Introduction/Part 1
Chandigarh, a beautiful, rich town in the northern-most part of India; its bustling streets and lively street corners were evidence of both the hard work and commitment of the people that called this place home. The winter season had just passed, and the streets smelled relatively clean, with a hint of wet grass. Spring was just around the corner, which meant great weather and a chance for the youngsters to once again fill the streets, as well as couples who had missed life outdoors as a result of the heavy rains. The youngsters, however, had it especially hard, because aside from all the school and housework they were required to do, they didn't have a chance to play outdoors either! Not fair, many would reason. Such was the case of a little girl as well.
Kripa Sharma, an enthusiastic 10-year-old, was tired of being indoors. T-I-R-E-D. She had tried every possible thing to entertain herself, yet she was still moping around the house, bugging her mother and repeatedly saying, "Mamma, I'm bored!" Her mother, Gayatri Sharma, looked at her, and sighed. "Toh main kya karoon, beta?" Gayatri was slim and beautiful, and it was evident that Kripa had received her good looks from her mother.
Her father, Suryabhan Sharma, had just stepped into the house. "Kya baat hai beta? Kya hua?" "Papa, I'm SO bored!" Kripa complained. Surya chuckled and then sighed. "Well, beta, I have a job for you! Mera eik client hai, he lives ten minutes away, unse eik document leni thi. Can you'"
"Of course, Papa, main abhi jaati hoon!!" Kripa raced around, getting ready to go, while her mother prepared lunch. "Jaldi aana, beta," Gayatri told her. "Main abhi khaana thodi der main lagaati hoon." "Jee, mamma," Kripa replied, and was out of the door in a flash.
CRASH! A distant noise interrupted Kripa's thoughts. There was never a day that went by that Kripa didn't think about her parents. That was the last memory she had retained with them. When she had returned from the "job" her father had given her, she had received the worst news a person could ever hear: her parents had been killed. She had watched silently, unable to do anything, as her house burned in front of her. Neighbors and friends had consoled her, but nothing, nothing could fill the gap that had once been her parents.
In a flash, her life had changed. After the initial shock, the proximity of the situation dawned on Kripa. She was ALONE. She was sent to live with her Dad's brother, his wife, and his daughter, Mishty, who was just a year older than Kripa. From the outside, things looked fine and dandy, and many would even think that Kripa's life had returned to normal.
"Nahi," Kripa whispered. They knew nothing. No one knew the pain she felt. Her uncle was a decent man, big and balding. She had nothing against him or his family, yet she had never felt any fatherly love from him. Although it was justified and the truth, it hurt Kripa to see him always favoring Mishty over herself.
Then again, she realized that the only reason she was still sheltered by them was because she had never spoken out against them. If anything happened, she would remain silent and take the blame. Whenever her aunt scolded her for something Mishty did, she never explained her side, or tried to argue. All she could do was hang her head in shame, and assume all responsibility for Mishty's actions. Mishty, on the other hand, never ceased to enjoy blaming her misdemeanors on Kripa. Sadly, Kripa's childhood passed in such a way.
Now Kripa was a beautiful and energetic young woman, quiet and shy, yet full of life. Sometimes, she would remember the tragedy that befell her years ago, and be deeply saddened by it. Then she would pick herself up and scold herself, "Kripa, control yourself; you'll be fine." Her best friend, Riddhima, would laugh with her. In Riddhima, Kripa had found her best friend and the sister that she had never had. Riddhima knew each and every detail about Kripa's life, and Kripa about Riddhima's. they were definitely two peas in a pod.
It was a normal day for Kripa. She had woken up, gotten ready, and was in the kitchen, warming up chai for her Uncle and Aunt. Mishty was beside her, digging in the refrigerator for low-fat, low-carb yogurt. Kripa, unable to control her laughter, burst out laughing. "Mishty, tum kuch aur nahin khaogee? Tum ne dinner pe bhi kuch nahin khaaya kal."
Mishty turned around and gave Kripa a glare. "Just because tum moti ho, doesn't mean ke sab mote hain. Mujhe model banna hai, aur main diet pe hoon." Her aunt nodded. "Hamaara kha khaa ke moti ho gayee hai," she mumbled, loud enough for Kripa and Mishty to hear. Her uncle was busy gulping his tea and reading the morning paper.
Kripa looked down and sighed. She pushed back her chair, and got up. "Eik minute, Kripa," Mishty said. "Aaj meri meeting hai. Please, khuda ke vaaste, don't spoil it for me. As a matter of fact, please, can you just come home after your class ends? If they see you, my chances of being in their next ad will become, like, null."
Kripa looked up and sighed. She and Riddhima had planned to stay back today and study. "Theek hai," Kripa said quietly. She didn't want another fight to break out, as one had already ensued yesterday at breakfast. As Kripa turned to leave, the phone rang. Kripa ran to get it.
"Hello?"
Hey everyone, thanks for reading! Sorry about the whole ID thing, i don't know why my ID keeps messing up. Please comment, and please PM me if you want to be added to the PM list. 😃
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