Rishte-AK FF - Pg-95-Epilogue-DEC-27-2011 - Page 63

Originally posted by: vallanki

U r writing big parts nowadays!!! I don't remembr so many names! Tried to read, but I think lost patience of reading! Will try one day to finish. Keep writing. Luv u, mitu

PART- 63

Around 9 Kripa was at the front door of Sheetal…..Angad waited outside near their taxi, while Kripa went up to call her……..She opened the door immediately and silently asked her to come in…….She went in and called Neev, he was dressed in the same dress as he had yesterday, and held a old teady in his hand…….

K: Hi Neev….Kripa said smiling at him…..He smiled at her and hid behind Sheetal…….Sheetal looked at Kripa hesitatingly…..Shall we go? Kripa asked looking at her and she nodded……..

S: Ummm…..We need to take Neev with us, she said worriedly……

K: Isn't there any one, who could baby sit him for today? Where does he stay when you go for work?

S: He stays with me in the kitchen……Kripa frowned at her…..

K: Kitchen?

S: I work in a restaurant, he sits there with a pen and paper…….Kripa frowned….Sheetal shrugged, I can't afford day care……she said sighing…..Kripa nodded slowly…..

K: The problem is there will be lots of press people there, and I am not sure if Neev going before them is good Idea…..any way lets see what we can do when we go there…..May be some one can look at these both for and hour or so…Sheetal nodded not very sure…..Sheetal locked the door……and they walked down silently…..By the way, where does your family stay? Kripa asked frowning…..Why were they not here to help her out….Why was she struggling with the little boy alone…….

S: My parents are dead and 2 months back my sister also joined them after her car crashed……It was her fault as she was driving when she was heavily drunk……The car she was driving was not even hers…..she laughed without humor saying this…..Kripa did not say any thing after this…….Angad was sitting in the front and Sheetal and Kripa sat back with kids…..Soon they reached the place where press conference was held……

Kripa was able to find couple of older ladies, who were delighted to meet the kids…….They themself suggested them to leave the kids in the adjoining room, while they attended the conference……..

After an hour or so, Angad ended the conference and they left the room…….Sheetal had given her statement that her sister had lied and the DNA test was done and the results were negative…..Angad was innocent and was trapped by her sister and she was taking her case back and even apologized to him for everything…….Kripa just smiled at her sadly and nodded with understanding, while Angad was taken aback by her apology……..

They silently left with the kids…….They went to drop Sheetal first……

A: Sheetal…..we would like to speak with you…..if you don't mind…..he said slowly…….Sheetal nodded and asked them both to come in…….

When they went up, to their surprise, Sheetal her self cleared the comforter, and asked Kripa to keep her baby down……Kripa thanked her with a smile and lay Prateek down…..Neev slowly handed over his worn out teady to Kripa for the baby to play and Kripa chuckled and thanked him…..He smiled and ran hiding behind Sheetal once again……….

S: Would you like to have some tea…….she asked unsure……

Kripa nodded with a encouraging smile……Sheetal went to the kitchen and kept the kettle on the gas……Angad nodded at Kripa and indicated her to talk to Sheetal……….Kripa nodded and went to her…..

K: Sheetal, I wanted to talk to you about the false report you paid for…...Sheetal stilled a little but kept her head down…..Look Sheetal the thing is the police investigation is under way and it won't be long, before they come here and enquire about it to you as well……..Sheetal looked at Kripa horrified……...Look, don't worry we have found the way for you out of this…..I want to help you……If you are willing that is…..

S: Why would you both want to help me, when all I did is mess your life……she said looking away……

K: May be for Neev……I know what ever you did, you did it for Neev and you are all he has…..I don't want him to suffer because of your or his mom's mistake……So, are you willing to listen?

Sheetal looked at her after couple of minutes and nodded……..

K: You have to come out and tell the truth to the police and identify the person in the hospital, who prepared those reports……She said slowly……..Sheetal looked at her wide eyed…..

S: But I can't do this……You are not helping me here…..you are trapping me……she said angrily…..You told me that you will not allow any one find about this……You know, that if my name is on paper, then I loose everything, my Job, my home, and Neev…..the court will see me as unfit and take him away……you can't do this to me…..you promised……she said shouting at her.…..

Angad looked at them both as he sat with Prateek and talked to Neev…..

K: Look Sheetal, this is for the best…….It is possible that they might find your involvement at later stage, then what would you do……Why not come clean and help the police to find the criminal…..That will give you some credit and I promise they will not take any action against you…….We will not let any thing happen to you……Think about it……….What will you do, if they find our about all this later…….How will you solve everything on your own…..You might loose more than what you would loose today…..You know they will not leave until the police gets to the bottom of this…….

