PART-19
Josh and Kripa settled in a three bedroom apartment……Thankfully Kripa had very light nausea in her home back in Virginia……..Kripa had nothing to do for now…….She passed her time looking through net and going through her mails atleast 10 times a hour……Hoping to receive a mail from Angad…….She had even tried to call him once more……
After a month or so, after talking to Josh, she had told her mom about her pregnancy…….They were surprised to know about it, but happy as well…..Naturally they assumed the baby was Josh's………Aliyah and Shabeer knew the truth about Josh and Kripa though……Aliyah had told sorry to her for her mistake and Kripa had waved it back…….They remained good friends……..
Kripa went to her first doctors appointment soon and found out that she was having a baby girl…….She was happy about it and told the news to Josh too……He had grinned and said that he was sure the baby would be as georgeous as her…..Kripa just chuckled at his usual flirting…..he was almost back to normal, though she found him looking at his mothers photo for a long time in his room or some times, blinking back the tears…….
Back to Mahi and Shabd, they were sad for Josh, but Shabd knew, life goes on……It doesn't stop for anyone……..And Josh will get through this as he had……Atleast he had Aliyah and Kripa now…….He had stayed all alone for so many years without a soul to call his own……But finally he had the love of his life……..But from last couple of weeks he grew a little restless as Mahi was coming later than before……..On asking she had said that she had work and had to do this for the promotion as the Sr.Head of the resort……Her employees were happy with her work……..
After around 4 months, Shabd and Mahi started having few tensions……Shabd insisted that she come home soon as he missed her, and Mahi told him not to be a baby as this was her career they were talking about……Sometimes they would fight and sleep in their own sides and some times they would desperately makeout and forgive eachother………But, it did not go for long…….A day came when Mahi looked at the pregnancy test kit and was stunned to see positive……She had not planned for motherhood so soon…….She wanted to wait for 3-4 years and then see…….But this was out of blue……She got worried about her job……..She was due for her promotion soon enough……..But, this would stop her progress……..But she had no choice, but to reveal it to Shabd…..Shabd was over the top……He was so happy that they will be having a little baby of their own and their family would grow and he would have one more to love…….
S: Mahi……tum sach keh rahi ho…..I can't believe it…….I am so happy……so happy…..he said grinning and taking her in her arms…..But after a while he stopped in his tracks…..Kya hua Mahi, tum khush nahi ho…….He asked frownging……Mahi swallowed and tried to smile…..
M: Woh Shabd, baat woh nahi hai…..darasal I wasn't ready for this just yet….Abhi to humari shadi hui hai……Aur meine kuch mahinon pahele hi job join kiya hai…..Aur aab ye……I don't know how we will be able to manage……….
S: Don't worry Mahi…..Dekhna saab thik ho jayega…..mein hun na tumhare sath……..Thik hai ki unplanned hai, but hai to bahot hi achi news…….This will be a our baby……he said kissing her forehead…..Mahi smiled at him…..and he hugged her…..Mahi sighed hoping everything would be alright…….They conveyed their news to Kripa as well as Mahi's parents and everyone were over the top…….
Time flew by…………2 Years later……..
So, what happened in these 2 years……..Kripa gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and named her Anjali……Josh had asked her why she named her baby Anjali and she said because the meaning of Anjali was gift, offerings and her baby was the gift from the one person she loved……Josh had laughed at her and said she was crazy and now he was having doubts if her lover was real or the segment of her subconscious mind……She had just smiled and kept quite…..Angad had not called or mailed once, but Kripa still had enough faith in him and loved him as much as she did before……She never held any bitterness on his behalf, which Josh thought as a crazy thing to do……..She prayed on his behalf and went to temple every Saturday with Anjali for his success……..Josh just rolled his eyes saying she was being unrealistic……He had given her driving lessons and helped her to get her licence……He had also helped her choose a nice family car……
He had stopped asking her about the father after 3-4 months accepting Kripa would never tell the reality……When her parents had questioned them about the babies arrival so soon, they had just told them that she went in labour suddenly and the baby was pre-mature, though she was ok……They had accepted it and came to meet Kripa for few days and went back home…..Gauri had questioned her about why she and Josh were sleeping in separate rooms, to which Kripa and Josh had told them that Kripa would stay awake during pregnancy as she was uncomfortable and Josh had to leave for work every morning, so Kripa had asked him to sleep in other room……Though they had shared a room, during their visit some times, when Josh would sleep on the floor, while Kripa and baby took the bed…….
