Angad lay in bed but as soon as he closed his eyes, her tear-stained face kept popping up in front of him...ARGH!this girl is driving me insane, he muttered to himself but then again he could not decipher as to why he cared about her.
Why did he feel sad when she was sad and why did her smile bring one to his face? Clearly I'm going crazy he conceded and shut his eyes firmly, blocking out images of Kripa...for the time being.
The nex day Angad came down the stairs his eyes bloodshot due to the lack of sleep to find Kripa standing in the kitchen making breakfast. The smell of parathas wafted through the air in his direction and he made a beeline for the table
Angad: Yum aloo ke parathay!!My favourite. Did you make these? Kripa nodded, a small smile on her lips as she watched him tuck in, attacking the food like a starving man. He finally finished the last morsel and got upto leave for college.
Kripa: Woh..em. she began but could not get the words out. Angad watched the inner battle and came close to her.
Angad: Kya hua(what happened)?he questioned softly.
Kripa: I've decided to go to the university today, she said.
This admittance brought forth both surprise and a surge of pride on Angad's part. He was surprised to see her bravery for she had not been to university since the incident and was proud of the way she had decided to deal with the matter rather than shy away from the matter. He smiled at her encouragingly.
Kripa: I was wondering if you could give me a ride to the university, just for the day she added quickly, unsure about his response.
Angad: Yea bhi koi poochnay ki baat hai? Aaj say tum roz meray saath he aao jao gi.(You don't even have to ask, from today onwards you will always come and go with me)
Kripa: Nahi.. I dont mean to burden you, its just that...i dont want to go alone..her words faltered but Angad caught the meaning. He merely smiled at her at tucked her arm through his, an act which surprised both Kripa and himself.
Angad:(thinking) Why did i just do that? He surprised himself further when he opened the door open for her but was rewarded by a sweet smile from Kripa.
He zoomed away and the two reached uni in a matter of minutes, parking the car, Angad waited for Kripa to collect her things and join him. Unlike other days he did not wait to flirt around with the girls who usually surrounded him, instead, he guided Kripa through the throng of people around, pausing when he reached his friends.
To say Josh and the rest were surprised to see Kripa with Angad was an understatement. Mishti, Prithvi and Josh stood there staring at the two confused about this apparent change in the two. Kripa smiled at them and bid them hello which immediately brought forth a smile on Prithvi and Josh's face. There was something so endearing about her that the two couldn't help but like her and felt guilty for their part in all that had happened.
Josh: Hey Kripa! How's it going?
Kripa: good! She sat down next to Mishti who gave her a brief hug and a smile. Kripa sat there chatting with the others while Angad watched her. He could not believe she how easily she made friends and the level of comfort she had achieved in such a short time. Kripa stood up to go to class with Mishti, leaving Angad and the guys there.
Angad: All right first things first..i want someone to be with Kripa at all times for a week or so till she gains back her confidence. Secondly I told her we're going clubbing tonight so be there around 10 and while we are there, stick to her like a shadow.
Josh: You like her don't you man?
Angad: No I'm just concerned about her wellbeing…Why did this seem like a lie to him?
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