What happend in the previous part? Angad and Kripa meet at the resteraunt. They talk about what to do tommorow when Kripa will meet Naina. Angad the whole time pays Kripa so many compliments. Feelings develop, but they both choose to ignore them for the time being. They both decide to meet at the Spa to get Kripa ready for the Fashion House's party! WHen they both are leaving Angad kisses Kirpa because he wants too, but instead he tells Kripa they have an audience that is why he kissed her. Thus, leaving behind a dissapointed Kripa.
6. 7:30 Madam Marie's spa Kripa was waiting for Angad in the hall of the expensive beauty salon; she was trying to calm down. After she rushed out of the restaurant she went back to her office and for the whole afternoon her brain had replayed infinite times the kiss and his words. She didn't know what had upset her. Could it be that she liked him?
She was called out of her thoughts by a hand on her shoulder "Hello, Kripa. Sorry, I'm a bit late but I had to stop by a shop to retrieve something for our plan." And he took out a little box from his pocket. When he opened it, she saw a beautiful gold ring with a green stone. "I decided that if we are faking to get married you should have a ring and I wasn't sure what you liked gold or silver. I decided to go with gold in the end as you can see"
Kripa smiled weakly "It's beautiful Angad." He was looking at her smiling "Well then put it on." She took it from the box and she put it on her finger. "It's the perfect size. I've never received a ring from a man." And then she blushed aware of what she had just said. He grinned "And believe me that I've never bought one for a woman before, either."
They both smiled again at each other, at that moment a petite lady came to collect Kripa for her treatments and she left with the woman. Angad was left alone in the hall, still uneasy with the way things were going between the two of them. He passed his hand in his soft hairs and then sat on a couch to wait for Ms. Sharma. It was better to be detached and think of her by surname. God knew that he shouldn't think of her in any way. But he was loosing that battle very badly.
Kripa, while she was being clothed and a hairdresser was doing her hairs, was thinking on the same train of thoughts of Angad. Falling in love with him wasn't contemplated in their deal. She then was horrified of what she just thought. Love and Angad in the same phrase? She shuddered. At the end of this week she was going to avoid him, after all it was just all the time that they were spending together that made her getting this insane thoughts.
When she came back, Angad complimented her for her dress but he looked different. Something has changed between them. He had put up a wall of cold courtesy; he had to defend himself from the turmoil that she was causing him. On the other hand, Kripa didn't mind this change either; she needed a bit of distance as well. Both didn't really know how to act when it was about feelings.
When they arrived at the party, he put on a mask of affection and linked his hand with hers. She was smiling like she was the happiest person in the whole world but inside she was really upset and she prayed that that night would be over soon.
Angad introduced her to many people and finally the music started. He looked at her "Would you like to dance Kripa?" she minded a lot but she nodded anyway. He led her at the center of the room and put his hands on her waist while she put hers around his neck.
They were rally quiet because the proximity was causing both to have fast heartbeats and none of them wanted to acknowledge how much they were affected. They were interrupted by a screech "Angooooooo! Is that you?" He paled and when he turned his worst nightmare materialized in front of him. Taniya Khan. "I knew it was you and you are with KRIPA?"
Kripa seeing how uneasy Angad was she smiled coyly at her and she draped herself on Angad's arm. "Hello Taniya, I see that you didn't know about me and Angad. We have been an item for a while." Angad was smiling at Kripa's show. He had to give her credit, she was a fantastic actress.
Taniya was shocked "I thought that the pictures in the newspapers were fake." Kripa smiled even more "No, it was very unfortunate that they finally found out. Me and Angad cherish our privacy a lot." The pig-faced girl looked at Angad "And what does Naina think?" Angad smirked "She is going to meet my fiance tomorrow night."
"FIANCE? Are you planning to get married?" He grinned wickedly "Yes, as soon as I have my mother's approval we will decide on the date." Kripa was grinning too, who would have thought that annoying Taniya would be so much fun?
Taniya regained her composure "Well then I would be happy to have both of you at my party Friday night." They both stopped smiling and he said "I don't know Taniya; I will have to see if I haven't got other plans." Taniya smirked "I'm sure that for Taniya's party you can cancel any previous engagement. And please bring your fiance with you." and then added maliciously "I'm sure all our friends will be glad to meet her."
