Aitbaar(Trust)(AK FF)Pt-29-31, Pg-74, 05-14-2014 - Page 29

I completely understand angads anger towards Kripa, he did it ultimately for her benefit. But i think AK seriously need to let the whole gang know that they are married, otherwise it might cause a few catastrophes. Also, angads whole family should come and give AK a surprise visit (which will cause a few funny situations for both of them) . Update soon

Part-10

Days passed by and then a month more……Prithvi regreted his action, but knew that he could never undo it………But what bothered him most was Mishti's obsession………No one knew till now that Mishti has been planning this visit for a long time……..Her visa had been rejected and she couldn't come sooner, but she had crazily wanted to come here to meet Angad and tell him what is in her heart………She loved Angad and dreamed about marrying him…...Prithvi was ok with it before, but not anymore………..He was some how feeling that Mishti would be badly hurt and he wanted to avoid that………But he was also angry on Angad for not being clear about his feelings to Mishti…….Mishti had told him that Angad himself told her that he liked her and missed her like she did…….He sighed looking at her now……. Mishti was all set to go back to India and he had organized a party at the beach for her sake, on her request……….Somewhere he and Mishti both knew that something was going on between Kripa and Angad, but Mishti tried to ignore it, telling Prithvi that Angad might just be Kripa's friend, but he would never accept a girl like Kripa, who was so very different from him…….She told him that Angad would realize that Kripa wasn't the girl for him, as they were very different from eachother ……Prithvi warned her saying, she might be making a mistake, but she just said, that she just wanted to tell Angad what was in her heart ……She had even invited Kripa, through Angad, so she could himself know the difference and see how well suited they both were……Angad unaware of her thoughts, called Kripa to let her know….……Kripa reluctantly agreed to Angad and came with Kanan to the beach, where the party had already started……..Many of Prithvi's friends, including Josh and others were playing beach volley ball ………..There were tables filled with snacks and drinks……..She looked around to see if Angad was there, but she couldn't see him…….

Kanan: Chalo Kripa, lets join the guys in volley ball……..It is fun…….She said grinning…….

Kripa as always asked her to go and walked towards the water……….She took out her shoes and slowly wriggled her feet in the water and sighed with pleasure, when the cool water touched her feet……..She looked at the sunset and sighed……..It was a beautiful scene……..

M: Hey Kripa, yahan kya kar rahi ho…….common join us……..Mishti called out……….

K: Thanks Mishti………but you continue……..she said slowly………Mishti shrugged and went off…….

M: By the way thanks for coming…….!! She called out and joined everyone else………Kripa stood there silently, until she saw Angad who was standing a few feets away, looking at her………Her face lit with smile suddenly and she walked to him………

K: Late kyun aye……..?

A: Sorry, thode auditions lene the……..To students der se aye the…….!!

Kripa nodded with a smile………..

A: Chalo, lets join them………You know it's fun……..He said with a smile………

K: Nahi, mera maan nahi hai Angad……….Tum jao na……..

M: Common Angad, Mishti said coming to them……….I already called her and she declined…….But I know you love to play…….Chalo, atleast you can join us………She said grinning……..The other people from the group also called him and Angad looked at Kripa and she indicated him to go……..Angad sighed and went with them and joined them in the game……Time flew by and Kripa sat on the sand and kept drawing……….While the others kept cheering and playing and fighting around……..At last they called it off and took their drinks and scattered around going in the water or just walking with their partners……..Kanan came to Kripa and sat with her with a grin…….Kripa smiled……..

K: Nishant nahi aya aaj…..?

Kanan grinned……..Ayega………Late hoga bas……….Kuch office mein issues aa gaye, to rukna pada…….

Kripa nodded with a smile………

Kanan: Kripa, why don't you join in any games or participate with everyone………? She asked frowning…….

Kripa smiled……..Mein ne kabhi ye saab khela hi nahi…….So……..she shrugged……..

Kanan: Hey we are not any experts or going for competition girl…….It's just for fun……..!!

Kripa smiled and kept quite…………

Kanan: You know what……… you should try to mingle around……..I see you like your own company, but friends are fun and you will enjoy your self even more, when you get good friends……..And I think you should seriously join those swimming lessons we talked about…….You will miss on lots of fun stuff ………!! And may be some dancing and driving too………Will make your life more easier……….Kripa kept quite debating about it…….Common girl…….say something……..I am seriously going to put you in public speaking classes or group discussion classes some day………You are too quite for your own good…….

K: Kanan tum bhi na………Dekho wahan, tumhara Nishant aa gaya hai………Kanan looked back and sure enough Nishant was standing there with a drink……..

Kanan: Taal diya na meri baat………But not for long……….I think I just got a new mission in my hand……..She said rolling her eyes and getting up…….Kripa chuckled and shook her head, as she saw Kanan going towards Nishant………She liked Kanan, Nishant and Josh's company a lot better than that of Prithvi and Mishti for some reason……….She never disliked anyone, but something about them, made her jump……..

J: Be good kids……..Josh called out……..And no sneaking………He said grinning at Kanan and Nishant……….Kanan frowned at him and rolled her eyes, while Nishant laughed………

N: Common Kanan……You know he is just making fun of you……..Chalo, lets do exact opposite and irritate him a little……….He said with a wink and Kanan laughed and went with him……….

Josh joined Kripa and handed her a coke bottle…….

J: So, Miss. Sharma, care for a company, he asked standing there, asking for her permission to let him sit……..Agar akele baithna ho to, I can go away…….

K: Nahi Josh……..baitho……mein to bas aise hi baithi thi…….

J: I know………Not interested in outdoor games?

Kripa just shrugged with a smile like she always did………

J: So how is college going on…….? Aab to 4 mahine hone ko aye hain tumhe……..I hope you understand the accent of the lecturers……….

K: Haan, I am comfortable now……..Aur abhi saab pata bhi hai, so I am good……..

