Part 51: Loose Ends
Angad and Kripa broke their lip-lock. Kripa turned a bright shade of red while Angad wrapped his arms around her and jokingly glared at Armaan. Armaan stood faking a wide grin at the foot of her bed while Riddhima stood behind him, a little off to the side.
"Jeez Armaan. Count on you to ruin a perfect moment."
Armaan simply shrugged and mumbled a sorry. He then looked at Kripa who was staring past him, at Riddhima. Much to all four's relief, one of Kripa's bundles of joy let out a wail and broke the awkward silence. Riddhima took a step around Armaan to peek at the wailing and wiggling baby in Kripa's arms.
Kripa was relieved to see a faint smile show up on Riddhima's otherwise vacant face. Angad smiled at Riddhima.
"That is Aditi. And this little fella right here" Angad gestured to his son that he was now cradling, "he is Aditya."
Kripa rocked her daughter gently, trying to get her to stop crying. "I think she wants her Riddhima aunty."
Almost instantly, Kripa regretted her words because she saw Riddhima's face fall. They all knew what exactly she was going to say.
Riddhima: I'm......I'm hardly related to them.
The words triggered a painful memory bringing tears to her eyes. Kripa frowned at her. The Riddhima she knew was stronger than this.
"Come here." Kripa ordered. There was so much power in her voice that even Angad didn't say anything. He simply got off the bed with his son, making room for Riddhima. Riddhima walked to Kripa's side as if she was a puppet whose strings were in Kripa's hands.
"Sit." Riddhima flinched slightly but sat down anyways, avoiding Kripa's eyes at all times. Riddhima had expected an outburst from Kripa but Kripa did something unexpected. She extended her hands, holding her daughter, towards Riddhima. Riddhima hesitated but when Kripa didn't seem like she was going to budge...Riddhima gave in. She slowly extended her trembling hands and slipped them under Kripa's. Kripa carefully took her hands back and now Riddhima was holding onto her niece.
Riddhima pulled Aditi closer and looked at her angelic face. Aditi's wails faded slowly and within seconds Aditi was asleep comfortably in her aunt's arms. Angad was as still as a statue beside Armaan as he witnessed the scene while Armaan squeezed Angad's shoulder supportively.
Kripa: see...my daughter recognizes her Riddhima aunty.
That was like the explosives that shattered Riddhima's dam. She started crying. Harder. Kripa scooted closer and wrapped her arms protectively around Riddhima's. Her sobs were so heartbreaking that even Angad and Armaan stood there watching with tears streaming out of their eyes.
This was exactly what Kripa wanted. She wanted Riddhima to cry it all out. She had to. She couldn't keep the misery within her for long...it would only break her further. This was good. Crying was always good. It was as if the crying took bits and pieces of pain away with the tears.
After a few minutes, her sobs came to a halt. Kripa pulled away and looked at Riddhima's face.
Kripa: there is a reason why I called you and Armaan up here first. I need to know a few things.
Riddhima nodded. Kripa looked at Armaan who smiled in return.
Kripa: Riddhima...have you forgiven Armaan?
Riddhima: yes...He told me everything....from the day you told him everything till now. I understand why he had to hide things from me. I'm not mad at him.
Kripa: did you forgive me?
Riddhima looked at Kripa utterly in disbelief.
Riddhima: why would I need to forgive you? I'm not angry you at all. If it weren't for you...we wouldn't have found all this out...you put yourself through so much so that you could let us know all this...
Kripa: that's beside the point Riddhima. I know it wasn't easy for you to find all this out...
Riddhima: it wasn't...but it's better to know a painful truth than live in a joyful lie.
Kripa: I hope you know that no matter whom your biological mother and father are, we're still best friends. Nothing and I mean nothing is changing that.
Riddhima faintly smiled at Kripa. "I know."
Kripa looked at Armaan. "I get to hear the wedding bells in a month right?"
Armaan: definitely. Just like you said...no matter who her parents are, my love for her isn't changing.
