Aitbaar(Trust)(AK FF)Pt-29-31, Pg-74, 05-14-2014 - Page 37

Thanks a lot friends for your support... I am completely fine now and have been for last 2 weeks, but there were so many pending work to finish that i could not come on net... I promise to continue this ff next week for sure regularly, until it is done... Hope you all are doing good...
Best wishes
Amita

PART-14

Days passed by and couple of more months went by busy for everyone, in classes, exams, homeworks and so on……..Kripa's dance class was also surprisingly coming well and her dance teacher was impressed………One day Kripa was making tea for herself, when Josh grinned and joined her………..

J: Hey Mrs. Khanna……….Josh said with a grin and Kripa smiled……….

K: Josh, tum yahan?

J: Kyun aa nahi sakta? He asked frowning……..

K: Nahi mein to bas……..kaho kuch baat karni thi………

J: Oh yeah………I came to give you this……..He said giving her a envelope with a grin……….Kripa frowned and opened it and looked at him stunned……….

K: Josh you didn't!! She said getting up from seat…….

J: Oh! but I did….! He said grinning……… and you need to be there next week Tuesday by 10………..If you don't, my reputation will be in gutters and the college will be in problem, because I assured them that you are the best……..!! Kripa looked at him shocked………..

K: Josh…….? She said slowly too numb to speak a thing…….

J: Common Kripa, tum to aise behave kar rahi ho, jaise mein ne tumhe kisi ki maut ki khabar sunai ho……..Common dear……….It's just a game, which I am very much confident, you can play……….Forget about winning……….Just do your best ok……….At least give it a try Kripa………!! Kripa looked at him unsurely………

K: Josh, mein to sirf aise hi khelti hun……….Aur aaj tak kabhi koi competition mein participate nahi kiya……..It is just a hobby…….!!

J: But you are good Kripa…….!! Damn good, if I must say…..!

K: Josh please, that was the first time I played with you……….Ek hi game mein tumhe kaise pata chala……….It might have been pure luck………! She said worriedly………..

J: Common Kripa, you underestimate yourself………….You should really try this……..He said with a sigh………I can't force you……….So, now it is your choice…….If you don't want to, then just go to the office and tell them to cut your name……..!! Mujhe jo thik laga mein ne kiya……….!! I have full confidence in you………..But if you don't then I can't very well force you………Can I……..? He said sighing and going out……..But once outside he looked at Kripa, who was looking at the paper worriedly and grinned……….He immediately called Kanan and told her about it and asked her to encourage Kripa, as he knew how persuasive Kanan could be.……..!!

And it worked…………Kanan kept on pesturing Kripa, until Kripa gave up and said she would give it a chance and if she lost, then they would leave her alone……..Kanan grinned and said that was good enough and then called Josh to give him the good news………!!

J: Wonderful Kanan, Tuesday at 10...make sure she comes……..!! he said as Kanan rolled her eyes switching off the phone………..

Kripa was worried about the upcoming chess and practiced whenever she could on the pc as she always did, and lost atleast half of the time due to her nervousness……….There would be lot of people present in there and she did not know how she was going to do it………!! She hated Josh for a moment, for doing this to her……!!

She met Angad on Saturday as usual, but was silent and Angad frowned and tapped her hand……..Kripa looked at him confused and he raised his eyebrows………

A: Kya hua? Kuch pareshan ho? Kripa sighed and slowly told Angad what Josh had done and Angad's face broke in a big grin……….Kripa frowned looking at him…….But that's wonderful Kripa……….You know how good you are at chess!! He said with a smile…………Hum mein se koi tumhe hara nahi paya……….Kartik bhaiya bhi nahi…….!! You should definitely give it a chance……..!!

K: Angad, majak bandh karo na………..She said nervously……….

A: Kaun majak kar raha hai…….!! He said rolling his eyes……….Common Kripa……….It's just a game……..Not a sucide attempt……..ok………!! Kripa looked at him a little angrily and Angad rolled his eyes………..Aab Josh ka ghussa mujh par utarogi kya………Ok baba, mat jana phir…….Keh dena Josh se ki you can't do it………Kripa it is up to you……….You know you are good, but if you want to chicken out, it is your wish………You have both routes open, try or chicken out……….Kripa frowned and looked at him………What? That is what it is called you know…….! And what is there to loose………It is not as if u will be looked down, if you loose…….! Just take it casually……..Forget the rest and focus on the game, like you always do…………I too want you to play…………He said with hope and Kripa looked up at him………..It doesn't matter to me if you win or loose, though I would love to see you winning…………But it will make me happy, if you participate and try to do your best……..He said kissing her forehead…….Baki tumhari marji………..I won't force you in anything you don't want to do……..He said pulling her close……..

Kripa was silent, but her decision was made……….Yeah, Angad was right, what harm was there to play the game………? Why was she so nervous………..And further she felt as if Angad was hoping she would participate……….Didn't she promise him that she would try to change herself……….Try to be more open……..She had come a long way since last year, why not this…..? She asked herself and smiled a little……..

Days flew by and Kripa was walking towards the room, where the competitions were being held………..