Back to Aliyah and Shabeer and Prithvi Tanya…..they were still very much enjoying their married life without kids and busy like ever…….Prithvi and Tanya were in California as well…….Kripa and Prithvi still worked with Bollywood movies, though they did not do any shows since finding out Kripa's pregnancy……..Kripa hired Sheetal, who was same age as hers, when she was in fifth month of her pregnancy, on Josh's recommendation, as she was very much nauseus and could many times hardly get up……Sheetal took care of her as well as the house and then she took care of Anjali too after she was born sometimes…..Kripa left Anjali in care of Sheetal, when she would go to recordings…..But other time Kripa would take care of Anjali on her own and ask Sheetal to finish the house work Instead……She had become more as a friend to her and Josh, than a hired help over the past 2 years….They cooked the food together talking and laughing with Anjali…….Go to movies and outings……Or some times just relax around……
Sneha, Gauri and Pratham's daughter was now in preschool and too talkative and kept talking to Kripa on the phone for hours……She was still close to Kripa than Mahi, as Mahi rarely had time after her Job and home…….
Mahi got the promotion she wanted as well as was blessed with a beautiful baby boy……They named him Krish……Shabd had been over the top all through Mahi's pregnancy and kept pampering her and asking her to relax and take rest……Mahi on the other side got frustrated with her back pains and constant pampering of Shabd and him asking her to relax……..She was not able to give her 100% to her work and was disappointed a little……Her huge belly stopped her to do many things and run around to manage how she wanted it to……It left her frustrating, but she managed to come through and was relieved a little after the delivery……
She took 3 months leave after Shabd's and her moms constant advice……But started getting bored and felt useless to stay at home……She started excercising and dieting soon after delivery to get back in her normal form, as it would be good for her Job…….Her mom was not happy about it, as she she could not feed her baby for long and had to depend on outside formula for the milk……Shabd hired girl named Suhani, to look after her and the baby after 15 days of her delivery, when Gayatri went back home……Shabd was not happy, when Mahi joined her office after couple of months saying, she could not just stay home doing nothing all day……He felt sad that she left their little baby alone with Suhani…..
Though Mahi loved Krish, she still missed her Job……She played with Krish in the mornings and some times in the evening's coming a little early and Shabd had tried to justify her actions thinking atleast she came early for her baby and played with him for some time……But that changed after 4-5 months……Once again Mahi started coming late and Krish was left with Suhani for full day……Shabd tried to come soon after his class and spent time with him, doing his studies when Krish was asleep or at nights…….
He was getting frustrated with Mahi and they quarreled about it quite a few times recently……Krish was now around 2 years old……or would be within 2 months or so…..He was more attached to his dad and they would play and run and laugh together most of the time……Rarely when Mahi would be home or on weekends, Krish would stick to her…….Each day he grew, Shabd could see him self in his place and remember the times he missed his mom and dad, while they were busy in their work and left him with nannies……..He started worrying about Krish and did not want him to go through what he went through…..He wanted him to have devoted parents like Mahi's……..Gayatri and Surya had been more his parents in this past 3 years or so, than his parents ever were for him and he loved and respected them for it…..They had also explained to Mahi to stay at home with Krish and devote time to him as well……Mahi had just sighed and nodded and did not pay much attention to their words……..And did what she wanted to do…….