J: Wonderful………..He said looking at the sunset and drinking his beer………

Angad was caught up with Mishti, who was trying to continuously keep him by her side, talking about something or the other……….Other day he would have enjoyed her talk, but seeing Kripa all alone, he had no mood to talk to Mishti, instead wanted to go and talk to Kripa…….He sighed with relief, when Josh joined her and gave her a drink……..He did not want Mishti to feel bad, especially when she was going tomorrow………Even after his and Kripa's talk, both of them had kept quite about their relationship and now that Mishti was as and then leaving, he thought of telling her after a while or so too…..….He looked at Kripa and sighed, seeing her talking to Josh……..She was atleast comfortable with him and Kanan and he for some reason trusted Josh completely……..

After a while, he saw everyone gathering around for camp fire and went to Kripa, when Mishti was busy and sat with her……….

A: Hey…….I hope tum bor nahi ho rahi ho……..

K: Nahi Angad………Mujhe beach par anna acha lagta hai……..Aur aaj sunset ko dekh kar Mumbai ki yaad aa gayi…….She said smiling…….

A: Missing Mumbai?

Kripa shook her head slowly and looked at Angad, but then slowly nodded, when she saw and feel that he knew her innermost thoughts………Angad smiled and patted her fingers……..

K: Kal raat ko ma ka phone aya tha……..Keh rahi thi, ki tum se baat hi nahi ho pa rahi hai unki…….Unhe aaj phone kar dena…….!!

A: Ok boss…….Anything else………

Kripa chuckled……..Haan, mere card mein woh tumne jo 2000 dollars dale the, woh khatam ho gaye hain…….She said slowly, a little hesitant……..

Angad raised his eyebrows, looking at her with mock anger……….Kya? char mahine mein 2000 $...? He asked with open mouth and Kripa bit her lips………

K: Woh Angad, mein ne to sirf books ke liye aur thodi stationary aur college ke kuch fees ke liye use kiya tha……I promise, baki kuch nahi khareeda……….I mean woh sirf Las Vegas mein 25 dollars ke gift liye the……bas…….She looked at him nervously and found him laughing and stared at him confused……..She thought he was angry and here he was laughing……..

A: Budhu……..Mein kal deposit kar dunga…….!! Mein intajar kar raha tha ki tum khud mujhe batao ki tumhe paise chahiye………Apna samajhkar…….He said pulling her cheeks and Kripa blushed………Woh do hazar dollars to mein ne ussi mahine ke liye dale the aur tum ne char mahine chalaye………He said rolling his eyes………..Aur ye bilkul bhi achi baat nahi ki tumne apne liye kuch bhi nahi liya……….Mein thode jyada deposit kardunga……..Agar college mein kisi activities mein join bhi karna ho to lagenge tumhe……….Aur dekho, jara bahar jakar apne liye bhi shopping kiya karo………nahi to badmein mujhe hi kosogi, ki mein kanjus hun……..He said with a wink………Kripa blushed and looked down………

M: Common guys…….Tum log jab dekho, akele kyun baithte ho……..Common Angad……….We are all set for some dances……..I hope you are ready…….!! I want to dance the night away………!!

Kripa looked down bitting her lips, while Angad reluctantly got up……..

A: I wish Kripa, ki tumhe bhi dance ata……….We could have made a wonderful pair……….Par koi baat nahi……….One day, I am gonna teach you…….!! He said winking………Aab chalo, iske pehle ki koi aur aa jaye bulane………..He said pulling her up……….

Kripa walked with him and stood a little far from the crowd, while Mishti came and pulled Angad with her to dance……..Even Kanan and Nishant and all others joined them………They danced on lots of songs, while Kripa sat there watching them a little reluctantly………She wished she was in her room with her book instead………!!

Soon, the crowd was fully into it and everyone were in party mode………Including Angad, who was enjoying dancing as much as others……..He even danced with few other girls, who were eager to dance with him, as he was just a wonderful dancer, but Mishti was a permanent fixture……….He took a break for few minutes saying he was tired and sat with Kripa with a drink grinning and saying that he loved to sing and dance………Kripa smiled saying he was good at it and Angad raised his eyebrows and thanked her with a wink for her compliments……..But soon he was once again pulled in the group and started dancing, while Kripa was left alone to see them………

It was around 1, and Kripa started getting tired……….Many people started leaving at last thanking Prithvi and Mishti………..Kripa could see that Prithvi was very much drunk……Though he still was fully conscious……….But his voice wobbled a few times as he talked to them…….Thankfully, he had not come near her today after initial hi's……….She looked around for Angad, Kanan or Josh, but no one was here…….She knew that Kanan was with Nishant and had seen them walking on the beach the other side and Josh had been busy with few of his classmates……..But she couldn't find Angad anywhere………She slowly got up and walked throught the scattering crowd, looking around for Angad………

On the other side, Mishti pulled Angad behind the rest area, saying she wanted to talk to him and when they were there, she smiled and looked at Angad…….

A: Kaho Mishti, kya kehna chahti thi……..

M: Angad, you know I have missed you in Mumbai these last few years………It was wonderful to meet you again here………Aab ye weekend par to mein ja rahi hun…….Hope we will get together in Mumbai again, when you get back……….Angad smiled and nooded……

A: Sure Mishti………It was fun……..And I must say, I enjoyed our dance sessions…….He said with a grin……..Mishti chuckled…….

M: Me too………Par mein tumse aur kuch bhi kehna chahti thi Angad……She said slowly……She suddenly went to Angad and looked in his eyes………Mein……..Suddenly, they heard a muffled voice from behind the bushes and Angad and Mishti frowned looking around……….They heard it again, and then heard some one whimper and Angad walked over around the bushes, to see who it was, hoping everything was fine and suddenly he saw someone holding a girl……….Angad sighed and started turning around thinking they were just lovers, but as soon as he took a step forward, he heard Kripa's voice calling out Prithvi's name, asking him to stop and leave her………..

P: Common Kripa……….Have some fun yaar…………You are young and so am I…………Itni daar kyun rahi ho………..I promise, I will take good care of you……….He said, trying pull her near……….

Angad who was just behind him, turned around looking at him with boiling red eyes, and went to him as fast as he could and pulled him with full force away from Kripa and throwed him on the sand, with all the energy he had………..Kripa, who was in tears, and totally terrified, ran to Angad and hugged him tightly sobbing……..She had been looking for Angad, when Prithvi came and told her that he knew where Angad was and had bought her here and had forced her in the cornor………

Angad pulled Kripa apart from him angrily and went to Prithvi once more holding his colar and bought him up………And punched him one more time……….