Kanan grinned, as they walked in and patted Kripa's shoulder……….Kripa smiled nervously as she looked at the 5 tables, where already games were going on……….They would be done soon and then it would be her turn……….Josh was waiting for them in and he waved at them asking them to come in……….They walked to him and Josh raised his eyebrow at Kripa………

J: Nervous……..? Kripa looked at him and slowly nodded…………Don't be………See, it is just casual………Nothing really something you don't know………..! Best of luck…...he said with a grin and Kanan said the same and Kripa was then called upon………..To Kripa's amazement after intial introductions, Kripa soon got involved in the game and was focused on the board……….She did not remember anything else as always and Josh was impressed seeing the tough game………Kripa was on a little weaker side, but suddenly she moved her pieces in such a way that tables were totally turned and the game was over……….Everyone just kept staring at her with amazement, as she sighed with closed eyes and then opened, to find everyone clapping………She blushed as everyone congradulated her and praised her for the wonderful game……….Josh and Kanan came to her with a grin and congradulated her……..

Her next game was after 2 hours with another winner and then the last in the evening……….The winner, would go for inter college game and the winner would recieve scholarship for a year……..!!

J: I told you, you were the best……Josh said grinning and Kripa smiled having her lunch………

Ka: Kripa, best of luck for your next two games……….I have to run now……..Bhai, stay with her……..she called out and ran out before anyone could say anything as she had a class……...

K: Josh, tum jao……..Kripa said once they were done with their lunch……….I will be fine……….Tumhe bhi to kaam hoga na…….

J: Na……..Don't worry Kripa……….Koi kaam nahi hai……….Chalo, thoda walk karke ate hain……..Abhi ek ghanta aur hai waise………

Kripa agreed and they went for a walk around the campus………Soon, the next round started and to everyone's surprise, Kripa won all three games……….There was a loud appaulse and the announcement about the inter college competition was done and Kripa was selected...….Kripa was stunned that she made it and shyly thanked everyone, who came to congradulate her……..!!

Kanan was just over the moon and hugged her tightly doing a little dance……..Kripa chuckled and thanked her and Josh for their support………..She really was lucky she thought to find such wonderful friends………

Angad called her on the cell phone, anxious to know how she did in the games and Kripa shyly told him about it……….Angad just stared at the phone with dis-belief…….And then grinned shouting I love you on the phone………..Congrats Kripa……..Kash iss waqt tumhare paas hota……….Wonderful………he said laughing and Kripa laughed with him……….I am so happy……….See, you were worrying for nothing……….

They talked for a while and then kept the phone happily………Angad was due to go for the concerts this weekend………..So, they knew that they would not be able to meet eachother for next two weeks……..Kripa sighed, wishing she was with Angad………But no such luck…….!

As days passed by Angad and Kripa became busy in their own schedules………They hardly met once in a month or so, though they missed eachother they tried to put their efforts in their future for now and went in that direction……..Kripa was busy in her classes, chess competition as well as college……….She was busy with her music teaching on Sundays……….Kanan and she spent mostly Saturday with Nishant or Josh or other friends, which Kripa came to know very well………Her participation in chess game, suddenly was the center of attraction and soon, she was well recognized……….Kripa too started warming up and spent some time with her friends in gym, dance class or swimming, talking and going for coffee or something……..She even accepted the garbha and dandia invitation, arranged by Indian students of the college and went with Kanan for the same……….

She was beautifully dressed in ghaghra, which she had bought during her marriage and was the center of attraction……….Angad wasn't in the city, so Josh asked her to be her escort, as they were supposed to bring partners and after Angad's persuasion, that she should go with Josh, she had finally accepted it……..Though it felt odd, to go with someone as their date for the evening…….!!

Kripa and Kanan had practiced few garba and dandia steps and started dancing with others on the beautiful music, enjoying them self…………..Kripa though felt shy in the beginning, soon got engrossed and was dancing with enthusiasm………….Suddenly, the music stopped and Kripa looked the stage wide eyed, as Kanan grinned at the person on the stage and took the mike……….

Ka: Friends, we have a wonderful singer amongst us, who hid her talent from us till now……..!! But it's time to unveil the person and I would like you all to cheer her up to come on the stage and sing few songs for us………..Please give a big appaulse to Miss. Kripa, the chess champion of our college, and request her to come on the stage, to make this occasion memorable………!!

Kripa looked at Kanan wide eyed and even Josh looked surprised and raised eyebrows at Kripa……….

K: Josh, mein ye nahi kar sakti……..she cried out alaramed looking at him………There were like 300 people there………!!

J: Kripa………..But suddenly, every one were calling out for her and clapping loudly, asking her to sing……….Kripa looked at Josh for help and he encouraged her to go………Common Kripa…...…….One song……….Kripa looked at him unsurely, but slowly went forward, knowing she had no where to go, her heart beating loudly……..…..She had stage fear, which was just equalent to her fear she had about staying alone………..But she found no other way, than to walk up……….the other option was to bolt out, while people stared at her and she couldn't do it, as it would be embarrassing to attend college after that……….She gave a silent prayer and looked at the stage, where Kanan was grinning as she came forward………….Kripa's legs trembled as she started going up and she looked down nervously………..

Ka: Common Kripa………Kanan whishpered……….I know u can do it………..She said with a pat on her shoulder and clapped loudly, while the others followed……….Kripa couldn't look up at the students, and nervously played with her duppata………Thinking about the song………Trying her best to ignore the students………..And then she slowly closed her eyes and prayed for a little while……… Suddenly her phone started ringing and she looked at her phone………It was Angad……….She started switching it off, when Kanan who was in front of her shook her head and indicated her to take it……..She frowned, but switched it on, keeping near her ears……….

