#2 [AR+D3] Sajda (FF) Chap12 (A&B) Pg80 March16 - Page 15

Originally posted by: ..first.rain..

Asma! I just had my lunch :$

haha kuch phir bhi pata nai chala..?

Originally posted by: ..first.rain..

Opsie 😛 maine hi comment karke bigad diya.. sholly asma..

Late night, Kriya woke up, not able to sleep. The time difference was a bit annoying. More than that, she didn't feel right not talking to Karan. He was always by her side whenever she fell asleep. As they say, habits take time to let go of.

She sat up in bed with little difficulty. She could pin point the outline figure of Rey sleeping very comfortably on the bed. She smiled without knowing it. When she realized, she stopped and asked herself the reason for smiling. She didn't come to an answer though. She looked around in the dim light coming from the far end of the street. She remembered seeing a balcony when the lights were on.

Softly, she landed her feet on the ground and made attempt to walk around the bed and out to the balcony. To begin with, it pained like hell. But after few steps, the pain lessened. It was still there though. She took support of the bed and the wall till she got out. She had grabbed a blanket while walking as she knew she'd need it. She would be able to hide anything but her body would always betray her during winter. She would shiver her butt off like no tomorrow. And the mission had to come during winter! Late November to speak of.

Slowly and silently, she stepped out of the door and into the balcony. The sweet cold night breeze embraced her the second she stepped out. She loved the feeling she got when she was out in open air in early mornings and late nights. It was one of the magical things in the world.

She spread out her hands to let to the wind touch her inside out and make her fall in love with life all over again. Usually, she would make a twirl or two as always. But due to pain in knee, she couldn't turn much. She just sat on the floor and gazed upon the night sky filled with glittering stars.

Not a spot empty. It was all filled with different sizes of stars. A few were brighter than the other. And then the cold hit her. She wrapped the blanket tightly around herself. Like she always did, she let her head touch the floor and relaxed up in laying position. She then enjoyed the night feeling of sleeping under the stars. This is how she was used to sleeping every day. Since the past few days, she had missed it like hell!

She suddenly felt the need to talk to Karan. She just couldn't hold herself back. She took out the necklace that lay around her neck and tapped it. There was a mini walky talky installed in the small piece of jewelry. Talk about the benefits an agent could have! She pressed the button.

On the other side, Karan's cell beeped. He smiled and put his thoughts about his night with Shilpa away and answered.

"Hey! I've been waiting for you to call! Why weren't you picking up my calls?" Karan asked.

"Didn't I tell you that I lost it?" she replied wondering if she had. She couldn't remember with all that had happened. Moreover, she was tired mentally from the flight but hadn't showed a glimpse of that to anyone.

"What? No! I'll get you a new phone in morning. For now, how are you?"

"I'm good." She said but then rethought. Whom was she kidding? That was such a lie! "Actually, horrible! I want to walk around. But I can't. None of them here will let me and I can't either. It hurts…"

He laughed. "You can't be strong all the time, you know. Even the best gets hurt at times."

"Yeah yea, Mr. Perfect. But you know another thing… It doesn't feel right to lie to them. They don't even know me but they're doing so much for me! And what am I doing? Lying to them all…"

He knew it would come sooner or later. Even he felt the same during his first mission. He hated lying to those whom he met because it wasn't right. And he repeated the same that someone had once told him. "Kriya, that's what our life is about. We can't say the truth all the time. If we did, we would be endangering their lives. Not saving them. We're special agents, out here to save other's lives. Remember, they come first before our feelings and personal needs."

"How… how can you say all that?" she asked feeling as if this harsh Karan wasn't the Karan she knew. The one she knew was the sweetest, warn hearted person ever alive.

He continued explaining, "You're knew at it kiddo. You won't understand now but you will later on. I used to think the same but not the same anymore. I've learnt my lessons and you should learn as well. Our first focus should always be on the victims and whom we are sent to protect. Not us, not the other commoners, and no one else but them. You'll understand soon."

"Maybe I will later on… So how come you're still up? I thought you'd be sleeping."

"How can I when you're not?" he replied.

"Oh come on. Don't be too cheesy! What's the real reason?"

"Haha, you see right through me even when you're not by me."

"Right, enough distracting. Back to my question, what's wrong?"

"Nothing much. You know, just thinking about everything that's happened since the time of my training. All the big and small changes of life… of you and me… just the normal. How it feels to have your past back in front of you…"

"Past? You mean India?"

He suddenly realized what he had said. He kept the truth away from Kriya, knowing it would hurt her. He would tell her one day or another. But he knew now was not the right time. He said, "Yea… India. You remember one of my missions here right? It's just different to be back here, if you know what I mean."

What Kriya did know that Karan spent his childhood in India, then went to London during his early teenage time and then was sent to India once during a mission. After that, he was back again now. Teenage time was the time when he had met Kriya's parents and they knew each other ever since then.

"I understand…" she said.