A: Stay away from her…………He shouted angrily……As Prithvi fell on the ground and Mishti who was looking at them with horror ran to her brother, whose nose was bleeding badly……….

M: Angad, stop……..Kya kar rahe ho………?

A: Yeh apne bhai se pucho Mishti………Agar ye tumhara bhai nahi hota na to aaj mein isse jaan se maar deta……….He said angrily and suddenly Josh, Kanan and Nishant joined them, hearing Angad's voice……….

P: Chill man……….What's your problem……..? Tum meri behen ke sath aish kar rahe the, tab to mein ne kuch nahi kaha………..Aur waise bhi ye lagti kya hai tumhari……….I hope you are not two timing my sis Angad………..Atleast my intentions are good…….I like Kripa and I want to have her in my life……….!! He said holding his nose, looking at him with anger………Tum hote kaun ho iske, ki jab dekho humare bich aa jate ho………Stop interfering in my matters man.……….I don't interfere in your personal matters, and I don't want you to interfere in my personal matters……….If Kripa is not interested she will say so……..Why do you keep talking and protecting her……….she is not a kid anymore…………Woh tumhare ghar mein rahi, iska matlab ye nahi ki tum usske body guard bante ghumo……….She has a life of her own too and if she doesn't want this, then she can tell me herself.………He said smirking a little and wiping his bloody nose………..Just go away ok………He said getting up……

M: Bhai……chalo ghar chalte hain…….Tumne……….

P: Stop it Mishti…….I am not a baby ok……….I know what I am saying……….I am not drunk………..Can you leave us alone……….He said looking at her angrily and Mishti frowned at him and tried to hold him, but he threw her hand away and looked at her one last time and started walking towards Kripa and Kripa took a step back fearfully and Kanan ran to her and held her shoulder, with a frown……….But Prithvi couldn't even take a step forward, when Angad once again held him and looked at him with red eyes………….

A: I said stay away from her…………..Sunai nahi diya tumhe Prithvi………Agar ek bhi kadam age badhaya Kripa ki aur to mujh se bura koi nahi hoga………..Prithvi stopped with a bitter smile and then looked at Mishti………

P: Dekha Mishti……..Open your eyes sis……..He is a two timing cheat……..He said raising his hands to hit Angad…………Angad looked at him angrily and punched him in his stomach once again pushing him down……….Mishti and Kripa looked at them in horror………..Mishti was about to go forward, when she stopped hearing Angad's words………

A: Dusaron ko dosh dene se pehle ek baar Mishti se bhi puch lete Prithvi, that if I am really two timing her..…!! He said angrily and looked at Mishti, who flushed and looked down, not able to meet his eyes….……...Aur janana chahte ho ki kaun lagti hai Kripa meri…….? To suno……She is my wife……….Meri patni hai Kripa………..He said punching him once more angrily…………And everyone standing there looked at him stunned, with open mouth….……and if you even try to go near her ever again, I am going to report your advances to the authorities…..……Uske baad tumhara career aur tumhare future ka kya hoga, iski mein koi guarantee nahi de sakta.………Aur ye mera wada hai………He said throwing him down, and looking at Mishti and others, who stood there stunned at his confession…….

M: Angad……Ye tum kya keh rahe ho……..Kripa tumhari………

A: Haan, meri patni hai……….He said looking at her angrily………

M: How is that possible Angad………Phir itne din dhoke mein kyun rakha hum saab ko? She asked angrily…….

A: Dhoka…?……Kaunse dhoke ki baat kar rahi ho Mishti………? He asked frowning angrily at her, as if she had lost her mind.……..

M: This……….being friendly with her and all this drama you both played for months now…………what is all this? Why hide it? Why were you playing with others emotions……….

A: Play with others emotions? Are you out of your mind……….. Tum to aise keh rahi ho, jaise mein tumhe dhoka de raha tha Mishti……..ya phir Kripa Prithvi ke dil ke sath khel rahi thi……..!! It's our personal choice Miss. Bose………It's called keeping once privacy………And we have every right to it……….Tell me one thing, which led Prithvi to take the step he took today…….He asked angrily……..I am sure that Kripa ne to kabhi usse badhava nahi diya……..and as for me……we were friends before, like we are now………Tab bhi parties attend karte the aaj bhi……..Tell me one point, where I gave you the indication that this is more than it appears……!! He asked angrily……….And you are saying ke mein ne dhoka diya hai tumhe………! Some friend you are Mishti……..!! He said angrily………

P: Dekh liya Mishti……..I told you before to not to keep up your hopes……….Par nahi…….You were in some dreamland……..Come back to earth my dear sis………. Time and again I told you to stop dreaming about la la land, with Angad on your side…………And you came here all the way from India, just for him……He said laughing bitterly……..Angad stilled and looked at Mishti shocked while even Kripa looked up at Mishti stunned………Mishti looked away hiding her tears…………Kaha tha mein ne ki don't fall for him so blindly……...But tumne meri ek bhi baat nahi mani……..Dekh liya natija……….He barked out loudly………Kripa who was behind Angad looked at Prithvi and Mishti and then suddenly closed her eyes and slowly walked step by step back with tears……….Some how she felt she was responsible for all this……….If only they would have told them the truth, this all wouldn't have happened……..She should have accepted Angad's proposal of telling the truth and staying as husband and wife long time back…….At least Mishti would not have felt as if she had been cheated…….She could see clearly in her eyes today and know that she was really here just for him………And even Prithvi's advances would have been avoided…….He would not have gotten wrong ideas, if he knew the truth…….

She turned around and ran away from there and Kanan looked at Kripa worriedly……..Josh looked at Kanan and indicated her to go with Kripa and Nishant too nodded at her……..

Kanan ran behind Kripa, while Angad still stood there shocked……..!! He did not know what to say……..!!