A: Common Kripa……..I know you can do this………He said slowly……….And Kripa looked at the phone stunned………She looked around the auditorium, to see if he was there, but she couldn't see him……….Common Kripa…………Sing for me……….!! I want you to show your talent to the world………..I am with you……..Always…….Apna daar bhul kar, sirf apne sangeet par dhyan do………He whispered……….I want to hear you………..Kripa again looked around and looked confused……….I am here for you Kripa, to listen to you………Tumhare samne jaroor aunga, par aise nahi…………Pehle gana gao, aur phir tumhari success ke liye sabse pehle mein taliyan bajaunga………..He said slowly switching of the phone and standing at the corner of the auditorium, looking at her beautiful face……….She looked lovely, though nervous and almost on the verge of tears and running……..!! He knew that she would have never said yes for this, if he would have suggested it first………….so he had called Kanan and asked her to do this for him and she had agreed……….Bless her……..he thought and smiled at Kripa, praying she would not bolt out……….Or worse get sick……..!! He rolled his eyes, knowing Kripa had come long way………He had lied to her saying he had a concert………..In reality this was all planned and Angad came with one of Josh's partner……..Planning to take Kripa with him for couple of nights………!! Kanan had packed her bag on his request and they would leave after this function………!! He looked at her and sighed as he saw her closing her eyes and swallowing a lump………

Back to Kripa, a tap on her shoulder bought her back and she looked at the person taping………..He asked her slowly which song she was thinking about, and when Kripa asked to give her a minute and he nodded……….She closed her eyes once more, remembering Angad's words……….One side, she was angry on him for doing this to her and the other side, she wanted to do this for him……..She wanted to fulfill his wish and see the happiness in his face, when she did it……His words….." Sing for me……….!! I want you to show your talent to the world………..I am with you……..Always ……." Giving her some confidence………She nodded nervously to the people behind her who were waiting for her signal and then looked down at her hand and took a deep breathe, as they started the music………..She took a mike in her trembling hand and slowly started the song, closing her eyes, blocking everyone and just concentrating on the music, taping her other hand…………..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URZil2zfehY

Tune payal jo chankayi fir kyun aaya na harjayi,
Tune payal jo chankayi fir kyun aaya na harjayi...hooo

maine...maine payal hai chankayi ab to aaja tu harjayi
maine payal hai chankayi ab to aaja tu harjayi,
meri sanson me tu hai basa
o sajana aaja na ab tarsa...o sajana aaja na ab tarsa
maine payal hai chankayi ab to aaja tu harjayi,
meri sanson me tu hai basa
o sajana aaja na ab tarsa...o sajana aaja na ab tarsa

Chale jab yeh purvayi, baje dil me shahnayi,
tuhi mere sapno ka o sajnaaa...
Chale jab yeh purvayi, baje dil me shahnayi,
tuhi mere sapno ka o sajnaaa...
maine...maine hai lehrayi ab to aaja tu harjayi
meri sanson me tu hai basa
o sajana aaja na ab tarsa...o sajana aaja na ab tarsa
ho...
tune chunri jo lehrayi fir kyun aaya na harjaayi
hooo...

main din bhar soch me dubun main raat main jaagun na soun
tuhi dil me rehta hai o sajnaa...
main din bhar soch me dubun main raat main jaagun na soun
tuhi dil me rehta hai o sajnaa...
maine...maine chudi hai khankayi
ab to aaja tu harjayi
meri sanson me tu hai basa
o sajana aaja na ab tarsa...o sajana aaja na ab tarsaho...
tune chudi jo khankayi fir kyun aaya na harjayi...ho...
ho...
tune payal jo chankayi fir kyun aaya na harjayi... ho...
ho...
tune chunri jo lehrayi fir kyun aaya na harjayi... ho..
hoo...

Everyone were memorized by her voice and the beautiful way she sang……..! They just stood there, instead of dancing, looking at her……….Kanan and Josh were also stunned to hear her beautiful voice……….They had never heard her sing………she was just mind blowing……..Kanan stood there open mouthed in the front seat, where Angad joined her and tapped her shoulder with a grin and she looked at him with a frown and then back at Kanan……….

Ka: I can't believe, she is so good……..!! She said slowly as the song started ending and Angad grinned………

Angad as he promised was the first to appaulse, as the others followed, shouting for more……..Kripa opened her eyes a little shaken and looked at the crowd, asking for more songs and there she saw Angad, who was grinning at her with a big smile and a thumbs up sign, like he did when she sang in India……….She blushed looking at him, still feeling nervous and he nodded at her with a blink and smiled at her knowingly……….Kripa looked at him with pleading eyes, telling him that she did not want to, but he looked at the crowd and shrugged, with a grin……….He slowly blowed her a kiss, and indicated her to start and Kripa nodded after a slight hesitation, closing her eyes and taking a deep breathe……….She choose song, from the same album and told the person who came to ask her and slowly started singing………