J: Kripa, jaldi karo yaar late ho raha hun…….Josh said tying his shoe lace…….Kripa sighed and ran from the kitchen…..
K: Kya hai Josh, jab dekho jaldi mein rehte ho……Do min late ho gaye to kya hoga…..He said shaking her head and giving him his lunch box…..
J: Miss Georgeous, mujhe mere kaam ke karan Job par rakha hai…..Nahi to aab tak naukri se nikal diya hota….he said winking…..Thanks…..kya hai isme…..he asked trying to smell his box……He had become so addicted to Kripa's cooking that he had left eating out and started taking lunch box instead…..
Kripa chuckled….Lunch time mein dekh lena…..abhi late nahi ho rahe ho…..
J: Hmmm…..Where is my little darling…..? he said frowning…..Kripa rolled her eyes……
K: Sheetal….she called sighing….Josh, shayad abhi taiyar nahi hai…..tum jao, sham ko mil lena……
J: No way, usse dekhe bina jaunga, to kuch na kuch gadbad jaroor hoga……I am not leaving till I see her……Jao na, le aoo use……he said frowning at her……Kripa shook her head and turned around to get Anjali, when Sheetal came with a laughing Anjali in her arms….
K: Lo, aa gai……she said chuckling…..Jaiye aap hi ka intajar chal raha hai mem sahab……she said winking at Anjali……Anjali chuckled and raised her hands towards her……not me……she said indicating Sheetal to take her to Josh…..Josh grinned and took Anjali, kissing her and tickling her a little…..
A: Mamu……no…..tickle….she said laughing and trying to stop his fingers……..
J: Then give me a sweet little lucky kiss and mamu will leave you alone…..
A: Mama, mamu ke sath car jana hai…..
K: No baby…..mamu ko abhi office jana hai……She said winking at her…..Anjali made faces and kissed Josh's cheek….and held him tightly………
J: Are Kripa lo na isse……..and Kripa smiled and went to him……
Josh chuckled giving reluctant Anjali to Kripa…..Bye everyone…..see you all in the eveing…..he said grinning…….
A: Mamu beach…..
J: Promise, this weekend…..he shouted running out……..
Kripa sighed…..
K: Sheetal tum naha lo, phir mein bhi nikalti hun……Prithvi ata hi hoga…..humara aaj bahot important recording hai…..I can't be late…….she said taking Anjali in the kitchen…..Mein isse tab tak breakfast kara deti hun…..
S: Kripa mein abhi ayi…..tum taiyar ho jao, mein khila dungi….
K: Nope…..I want to feed my little baby……Right Anju…..
A: Right mama……I love you mama…..
K: I love you too baby……She said kissing her cheeks and hugging her…….Her thoughts went back to Angad……Where was he……It was around 3 years and he had not once replied her back…….Prithvi lost in touch with his own brother as well…….It was so surprising, that he had not even contacted Prithvi and Prithvi was casual about it as well……He just said that it was his life, and he will be in contact when he was back for sure…….He had said that Angad was that way, and lost himself in studies too,when they were in college and hardly talked to him……..Kripa just looked at him with confusion, but she still waited……But she was not sure of Angad any more, was his love real or was it just a moments reaction, as he was witness to how desperate her parents were to marry her off…...She came to know about his success in Europe……Pratham had told her couple of times in between and she also knew that Angad was appointed as CEO of their company and was still in London……..He had increased the revenue of the companies till 40% and the company was recognized all over the world…….Though he was strict, he went by codes of the law and did everything as it should be…….He was given many awards last two years and was one of the most successful bachelor……..He had said he would marry her, when he reached his goal, but when would that be, when would be enough……She did not see any limit to this…….A successful person always try to achieve more and more success…….He is never satisfied……She sighed shaking her head……People were not like her…..She was continuously getting offers to come to Mumbai, participate in shows etc……But she did not want to leave her daughter alone and further she was still waiting for Angad to come back…….She had not taken offer to go to Mumbai till now, because she wanted to be here, when Angad came looking for her……She was now very much successful in her field and so was Prithvi……They had sung many songs for many films, some times together and some times separately with other singers……..