Prithvi turned around and left as well holding his nose……….And Josh went to him, as he stumbled and indicated Nishant to leave him home, not wanting any accidents or so.………Nishant nodded and pulled Prithvi along, but Prithvi pulled his hand back and started going and Nishant followed him shaking his head disgustedly……….

Angad looked around for Kripa and frowned when he did not find her……….

J: Kanan usse room par le gayi hai…….Behtar hoga ki tum ussase kal baat karo Angad……….He said patting his back and then he left Mishti and Angad alone and so did couple of others, who came listening to the shouts……….

Mishti turned around wiping her eyes………And Angad felt bad about yelling at her………Whatever else, she had been a good friend all these years and he couldn't ignore it…….

A: Mishti……….I am sorry………..

M: Nahi Angad, maffi to mujhe mangni chahiye……..I knew looking at you and Kripa, that something was going on between you two…….And I wanted to show you that I am better suited to you than Kripa……….Issiliye ye party organize ki mein ne……….Ye dikhane ki Kripa doesn't match you in any way……..!! I wanted to let you see that we are made for eachother, and Kripa is nothing in front of me……..Aur Prithvi ne mera sath diya………Las Vegas mein jo hua, uske baad woh khud par kafi upset hua tha……..He is upset on me and kept telling me that you and Kripa are together……….But I had yelled at him and said that you will see through my love and comeback………..Ussne mujhe kayin baar kaha ki mein ye pagalpan chod dun……..par mein nahi maan rahi thi……..Las Vegas se ane ke baad bhi ussne mujhe samjhaya………he was guilty about what happened and told me that he was sure that you both like each other and there was no place for me………But I did not agree…………Aaj ghusse mein usne ye saab kiya... drinks lekar, Kripa ko jaan bujh kar yahan le aya aur mujhe kaha ki mein sachai khud dekh lun, khud sunu, taki mein tumhe bhul sakun.……….She said with tears……….Ye dikhane ki koshish kar raha tha ki I am banging on a wrong door………..!! yeh baat sach hai ki mein sirf tumhe dhundne yahan ayi thi……….Tumhare jane ke baad din raat mein tumhare bare mein sochti rahi…….And then I realized I loved you…….Tumhare ek do friends ke paas bhi gayi thi last year aur unhone bataya mujhe tumhara college ka naam………Par mera visa do baar reject hua tha………Issiliye jaldi nahi aa saki……..Prithvi ne tumhara pata dhund kar diya tha mujhe……..She said with tears………Par aab to bahot der ho gayi na………She said wiping her tears………

A: Mishti……….

M: I am sorry I blamed you………You are right……..You have full right to your privacy…….Galti mujh se hui hai……..Aur aaj jo bhi hua, uska zimedar bhi mein hi hun……..Prithvi nahi……..!! Ussne kaha tha mujh se ki tum Kripa ko itna chahte ho, ki agar usse thodi bhi takleef hogi to tum seh nahi paoge aur wahi hua……….Acha hai saab sach bahar nikal gaya………Atleast aab ye umeed par to nahi rahungi ki tum kabhi mere ho sakte ho………

Angad looked down with a lump in his throat……….

M: Bye Angad………Aab nahi milenge dubara……..!! And congradulations……She said with a light smile……….I hope you and Kripa have a wonderful life together…….She said looking down and slowly walked off……….

Angad knew that it was better this way……….!! He closed his eyes with pain and slowly turned around and walked to the beach and sat there in dark………The camp fire still burning slowly………!! He felt bad for Mishti, but he was still angry on Prithvi……….His hands formed in a fist and he hit the sand angrily……….He really wanted to kill Prithvi for using Kripa this way……….But he had his doubts……..Prithvi was attracted towards Kripa and Mishti was wrong……….May be Mishti did not know it, but he had see few times, when Prithvi had starred at Kripa…….Even Kripa had felt uncomfortable in his presence and had openly conveyed him in las vegas about it………….May be his anger, for his sister and himself made him do what he did today, but whatever, he had a urge to go behind him and kill him for sure……..!!

Back to Kripa, Kanan pulled Kripa with her and asked her to sit in the car and drove away, looking at Kripa with concern………Kripa just sat there silently and looked out of the window as tears came down her cheeks……..

As soon as they reached the campus, Kripa opened the door and ran out all the way to their room and fell on the bed sobbing………..

Kanan parked the car and went up and found Kripa in tears………She closed the door and went to Kripa and kept a hand on her shoulder……..

K: Saab meri wajah se hua……..She whispered and started crying again……….

Ka: You are not responsible for anything that happened today Kripa………So stop blaming your self………ok……...As Angad indicated……..You have every right to keep your privacy……….Haan agar tum donon ne jaan bujh kar kuch kiya hota to alag baat thi…….Tum donon ne to kisi ko dhoka nahi diya na and we can't control other people's feelings……..!! It's their problem that they fell for wrong people……..Not yours……..Agar shadi ke bare mein bhi pata hota, to kya Mishti yahan Angad ke liye ayi hai, ye baat jhooti ho jati…….No, never………!! And Married or Unmarried Kripa…….It doesn't give Prithvi the right to do what he did with you today……….So, stop thinking that you are to blame for this……..!!

Kripa sobbed for a long time and Kanan tried to console her as best as she could and then asked her to freshen up and sleep…….. Kripa lay on the bed after changing and stayed awake for a long time………Thinking about whatever happened today……She shivered at the thought of Prithvi touching her……..Atlast she slept exhausted……..Her phone started ringing and Kanan took the phone immediately, not wanting to wake Kripa up……..It was Angad……….

A: Kripa……..

Ka: Kripa so gayi hai Angad……Abhi ankh lagi hai uski..…..Kal subah baat kar lena ussase…….

A: Is she alright……….?

Ka: Haan…….don't worry……..she is fine now………

A: Thanks for taking care of her Kanan……

Ka: You are welcome Angad………

A: Mein rakhta hun……….He said switching off the phone…….Angad kept the phone and walked down to his car and drove to his room in his own thoughts……….

Back to Kripa, she was up sooner than usual, not able to sleep and freshened up and made herself some coffee……..She sat there drinking her coffee, when Kanan got up……..

She stretched and asked Kripa if she could make a cup for her too and walked away to freshen up……….