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmu6i9qC9sI

(Aankh mein kajra, baal mein gajra

Bindiya jo lagaayi re

Dekhke teri mast jawaani

Chanda bhi sharmaaye re) - 2

Oye oye oye oye oye

Meri chunar ud ud jaaye - 2

Haai dil mera ghabraaye

Meri chunar ud ud jaaye

Haai dil mera ghabraaye

Koi yeh to bataaye mujhe yeh kya hua hai - 2

Mera dil kyoon machla jaaye, haai

Meri chunar ud ud jaaye

Haai dil mera ghabraaye

Koi yeh to bataaye mujhe yeh kya hua hai - 2

Mera dil kyoon machla jaaye, haai

Meri chunar ud ud jaaye

Haai dil mera ghabraaye

(Unke taras ko harpal meri aankhen tarsi jaaye

Tanhaai bechaini mujhko kyoon itna tadpaaye) - 2

Koi yeh to bataaye mujhe yeh kya hua hai - 2

Mera dil kyoon machla jaaye, haai

Meri chunar ud ud jaaye

Haai dil mera ghabraaye

(Rang rangeeli chunar meri laheron si laheraaye

Mast pawan ke chanchal jhonken preet ke geet sunaaye) - 2

Koi yeh to bataaye mujhe yeh kya hua hai - 2

Mera dil kyoon machla jaaye, haai

Meri chunar ud ud jaaye

Haai dil mera ghabraaye

Koi yeh to bataaye mujhe yeh kya hua hai - 2

Mera dil kyoon machla jaaye, haai

Meri chunar ud ud jaaye

Haai dil mera ghabraaye

(Aankh mein kajra, baal mein gajra

Bindiya jo lagaayi re

Dekhke teri mast jawaani

Chanda bhi sharmaaye re) – 4

She sang one more after that, when Angad sent Kanan to her rescue, who chuckled and asked the audience to excuse Kripa as her date was waiting for her and at last cheers and claps followed, as Kripa stepped down the stage with trembling feet……….But as soon as she walked down, she went from the side outside, before Kanan could say or do anything……..She looked at Angad confused and worried and he nodded, telling her that he would see to her……..He slowly walked out side and looked around, but there was no one there……….He walked towards the lighted path and then found her a few feet away sitting on the bench……….As he walked, he could see tears flowing from her eyes and frowned, going to her fast…………

A: Kripa, kya hua? He said suddenly kneeling down before her………

K: How could you Angad? She whispered closing her eyes as tears came pouring down her cheeks……….

A: Par Kripa…………

K: Mein ne sangeet issiliye nahi sikha ki mujhe naam ya shauhrat chahiye………Mein bas apne liye sikh rahi thi…..…..Na hi mein kisi ke samne kabhi gana chahti thi, na stage par perform karna chahti thi……..She said getting up suddenly with angry tears……….Ek baar mujhe puchne ki jaroorat bhi nahi samjha tumne………..? Angad looked at her a little shocked, as he thought that after today's performance, she would not have stage fear and she would gain confidence and she would be happy, when people will recognize her and be friendly and talk to her, instead of her being in the back ground all the time………But she wasn't happy………

A: Kripa………

K: Mein apne room jana chahti hun………She whispered and started walking, when Angad suddenly stopped her and pulled her to him with a jerk………Kripa tumbled a little, but then looked at him shocked……….Her cheeks still covered with tears and she looked in his eyes with troubled expression……..

A: Kis baat ka daar hai tumhe Kripa? He whishpered……….And Kripa held her breathe……….Mujhse bhi chipaogi………Tumhare ankhon mein dukh kum aur kashma kash aur daar jyada dikh raha hai……..He said holding her cheeks………Kripa suddenly looked away, not able to look in his eyes, but Angad did not let her for long……..Kaho Kripa……..he said a little softly and Kripa broke in tears and hugged him tightly, sobbing in his arms………I am sorry Kripa……….He said suddenly realizing his mistake………whatever the reason, he should have asked her before taking such a big step………Because it was not just a group of people who were watching her, but it was almost half of the college……….!! He had seen many kids who could never perform on the stage and preferred to stay back stage, due to stage fear and some even had bad experiences following humiliations and becoming a laughter stock in the college and he then realized, how he had trapped Kripa in such a situation, even though his intentions were good…….!! I am sorry Kripa, he said suddenly angry at himself for putting her through it………..He suddenly hugged her tightly, closing his eyes………..Please rona bandh karo……….I promise dubara aisi galti nahi hogi………..I am sorry, he whispered kissing and tasting her salty tears…………Kripa calmed down after a long time and Angad took her to his waiting car………..He asked Kripa to sit and said that he would come in few minutes and ran inside to talk to Kanan……….Kripa was in no state to go inside and he did not want her to go now………He quickly talked to kanan, took Kripa's bag from her car, coming out with her and went off, assuring Kanan that Kripa was alright, though a little upset……..