S: But what if they punish me…..what if they put me in prison? She asked with shivering hands…..

K: That will not happen…..I promise you…...You will be helping the law, by helping them catch the criminal…..I assure you, that nothing will happen to you…..She said holding her hand…..Sheetal looked at her with tears and then she looked at Neev and slowly nodded…….She was not sure of what she was going to do, if she lost the job…..I promise Sheetal, everything will be fine…….

S: When do we go there…..

K: If you are ok, then right now…..Sheetal's hand shivered a little but then she nodded….handing her both the cups…..You? Sheetal shook her head……Kripa looked around the little kitchen and found a small cup……she divided the tea in 3 and handed over the cup to Sheetal…..She had seen, how little groceries Sheetal had…..Sheetal looked away blinking back her tears and thanked her…….

They all silently had their tea and then went to police station…….Sheetal gave the description of the person who had given her the false reports and then identified him on the web, after they took out the file of all the people working in the lab as well as that floor………

At last, after questioning her for an hour or so, they thanked her and let her go, saying she would not be charged this time as she had helped them in finding the criminal, but warned her to stay clear of it in future……..Sheetal sighed in relief when they walked out…….Kripa and Angad were surprised to know that she was barely 19 year old…..And just passed her school couple of years ago……But she could not go to college due to high educational cost……

K: Sheetal, come with us to our apartment, we can have lunch and then we will drop you back at your apartment…..

Sheetal shook her head….

S: Thanks, I am fine……Please drop me at my apartment…she whispered…..Kripa and Angad exchanged looks and Angad nodded at Kripa and they dropped her there…..Kripa got down to bid her bye as they were leaving the country in couple of days, after finishing out the legal formalities for handing over complete custody of Neev to Sheetal…..I am sorry for everything…..She whishpered looking at Kripa with tears in her eyes……I don't know why Simone did what she did, but I promise, I just did it for Neev…….When I found out that Angad is not the father, I just thought about Neev, and how he was surviving with couple of toys, full day sitting in the corner with his paper and pencil and eating what ever is left over in the kitchen restaurant at night……..I know it was wrong of me to do what I did……I can only say sorry for it……She said holding Neev's hand and running up, before Kripa could say a word……..Kripa had tears in her eyes, as she watched them go……She blinked them back and slowly got back in the car and they drove off…….Angad and Kripa were silent all the way……

Next two days, they got busy with calls from the media as well as press……Kripa was really annoyed at them……They talked to the lawyer about the custody issue of Neev and were assured that it will be done soon…….Angad and Kripa atlast were all ready to leave, but Kripa was deep in thoughts…….She was some how worried about Sheetal and Neev……She had tried calling Sheetal couple of times, but she did not pick up, neither did she open the door…..Kripa had sticked the note saying they were leaving tomorrow and went away….

Angad Kripa and Prateek got down at the airport and went to the check-in counter……..Kripa's thoughts time and again went back to Sheetal and Neev……She had been restless, that she could not even meet them once before leaving…..Angad had not noticed her sadness much because he was busy for past two days…..Angad started showing them their passports and tickets, when suddenly Kripa stopped him……No, they could not go like this………She could never stay happy going like this……She needed to meet her…….She had looked so vunerable that day, when she had apolozed two times in a row, to Angad in front of press and to her before running to her apartment…….And the condition of her house, limited groceries, her concern about Neev, kept making her nervous…….She did not want to leave her this way………She was barely 19, with a child to support, without proper education or any one to support…….How would she survive in expensive city like London……..She knew many did, but now that she came to know her, atleast she could help one…….She couldn't just forget that she existed...

A: Kripa…..Kya hua…..tumne roka kyun?

K: Angad hum abhi nahi ja rahe hain, she said looking down deep in thoughts.…..Angad looked at her with a frown……..Mein aur do-teen din rukna chahti hun Angad……She said looking at him sadly……

A: Kripa….he said open mouthed looking at her with a frown…..

K: Please Angad…….She said holding his arms…….Aur do-teen din……she said slowly…….Angad just shook his head and looked back at the lady who was waiting for him……..

