, crushing the lacy material of the curtain with her fingers as she overheard the most inconceivable and mind-boggling conversation of her life.

"Angad nephew, we all know that's a bunch of bull! Yes, you and Kripa were probably friends at one point, but now the equation has changed. You are living together under one roof. For heaven sakes, how long do you expect to keep this platonic relationship alive?"

"Till she is ready," he replied softly, "it's too complicated right now."

"Kitna pyaar karte ho us se?" Dilip provoked him.

"Khud se bhi zyaada."

"Kab tak intezaar karoge uska?" Dilip asked.

"Jab tak is shareer mein jaan hai, aur dil mein dhadkan," he replied.

"Then why are you waiting my boy?"

"Mama…..I am afraid I might lose her forever then."

His heartfelt words pierced her heart like a honey laced arrow, her limbs too numb to move, with goose bumps all over, she stood stupefied, swept away by the depth of his feelings for her.

…………………….to be contd……Kripa's response to Angad's confession………………………..

Awww di.....wat a beautiful part...👏i just loved it...

Originally posted by: sweet_mittal

reserved hey di wonderful and awesome part

y did u end it soooooooooooooo soon and thattttttttt toooooooooooooo on such a interesting part

i can't believe that prithvi is sooooooooooooooo idiot that he still trying to make that he is good and AK r bad

i hope prithvi suffer soooooooooooo much in life that he never dare play with somebody emotions

love anagad and dilip's conversation and dilip's love since his college days haha

pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee continue soon

can't wait for the next part and i hope kripa confess too

love ya

mittal

thanks Mittal. I purposely ended there because even i need time to think what kripa's response should be😃 prithvi has started breaking up....no one in his family believes him any more. even his dad has gone back to work. rahul doesn't want to work with him.....so prithvi's downfall has already started😡

Let's see if kripa confesses or not😉

thanks arohaangel and angullgrl😊

Originally posted by: Angadzgirl

Awww di.....wat a beautiful part...👏i just loved it...

n Anagad and dilip's conversation's so nice.....n kripa's heard their conversation....

n so now kripa get to know that Angad loves like a crazyyyy...😳hope she also confess on next part...😳

cant wait for next part....plz di post soon...

thanks shweta. yes, kripa knows the truth about angad's feelings....will she confess or not is the million dollar question😉

Originally posted by: monikaseth

Thank You Very Much For This Part..

Prithvi ko kachre ke dibbe fek do.

I am glad dilip is happy to see kripa and he wanted them to come close .

I love gayatri she is so sweet and carrying lady.

kripa listen angad and dilip Oh i wish she also admit she love him ...

Thank You Very Much contii soon.

thanks Monu. Dilip and Gayatri are their saviors....prithvi khud kachre mein jaa raha hai dheere dheere😆

will kripa confess or not???😉

Wonderful part ...link between all characters tied conveniently. Now kripa has to be careful to express her feelings. First she has to get rid of her past to accept the pesent.