He ran to their car, where Kripa was sitting in the same position he left and sat in guiltily…….. He started the engine and drove off to the hotel which he had booked for them for next two days………It was a little far from the city, but Kripa neither questioned him about where they were going, nor talked, looking out silently……..Angad kept looking at her once in a while a little worried, as well as angry on himself, but what's done was done……! He could not rectify what he did, but hoped Kripa would talk to him about it and let him in……They reached the hotel in an hour and Angad silently took her bag and walked out, going to the passanger seat and opening the door………Kripa got down without a word and walked with him silently until they reached their room……….Kripa sat on the bed, still shivering a little and rubbed her hands over her arms………Angad was by her side in a moment and picked he up and gathered her close in his lap and hugged her, rubbing her arms and back, comforting her anyway he could………They stayed there for a long time, until Kripa was finally asleep in his arms……..Angad sat there looking at her………Until finally he kept her on the pillow and slept besides her, keeping a secure hand on hers………

Kripa's eyes opened early morning and she felt as if she dreamed last night……..But suddenly a hand on her waist told her a different story……….One by one yesterday's moments came to her mind and she closed her eyes a little terrified………A hand on her waist tightened and she knew that Angad was awake……..She slowly turned around in his arms and he stared at her………

A: I am sorry Kripa…….he whispered, slowly caressing her arms and then keeping a hand on her cheek……Kripa looked away and Angad was hurt………He knew what he did was wrong, but he couldn't rectify it, and Kripa was still upset and did not want to share her feelings with him…….! Tum taiyar ho jao, mein tumhe college drop kar dunga……he said slowly getting up and Kripa nodded getting up herself………Angad gave her the bag he had bought and Kripa silently took it, without questioning him where the bag came from, not really surprised……..They quickly freshened up and got ready……..They left the hotel, without a word in their own thoughts……Soon, Angad dropped Kripa and said bye with heavy heart and went off, as Kripa walked up the steps of the hostel…….

Kanan who was just getting ready looked at Kripa surprised……..

Ka: Hey Kripa…….Itni jaldi aa gayi…….Angad ne to kaha ki tum do din baad aaogi? She asked confused………Kripa too looked at her confused……….

K: Do din baad? She asked a little awkwardly……….

Kanan frowned and looked at her………Kripa slowly walked in keeping her bag and sat there sighing………Kanan was watching her carefully, while Kripa was deep in her own thoughts even to notice her……….

Ka: Kya hua Kripa……..? Don't tell me you had your first fight……..!! She said rolling her eyes…….Kripa looked at Kanan blankly……..Hey? Kripa shook her head and Kanan sat straight……..Are you upset about yesterday? I need to tell you something, if you are girl…..You don't need to be upset at all!…..You were superb…..!! I did not know, you are such a wonderful singer……!

Kripa looked at her and smiled sadly………But still did not say a word and Kanan got up and went to her worriedly ………

Ka: Kya hua Kripa? Itni pareshan kyun ho? She asked gently sitting besides her……….I hope tum Angad se naraj nahi ho, kal ke liye………She said touching her arm……….Kripa looked at her with tears……But then looked away, when she saw confusion in Kanan's eyes……!Kripa?

K: Kyun kiya Angad ne aisa Kanan……? Aur tum ne bhi sath diya……..? Mujhe ek baar puchne ki jaroorat bhi nahi samjha tum donon ne…….? She asked in low voice…….

Ka: Kripa, Angad ko tum par yakeen tha ki you are the best……..!! He is a good artist himself and he knew what he was doing…….! Aur ussane mujh se kaha bhi tha, ki tumhari awaj mein jadoo hai….!! He just wanted to give you a chance, to present your talent to the world Kripa……..Aur mein ne bas uska issiliye sath diya, kyun ki woh tumse pyar karta hai, tumhhari fikra hai usse…….He wanted you to have the best…….!! Tum hi kaho, agar Angad ya mein tumhe stage par jane ko kehte to tum jati? No, never and Angad said the same…..!! I don't know the reason behind it, but the reason no longer exists Kripa………Today you have something to share with the world…….Then why not……?

K: Par mein ne sangeet apne liye sikha tha Kanan, naam ya shauhrat ke liye nahi…..!! She said looking away…….

Ka: Apne dil se pucho kripa……..Kise tassali de rahi ho……..? Apne dil par hath rakh kar ankh bandh karke khud ko jawab do………Kya sachmuch yahi wajah hai……..? Ya tumhara daar tumhe age badhne se rok raha hai ? Kripa looked away blinking her tears…….. tumhari ankhen bahot kuch keh deti hai……!! She said after a while, when kripa did not speak…….And Kripa looked at her with tears……...Kanan slowly wiped Kripa's cheeks and smiled…….Issi wajah se Angad ne tumhe nahi bataya…….Woh tumhare dil mein chupe daar ko samjh gaya tha…….Can't you see Kripa……..there is nothing to fear anymore………You have some talent, which people went crazy for……..!! What is the harm, in letting people hear you and enjoy…….And music is the soul of life…….Isse kya chipana…..? Suddenly Kripa got up and closed her eyes remembering her childhood……!!

K: Mein pehle se stage par jane se darti thi…….She whispered……..Mere teachers ne bahot baar kaha, par mein kabhi nahi kar saki……..Mere mama ki friend thi, jisne mama se kaha tha ki ek baar jabardasti mujhe stage show karne par majboor kare……. Mama ne kiya……Dant kar, samjhakar……...Aur mein maan gayi……. Dance practice to mein ne bahot achi tarah ki thi……...Par jab stage par gayi, she smiled sadly, mein bas sehem gayi, wahin niche baithkar rone lagi…….she said chuckling a little at that memory……..Itna daar gayi ki bas kabhi dubara jane ki himmat bhi nahi ki mein ne……..Ek saal tak mujhe class mein aur school mein bache chidate the…….Aur mein kuch bol bhi nahi payi, na hi unhe jawab de payi…….Dheere dheere saab se dur hoti gayi……..Mama papa ne bahot baar samjhaya, par himmat joota hi nahi payi………Bahot kum dost the mere, par uss din ke baad saab se ankh chura kar baith gayi………I did not feel as if I belonged there amongst them…….I felt as if I was a outsider…...Aur phir mama papa chal base…….Aur meri duniya hi badal gayi……! She said sighing……Kal raat bas wahi saab yaad aa raha tha mujhe…….! She said whispering……..