She came back from her thoughts when she heard banging sounds…..She looked at Anjali and smiled…..
K: Anjali….!! She said running to her……No beta…..dekho saab wooden floor par dents pad rahe hain…..Aise bartan niche mat phenko…..Common…..time for breakfast…..she said lifting her up in the air making faces……Anjali laughed as Kripa played with her for couple of more minutes and then made her sit on the highchair……..
She quickly made her eat breakfast and wiped her face……kissing her chubby red cheeks…….
The door bell rang and she started going to open it, when Sheetal stopped her and went instead……
P: Hi Sheetal…..Kripa…..chalo jaldi…..
T: Hi Sheetal…..don't mind if I give you company today, will ya…..Tanya said grinning…..
S: Not at all…..Andar to aao tum dono…..She said rolling her eyes…
P: No Sheetal…..we don't have time….
Kripa came with Anjali…..
P: Kripa, tum taiyar nahi ho…..we are getting late….Kripa rolled her eyes and chuckled…….She gave Anjali to Tanya, who was eagerly waiting to take the baby….
K: Tum aur Josh, donon ek jaise ho……Prithvi for God's sake, abhi do ghante baki hai recording ko……
P: Aur yahan se ek ghanta lagta hai jane ko…..he said frowning….Aur traffic ho to….
Tanya chuckled kissing Anjali…..
T: You better go Kripa……Kripa chuckled going in her room…..She came back within 10 minutes
K: Bye….betu…..she said hugging Anjali…….
A: Bye mama……
K: Tanya aur Sheetal ko pareshan mat karna…..Be a sweet little baby…..ok…
A: Ok….Love you mama….
K: Love you baby….
P: Kripaaa……….
Kripa frowned at him…..But ran out saying bye to Tanya and Sheetal…….
K: Prithvi, please, thoda dhere drive karo…..I don't want to break my neck…..she said frowning at him…..
P: Relax Kripa……He said chuckling……
They drove to their recordings and became busy for next 4 hours……….Kripa called Anjali couple of times and asked what she was doing.…..
P: God Kripa, you are too much……kitni baar phone karogi usse…..he said sighing….
K: Prithvi she is my little baby……Pehle hi mujhe itni der chodne ka maan nahi hota…..
P: You are really too much……you know that….
K: And you are three much…..Apni mom ko mahine mein ek baar bhi phone karne ke liye time nahi milta…..
P: Chill Kripa, mein to mahine mein ek baar to call karta hun……Angad ko dekho……Ma last time keh rahi thi ki pure 4 mahine ho gaye uska phone nahi aya……She always keeps complaining and I get bored….
K: She misses you Prithvi….
P: I know Kripa, but we have no option……We have to live our own life……
K: Yeah right…..she said rolling her eyes….
Prithvi chuckled…..
P: Har koi tumhari tarah nahi hota…….ek bhi din uncle aunty aur mahi shabd ko phone nahi karo to nahi chalta tumhe…..And not to mention your favourite friend Aliyah…….He said rolling his eyes……
K: I can't stay a day without talking to them…..What is the use of family, if we don't be together…….
P: Kripa…….chale, Anjali raah dekh rahi hogi……she must be missing you so much…..Kripa chuckled and quickly took her purse…..
K: Jaldi chalo na…….Kitni der ho gayi usse dekhe…..she said grinning……..Prithvi chuckled and went with her…..She was unbelivable and a devoted mother……..
As soon as Kripa opened the door, Anjali ran to Kripa and hugged her as if she met after many many years………Prithvi looked at them both shaking his head while Sheetal and Tanya smiled looking at them…..It was always a joy to see them together……….And they loved to see her bond with her daughter……
P: Sheetal, Tanya, ghar mein baithkar kuch humare liye khana wana rakha ki nahi……Prithvi said looking at them and then going to Tanya and hugging her and kissing her cheeks……..