A: Yeh pehle nahi keh sakti thi……..Yahan ane ke baad…..he said rolling his eyes looking at Kripa once more...He looked at the attendant and asked if they could postpone the tickets……She looked at him strangely but then checked and nodded……She reissued their tickets and gave them the new ones……..Angad thanked her and paid the difference immidiately and looked at Kripa with a angry frown…….She smiled at him sweetly thanking him, but he made faces and turned away with luggage……Kripa walked behind him and they caught a taxi…….They checked in, in the hotel, which thankfully they got at the last moment, which the driver had suggested …….They went up to their room without a word, Angad still had a frown on his head as they headed up…….Kripa could see that he was a little annoyed…..He was calm till the moment they reached the hotel…..As soon as they closed the door behind them, he turned around with a angry frown……Kripa, yeh achanak kya hogaya……..Pehle nahi keh sakti thi, saab bag uthakar wahan jane ke baad?……he asked with a frown…….Aur waise aab kya kaam hain yahan…….? Kripa kept Prateek down and slowly faced him……

K: Kripa looked at the floor deep in thoughts……..Angad kept staring at her waiting for answer……….When she didn't he called her name…….She looked up…….Sheetal aur Neev ke bare mein soch rahi thi……..Issiliye…..Angad frowned at her in disbelief………

A: You mean tum Sheetal ke bare mein sochkar apni flight cancel kar di…….? He asked…..Kripa nodded looking at him………..I can't believe it…..He said with angry fown and sigh……..He looked out of the window………Kripa !!! Pehle hi itne dinon se hum bahar hai……Kartik bhaiya saab kaam akele handle kar rahe hain wahan……Mera jana bahot jaruri hai…..Aur tum…….he said frowning…….

K: I want to go and meet her Angad…….Tum hi socho bichari iss duniya mein bilkul akeli hai……aur aab uss par ek chote bache ki jimedari…….Can you believe it…….Jis umr mein saab padhte hain, apni jindagi ko nayi raah le chalte hain, ussme who bhi itni choti umr mein restaurant mein kaam karke ek chote bache ko sambhal rahi hai……..Kaise hum usse aise akele chod sakte hain…….

A: Kripa, duniya mein aise bahot sare log hai…..aab saab ki to help nahi kar sakte na hum…..he said impatiently…..Aur woh bhi ek aisi ladki ki, jo jhooti reports se hume phasana chahti thi…….

K: Angad ? She shouted frowning at him angrily……Angad stoped talking mid way and looked at her blinking…….Kripa looked at him angrily……Kripa quickly fed Prateek and made him sleep….There was silence in their room……No, one spoke, especially Angad, who was still trying to make sense of what was going on in Kripa's mind…….Tum isse sambhalo thodi der, mein do ghante mein ati hun……..she said getting up…….Angad closed his eyes still a little upset, but knew Kripa would do what she wanted to do……Kripa started gathering her purse, when Angad stopped her…….

A: Hey…..ruko….kahan bhag rahi ho…..he said rolling his eyes with disbilief…….You can't leave him….he indicated to prateek…..Agar rona chalu kar diya isne to, agar bhook lagi to….? Kya karunga mein……..he said shaking his head……..

K: Angad, Sheetal yahan se 10 minute ke raste par rehti hai……Agar tumhe yaad hai to……phone kar dena, mein aa jaungi…..She said leaving the room…..Angad sighed and sat on the bed……..He shook his head and called his dad and told him that they were not leaving today, but after 2 days……..Dilip after a little while asked him to take care and kept the phone……..

God, Kripa was so strong headed, if she thought about some thing, she would not rest till she did it…….He did not know what was going on in her head, but knew he would know about it soon enough……He looked at sleeping Prateek and sighed…..He changed his clothes and lay down besides Prateek……He smiled looking at his stubborn jaw, which was just as set like Kripa…….

A: Mujhe pura yakin hai ki tu bhi ma ke nakshe kadam par chalne wala hai…….he said chuckling…..Prateek started fusing a little and Angad looked at him a little terrified that he would get up……But then sighed in relief when Prateek once again was in deep sleep…….Angad rolled his eyes and switched on the tv keeping the volume down……He did not know why Kripa did not tell any thing till they were about to go, but he knew that what ever it was, she would not leave, till she finished what she was planning to do……He had full confidence in her ability and waited for her to come home and tell him what she was planning……

Other side, Kripa reached Sheetal's house and rang the bell…..She waited patiently for 10 minutes, but still there was no sign….She sighed…One of the neighbours door opened…..

N: Can I help you?

K: Thanks, I am here for Sheetal….Kripa told with a smile…..

N: She checked her watch and then looked at Kripa with a frown…..She might be at the restaurant at this time…..