Later, Kanan sat with kripa silently and sipped her coffee………..

Kaa: How are you feeling Kripa?

K: Mein thik hun Kanan…….Kanan smiled and stayed silent for few minutes…..

Ka: Vow……so you are married……….I never thought about it……..But that is really amazing……….Kanan said with a smile after few minutes, when she couldn't take the silence……….Kripa smiled slowly not saying a word……….So, kab hui tumhari shadi……..?

K: Yahan ane se do hafte pehle………Kanan whistled……..

Ka: Man, and you came to US, for your honeymoon, deciding to live in different campus…….? She asked chuckling……..Kripa chuckled sadly, but kept quite……….Par ek baat to mein bhi betab hun janane ke liye, ki why keep it a secret………..I mean, people get married all the time……….And people younger than you get pregnant……….So, why did you both kept it secret…...?

Kripa looked down and slowly told her about their sudden marriage proposal…….

Ka: So you both were unsure about it, but said yes to them……..?

Kripa nodded…….

Ka: Angad ka to mein samajh sakti hun Kripa, ki woh uske parents ko na nahi kar paya……..but what about u? Why did you say yes……..Kripa just shrugged……What do you mean….? Kahin aisa to nahi ki unke ghar mein rahi, issiliye na nahi keh payi? Did you feel indebted to them or something like that……..Is that why you said yes?

K: Nahi Kanan, aisi koi baat nahi hai………Mein sach mein unn saab se bahot pyar karti hun……..woh mere liye mere mama papa se kum nahi hai……….Unhone jo pyar diya, usse ehsaan ka naam to kabhi nahi de sakti mein, kyun ki aisa karungi to unke pyar ka anadar karungi…….. Angad ko mein pehle se janti thi……Acha tha…….I liked him and he too considered me as a family………mama papa bhi chahte the ki hum ek ho, to mein ne haan kar diya……….

Ka: Without love?

K: We had something else instead……We respected and trust eachother…….She said slowly………

Ka: Then if you understand eachother so well, why do you live separately? She asked frowning……… Living together at least will give you a chance to know eachother………!!

K: Bas, Angad sochta tha ki I need time to be independent and he wanted me to feel free and live life without responsibility at least till I finish my college……..Mama papa ke wajah se haan to kar diya humne iss shadi ke liye, par hum donon hi taiyar nahi the isske liye……….Khas kar mein……...Aur hum ek dusare ko jante the, par phir bhi anjan the, ek dusare ki jindagi se…….To mein ne bhi socha, ki ye hume thoda waqt dega…….Ek dusare ko samjhane ke liye………Aur phir mujhe daar bhi tha ki mein uski duniya mein kabhi adjust nahi ho paungi……..she said with tears……..Kanan looked at her confused……….

Ka: Par kyun? When you both are really committed to eachother…….? I have heard that arranged marriages in India work out many a times, unlike here and you both look perfectly ok with it………Kripa looked down wiping her tears………She looked at Kanan and for the first time felt that she could confess to her as a friend……..

K: Tumne dekha na Kanan…….hum donon do alag alag duniya se hai……..Woh pehle se hi friends ke bich mein aise mix ho jata hai ki unmein woh najar hi nahi ata, aur mein, she shrugged, mein kisi ko najar nahi ati hun……..I like my peace and I like to be alone……..He loves dance music……..He loves to have fun……..Loves thrill…….Aur mein……….You came to know me pretty well……To tum to janti ho na, hum kitne alag hai……..She said wiping her tears…….

Ka: Do alag alag log hi to milte hain Kripa……..She said keeping a hand on her shoulder……..Dekho, agar phir bhi tumhe lage ki tum ussase bahot alag ho, then try to change your self……..You know he accepted you as you are……….Kya kabhi tumhe laga, ki usse tum achi nahi lagti…….He is trying to adjust to you………Right……..

K: Issi baat ka daar hai Kanan……..Kahin kisi din usse ye ehsaas na ho jaye ki hum donon bahot alag hai aur woh mere sath khush nahi hai, to?

Ka: Par ye daar tumhara hai…….! Aur isse dur karna tumhari jimedari…………Koi aur tumhare liye kuch nahi kar sakta Kripa……….Apne andar ke daar ko khud mitana padta hai……..Agar haath badhaogi, to kayin dost mil jayenge tumhe help karne ke liye………Par agar sehmi rahogi, to kabhi iss daar se bahar nikal kar apni jindagi enjoy nahi kar paogi……..Kripa looked down with tears………May be you don't know if you really love him today……….but you care for him, right?……..You want him to be happy…….Phir usski khushi ke liye hi samajh kar thodi duri tum bhi tair kar lo………..Mein ek pshycology student hun aur ek baat achi tarah samajhti hun……….No one is perfect you know………Saab mein koi na koi kamiyan to hoti hi hai……...Agar jindagi ke raste mein kadam dheere ho jayenge, to woh no doubt age nikal jayega, aur tum piche reh jaogi……..Par agar thodi koshish karke uske sath chalne lagogi, to kya pata tumhe bhi uske sath kadam milane mein koi daar nahi hoga……….Agar nahi bhi chal saki, to uske piche hi rahogi……….Tum donon mein woh duriyan to nahi hogi, jissase koi teesara aakar bich mein uske paas khada ho jaye………..

Kripa looked at Kanan a little amazed at her beautiful words……….

Ka: Dekho Kripa, daar saab ko hota hai…….Kahin na kahin mujhe bhi mere aur Nishant ke rishte se bhi daar lagta hai……..Par uss daar ko bahar nahi dikhana chahiye……….She said sighing………..Acha khair meri baat baju mein rakhte hain…….Ek baat puchni thi tumhe………..If you don't want to answer then it is fine…….She said grinning………..Did you both……I mean ahem ahem……on your first night…..? Kripa turned red by the question and slowly looked down shaking her head………You mean you are still innocent? Kripa blushed even more and bit her lips……. How can that be possible? Man wasn't Angad tempted……..? Is he a gay or something?

K: Kanan…….!! She said a little embarrased…….Aisi koi baat nahi hai…….