T: Nahi, pizza order karne ka soch rahe the…..she said grinning and kissing him back…..Prithvi grinned at her and then looked at Kripa with eyebrows up……
K: No way, Kripa turned around frowning at them……Sheetal chuckled at Kripa….Mein kuch banaungi……
S: Relax Kripa, khana hai banaya hua…….After all you pay me to do my work…..she said grinning….
K: Very funny Sheetal……Kripa said making faces……
Soon Prithvi and Kripa had their late lunch…….
Prithvi sat with Tanya for some time relaxing on her shoulder, while Anjali slept on Kripa's lap……
Kripa kept looking at Anjali…….She had not told a soul about Angad and her relationship……If it would leak out that Angad had fathered a baby, it would be all over the news till tomorrow…..Even Prithvi did not know…..She looked at him and Tanya…..they were Anjali's chacha chachi, but she could not tell her daughter that……She could not introduce her to her other set of grand parents and her great grand mother…….She remembered dadi……6 months back Kripa had visited here parents for couple of days and went to meet Prithvi's family and her daughter's family……Dadi and Naina had gifted Anjali many toys and clothes and were deligted to meet her……How she wished they all know about her…..She was tired of lying to her parents too…….She closed her eyes and wished for Angad to come back soon…….When will it be enough for him…….? He said he would be back in 2 years, but still, he wasn't here…….!
Shabd meanwhile was busy with Krish………
S: Krish, khana kha lo na, ek jagah par baithkar, he said sighing…….
K: No….no….no….
S: Kya no no…..aur kuch to bolna nahi ata….bas no no ki raat lagate rehte ho…..Dekho papa abhi aye hain, thak gaye hain…..baat mano aur jaldi kha lo…..I promise, we will go to the park or nani's house in the evening………
K: Neha …..park……
S: Haan baba…..Sneha ko bhi le jayenge…..Khana to kha lo…..Suhani chuckled looking at them….
Su: Laiye Shabd mein khila deti hun……..
Shabd sighed and gave the bowl to Suhani and Krish frowned…..
K: no….no….shani no….papa mamam………He said running to Shabd and sitting on his lap…….Shabd chuckled….
S: Pakad liya…..dekha beta sher to baap sawa sher hai……He said tickling him and holding him tightly……Suhani grinned and kept the plate down before them…….And Shabd fed making Krish laugh all the way too…..
K: Krish mama park……Shabd sighed looking down and shook his head…..
S: Nahi beta, Mama ko office hai…..Mama no park…..Papa, Sneha and Krish will go to park……
K: No….mama park…..
S: Ok….lets see….finish your lunch first….he said trying to divert him…….
S: Suhani, tum ghar chali jao……mein aab dekh lunga Krish ko…..Take a day off…..he said smiling at her…..
Su: Thanks Shabd…..If you are sure…..
S: I am sure, go on…….Aur waise bhi next weekend, tumhe ghar par rehna hoga…..Mera tour hai, aur Mahi ko bhi kaam hai…..
Su: Don't worry, I will be there……Bye Krish….
K: Bye Shani…..
Su: Shani nahi….Suhani…..she said chuckling….
K: Shani……Shabd and Suhani chuckled at him…..and then Suhani left……
S: To Krish ne aaj kya kiya…..he asked feeding him…..
K: Kish play ball….
S: oh vow…..We will play ball too….
Krish started going to his toy room to bring his ball….
S: Abhi nahi baba…..badmein…..Abhi lets get ready and go to Nani's house…..
K: Ye….Nani….neha…..park…..
Shabd chuckled and got him ready and they left for Surya's house……
Gayatri and Gauri were delighted to see Krish……
K: Nani….neha…..park…..papa park…..Shabd chuckled…..