K: Can you give me the name of the restaurant please……

N: Spice & Curry….1/2 a mile walk to left when you leave the building…..she said slowly…….Kripa smiled at her and nodded…….

K: Thanks a lot for your help…..she said, as the neighbor lady nodded and closed the door……..

Kripa went down and followed the direction…..Sure enough she reached the restaurant in next 6 minutes……She walked in and went to the cashier counter and asked him about Sheetal Kaul…..He looked at her for a second and then asked her to follow her inside…….He showed her to the back of the room, where she saw Sheetal, arranging the dishwasher……..When the manager called Sheetal's name, she looked up and then her gaze met Kripa's……Her eyes widened for a second and then a frown appearead…..She stopped what she was doing, washed her hands and then came to them……Sheetal assured the manager that she knew her and stood there without a word until he was out of sight……..

S: Kripa? I thought you had a flight today…..she said a little surprised………

Kripa smiled at her and then nodded……

K: Can we talk for a few minutes, if you have time…..She said looking around for Neev……..Sheetal had said that he came with her…..Sheetal looked around and then knew who she was looking for…….

S: Neev is sitting in the locker room……She said slowly pointing to the direction of the door.…..and then turned around and Kripa followed her…….As soon as the door opened, Neev looked up and smiled at Sheetal, running to her and showing her his drawing…….Then he looked at Kripa and smiled…..

K: Hi Neev…….she said slowly……

N: Hi…..he said slowly…..Kripa looked at him with a smile……..That was the first time he spoke……Kripa looked around and saw 10 small lockers in the room and a chair and table besides it and a employee rest room at the corner…..The room felt a little stuffed and smelly……Kripa knew that very moment that she had did right, by not getting on the plane…….

K: Sheetal, I wanted to talk to you before we go…..I want to help you…..Sheetal turned around surprised and looked at her…..with disbelief…..why would she want to help her after what she had done….? The question clear in her eyes…….I know what you are thinking Sheetal……And I understand, why you did what you did…….And I also appreciate you for telling the truth in front of every one and helping us out…….It meant a lot to us, our family and thousands of people who depend on our companies success……Sheetal smiled at her sadly, but did not say a word and kept looking at Neev, who was busy drawing…….Since Angad and Kartik took over Rathod Enterprise, they have been ideal and role model for many people in villages of Rajashthan…..Their honor and reputation means a lot to everyone, including our family……She said with a proud smile……Sheetal looked at her and nodded…….

S: Kripa, thanks a lot for forgiving me……But, I can't accept any help from you……I have already done enough harm……The least I can do is be far away from your life…...But one thing I would like to really appreciate is your love for your husband and your trust in him…….I am happy that despite what I did, you still trusted him and cleared him out of this……I am really ashamed for what I did, but at the same time, I am glad that you both are happy at the turn of events and out of the mess.….

K: Sheetal, Please let me help you……I know how difficult it is for you to manage everything on your own……Ok, Not for your sake, but atleast look at him……she said pointing towards Neev…..What will happen of him after he starts growing…….Are you going to just make him sit there all his life, while you work for paying your bills…..Don't you want to grow in life and fulfill your ambitions and help Neev get the best in life, instead of this….She said looking around…..Sheetal looked around and blinked back her tears……..Looking away……..The manager came in and frowned at them, as they were still talking……Sheetal had work to finish……….Kripa looked at him with a smile and told sorry, that she took so long…….

S: I have to get back to work…….she said quietly…..

K: I know…..She then took out a pen and paper and wrote their hotel address and number and gave it to Sheetal……Call me once your shift ends and come to our room…….Please, don't let your pride come in your way…..I just want to help you out……she said touching her arms and when Sheetal did not say a word, she slowly turned around and left……..

Kripa was back to their room soon…..Angad was fast asleep and so was prakash…….The tv noise suppressed other sounds and she sighed in relief..…She quickly changed her dress and sat on the bed……Hoping Sheetal would call…..Soon Angad woke up and looked at Kripa who was in deep thoughts……He slowly got up and went to her and sat on the bed……Kripa came out of her thoughts suddenly and looked at him…….He raised his eyebrows and she shook her head and slowly rested her head on his chest………

A: Kya hua Kripa……Sheetal se mili? He asked slowly……caressing her hairs……..