Kanan was silent for a long time……..

Ka: I understand Kripa…….You must have gone through a lot due to your bad experience in childhood………But you are not alone …….! There are lots of kids who have stage fear at one point……They never can stand and speak before others……..! You were a kid then……..But now, you are a adult………And further you have talent……! And didn't yesterday prove that you can do it……! Even though afraid, nervous, you still went, not wanting to face the same humiliation again…..! And you did so amazingly…..!! Agar Angad ne ye nahi kiya hota, to kya tum kabhi ye jaan pati, ki tum badal gayi ho……Look at your self…….Compare yourself, from what you were last year Kripa...….And see today…….You can do a lot more with your life, only if you try a little harder, to overcome your fears…..!! Angad jaise jeevan sathi to tumhe dhundne par bhi nahi milega………Many men would have been jelous, if they were in Angad's position……Kripa looked at her with a frown…….

K: Jelous?

Kanan chuckled…….Aur nahi to kya……..Dekho, Angad ek singer aur composer banana ka khwab dekh raha hai……..He is good at dance too and is planning to do stage shows……..Right……..Kripa nodded……Then think, you have just learned music from a local teacher, in comparision to his wonderful academics……But still, in future, it might be that you might be more famous, due to your voice and in built talent…….He knows it and still is supporting you……Many might never have encouraged you at all, Kripa………..! He is such a selfless person……….Aur tum ussi par ghussa ho rahi ho? Think carefully Kripa……..You need to make up your own mind…….No one can do anything otherwise……! You are lucky to have a life partner like Angad by your side to support you so much and further, this proves how much he loves you…….! she said grinning…….Aab mujhe jana hai……..!! I have a date…….Tum arram karo……ya phir……whatever….!! Bye…….She said and walked out, before Kripa could say a thing……..Kripa looked down, thinking about what Kanan just said…..! Was she right…..? Was she really being unreasonable towards Angad…..? She thought for next hour and then she realized……She needed to do something, to rectify her mistakes, which she did by misunderstanding Angad……..

Angad on the other hand sat on the beach, sadly thinking about Kripa…….She was right…….He had taken over her and did something, she did not want to, forcing his decision and his thinking on her, when she was not ready……..She was right to get angry………He made a mistake and was guilty about it……..If only Kripa could forgive him………he thought sadly…….

His phone started ringing……..It was the call from the same hotel, which they had left in the morning……..

M: Sir, our records indicate that you have checked out from your room in the morning………Is that right?

A: Yes……

M: But there is someone in your room, who claims that you have booked the room for two days, which is right, as the records indicated and took the room keys asking us to call you and confirm it…….Can you please come here and identify this person and see to this problem immediately, or you will be charged for the next two days…….? He asked impatiently…….

Angad frowned……..Ok….I am on my way……

M: Thanks……

A: But can you tell me the name of the ……. But the manager had already kept the phone and Angad frowned thinking about it……It was a weird call……!! But he as and then did not have anything to do, so went to the hotel……He reached in about 45 minutes and asked the receptionist about the status……..She smiled and told him, that the person was still in the hotel suit and the manager said that if he wanted to check out then he could come and tell them or continue his stay for the next two days……she gave him an extra card after seeing his ID…..…Angad frowned, but nodded and walked up……..He opened the door still frowning and went in and stood there stunned to see Kripa sitting on the bed watching TV………As soon as Kripa saw him, her heart beat loudly and she stared at him……Angad could not believe that Kripa was here again…!! He had just left her couple of hours ago at her room…….!! Kripa?

Kripa made faces at him and looked at the TV………Kanan ne kaha ki tum ne room do din ke liye book kiya hai, to mein aa gayi……..Itne paise dekar room liya hai, aise hi waste kyun karna………. Aur waise bhi kal chutti hai class ko…….She said changing the channels, and looking at the screen blankly too nervous to look at him……..

Angad, who was still standing and starring at her, came out of the initial shock and his lips twisted in a small smile, but he kept his face sober…….

A: Acha kiya……..Thik keh rahi ho tum…….Itne paise dekar aise hi waste karne se acha yahin reh jao, do din……..He said sighing…….Aab yahan tak aa gayi ho, to room service order karna, aur baki saab to malum ho hi jayega tumhe……..So, mein nikalta hun…….Pata hai ki tum mujh par waise bhi ghussa ho…….Aur takleef nahi dena chahta tumhe……Mein to bas woh manager ne kaha issiliye aya tha……..Pehle keh deta ki tum thi, to shayad ata bhi nahi…….Tum enjoy karo, mein nikalta hun aab…….He said slowly, turning around, when Kripa frowned and looked at him……..switching off the tv immediately………

K: Angad, kahan ja rahe ho…..?She asked getting up tensed, knowing he might be angry on her…….

Angad stopped, smiling to himself, but still did not turn around, wanting to see what she had to say…….!!