Kripa understood very well which kind of people were going to that party and she didn't want to be there. But she put on a brave front and smiling said "If Angad is free, we will be happy to come." And with that she saluted Taniya and took Angad away with her.
Angad took her home and when they entered her flat, he started pacing. "I didn't foresee this Kripa. We can't go to that party." She sighed "Angad, I know that it won't be pleasant but we must go. She has sent us a clear message. It was challenging us to accept." He seemed even angrier "And you, like the brave silly idiot that you are, don't want to back off."
She got angry as well "I'm not silly! Come on Angad it's only a party. I will manage it." He stopped pacing and stood in front of her "You don't understand. It's not just a party. All the older wealthier families will be there and they will shred us to pieces because you are a low-class girl! Kripa" he said pleading "Don't you understand that I don't want you to be hurt. They can be very cruel."
Kripa smiled "I know Angad but I believe that seven years with you have been a good training. I think they can't offend me more than you did." He seemed embarrassed "Kripa, I" but she stopped him "No, Angad don't say anything. I just wanted to point out that I will be fine. Let's go and kick their buts."
He laughed and took her in his arms "Ok, we will face them all and to hell with their upper-class crap!" He then kissed her quickly on her lips and said "Goodnight Kripa. Good luck for tomorrow's interview." She couldn't say anything because he suddenly went away and out her apartment door.
Kripa was surprised about Angad. She was discovering many new sides of the brown haired guy and she had to admit that he was funny and witty. She really was re-evaluating her ideas of him.
And this time there was no audience to impress when he kissed her. She grinned.
7. 3rd of March, Wednesday Kripa
Kripa's first thought on her interview's morning was the kiss Angad Khanna had given her the night before. She got out of bed and singing walked in her living room just to find her two best friends sitting on her sofa.
"Good morning guys. What are you doing here?" they both smiled "We are here to wish you good luck for the interview. You know us; we are your moral support." She smiled remembering someone else wishing her good luck.
"Thank you guys. But by the look in your faces I can see that there is another reason for your early visit. Spit it out." They looked at each other and then Josh spoke "Well Kripa. We talked with Mr. Bose and he told us that yesterday night you were at the Fashion House's party with Angad. He said that you had a ring on your finger and that Taniya approached you. We were curious and worried about you."
Her smile widened "It was a fantastic party. I met so many important people and even the man with which I will have the interview today. They all seemed very nice with me. And the ring is part of our plan guys, so don't worry I won't really marry Angad." And a thought crossed her mind; she wouldn't have minded that much though.
She was shocked but managed to hide it from her two friends. "Taniya invited us to a party on Friday where I believe I will be attacked on all fronts. She did it out of jealousy. She had her eyes on Angad since school." The two friends were concerned when they heard the possessive way in which she said the Angad's name.
"Kripa?" Prithvi said "Are you sure that between you and Angad nothing is going on?" she looked at them surprised "Of course nothing is going on. We are just spending an awful amount of time together and he isn't that bad after all."
Josh was the first to recover "Kripa? Are you saying that you actually like Angad? Because I would like to remind you that he is using you for his own plan and he is just faking to be nice." She sighed "I didn't say that I like him, I'm just saying that he can be nice sometimes. But I guess you are right, he is behaving like this because he needs me."
The two men saw their beloved friend getting a bit sad. Was she disappointed that he didn't like her?
"Kripa, you are such a fantastic girl. Everyone likes you; you don't really need to be appreciated by Angad to know how much you are worth." She smiled again "I guess you are again right Josh. Did I ever tell you that I love you guys?" They smiled at her and both hugged her tightly. "We love you too, Kripa."
Angad
Angad woke up with a groan. Everything that happened yesterday night came back to him. He kissed and had a very good time with Kripa. He couldn't believe that he liked her. But the more he was thinking about it and the more he was starting to see the signs. He laughed and was nice with her; he wanted to protect her from anyone.
Where did we go wrong? He couldn't quite put his finger on when he started to like Kripa Sharma. He thought about the prospect of bidding goodbye to her on Sunday and he suddenly felt that he didn't want to leave her. He groaned again. He had five days to convince Kripa stubborn Kripa that they were made for each other.