S: Ma, hum log Sneha ko lene aye hain……Krish park jane ki zid kar raha hai…..
G: Pratham aur Sneha, bahar pani dal rahe hai lawn mein…..Gauri said with a smile….
Gayatri: Beta, khana khaya….?
S: haan ma, khaliya…..Aaj jaldi aa gaya, to Suhani ko ghar bhej kar yahan aa gaya…….He said going out with Krish in his arms……..
P: Hi Shabd……ajj is waqt…..
Shabd grinned……
S: common Sneha……want to go to park…..
Sneha: Mama mein busy hun…….she said holding the water hose…..
S: Ok bhai….chal Krish…..you and me will go……Sneha bahot busy hai…..humare sath khelne ka time hi nahi…..Sneha looked at them as they started leaving……
Sneha: Papa I want to go too…..can you finish watering for me….she asked seriously……Pratham and Shabd chuckled at her serious expression and Pratham nodded…….
P: Don't worry Sneha……Papa will finish it for you…..Tum jao…..Krish ko bura lagega, agar tum nahi gayi to…..
Sneha: Promise daloge na, nahi to bua sad ho jayegi……..
P: Promise baba……..He said chuckling and she smiled…….
Sneha: ok…Bye papa…..common Krish…..get down and hold my hands…..You are a big boy and you need to hold hands and walk like me…..Shabd raised his eyebrow at her, trying to suppress his smile…..
K: Walk Krish said wriggling out of his arms…..Shabd kept him down, while Sneha held his hand……Pratham and Shabd grinned at eachother…..Sneha was so adorable little sis for Krish…..Everyone enjoyed their interaction, except Mahi, who missed most of it due to her Job…..Shabd was almost impatient with her at times…….She was not there when Krish took his first step or when his first teeth came out…..From last one year, she was not even there to sing for him at nights, like Kripa had done for all three, when she was here 6 months back and the kids had sticked together with her…….He did not know where the Mahi who he loved disappeared, instead of her he knew only todays Mahi, who was busy in her career like his parents were…….She rarely had time for them…….May be once or twice a month at the most…….From last two months they had not even slept together in a bed…….She was always late and he would be asleep with Krish in his room……..She came around 11 or 12 some times and Shabd had argued with her countless times, but it all went in vain……She just made excusses and said that it was only temprorarily and she would be back to normal hours when got the promotion, which would make her incharge of the full resort………
Back to Angad, he was sitting in his huge office room, looking outside at the London city……..It looked beautiful in the morning…..He looked around the huge modern office space……..He smiled looking at his name on the table…..Angad Khanna CEO of SBA International……One of the most eligible bachelor..….He then looked at the frame besides the table with anger and sadness…….It was Kripa's photo…….He had known about her marriage and the kid from Pratham a year and a half ago…….He thought she would keep her promise and wait…..But he was wrong……His blood boiled thinking about her with Josh…….How could she go to him after what they shared…….Couldn't she wait for him……Give him couple of years and she did not even try to contact him, if it was her parents who had forced her to do so…….He had not contacted her after that…….Yeah, he knew he was being selfish, but he thought she understood his dreams, they weren't easy, they weren't just a days work…..Only God was the witness, to the effort he had put in this company and bought to this level today…….He had even bought a ring for her the day he bought new office location in London..….A year and later, when he was successful in setting up his office here in Europe, he couldn't wait to go back to Kripa……He called Kripa, to let her know that he was coming home to marry her…….That was when he came to know about her marriage and kid……He had been devasted……..He had been angry…..He could not function for days and then he started working even harder eventually reaching to new heights in a year or so and with all the people and board members consent was appointed as CEO of the company 6 months back……..
S: Sir, your clients are waiting for you…..should I send them in…….His secretary called him slowly, looking at him…..