K: Hmmm…..mili thi…..Ghar par nahi thi, par uske restaurant gayi thi…..Angad frowned a little but shook his head and stayed calm……Why was she so desperate to help the girl, he had no idea……They were in foreign country and she was a total stranger, who had tried to trap them…..Yeah she had said sorry, but just because she was afraid to persue the case…..He was sure that if she had some way, then she would do the exact opposite……..But she had known that she was trapped in her own trap……

A: Kripa, puch sakta hun, ki tum usse itna help karne ke liye kyun utavli ho rahi ho…….Kripa smiled sadly…..and looked up at him…….Duniya mein kitne hi log akele hain…….saab ko kuch na kuch gaam hai na……….

K: Angad, mein saab ko to nahi janti na, par jo samne hain uski to help kar sakti hun na……aur mein ye Neev ke liye bhi kar rahi hun……Usska masum sa chehra mujhe apne Ayush ki yaad dilate hai…….Aur dekho naa, tum uske pita na hote hue bhi char saal se woh tumhare naam se jana gaya…...Shayad isse takdeer hi samjho…….Simone ne jo bhi kiya ho, uss masum ki to koi galti nahi na……..she said looking down with tears……Angad sighed and kept caressing her hairs……..Socho Angad, aaj Ayush ke paas hum saab hai, woh jo chahta hai hum la dete hain…….Bhagwan na kare agar Neev ki jagah Ayush ya Prateek hota to……Itna saab hokar bhi hum kisi ki madad na kar sake, to kya fayda humari padhai ka……. Neev ke paas to kuch bhi nahi hai ….… phir bhi uski ek muskan, hi dil ko chu leti hai……...Rishta to kuch nahi hai humare beech…..Par ek rishta insaniyat ka to hai na……Thode dinon ke liye hi sahi, par Simone thi to tumhari dost na……haan jo usne kiya woh thik nahi kiya ho, par uske gunahon ki saaja woh baccha kyun bhukte……Janti hun duniya mein bahot log aise jeete hain……par ek ki to ussme madad kar hi sakte hain na hum…...Aise usse beech raste mein apne haal par chod kar jana kahan ki insaniyat hai…….woh bhi jab hum woh mukam par hai jahan hum madad kar sakte hain…….Aaaj humare paas itna saab hai, to ek aur ko humse madad mil jaye to isme kya burai hain…..Mujhe pata hai ki usne jhoot bola, dhoka diya……woh to uski majboori thi……Ma nahi hai, par phir bhi aab usse Neev ki jimedari ma jaise hi leni hai na, aur usne li…..jaise meine li thi Ayush ki……aur apne bache par kisi bhi tarah ki musibat na aye, dher sari khushi mile, ye to saab ma chahti hai na, bhale hi woh ma-bache ka rishta dil se ho ya khoon se ho……Aur Neev to Sheetal ke behen ka beta hai, uska khoon……Uske siwa uss bichari ka duniya mein koi nahi hai, to kya mein apna haath age nahi bada sakti……Dadi ne hi kaha tha na hume, ki rishte sirf khoon se nahi bante, dil se bante hain….…Kahin na kahin mujhe Sheetal aur Neev mein ek apnapan sa lagne laga hai……Aur ussi apnepan ki wajah se mein uski madad karna chahti hun……Aur Sheetal ki umr hi kya hai, jis umr mein usse khud ke bare mein sochna chahiye, bhagwan ne usse uss umr mein zimedariyan de di, aur uske sahare bhi chin liye, shayad, issi liye bhagwan ne hume yahan bheja, taki hum uski madad kare….…She said hugging Angad and hiding her face in his neck………Angad smiled and slowly kissed Kripa's head……He knew his Kripa was so kind and tender hearted that she could not see the pain in other people's life……He remembered how she had changed Divya's parents life as well as many other artisians life due to her book………He was really proud of her and could never say no, when she put in so beautiful words…….Angad chuckled a little and Kripa surprised looked at him as tears rolled in her eyes…….

A: Kripa…..madad karne ke liye rone ki jaroorat nahi hai…..he said smiling and wiping her tears…….Tumhe jo sahi lage wahi karo…….mein tumhare sath hun…….Mujh se koi madad chahiye to woh bhi keh dena……He said grinning…..Kripa smiled at him and hugged him tightly…….She wiped her tears and looked at him with mischief…….Angad's eyebrows shot up immediately looking in her eyes…..He knew she was up to some thing…….Kripa?

K: Kripa chuckled……madad to chahiye……

A: Batao…..he said cautiously……

K: Tumhe Sheetal ko apne sath India jane ke liye taiyar karne mein madad karni padegi meri………She said looking at him seriously………Angad looked at her stunned……….

A: Why India? He asked blinking……Why not give her some good job and a flat and be on our way……..Kripa shook her head…….