What if she didn't fall for him? Impossible, a Khanna is never rejected. He smirked and with a new plan forming in his mind he got down for breakfast. He wanted to sweep the brown-haired girl off her feet.
Naina was having breakfast when she saw her handsome son entering the dining room with a huge grin on his face. She was pretty impressed by his good mood; it seemed that Miss Kripa was having a positive effect on her grumpy son.
"Good morning mother." He kissed her cheek and the sat in front of her "And good morning to you too son. How was the party at the Fashion House?" He smiled "It was interesting. Taniya met Kripa and she invited the two of us for a party on Friday." Naina eyed her son "Do you think your girlfriend will survive the slaughter?"
Angad went rigid; his bright grey eyes got a cold look. "I trust that no one will hurt my Kripa or they will have to answer to me." Naina was shocked by the dangerous tone in her son's voice. "She is my fiance and as a Khanna woman she will get the respect that she deserves."
"You seem very fond of her Angad but I remember a time when you were the one who would hurt her." He nodded "Kripa has forgiven me and I was fed a lot of rubbish from my father at that time." Naina became sad "Dilip was trying his best with you Angad. He wanted for you to be and feel the best." He sighed "it doesn't change the fact that he imposed his authority on me and deprived me of the freedom of thought."
Naina knew when it was time to stop and after a very embarrassed silence she said "Can you tell Miss Sharma that dinner will be served at 8 tonight?" He smiled "Yes mother when I see her at lunch, I will inform her of the time. Now if you want to excuse me, I have to go to work." He kissed her on the cheek and then went away.
8. Lunchtime. Kripa was so happy. The interview went very well; the guy had been very impressed with her and had offered her the job on the spot. He had told her that she wasn't contacted sooner because the Fashion House had problems with the amount of applications that arrived.
She didn't give much thought about his explanation. She knew that it was due to her relationship with Angad that she had got her job but when they would break up she would be already employed and she couldn't care less.
Kripa sat at one of the table of the little restaurant that they had chosen for their meal. She was thinking about Josh's words and she was a bit upset that maybe he was right. She had started to believe that Angad was nice with her because he actually liked her but it was a bit of wishful thinking. She felt her heart stop when she thought that on Sunday she would see him for the last time. She didn't believe that they could be friends. She was too involved.
Angad entered the little restaurant and spotted Kripa in a table near the window. He smiled and was surprised that he felt a bit nervous to be with her again. These were all new feelings for him; actually the surprise was that he actually had feelings. Growing up in an aristocratic family without any kind of affection had made him believe that his life would be a cold shell.
Kripa was showing him a different way of life. He sat near her and smiled "So, how did it go?" She smiled back "Hello to you too Angad" she was taking her time in speaking. "Yes, hello Kripa so, how did it go?" she laughed "I got the job! I start on Monday. I already signed the contract and I've given my notice to Rika."
Angad was happy for her "That's a good news! We have to celebrate." And he ordered a priced bottle of wine. "Angad last time I drank with you I had to take a hangover pill." He smirked "Come on, Kripa be brave! Live a little!" she looked offended "Angad Khanna are you insinuating that I'm a bore?" he smirked "I don't know, are you?"
And the meal proceeded with the two of them joking and chatting. While they were eating the dessert Kripa said "So Angad any suggestion for tonight? What should I wear?" he seemed to think about it "Well I don't know, maybe some cheap dress."
She smiled wickedly "overalls?" he smirked back "Yes, I think that would be very ill-mannered. By the way she hates everything about manual works and mostly she dislikes anything cheap." She snorted "I wonder why I could guess it."
Angad became a bit serious "We don't want her to kick you out of the house though. We have to keep up pretences until Sunday." She sighed "Yes, until Sunday. Angad" and then she stopped speaking.
"What?" he asked. She seemed torn "I, well, never mind." He grinned "Are you thinking about next week? What will happen to us?" she nodded embarrassed.
He smiled, she was so cute and it was a good sign that she seemed that she didn't want to end their relationship. "I don't know Kripa. What do you want?" She lowered her eyes. "I" she then whispered the rest of the sentence "I guess I don't want to see you again." He was shocked, has she just said that she wanted to disappear from his life?