A: Yeah Simone, please do that and send in the company files and contract papers too…..he said sighing and sitting down…..He had kept the photo, couldn't throw it for some reason, even though he was angry at her……..The knock on the door bought him back and he looked up…….
The day went by busy as ever and it was around six…….He was leaving for US in 5 hours……..Dadi was not well and wanted to see him…..and further he actually missed his home……..He had stayed away from them, but he was sure to come back some day…….He had lost touch with Prithvi as well from last 1 or 1 year……But knew he was in California and verymuch in touch with Kripa and Josh…….
S: Sir, I will meet you at the airport……….
A: Simone, office time is over……
S: Yes, Angad…….. Simone smiled at him and went near him and kissed his cheeks…..Angad smiled at her……You are tired baby?
A: Don't baby me Simone…..I can take care of my self……Where is Mishti?
S: Oh, she left hours back……Said she needed to pack……She said grinning and opening the first two buttons of his shirt……..Angad looked at her with a warning note and Simone sighed……I will see you at the airport……she said patting his arm……..Angad nodded taking a bottle out of freeze……..Why don't you get rid of her dear……..Simone said looking at the photo of Kripa……
A: touch it and you will be fired……Angad said looking at her……..
S: You can't do that……she said frowning…..
A: Want to try…..
S: You are crazy……she is married and a mother of his child…….She said frowning at him….
A: I know, you don't have to remind me…….he said angrily…….
S: I love you Angad……You know that right…..
A: I know, but for now don't expect any thing from me……Go and pack…..he said looking at her……Simone shrugged and left the room…….Angad looked at the photo and banged the table……
He had hired Mishti as his manager in accounts department after she was highly recommended from Mr. Bhatia…..He was impressed by her achievements and true to Mr. Bhatias words she was really good manager……He had thought she was just a little annoying and too flashy……She was still stylish as ever, but worked wonders in her role as a manager…….She wanted to go for a visit to US as well and had asked if she could accompany him as it would be boring to travel alone……He had shrugged and told Simone to book 2 tickets for Richmond and one for her to California, where he would join her after few days……..Yeah, he wanted to see Kripa once……Wanted to ask her why she did this to him…..Wanted to show her that he did not need her either………He wanted to show her that he had moved on too……May be not much of reality there…..He thought sighing…….He would not keep weeping for her…….If she did not care for his feelings, then so be it……He would not care too…..He would start living his life……He was going to propose Simone soon……She was bright and talented……More of his type……Sylish, Beautiful and loved him…..And she was as ambitious as him……..And their tastes were similar as well……Unlike him and Kripa who were poles apart…….
He reached airport after couple of hours and found Mishti waiting for him…….
M: Hi handsome……Mishti grinned…….Excited to go back home?
A: You can say so……
M: When was the last time you went there……
A: Almost three years back…..he said smiling…..Remembering his and Kripa's time together…….
M: Vow…..I can't stay away for more than a year…..actually this is my 3rd trip in last 2 years….
A: I know…..Angad chuckled……..
M: Angad, Meri shadi mein ana jaroor…..Angad frowned and looked at her…..
A: You are engaged?…..Mishti rolled her eyes…..
M: I got engaged 6 months back…..remember, why I asked transfer for NY? Angad frowned at her…..You are too much…..Kaam ke alava bhi zindagi hai Angad…..First books and now files…..you are a gonner……she said rolling her eyes…….
A: I don't care what you think Mishti……It's my life…..But good for you……Sorry count me out…..I hate Indian weddings and you know it……Best wishes for your new life……….he said smiling…….Mishti frowned at him……Hey, you have known me forever……..you should know this about me as well……
M: I know…..how can I forget…..you were not even there for your brothers wedding…….she said sighing……..
A: What does your would be hubby do?
M: He is a artist…..She said smiling…..Angad looked at her with disbelief…..
Mishti chuckled………
M: Got you…..Sorry…..he is a graphic artist and works in advertisement agency in NY……He recently got promotion and we are planning to tie knot and stay in NY……Angad nodded…….