Kripa was about to ask Riddhima another question but the nurse walked in and interrupted.
Nurse: excuse me...I'm sorry but there really is a big crowd here to see you and our visiting hours are almost done. I suggest you cut this meeting short if you'd like to meet others. Sorry about that.
Riddhima: no...It's not a problem. They're all very anxious to see you Kripa...we'll talk once we get home. You're getting discharged in about 6 hours.
Before Kripa could protest, Riddhima took Armaan's hand and walked out. Angad sighed.
Angad: she didn't even say a word to me.
Kripa: give her a little time Angad. All of this was the most unfair to her. I know Armaan and I aren't the only ones who aren't changing their relationship with her...I know that no matter what happens...she's always going to be your little sister.
Angad just nodded and chose not to say anything. As much as he knew Kripa, she'd make sure everything returned to normal. She was stubborn...just like him. Within another minute, Nishant and Kanan walked in. Kanan ran to Kripa and embraced her right away.
Kanan looked at Aditi, picked her out of Kripa's lap, and walked to Angad who was still holding Aditya.
Kanan: Oh my goodness!!
Kanan's excitement was tangible. So closely looked at the twins, and beamed at Kripa.
Kanan: you've done so well! I'm so proud of you. Mom and dad would've been really happy today.
Kripa: I'm sure they're watching from wherever they are.
After a few minutes of chatting about the eventful night, they left and Avantika and Dilip walked in. Just like the visitors before them, they admired the children, praised Kripa for her bravery that night, and thanked her.
Kripa: all of you have got to stop thanking me. It's making me feel like an outsider.
Angad: you're anything but an outsider Kripa. There's just so much you've done for all of us.
Kripa: see...that's what I mean. It wasn't completely self-less. I had my reasons. My happiness is directly linked to your happiness. It's more essential than my own. So I had to make sure that you were happy...
Angad: you've returned my family to me. You've returned my wife to me. You've given me the two most precious things today. I can thank you every hour of my life and it still won't be enough.
Kripa: I can apologize to you every hour of my life and it still won't be enough to erase all the pain I've given you in the past year, Angad.
Dilip: hey. I don't want any sad talks alright. At the end of the day, it boils down to this....If I had been faithful to my wife years ago, none of this would have happened...at the end of it all, if there is someone to be blamed....it's me.
Kripa: look at you...first you say you don't want sad talks....now what are you doing chief?
Dilip glared at her and Kripa realized what she just said. She bit her tongue and mouthed a sorry.
Kripa: I'm just used to chief.... 'Dad' will need some getting used to. Mom...I hope you didn't mind me leaving it up to Angad to decide the names for Aditi and Aditya.
Avantika: of course I didn't...besides...they're start with the same letter as Angad's...
Angad: we'll name the next set of twins so that their names start with 'K' mom.
Kripa beamed a smile. Dilip chuckled when Angad winked at her.
Angad: would you look at that smile...had I known that you would smile like that, I would have named these two twins with 'k' names.
Kripa shook her head. "That's not why I'm smiling."
Avantika, Dilip, and Angad looked at her, puzzled. "Then why are you smiling so wide?" Angad raised his eyebrows.
Kripa: what do you call the one you're holding?
Angad was even more confused. "Aditi."
Kripa nodded. "What would you call me?"
Angad smiled. "Anything you want....darling, sweetheart, sweetie, beautiful, gorgeous....."
Kripa turned red at his comment but pretended to frown at him. "No, I mean....if you were to call me by my name..."
Angad: where is this going??
Kripa: just answer the question!
Angad sighed exasperatedly. "Kripa"
"Right", Kripa grinned. "What would you call them?" Kripa gestured to Avantika and Dilip.
Angad's confusion level increased. He looked at his parents, looking just as confused as he was feeling. "Mom and Dad." He realized why she was smiling as soon as the words slipped out of his mouth. He turned back in time to catch Kripa's wide smile.
Kripa: It makes me happy when you address them that way.