K: Wahan, usse apna support milega, Woh apni padhai puri kar sakegi…..aur Neev ko bhi badmein pada sakegi……Agar college ke baad, usse achi naukri lagti hai, ya phir woh wapas ana chahti hai to beshak aa jaye……Wahan usse hum saab ka support rahega aur woh akele nahi rahegi…………

A: Kripa……Simone and Sheetal are born and bought up here ……..Unki ma British hai……Haan papa Indian jarur hai, par they are used to this life style…….aise kisi ko puri tarah shift kar nahi sakte hum……

K: I know Angad…..par tum hi socho…..agar usse hum job bhi dete hain, to bhi padhai, job aur bache ko sambhalna ek saath iss umr mein, kaise kar payegi woh…….

A: Kripa, tumne bhi to kiya na…….Divya ki dekhbal, ghar ki jimedari, apni padhai, Ayush…..

K: Meri baat alag hai Angad, mere sath tum the, Kartik bhaiya the, apni sari family ka support tha……Par Sheetal ke paas kya hai…….She needs us Angad……Simone ne tumhe bhale hi dost na samjha ho, dosti nahi nibhayi ho, par tum ne to usse ek dost samjha tha na, shayad kuch pal ke liye hi sahi, to ussi dosti ke liye samajh lo ki humme ye karna hai…….Please……….She said looking at him……Angad at last sighed and nodded……..

A: Thik hai……kab milna hai ussase……….

K: Mein usse apna address aur number diya hai…….usse phone karne ko kaha hai…..Angad nodded……

A: Thik hai…..

K: Thank you so much……she said hugging him…..

A: Apnon ko……..

K: Thanks nahi kehte…….she completed chuckling…..

A: Angad chuckled…….saab batein itni jaldi sikhti ho, phir bhi yeh baat abhi tak nahi sikhi hai tumne…..he said pulling her nose and kissing her lips lightly…….Kripa smiled…..

K: Isse mere desh mein courtesy kehte hain……..she said raising his eyebrow…….

A: Tumhara desh? Aur India kis ka hai? Mera……Kripa shook her head and grinned……

K: Humara…….she said chuckling……..Angad shook his head and pulled her on his lap and kissed her thoroughly……..

A: Humara………hummm……..he said tasting her lips…..

Kripa and Angad called for room service and ate in the room…..Though there were very few vegetarian choices……Kripa waited restlessly for Sheetal to call, but to her disappointment…..Sheetal did not call that night…….Angad sighed and pulled her to him……

A: Tum chinta mat karo…..Kal hum jate hain uske paas aur phir samjha kar dekhte hain……Par ye uska decision hai Kripa……..Tum samajhti ho na……..You can't make some one do something……..

Kripa just nodded sadly……she thought that might be Sheetal would come, atleast for Neev's sake……She hoped she did let her ego stop her from coming to her……..They could not do any thing, if she did not want the help from them………..

Next morning, they got up early and got ready after their breakfast to go to Sheetal's house……..They were just about to leave the hotel, when they spotted Sheetal, paying walking in……..Kripa smiled at her with relief and looked at Neev who was holding on to her tightly……She saw Sheetal bending down and talking to him and then hugging him and picking him up gently……When she started walking, her gaze suddenly fell on them and she stopped in her tracks………Unsure about her decision……But Kripa went to her and smiled at her gently and Sheetal relaxed a little…….

S: I am sorry, I think you were about to go somewhere……I will come some other time……she said starting to turn around……..

Kripa held her hands……

K: Sheetal we were going to your house, don't worry …….common lets go up and talk in the room……She said smiling at Neev…….Hi Neev….

N: Hi….he said shyly and looked at Prateek in her hands…..

K: Common up and you can play with the baby…..she said smiling…..Neev nodded…….

They slowly walked up without a word…….Angad had yet to say a word to Sheetal……He was silent for a long time now……….Sheetal was as nervous as she could get…….She did not know why she came here, but she felt as if she had to once, atleast give it a chance, though she knew she did mistake, she also knew that Rathod's were very rich and could help her…….She would never have come if it was for her, because today her pride was battered, but for Neev, she could pay any price…..Even her pride if she had to…….So here she was…….

Kripa asked her to sit on the chair at the end of the room and kept Prateek on the bed……Neev held on tightly to Sheetal, but looked around with a grin……But his gaze went to the leftover breakfast that was lying on the table…….Angad looked at him, looking at the breakfast tray, which had couple of fruits and cereals, which he had not touched…….He had just taken some coffee as he did not want to eat those cereals……..Kripa had finished hers as she was hungry and they had decided to go to Indian restaurant after their chat with Sheetal……..