A: Room par…….! Waise bhi tum mujh se naraj ho………baat nahi karna chahti…….to mein yahan rahekar kya karunga…...He said walking two steps forward, before he felt Kripa's hand on his arm, stopping him……..

K: Mein kahan naraj hun……she whispered slowly…….Naraj to tum honge mujh par, mere liye itna saab kiya tumne aur mein ne badle mein tumhe galat samjha, dosh diya…….She said looking down with tears……..Angad's smile vanished suddenly and he turned around stunned…..!A tear escaped Kripa's eye and Angad held her arm……..

A: Nahi Kripa, mein tum se naraj nahi hun……! Mein to bas majak kar raha tha……..tumhe aise akele yahan chod kar jane ka to mein soch bhi nahi sakta……samjhi..….He said immediately and Kripa looked up surprised……….She smiled and wiped her tears, swallowing a lump and nodded……

Kripa blushed and looked down…….I am sorry Angad…….Tumhe galat samajhne ke liye…..She whispered looking at him……..Angad smiled and circled his arms around her waist and bought her near……..

A: Ek shart par mafi milegi…….He said mischiviously…….

K: Kya? She whispered, her heart beating……..

A: Aab do din issi kamre mein mere sath aise hi bahon mein rahogi…….He said with a grin…..Ek pal ke liye bhi door nahi jaoogi.…..Kripa blushed and nodded and Angad chuckled and pulled her near and hugged her…….!! Waise I liked your style of convincing me……..He said grinning, after a few minutes, looking at her and Kripa chuckled……….Tum itni dur khud drive karke ayi? Kripa looked at him and slowly nodded…….Daar nahi laga……? Kripa shook her head smiling shyly……Angad grinned…….kissing her lips tightly……….Waise Kripa tum ne woh hotel manager ko kya kaha……He asked a little confused………Kripa bit her lips and chuckled a little…….

K: Kuch nahi, yahi ki hum mein jhagda ho gaya, aur mein tumhe manana chahti hun……..

Angad raised his eyebrows with mischief and Kripa blushed…….Aur woh maan gaya……?

Kripa nodded……..Angad laughed and kissed her cheeks with love………

A: I love you…….!! He said grinning…….

K: I love you too…….She said slowly keeping her head on his chest…….Angad gently caressed her and sighed………She was so innocent and adorable, that sometimes, he felt as if she was still just 12, as when she had come to stay with them……..

His thoughts were disturbed when he felt her lips slowly kissing his chest and he stopped breathing……..His hands on her tightened……..Kripa too felt his response and kissed him once more, slowly looking up in his eyes shyly……..Angad looked down at her with desire and suddenly bent down and lifted her up with a grin…….Kripa blushed and hid her face in his neck, while Angad lovingly nuzzled her neck and hairs with his face……..He took her near the bed and slowly kept her on the bed and looked in her eyes…….

A: I missed you……he whispered slowly in her ears and bit her lightly making her shiver………Pata nahi ye age ke kuch mahine kaise katenge tumhare bina Kripa…….He said inhaling her sweet smell and kissing her neck and shoulders……….Kripa blushed and looked other side, feeling his wet lips on her skin……..

Soon, they were both lost in eachother, until they both lay there exhausted…….Kripa was fast asleep soon, with her head on Angad's chest and her hands firmly across his waist……..Angad kept looking at her with a smile as she slept peacefully, totally out of world……After around an hour or so, Kripa slowly stirred and looked up at Angad to see if he was asleep, but was surprised to see that he was wide awake……

A: Ho gayi neend…..Kripa smiled and nodded……..Chalo to phir, niche restaurant mein jakar kuch kha le……..Bahot bhuk lagi hai…..! He said with mischief, circling her fingers with his fingers and Kripa blushed………

They spent two full days with eachother, but somehow never took out the subject of Kripa's stage performance……..And they both knew that it was a issue, both had to talk about, as it was somehow keeping them apart, though they were very near to eachother…….Both did not know how to start the topic and they both didn't want to hurt eachother by any means…….And the issue remained unresolved…….! They reached back to their campus on Sunday night bidding bye to eachother and promising to meet next week………!

Kripa had her last chess competition with an other college student in a week……….She knew it would be tough one……….To her surprise Kartik had called her in the morning of the competition and wished her luck with a grin……..Kripa thanked him shyly and talked to him for some time and then kept the phone…….Angad came an hour early to take to the club, where the competition was held and grinned wishing her luck…….Kripa nervously thanked him and walked inside with him…….She saw couple of her professors there and immediately went to them and they greeted her with delight………She introduced them to Angad and they welcomed him and asked him to take a seat at the guest chairs………Angad squeezed Kripa's hand encouraging her and blinked asking her to relax………

A: Kripa, take it easily ok……..Tum jeeto ya haro, kuch farak nahi padta…..…..samjhi………just do your best………He whispered patting her hand and Kripa nodded………

Soon, she was called in and was introduced to the opponent and after shaking their hands, they sat and started playing…….Angad was also very much involved…….It was a very tough game and the game continued for an hour or so, tensed as well as in complete silence, until atlast Kripa sighed in relief and checkmated the opponent and gave a prayer of thanks……Suddenly loud appaulse surrounded them and Kripa smiled shyly and got up, accepting congradulations from the chess committee and organizers of the competition as well as the sponsorors……. Kripa just wanted to run to Angad, as she could feel Angad's gaze on her, but couldn't as she was surrounded by people……..She slowly turned around to look at him and he smiled and showed her his thumb with a big grin……..Soon, the scholarship was announced and given to Kripa and she thanked them shyly, excussing her self after a while, going towards Angad………

Angad was waiting eagerly for her and as soon as he spotted her coming he ran to her and hugged her tightly with a grin……..Congrats Kripa…….I am so proud of you…..You were just brilliant…….He said with pride and Kripa bit her lips shyly…….