The conversation continued and while playing around, both of them fell asleep. The next morning, Kriya woke up at the sound of the birds chirping. The sun was distracting her sleep as well and she walked back in the same way she had walked out the night before; with support of the wall.

Once she was in, her eyes widened seeing the sight in front of her. Rey was standing in front of an open closet in his jeans and bare top. She could infer that he was deciding what shirt to wear. She felt something rush up inside of her but she brushed it away. Seeing the color of shirts he had, she spoke up startling him. "Wear the red one. It'll look good on you."

He turned to see her as he stood startled. "When did you wake up?"

"Just now." she replied a bit distracted seeing his shirtless body. She turned to face the wall and continued. "I'm-uh-sorry… to walk in on you."

He smiled to himself seeing this side of her as well. After all the brave sides she had shown, he didn't think she would go vulnerable with just seeing him without a shirt. But sensing her uncomfortable state, he slipped on the red shirt.

"You can turn now." he said genuinely and she did. She was about to walk when she shut her eyes tight in pain. A word didn't escape from her mouth but as he was looking at her, he saw her in pain and rushed to her. Again, he picked her up and made her sit on the bed.

"What was the need to go out huh? When it pains you so much, can't you just sit in one place? Why are you so careless when it comes to taking care of yourself?" He lightly put her feet on the bed sheet and asked with concern, "Does it hurt much?"

She shook her head sweetly. "It just hurt a little because I walked after hours. No biggie. Calm down."

He gave her a sorry look for yelling at her. "You really shouldn't have gone outside. I was going to wake you up after I took a shower."

"Sorry… It's just that I'm used to sleeping under the stars everyday…" she answered.

"You sleep outside every day in London? Even in winter?!!"

"No of course not! It would freeze me. That' why Karan had this glowing stars glued to my room's ceiling. It's not the same as sleeping under the stars in open air but it helps me. It's like a habit of mine. I can't fall asleep unless I'm looking at the stars."

Hearing the reasoning, Rey felt like he was meeting a cute ten year old Kriya. It was such a sweet, lovely answer. He forgot his anger towards her. "You should have told me before. I would have helped out outside last night."

"You can't help me all the time Rey." She replied. It hurt him to hear that but that was the truth. From what Rey knew, she would leave the next day. Probably to never meet again!

Changing the topic, Rey asked, "Can you get up to go take a quick shower or do you need help? I can ask mom to -"

"-Its fine. I'll can get up." Her stomach grumbled to which both of them giggled. "What's for breakfast?" she asked.

"Whatever you want. Today my turn to make breakfast." He informed.

"Your turn?" she wasn't understanding.

He went to open the curtains as he replied. "Yea. Every day, all three of us take turn on making breakfast. That's one way we all still stay together as a family you see."

Kriya smiled at the thought. Then she asked, "You guys have eggs right?"

He replied, "Anything you want. Just name it. If I don't know how to make it, I'll find a recipe."

"Scrambled eggs then." She said with a grin.

"Okay. I'll go and you go get ready. I'll be back once I'm done." Saying so, he left Kriya to herself, closing the door behind him. She struggled a bit to get up. Pain went through her leg but she managed to walk to the bathroom.

She wore one of Sharon's dresses and was adamant on making her way downstairs by herself even after what Rey had told her. She believed, the more she moved, the faster the pain will go away. Making her way slowly to the kitchen, she smelt the food and said, "I didn't know you were a great cook too."

Rey turned surprised. "Why did you come down? I was just coming to get you!"

"It's fine. I'm fine. I'll get better fast if I move around." She replied.

But he wouldn't listen. He forced her to sit on the counter till he finished making it. When he was done, he was about to pick her up when she demanded, "No. let me walk please. You can support me but please?"

He nodded seeing no harm and allowed her to walk. He helped her sit on the chair and Aarti and Adithya came down as well. The cheerful breakfast began.

***

Kriya sat on the couch, watching a movie. Popcorn in her lap and her leg resting on the pillow. A doorbell interrupted them and Rey got up to open the door. Aarti and Adithya had gone out to attend a lunch meeting and with nothing to do, Rey and Kriya decided on watching movies.

Opening the door, Rey saw an unfamiliar person. "Yes?"

"This is for Ms. Kriya from Karan." The person replied handing over a box. Rey nodded, taking it and he left. He closed the door and gave it to Kriya saying, "It's from Karan."

"He was here?" she asked sitting up straight.

"No. Some courier man."

She opened the box to see a new phone. The latest IPhone. She shook her head and said to herself, "Ye Karan bhi na. Always has to do it at the moment."

As she turned it on, she saw a message was already there. She read it. "Sorry I couldn't come personally. Rajveer wouldn't let me. I feel like kicking him but what can I do. He's right too. Take care tiger. See you soon."

She smiled and replied back, "That's fine. Thanks and don't pick up a fight with him now. Tc."