Ka: Really Kripa……….Which man can control himself, when a beautiful lady is before him……….I mean common……….You both are even married…….It even gives you both licence in that……….!! She said rolling her eyes………Kripa looked down a little embarrassed………..Nishant aur meri to shadi bhi nahi hui………But we have already been together so many times……….He could never resist the……..She suddenly realized what she said and kept a hand on her mouth……..God………stupid stupid……..Kripa was starring at her with open mouth and Kanan shook her head……….Ok…..one word out of your mouth and I will kill you…………Got it……..Josh ke kaan par ye baat pad gayi, to tumhari khair nahi………She said rolling her eyes and making faces……….Kripa smiled and nodded………So, what is the funda here……..?

K: Funda…….?

Ka: Are manjra kya hai……I mean staying away and all………Don't you feel attracted……..Don't you feel tempted…….

K: Kanan……..Chalo niche breakfast karne……..She said getting up…….

Ka: Hey wait……..I not leaving you today…….baitho chup chap……..Breakfast ke liye der hai…….It's just 7 ok………Kripa turned red and went to the window and stood there………Aab batao……..!! She said frowning…….

K: I am afraid……….

Ka: Here you go again…….Ok….wait wait……….are you afraid of pregnancy? Because if you are you know right, there are pills and other things available to avoid complications…….!! Kripa turned red and nodded………

K: Sach hai ki mein darti hun Kanan, par iss wajah se nahi…….I am afraid to enter into relationship……….Pehle din to kuch alag sa laga, I just got cold feet………Humne kabhi ek dusare ko iss najar se nahi dekha and suddenly we are married and all……..Then I was afraid………..I am afraid of pain it will give me, if this doesn't work out……….If Angad isn't happy with me, then I might loose him……..I am afraid about that too……….She whishpered……..I took a easy way out……..Jab Angad ne kaha, ki woh mera intajar karega, to mein ne socha, ki tab tak hum ek dusare ko samjhenge aur may be pyar karne lagenge, to saab alag lagega…….Mera daar nahi rahega………

Ka: Do you trust him………Ofcourse you do……..Or else you wouldn't have come on that sky walk ever……..She said smiling and Kripa blushed and looked down………It's good you waited you know……..she said with a sigh……….If you would have been together out of duty on your part, then you would have not known the feeling of happiness and satisfaction of falling in love and then coming together……….Now try to trust your self……..Trust yourself for doing what is right, for doing things to make your future better, for both yourself and your partner………!! She said with a smile……….That is what will help you………Not your fear…….!! And if you ever need help or if you are afraid to take first step towards that future, I can be your friend and help you……..She said with a smile………Kripa looked at her with tears and got up and hugged her tightly…….Josh was right…….Kanan was really a wonderful person and a very good friend she thought……..!!

K: Thanks Kanan……..

Ka: Hey what are friends for…….…..Now stop crying and get ready…….Bhook nahi lagi…….!! Kripa nodded with a smile………

Kanan went to take her bath, when Kripa's cell phone started ringing.………..She looked at the caller ID and found Angad's name…….She slowly switched on the phone and Angad sighed in relief hearing her voice…….

A: Hi…….Tum thik ho? Kripa swallowed a lump…..

K: Hmmm………Angad woh Mishti……….

A: Kripa, sham ko tumhare class ke baad mein ata hun…….Bahar chalte hain sath……Wahin baat karenge…….He said with a sigh…..

K: Thik hai……..she said nervously………

A: Bye…….

K: Bye she whispered……….Why did Angad say that they will talk in the evening? She wondered……..Did he realize that he too loved Mishti? Or……..suddenly she was tensed……..She went with Kanan and had her breakfast……..Later she attended her classes half heartedly and then walked out of the campus in the evening hours, where Angad was waiting for her……..She saw him sitting in the car and looking ahead blankly and she tensed even more……….She opened the door of the car and sat in, not able to look at him and Angad looked at her for couple of minutes and then drove off with a sigh……..

They were silent all through their ride and then finally reached a beach area and got down…….They walked a little distance and sat on the sand………

Angad then looked at her and slowly kept a hand on her shoulder and pulled her to him and half of Kripa's tension was gone………She looked at Angad with tears and suddenly hid her face in his chest closing her eyes………Angad just gathered her close and sat there looking at the setting sun………He knew she must have been upset, since yesterday and needed him………..Once again his anger towards Prithvi enflamed…….His hands tightened on Kripa and he kissed her forehead lightly………After a long time, Kripa sat up and wiped her eyes and cheeks……..

A: Tum thik ho Kripa? He asked after a long time and Kripa nodded slowly looking down…….Suddenly she remembered Mishti…….She looked up with bright eyes and started asking about her……..But Angad stopped her in between……..

A: Mera yakeen karo Kripa, mein ne kabhi usse ek dost se jyada kuch nahi samjha……….Haan acchi lagti thi mujhe…………par ek dost ki tarah, aur tab mera saab se pehla priority mera music tha aur kuch nahi……….Mein ne kabhi na hi kisi ko dost se jyada samjha hai, na shadi ke bare mein socha……….I never knew that she loved me……..He said sighing……...But she does and I can't do anything about it………I am sorry that I can't reciprocate her feelings, and neither can I console or take away her pain…….And she has to understand that we were never meant to be together and may be now she does………Aur tumhe guilty feel karne ki bhi jaroorat nahi hai……….You can't control anyones feelings Kripa……..Anyway…….I was worried about you…….After the way you left………Aur Prithvi ne……..!!

Kripa looked down……..Mein thik hun Angad……….She whishpered, before he could say anything more, not wanting to think about Prithvi……….Angad squeezed her hand and she looked up at him and he nodded with understanding..…….