He frowned "Can't we be friends?" that hurt her even more "No, I don't think it would work. We are too different. Beside I had to promise to Josh and Prithvi that I would stop seeing you altogether at the end of the week. Otherwise, they wouldn't have let me go on with this farce."
He was angry "Do you need their permission to do what you want?" she raised her eyes which were sparkling of emotions that he couldn't quite detect.
"No, I don't but they reminded me that you are nice with me because of the plan." He then was outraged "And obviously they are always right. The two good friends to the rescue of poor Kripa in Angad's clutches!"
She saw his anger "Angad calm down. I mean you have never been friendly with me before. What could we think?" he took a calming breath "Kripa, I will say this just once. Part of the reason I was nice depended on our plan but now that I know you I would like to keep in touch."
She smiled "Really?" he nodded "Well Angad I promise I will give a thought to what you told me and I kind of like you as a friend as well."
They kind of patch things up but the words that they both didn't say were hanging heavily on them. After Angad paid the bill, he kissed her goodbye. And she was left standing alone outside the restaurant with butterflies in her stomach caused by a simple kiss of her sworn enemy.
Angad back in his office had to take many claming breaths. The two guys in Kripa's life hated him so much and truth to be told he hated them back. This was a complication, if he wanted to be with her, he would have to be civil with the two goons. He groaned. Kripa Sharma was a big complication in his life. Maybe he should just let her go. And then he shook his head, no, he didn't want to loose her.
He then smirked. He couldn't wait to see his mother face to face with Kripa. Angad loved his mother but tonight he was going to enjoy her defeat. It was obvious that Kripa would be the winner. She wasn't the smartest girl of his year for nothing.
And then sighed again, he was going to write a letter to Josh Kapoor. How lower could he sink in order to win Kripa's affection?
9 .Dinner with Naina Kripa was in front of the big oak door of the Khanna Mansion. She was taking calming breaths before knocking. She was starting to have some doubts on the whole plot. In a way she wanted Naina Khanna to like her but she had promised Angad that she would annoy his mother.
She sighed and she promised that if her relationship with Angad would become real, she then would make it up to Naina.
Angad was waiting with his mother in the big library. He was kind of reading a book and she was writing a letter on the desk. He was called out of his reverie when his mother said "Angad, if you want me to believe that you are reading the book at least turn it on the right side."
He blushed; indeed the book was upside down. He had been so worried, he wanted his mother to like her for real but he had to tell Kripa to annoy her. So, what was a poor guy to do in order to get out of this trouble?
When Nikita the maid knocked at the door of the library, the two occupants raised their heads and Angad put down quickly his book. Nikita said "Miss Sharma is here. I told Miss Sharma to wait. Can I bring Miss Sharma?"
Naina Khanna nodded and a bit later a pretty brown-haired girl entered the Library. Angad assessed Kripa Sharma. She was wearing cheap clothes and she had dirty overalls on!
Kripa smiled weakly and then after a quick kiss to Angad approached Naina Khanna. "Good evening Mrs. Khanna, I took the liberty of getting a present for you." And she handed a plant to a very surprised Naina.
Angad was eyeing the scene and he almost laughed when he saw the expression on his mother's face. In that moment he wished he had a camera.
By the amused expression on Angad's face, Kripa guessed that she scored her first point. Kripa one, Naina nil.
Naina thanked her with the class that only an aristocratic woman could possess. And then she offered Kripa a seat to have a chat before the meal was served.
"So, Kripa, do you like Khanna Mansion?" Kripa smiled and a wicked glint entered her eyes. "Well, Naina, I think that this Mansion looks a bit gloomy. When I will come to live here I want to add a bit of color here and there."
Naina's face was stony but her eyes betrayed annoyance and anger. How did this little girl dare to say that she wanted to redecorate her house! And then she coldly asked "And what about the parties that we hold? Are you planning to organize them?"
Kripa was smiling inside. "Oh yes! But I want to modernize them." Naina was trying hard to control her temper. "Modernize them?" Kripa went on grinning like Rika. She had to congratulate herself on her acting.