After a few more minutes of chit chat, Avantika and Dilip blessed their children and their grandchildren and left. Just like before, Minutes after they left, Daksh and Simone walked in. Daksh was walking several steps behind Simone, obviously trying to keep distance. He didn't want to. Kripa knew because she saw the disappointment, the hurt, in his eyes.
Kripa stared at Simone as she looked at Aditi and Aditya and played with either one for a few moments. At the moment, she was staring intently into Aditya's cute angel face when Kripa sighed, breaking the awkward silence. Angad was observing all three of them silently. Daksh was trying to look at everything but Kripa.
Kripa: you guys can't keep doing this to yourself...
Simone looked up at Kripa, surprised. "What?"
Kripa sighed again. "You can't keep yourselves away from each other....it hurts both of you, both of you know it. Put yourselves out of the misery, help each other out of this...it will take time, no doubt.....I know it's very shocking for you that he's in front of you in flesh and blood, Simone...but you have to accept the fact that it's true."
Simone: I'm trying Kripa...When I'm able to forget what my own brother did to me, I'll be able to deal with our situation...but before that, please don't try to make me handle both of these at once...I won't be able to handle it. I'm not you Kripa. I'm not as strong as you are. I don't understand how you've withstood all this for so many years AND keep it a secret...I envy that quality in you...you were always strong and I've always been the coward. It's true.
Kripa: Simone, I didn't mean it that way. I just'
Simone: I know you didn't mean it that way but it's true. I'm not brave enough to try to deal with both of these problems at once. I'll crumble like a weak ancient wall in the middle of a harsh earthquake.
Daksh: Kripa...I've had three years to prepare for this day....and you know I prepared for the worst...this is by far away from the worst. I imagined something ten times worse. Let her have her time. I've talked to her about this. She can have as much time as she'd like. And whatever her decision is, I'll accept it without question.
Simone: you don't worry about us Kripa. These are supposed to be your happy days now. My brother has already messed your life up...the least I can do is let you have your happy moments for now.
Kripa was about to protest but Simone spoke again. "Nothing doing Kripa. You just focus on Aditi, Aditya, and you're biggest baby'Angad."
Daksh: she's right. We've gotta get home and prepare for Aditi and Aditya's grand entry into our home.
Angad: Oh...we forgot to tell you...we're all living in the same house...the one you finished. Mom, dad, Daksh, me, you, Aditi, Aditya, Riddhima....and if Armaan wants to be a ghar-jamai, he's welcome too.
Kripa: that is wonderful but Daksh I'
Daksh: don't worry....grand entry only involves family. I know you don't like making a scene out of things.
Kripa smiled knowingly. "Thanks."
After Simone and Daksh left, Angad put Aditi and Aditya back in their cribs and sat next to Kripa. Kripa shifted so that her head was resting on his chest, right over his heart.
Angad: Can I say something about Daksh and Simone?
Kripa: I know what you want to say....even I want them to make up and get back together...and I'll find a way to'
"No Kripa." Angad interrupted her. "I would say let it happen on its own. It's been a long time; they both need time to get used to this. Anything you do now will rush them into it and that's not right. I understand you want to see them happy. So do I. But I really think it will be better if you let it happen on its own. Such feelings can't be forced, Kripa...they're either there, or they're not."
Kripa was quiet for a few minutes while she contemplated and then she sighed. "You're right...I shouldn't push them into anything. It's just that I know what it feels like to be separated from the one you love and it's not a very nice place."
He lifted her head and started into her eyes. "And you'll never get to go to that place again...I promise you, from this moment and onwards, we'll be together till death separates us."
Hey guys! here's the next part! Hope you all liked it....there are only a few parts left...I'd say about four more....and I plan on finishing the fanfiction by the second week of February. I'll see how it goes though.😊 Meanwhile, I hope you guys liked this part. I'm pretty much tying loose ends now. No new surprise in this one like Koi Aap Sa.😛😆
Edited by love_iqbal_khan - 14 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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