A: Neev, you want to eat some thing…..He said smiling at him……Neev looked at him and then at Sheetal, who looked a little guiltily, but then nodded at him……He looked at Angad and nodded……..

S: He hardly ate a breakfast bar and had some milk…….so, might be he is hungry, she said a little embarrassed…….

A: No problem…..You and Kripa can talk and I will make sure he finishes his breakfast……He said smiling and raising his arms to Neev, who went to him without much hesitation to Kripa's surprise………She smiled at him and he smiled back at her, as Neev kept his small hand around Angad and he made him sit on the small chair next to the table, before putting the tray infront of him……..He mixed the cereals and milk in a bowl and held it for him to eat……Neev took the spoon and started eating………

Sheetal watched them for couple of minutes until Kripa asked her to sit……….she sat without a word…….Kripa could understand what she was going through……It wasn't easy to hope or ask for help, when they were in her situation…….But Kripa was happy that she had come and she told her so……..

K: Sheetal, I am so happy that you decided to come…..she said smiling at her gently…..I have a proposition for you…..She said coming direct to the point……I want you and Neev to consider moving to India, with us….she said looking at her………Shocked Sheetal looked up suddenly……..Hear me out first……..ok……She said calmly……Sheetal slowly nodded and tried to calm down her nervous heart……This was just out of blue……I am aware that you are born and bought up here…..but still your dad was Indian right……Sheetal nodded slowly……

What I am proposing is, come with us and finish your education there…..I promise I and my family will be there to support you through this in every step, Neev can also start his school there…….You can stay with us till you get a degree and then you can find a job and a place of your own…..Or after that if you want to come back and do the job here, then we will help you…..You will have your degree and a good job when you return……Neev will also grow up and you can support him better if you have a degree……Sheetal just kept staring at her blankly as if she was speaking some foreign language.….. I know you must be thinking, that why shift to India….the reason is, If you are in India, you will not be alone there……We all will be there to support you and Neev……We will take care of him when you have to be in college or during your exams……You don't have to worry about him during that period and concentrate more on your career, as Neev's future is dependant on yours….So, what do you think about all this…….Would you like to take a chance…..?

Sheetal was silent for a long time…..and then looked up with tears……This was the first time since her parents that some one was there to support her and atleast cared a little about her future…….Not even Simone had done that for her……She had been selfish and wondered around without care of what her little sister was going through…….She never hoped any support from any one after her, but these strangers, who she had hurt so much were willing to do so, when her own sister was so unwilling…….

S: Why? She said looking at her, with tears……Why do you want to help and support me, when I betrayed and tried to trap you and gave you so much grief……She said closing her eyes as tears kept coming from her eyes…….

Kripa got up immediately, her gaze met Angad's who also was moved by her confession……..Kripa went to her and kept a hand on her shoulder and Sheetal looked up at her with tears……She could not stop her self and hugged Kripa by her waist and cried her heart out…….After a long time she sat a little upright and drank the water given by Kripa and looked down embarrassed….Then she started telling her about her life, since her parents death on Kripa's insistence…..

She told Kripa how she had never cried since her parents death, as she had been trying hard to survive alone in this big world…..She had finished her 11^th, when they had passed away…..Simone was in last year of her college and had come for couple of days and went away, saying it is better she go with social service people, as she would not be able to provide her……Sheetal was hurt and angry at her, but soon forgot all about her when she had immediate problems to face…….Since then, she had struggled and some how landed with this job after her 12^th exam with the help of social service people, as no one was ready to adopt her…….She had no other family…..She started with her job and soon hired due to her hard work and also given a one bedroom apartment for less……But still it hardly covered her expenses……Her mom dad had no assets as they never saved any thing, spending lavishly for vacations and trips……Her sister had not even come to see if she was alive or not……But suddenly one day she was in front of her, back with a two year old kid and asked for forgiveness and a roof……Speachless, she had accomdated her and for a month or two they were together again, till she found another boyfriend and went off with her baby…….