"Yes, Naina, I thought that we could have Nutella and Pizza's parties. We will ask everyone to come and to prepare his or her own meal. Isn't that a cool idea? What do you think Angad?"
Angad was looking at Kripa, she was wearing a nice innocent look but he could see through it. The little minx! He cleared his throat "I guess they would be original and unique. Don't you think so too mother?"
Naina Khanna was eyeing his son with an undisguised look of pure annoyance. "Unique? Definitely! We are going to be the laughing stock of the community!"
Kripa winced at Naina's shout. Kripa two and Naina still nil. She was definitely enjoying the meeting.
Naina in her chair was trying to calm herself down. Maybe her intelligence is in other areas. "So Kripa, what was your favorite subject at school?"
Kripa seemed to think it over a bit and then she said "Future Telling! Isn't reading the stars a fascinating way to know what's going to happen? Just last month I read in the stars that Angad would propose."
Angad was fighting the urge to laugh so much that after a second he excused himself. His mother would never recover after this!
When the two women were left alone, the silence reigned for a while until Naina broke it. "All right Kripa, what's the deal with my son?"
Kripa faked ignorance "Which deal?" Naina snorted "You don't think that I would believe that my son could marry someone with that kind of character. Do you?"
Kripa smiled and decided to be sincere "I guess not. Naina, well, I would just like to say that you should give Angad the time he needs to find the right woman for him."
Naina smiled "And aren't you the right one?" She blushed "Well, I can't tell you that I haven't thought about it but Angad could really have any girl he wants. Then why would he pick me?"
Mrs. Khanna was pleased by her sincere answer "I will tell you something Kripa. I finally see my son having fun. He has always been a very 'dark' child but with you, he seems another person, more human. I believe he likes you for real even if he hadn't admitted with himself yet."
Kripa was listening what the older woman was saying and she was praying that it was true.
Naina then asked her "How long were you planning to have this relationship?" Kripa hesitated a moment "Until Sunday."
Naina then smiled "Well then let's pretend that this conversation hasn't happened. And Kripa … you have four days to get your man." With that said, she winked at her and they proceeded to the dining room. After a while Angad joined them.
Kripa and Naina kept acting with each other and Angad was getting a bit too worried that his mother would really kill Kripa. He really liked her a lot but at the rate it was going, his mother would disown him for bringing home such a girl. Kripa was so special and his mother didn't know it!
By the time Naina left the two youngsters alone, Angad was almost thinking about emigrating in Alaska.
Kripa had the time of her life. With Naina actually on the game, it was so much more fun. Angad's mother had found every single point on where Kripa could say something silly and between the two, they managed to make Angad almost spitting out the truth.
Kripa grinned at him "Thank you Angad! It was one of the nicest evenings of my life!"
He frowned "Kripa! My mother almost kicked you out of our house and you said that you had fun!"
She was smiling inwardly "But Angad, this was what we planned to do. What's up with you?" He got serious, could he really tell her that he wanted his mother to like her?
He sighed "Nothing. You are right, it went well. You better go home now. I'll see you tomorrow." And after a quick kiss he left her there.
Kripa sighed. Maybe Naina was wrong. Maybe Angad didn't like her at all. She was shook from her reverie when Angad came back "Kripa, I forgot to wish you good night. And" he seemed a bit embarrassed "Maybe when this thing is over you could come and really have a chat with my mother, she would like you a lot. I mean the real you."
She grinned and in a moment she was in his arms hugging him tightly. "Oh Angad! Of course I would like to talk with her. I think already that she is a fantastic woman."
He smiled at her "Yes, she may seem a bit serious and cold but she can be such a wonderful person. All right Miss Sharma, time to take you home."
She looked at him surprised "I can go by myself Angad."
He shook his head "Nonsense, as the good boyfriend that I am, I will see that you get home sound and safe."
She smiled warmly at this young man. She could really get used to have him around and that was her final thought of the day when she was in her warm bed.
Hope you all enjoy this nice long part! I wanted this simple so i decided to make Naina positive, but dont worry negative consequences will come from this dicussion Naina and Kripa had! Anyways hope you all enjoy this part!!
-NatashaEdited by simplyconfused - 19 years ago
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