***

The day passed and again, another doorbell interrupted them. Rey once again attended it. This time it was the driver who led left his taxi when the goons had appeared! He stood there with Kriya's bags. "Here are ma'am's bags."

He was surprised and asked, "How did you know she'd be here?"

"Who doesn't know you in this city? I just came here hoping you would know where she is." He nodded as he realized it was common sense and took it in, thanking the driver. Walking back in the living room, he placed it on the table. Kriya sat up straight seeing her bag.

"My bag!"

"Yea, the driver brought them in." She silently thanked the driver. Last night, she had completely forgotten that the only valuable thing of hers was in the bag and not in her purse. She quickly opened the side chain to take it out and felt relieved when she saw it was still there.

It was a gold medal. Not of hers; it was her mother's. Rey saw it and couldn't hold himself back from taking it from her hands. "This medal! It's the gold medal for the best dancer during 1990's."

"Yea, it's my mothers." She let out.

His eyes widened with shock. "Your mothers?! You're Smriti Ghai's daughter! The legendary Smriti Ghai?"

"That is my mother's name… You seem surprised."

'Du-uh. Yea! I can't believe it. Your mother is like an inspiration to so many dancers! I'm probably at the top of the list."

"Oh yes, you're a dancer."

"How do you know that?"

She was taken aback by the question. She made up a quick thing. "All the trophies in your room."

"Oh yea, them. But seriously, nothing compared to this one medal. You must know dancing too?"

"No… I don't."

"What? You're lying. Come on, dancing should be like in your gene's!"

She wouldn't reply to that. But as seconds ticked by she did. "I used to before but not since the past 7-8 years. I just don't dance… that's it. Reminds me of her and Karan won't see me sad."

He didn't dare question that. He could understand that. Dancing made her sad and it was justified as well. Loosing someone as important as your parents. That has ought to make a deep hole in a person. The topic just ended at that and the movie distracted both of them.

While later, it reached it's conflict and neither of them realized the time passing by. They didn't talk much, but grew comfortable around the other. Rey shared about his friends to her and she listened. After dinner, she insisted she go home the next day. She was getting better too and next day would be Sunday. It was better she leave and get things ready for her new college.

They didn't force her to stay back, seeing that she had to attend college. It would take time to get all the things needed too. But they made her promise on taking care of herself and have the medicines the doctor had prescribed on time till the next 3 days.

Next morning after breakfast, she bid bye to them. Aarti made her promise to come back soon. As the house disappeared behind her, she headed straight for the headquarters, knowing that she'd find Karan there. She stopped the taxi a mile away from it and walked the rest to keep the headquarters and her relationship discreet in case someone would make a connection in future. She was able to walk just as good as before and the cut on her arm was healing as well. Now, instead of the huge white bandage, only a small brownish one remained.

Entering the gates, she made her way to the reception and they guided her to Karan's office. She was impressed with the hospitality they showed. Karan was happy to see her and instantly took her in a tight hug.

When Kriya had entered, he was on conference with Rajveer yet again and he saw the warm connection between them. To ease up the situation, he teased, "You never hugged me like that! Always taunting me or punching me!"

Karan said, "Shut up! You don't deserve any hugs from me."

Kriya laughed and said, "Don't you both get tired of fighting? Come on! If I didn't know any better, I'd say you both are gay."

Both of her seniors gave her a deathly look. "Alright! I take that back. But seriously, I have never heard you both talk about girls. What else am I supposed to think?"

Rajveer opened his mouth to say, "Karan never told you about…"

Karan interrupted, "Don't you dare say it."

Before Rajveer could continue, Karan cut off the conference. Kriya was left wondering. "Say what?"

"Nothing tiger. For now, here." He said and opened the drawer to give her a set of keys. She looked at him confused and he continued, "Your new car."

"Really?" she said and pulled Karan out of the building to see it. She was truly excited to see the shiny red car in front of her. definitely stylish and perfect for her.

"Now, you're going to go home and get things ready for tomorrow. Wait for me and then I'll take you shopping in afternoon. Though I did bit of that yesterday. Be nice over dinner. We have company."

"Company?" she asked. One of the rules was to keep profile low and not interact much. She wondered who was coming over for dinner.

"Yes company. And this one is fine. She's your dance teacher and knows about this mission."

"Alright, let's see how good she really is."

"Oh she's good alright." He replied back.

Kriya was ready for a tough competition. "We'll see. I bet she's not as good as mom."

"That, I can agree on." They walked arm in arm as he continued. "No one can be as good as your mom. Now go and enjoy."

"Thank you!" she said hugging him. Getting in the car, she drove away.

***

Long enough? That was 10 pages in word 😳 Some KR moments.. some Kriya-Karan.. some on the reason why she doesn't dance... Hope it compensates for the late update.

Next update will be on Wednesday.. the 12th. I think 3 days gap between an update should be allowed? (Asma- come behind me if I forget) 😳 Leave your likes and comments! Eagerly waiting for them. They always make my day 😃

-Khushi.

Next: Chapter 7 Page