S: Hey guys……
M: Hi Simone……Looking good…..she said looking at her slim form……..
S: You too Mishti…..ready to get married…..She asked grinning……
M: You bet……she said laughing…..
S: Angad, just got a call from the clients you spoke in the morning, the deal is sealed and the papers signed and dispatched………Angad nodded…..
M: Common guys…..no work talk please……..
A: you can do girl talk for now and I will be back before boarding……he said rolling his eyes and leaving them both……….He was not interested in any thing else…..He went to check through shops and looked for some gifts for his parents, dadi and Prithvi and his wife Tanya……He did not have time till now……But he had hour to pass…..and what better thing to do………
After 15 hours journey, Angad was atlast back to Richmond……His birthplace, his childhood home……..He sighed looking through the cab and passed Kripa's house…….A lump caught his throat thinking of her……..He still could not believe that she had married Josh……The cab stopped in front of his house…..He was paying the cab, when the door opened and his mom came out looking at him with tears……..It felt good to be back…..He smiled at her and waved as he collected his luggage and walked to her…..She crossed few steps and was next to him in 4 strides…….
A: Mom……he said smiling……Naina smiled at him through tears and hugged him tightly…..He wrapped his arms around her and sighed………
N: Chal andar, Ma raah dekh rahi hai…..she said touching his cheeks……
Angad smiled and walked with her…….His dadi was sitting in the wheelchair at the end of the hall, near the window………He looked at her with tears…….She looked so aged in these 3 years……It was as if she was a complete different women…..She had a hip replacement surgery and was on wheel chair since last 6 months…….The surgery had gone well, but still she could not walk much……..
A: Dadi…..he said slowly walking towards her…..
Dadi looked at him and smiled……..
D: Aaa gaya beta…….She said smiling at him………Angad kept his luggage in the corner and went to her and hugged her closing his eyes……..Kitne saalon baad yaad ayi dadi ki…..Mere donon pote to lagta haii, apni dadi ko bhul hi gaye……she said with a smile…..
A: Dadi….aisa ho sakta hai…..he asked looking at her and sitting down in front of her keeping his head on her lap……
D: Just kidding dear……she said chuckling……I am proud of your success……Tum ne aur prithvi ne to khandan ka naam roshan kar diya hai…….I am happy that you both achieved your goals and got so much success…….
A: Thanks Dadi…..I love you…….he said grinning and putting his head on her lap with a sigh……I missed you…..
D: I missed you too…..Ja, wahan ma ke paas, kaise dekh rahi hai tujhe…..saab se jyada isine miss kiya tumhe……jab se tumhare ane ki baat suni, pairon mein jaise spring aa gaye ho……she said chuckling…..Angad smiled and looked at his mom……He got up and went to her and hugged her once more…..
A: I missed you mom…..he said smiling……
N: I missed you too…..She whispered…..Phone par do minute baat karne ki bhi fursat nahi milti thi tujhe? She asked angrily……
A: Angad chuckled…..sorry mom……but you know me…..I lost track of time….
N: I know…..But that doesn't mean I like it…..
A: I know……He said chuckling….Dad kahan hai?
N: Office tour ke liye gaye hain…..sham tak aa jayenge……jana nahi chahte the, par he had very important work….she said smiling…..Ja jake hath muh dho le…..khana lagati hun……Angad smiled and went up to his old room…..He whistled looking at his room…….It was all new and renovated…….Ultra modern…..
He quickly got ready and went down and had his lunch giving Naina and Dadi the gifts he bought for them……He looked out side from the patio and was happy to see the lawn so well maintained…..After he left they had hired a gardner who did this work……
He wanted to go look in Kripa's brothers house, to see how they were maintaining it…..Kripa had done so much work in two years she had stayed……And some times he had helped her too……..But he opted out angrily……..
Edited by vamita - 13 years ago
Anupamaa
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