Even though Simone was too selfish, she had provided her Son with all necessities, but it was Sheetal who had given him the love he missed for two years, in those 2 months, thanking she atleast had some family……She had loved him, fed him, taken care of him day and night, while Simone was busy partying, thanking Sheetal for the break she so much needed……..Sheetal was a little disgusted as she bought one or other man with her from the bar and made out with them, in her house..…...She had tried to ask simone about the father of Neev, but Simone never answered her…….Simone had given couple of hundred pounds to Sheetal and was away again with her latest boyfriend and after that she never saw her again…….She had missed Neev badly and cried at nights for him……She had tried to stop Simone from leaving, but she did not listen…...only the news of her accident and death came……Sheetal was devasted and then she had bought Neev with her, thanking God that Neev was not with her when she met with accident……He was with her boy friend, while Simone ran away with his car.……She had no one to emotionally support her or care for her……She felt so lost and lonely some times……but could not even cry as Neev looked upon her for his needs…..It had been so hard since then to hold back her emotions…….She came to know about Angad from the Birth certificate and tried to call around her old colleges to know about him……She came across some of Simone and Angad's friends and came to know about all what had happened in their life…….

S: I am sorry……I knew all about Simone's bad habits, still I beilived she was not wrong and wanted to give her and Neev justice, so he could get good life ahead…..I thought that what so ever may be, she would never deceive her own son and so I never doubted that she would be such a fraud that she would put wrong fathers name on the birth certificate……I know I judged Angad even before knowing him and talking to you all..…..I had been as selfish as Simone……..I am sorry……She said wiping her tears……..Kripa just hugged her and asked her to calm down…….

K: Sheetal, forget what happened…….it's all behind us….. now just think about your future…..About Neev's future…..We wish we should have done things differently, but we can't……but I am glad that everything worked out and there was no harm done……..Please, come with us and let me help you……Consider me as your friend and stay with us…..Sheetal slowly looked at her and nodded…….

S: I will…..she said with a small smile, but I have a request…..I can't stay with you……I will be grateful to you both, if you could find me a part time job and a small apartment……..It is enough for me that I will have some one like you to support me in rough times…….But I want to do it on my own……I have wanted to go to India, where my dad's roots are and settle there some day.……Now that there is nothing left here for me, in this country, I think I would rather settle there…..she said slowly……as if to convince herself .…..It was difficult to take such huge decision, but Kripa's kind words and the things she had read about Angad Kripa in the articles gave her enough courage to take this decision………She knew without doubt that Kripa would keep her words……She would not take much from them, only what is needed for her and Neev, and that too till she got her job……She would return each penny after that….This was a once in a life time chance, and she did not want to loose it, not for her, but for Neev……..Kripa was about to say some thing, when Angad indicated with his eyes to accept it……Kripa slowly nodded and told Sheetal to start packing and they would be leaving soon……

Angad got up and assured Sheetal that he had nothing against her and told her to forget about all that had happened and restart her life……He assured her that they would be there to support her and will help her in what ever she wanted……They went to Sheetal's work place and had lunch there and then Sheetal informed the manager about her decision and he agreed without a word and gave her all her dues for the month, without cutting the apartment cost, along with a 1000 pounds more, telling her to keep it as it was a bonus for working for him and tolerating him for all these years and hugged her wishing the best…..He told her to leave the apartment keys with her neighbours and he would pick it up later……Sheetal thanked him greatfully as he had been so genourous over the past few years to her, she would not even had food and roof, if it wasn't for him..….Kripa took Sheetal for shopping for couple of big bags and also bought some clothes and toys for Neev as well as Ayush, even though Sheetal protested…...Next day, Angad took appointment in Indian embassy with a help of a friend, and Kripa went with Sheetal to get her and Neev's visa……Angad also booked their tickets and everything was set…….Kripa and Sheetal in no time packed everything and were ready……Neev was excited to go in the plane just as Ayush was…….Kripa and Angad smiled at his enthusiasm, as they remembered Ayush's excitement over travelling…….Sheetal, even after Angad's protest, gave the 1000 pounds given by the manager to her, telling him that it was for the tickets for her and Neev……….He had atlast taken them reluctantly, not wanting to hurt her ego……….

Atlast third day, they were all on their way back to India……Sheetal nervous, to face Kripa and Angad's family, while Angad Kripa happy to be back……..Neev now was quite comfortable with both Kripa and Angad, though he still was a boy with very limited words……

Hi Friends,

Thanks for comments and encouragement, and sorry for not replying back to you all, as I am quite busy with the kids now a days. Hope you all liked the parts so far...I have only one part left for this ff and then I will post the epilogue and the this ff will come to end...!

Here is the next part.

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/1627304/rishte-ak-ff-pg-95-epilogue-dec-27-2011

part 63

awesome part di...

Kripa has a heart of gold...

poor Sheetal...

but all set and fine...

will miss this FF...

cont soon dear...

PS - will u pos the other story u said that is not on IF?