A: Ek baat tumse karna chahta hun Kripa……….He said looking at her………I really like you the way you are……….But, you have to make yourself strong Kripa………I don't want other people take advantage of you ever again like yesterday………..He said looking at the ocean angrily………..Prithvi ne tumhara istamal kiya, apni behen ko hum donon ki sachai ka ehsaas dilane...That is what Mishti thinks it was, but I don't, he said angrily………..I know it was something else……… But the point is……….People like them can use us, only if we are weak………Kripa looked at him confused and Angad told her what Mishti told him about why Prithvi did what he did and Kripa frowned a little…………I know he was attracted to you, even if Mishti did not say so and he did it out of anger and Jelousy……….But still he used you……….How can you let people do it Kripa……..? Agar wahan Mishti ya Kanan hote na, to ek thappad laga dete………Kripa looked down guiltily……

K: Aisi baat nahi hai Angad……She slowly whispered………Mujhe to yakeen hi nahi hua ek minute ke liye ki Prithvi dubara aise…….But suddenly she remembered that though Prithvi had tight hold on her waist there, and had a hand on her mouth to stop her from talking, he never tried to kiss her or do anything else……But she had panicked and then when they heard some noise, he had tried to kiss her...She looked at Angad confused and told him the same, thinking if really his intentions were to open Mishti's eyes and nothing more……But, still she shivered thinking about him, trying to cornor her..……She looked at Angad and continued……he just took me by surprise and his hold was so tight that I couldn't even move……….She whispered thinking about how terrified she had been at that moment…….One moment Prithvi was taking her to where Angad was, and the next he had suddenly pulled her to him and held her hostage between him and something else behind her, which she did not even remember what it was……….He looked at her with anger and all color had drained off her face………She did not remember anything after that………She shook a little and stared at Angad now……..

A: Ye mat samajhna ki mein compare kar raha hun tumhe unse……….But just think about it…….You might be in a bigger problem, if you are so weak………..Apne aap ko badalne ki koshish karo Kripa………..Be strong, try to mix up and talk what's in your mind, in your heart……..Try to defend the wrong and stand for the right……..Kripa sighed looking away……..Of course for him she looked weak, from where he stood all he could see was a weak, quite girl, who could not even say a word to defend herself in front of a fellow student……..If she looked at herself, she knew she might think the same……..For some reason, this image of herself made her wince……..She did not like who she was for the first time in her life………All she could see was a frightened girl, who was far away from the world…..…She looked at Angad with despair and Angad stopped for a moment………Mere liye nahi karne ko keh raha hun Kripa……….Par mein ye tumhe khud apne liye karne ko keh raha hun………..! He said sighing……….You know people attack only weak person………..!! Because they know it is much easier……..!! I know you can do it, but no one ever encouraged you to………..I have some expectations from you, just like you may have from me……..Mein chahta hun ki meri patni strong ho……….koi bhi takleef aye to bhi woh kabhi dagmagaye nahi………I want you to go through thorns if needed and come out with colorful flowers, without a scratch.………..Kripa kept quite, not knowing what to say and Angad smiled slowly and hugged her kissing her ears lightly…….Ek aur baat kehni thi mujhe…….

K: Kya…….she said wiping her tears…….Angad waited till she wiped them and looked at him in his eyes…….

A: I Love you…….He said slowly and Kripa looked at him with wide eyes………I really do…….Jhoot nahi keh raha hun mein…….He said holding her cheeks……….What about you? Kripa looked down, not knowing what's in her heart………..Hey udas honi ki jaroorat nahi………Mein intajar karunga……….Kripa looked at him shyly…….Kripa sat there silently thinking about what he just said………She was in a fix……….Kya soch rahi ho……..Kripa shook her head slowly and looked down………..Kripa, apne dil ki baat tum ne aaj tak kabhi kisi ko nahi bataya……..But I am your husband dear………!! Aur mujhe janane ka hak hai……….Mujhse bhi nahi kahogi, to aur kisase kahogi……..Kya tumhe koi aisa sathi nahi chahiye, jisase tum apne maan ki baat bina zhizhak keh sako……..? Kya itna paraya samajhti ho mujhe aab bhi, ki mujh se bol nahi sakti? Kripa slowly looked up at him and found him looking at her for answers and she slowly shook her head…...She smiled and slowly kept her head on his chest and he smiled and looked down at her..…..She did not speak for a while but then slowly whispered, that even Angad could barely hear………

K: Angad, mujhe tumhari fikra hai, tumhari khushi ka khayal hai, mein tumhari bahot ijjat karti hun aur mujhe tumpar pura bharosa bhi hai………Aur mein tumhare bina zindagi jeene ki soch bhi nahi sakti………Inn char panch mahinon mein tum mere ache dost bhi ban gaye ho, aur mujhe bahot acha lagta hai jab tum mere sath hote ho……….Mera khayal rakhte ho……...She said looking down……..Aur agar inhi saab baton ko pyar kehte hai, then I love you too………Aur agar nahi……..Then I think I still have to sort out my feelings……..She said confused and looked down………Angad smiled at her genuine innocent answer and bought her close……….

A: Aur agar mein kahun ki pyar mein ek aur baat hoti hai, jo tum ne batayi nahi to?

K: Kya?

A: Attraction…….? He asked with mischief……….Mujhe to tum bahot achi lagti ho………..And I am attracted to you………I find you beautiful and I just don't know how I am going to live with out making you mine……..He said grinning and Kripa blushed and looked down………Kaho, what about you? Do you find me attractive and do you want the same thing which I want………Kripa smiled shyly, but did not look at him, too shy to even look in his eyes or answer…….Common Kripa, I want you to tell me……..He said putting his hands on her shoulder and caressing her hairs lightly behind her……….Kripa blushed and Angad slowly kissed her ears………Kripa shivered and Angad did it again……..

K: Angad…..She whishpered……

A: Hmmm……..He said……..

K: Ye public place hai………she said blushing…….

A: To? Dekho wahan, couples yahan bahar kya kya karte hain……..he said showing her the couples a little far away from them………..

K: Angad……..she said hitting him with a chuckle and blushing……..Angad chuckled too………

A: Dekho taal diya na meri baat……….He said making faces……….Thik hai mat jawab do……..He said looking at the sea, leaving her………

K: Nahi, tala nahi……..She said suddenly afraid that he was angry on her for not replying back……..Angad looked at her with eyebrows up and she smiled and looked up……..ok……haan, I find you handsome and I find you attractive and I like being in your arms and I feel jelous, when someone holds you and dances too close to you, and at that moment I wish that I could dance with you, in your arms instead……..She said looking in his eyes, then blushed and looked down bitting her lips.…….

Angad's face broke in a big smile and he grinned and hugged her tightly……….I love you…….I love you very much………

A: You know you have made me happiest man on earth today……..He said kissing her nose……..Kripa smiled at him and looked down shyly………..What would you say if I tell you that we will take a flat together and stay like normal married couple? He asked with a grin……..Kripa looked in his eyes and shook her head and Angad raised her eyebrow………

K: Tumne mujhe waise hi apnaya jaise mein hun Angad, par aab mein tumhare aur mere bich ki duriyan tair karna chahti hun, she said remembering Kanan's words………..Independent hona chahti hun…….…she said looking down………She was still not ready to take this step and she wanted to change herself and overcome her fears……….She wanted to feel good about her self and confident to take this step……

A: Aur agar mein kahun ki mein tum se dur nahi reh sakta to……..

K: To mein kahungi, ki agar tum sachmuch pyar karte ho mujhse, to mera intajaar jaroor karoge………Angad looked at her for couple of seconds and then burst out laughing hugging her to him……..

A: Sahi kaha…….aur mein intajaar karunga……..!! Whenever you are ready, I will be here for you………He said kissing her forehead……..!! Kripa smiled at him affectionately……..

They sat there till it was a little dark and Angad then pulled her up and asked her if she was hungry……..They went and had light dinner and Angad took her back to her campus……….Kripa got down shyly and turned to say bye, thinking he would leave, but then she saw him getting down and coming towards her………..She looked at him, thinking he wanted to say something, but then he pulled her to him and kissed her lips thoroughly……….Kripa was totally dazed and her legs totally gave up by the time, Angad lifted his face, and if he wasn't holding on to her, she would not be able to stand at all……..She looked at him with those dreamy eyes, too stunned to say any thing and Angad laughed with satisfaction and slowly left her, when he knew that she was fine and winked at her and sat in his car and drove away…….!!

Kripa stood there for a long time, without moving, but then blushed and slowly walked towards her room………..

Ka: Hello? Kanan asked, looking at Kripa, who was totally in her own thoughts………Kripa looked up at her and slowly smiled……….Kya hua? Dhyan kahan tha tumhara……..? Kripa shook her head with a smile and kept her purse and went to the bathroom to get changed…….

Back to Angad, he couldn't help but smile all the way back to his campus………This wait was going to be one long one, but he knew that it would be worth it and more………!! And further, he was enjoying this slow trust and love flourish between them……….Giving them both space and time they needed after the hasty marriage, without creating distances between them as well……….

When Kripa was back she found the door of the room open and Kanan wasn't there……..Kripa sighed shaking her head…………But once again her face lit with a big smile…………All of a sudden, it felt as if all her doubts were clear……….The restlessness and the feeling of uncertainity wasn't there any more……..She grinned and started closing the door, when her eyes widened seeing Mishti there……..Her eyes were red and swollen and she looked tired………..She just stared at her, waiting for her to speak up and she did……….

M: Bahot khush ho rahi ho na Kripa……….par ek baat yaad rakhna…………ye khushi humesha ke liye nahi rahega…………Angad aur tum mein zameen asman ka farak hai………..Kabhi dekha hai khud ko tumne………..He will never be happy with someone like you……….!! He loves sports, adventure, dance, music………..He loves to have fun……….He can never be happy with a girl like you…….!! Haan usne shadi ki tumse……….Apne mama papa ke karan……..!! Isliye nahi ki woh tumse pyar karta hai……!! Aur mujhe pura yakeen hai ki ek na ek din woh yeh realize jaroor karega……….!! Yeh mai isiliye itne confidently keh rahi hun kyun ki mein janti hun usse……….Adha se jyada samay hum saat bitate the college mein………Sath parties attend karte the………..We were close……. Aur agar tum bich mein nahi ati na, to hum aaj sath hote………Aur khush hote…..…..!! Tumhe to woh saab ke samne, apni patni bhi sweekar nahi kar pa raha tha, to socho sath kahan tak deta……….He is not the one to settle for this, when he could get so much more……..He won't be satisfied, and he won't stay………He is ambitious, he is very much different from what you are..….Open your eyes Kripa……..You and he were never meant to be together……..Nahi to ek din aise zameen par girogi, ki dubara uth bhi nahi paogi..……You will loose everything….…He will come back to me, you will see….…She said looking at her with angry tears………Kripa looked down without replying closing her eyes and when she looked up, Mishti wasn't there……

Kripa closed the door slowly, and sat on the bed a little stunned……..!! Mishti's words confusing her……..But then she shook her head, remembering Angad's words today…….She trusted him and his words……….But still the nagging feeling about what Mishti said kept haunting her…….

finally he confessed but it was due.. yeah Prithvi did use Kripa but somehow A-K are partly responsible for putting Mishti-Prithvi in that state too.. if they had told them in the beginning then at least Mishti wouldn't have been embarrassed and felt bad in front of everyone.. dil ki baat dil mein hi reh jaati.. aise sab ke saamne uski feelings ka tamasha na banta..

Ohh God.. Angad is too good to be true.. ye aadmi hai ya farishta? so caring so understanding.. how can he be so shareef while living in US all alone .. i wont be surprised if he is still a virgin..😛

why didn't Kripa react towards Mishti's outburst.. both Kanan and Angad gave her long lectures on how she should stand for herself.. all went to waste.. so now its like a tug of war b/w Kripa and Mishti.. who will take Angad on her side.. Kripa trusts him, believes his words but lacks self confidence that he is mine.. on the other hand, Mishti believes that if butter doesn't come out with a straight finger then the finger needs to be curled.. lol

the best thing abt this part was the way u have done justice to the dialogues of each characters.. be it Prithvi when he blasts Angad, be it Angad's counter attack, be it Mishti's confession to Angad.. as a reader it was getting difficult whom I should support.. coz everyone was looking quite convincing on his/her part.. and of coarse Kanan scene.. the way she was making Kripa realize that how she should go ahead in her life and in her relationship with Angad.. beautifully written Vamita!! 👍🏼