Soon they left the club and went out to celebrate her success………

Josh called and congradulated her and so did Nishant and Kanan……..Kripa grinned and thanked them both……She felt so good about herself, for once……..It was the feeling she never had……She felt as if she stepped in a new world all together, where she felt totally at ease and comfort……..Where she felt no fear, neither did she dread to go forward………For the first time in years she felt liberated from her fears………And she knew that it had been possible only due to Josh, Kanan and Angad………! She looked at Angad, who was deep in his thoughts, while drinking his coffee…….

K: Kya soch rahe ho Angad? She asked softly when she saw him frowning………..Angad looked at her with a smile and shook his head……..

A: Kuch nahi Kripa, yahi ki aab agle 5-6 mahine kitne hectic hai………Aab to 3-4 weeks mein concert mein busy rahunga, phir humari exams, phir mera tour………! We won't get this much time to spend with eachother……….He said sighing sadly……….Kripa smiled and kept a hand on his…….

K: Itne din to gujar gaye, aur 5-6 mahine to hai……..baad mein sath hi to rahenge na…….

A: Kripa, tum ne socha hai age ka? Kya karna chahti ho…….? 4^th year yahan continue karna hai? He asked a little confusingly………How could he go leaving her here after this year? His MS would be over this year, but Kripa would have one more year to go and he did not know what to do about it…….. Kripa suddenly looked away, not knowing what to do………

K: Pata nahi Angad………Tum kaho……Kya karna chahiye mujhe……..

A: Kripa, mein kaise decision le sakta hun………This is about your career and your life…….Yeh decision to tumko khud lena hai……..Dekho, degree yahan kar rahi ho, to usse hasil karne ke liye tumhe ye saal continue to karna hoga, nahi to……he shrugged……Kripa kept quite and he continued…….So, you need to decide, whether to get this degree or not…..….I can't make that decision for you…….! Par haan, tumne itni mehnat ki hai, aise chod dogi to tumhara education adhura reh jayega na……..So, this is a critical decision………I will support you in either of them, par mein yahan mere MS ke baad reh sakta hun ki nahi, pata nahi……….I might be able to do it if I get some sponsorship, par visa aur ye baki saab issues, I don't know……. You should think over about it, and if you will be able to manage…….

K: Par……she asked confused………... She asked frowning….

A: Yeh mat sochna ki mein tumhara pati hun issiliye, tumhare career ka faisla bhi mere hath mein hoga…….I am not that type of person Kripa…….This will be totally on you…..!! I will support you any way you want, but you have to make your own decision……..I know it is difficult to decide, and you have next 6 months to do that……..I will love to have you by my side, but not sacrificing your dreams and wishes……..Samjhi……!! He said looking in her eyes and Kripa just nodded looking down………

K: Agar mein kahun ki mujhe wapas jana hai tumhare sath, yahan akele nahi rehna…….To? She whispered and Angad stilled and looked at her……..After all this, and gaining this independence and being so strong, he thought she would say she would stay and……..….But he sighed………He wanted her to finish her education and get her degree, but at the same time wanted her to be determined and do it whole heartedly, not on his insistence………

A: Aise deisions, jald baji mein nahi lete………Samjhi……..Aur abhi to uske liye kaffi waqt hai………Angad slowly kept a hand on hers and she looked up…….Kripa, think about it and lets see what we should do ok……..May be I can stay and do some shows here for a while, with my friends……...Travel to and fro to India, for doing shows…….I am not sure for now………..But lets see……..Itna tension mat lo……ok……..Today is your success day……!! Enjoy it…..!! He said grinning and Kripa smiled……..

At last, they both went to their own campus and to Kripa's surprise she was surrounded by many students, who came and talked to her and congradulated her for her success…….! When she finally reached her room, Kanan grinned and ran to her and hugged her excitedly and Kripa was just on the seventh moon………Days passed by and Angad got busy as predicted and went to his concerts over the weekends with his friends…….They did 3 shows, for next 3 weekends and as they hoped, the sponsors were happy about it, as the show were successful and sponsored few more shows……….

Kripa was happy for him, but was sad, that they did not meet since a month now………They talked on phone for some time, but someone was always busy, when the other was free and they did not get time………Dilip and Avantika called them both separately and kept asking them about their health and where abouts, especially Kripa, as she had never stayed alone…….But they did not know that Kripa and Angad, never actually lived together, since they came to US……They just knew that after Angad's tour started Kripa shifted to the campus residence……..

Kripa too kept herself busy, to avoid lonliness…….She went to gym alone now, even if Kanan would sometimes be busy with Nishant…….She would go swimming as well as joined her class group, who now knew her well enough, in outdoor games like tennis and volley ball…….She went to play chess sometimes and many students, who were in the chess club tried to defeat her, but couldn't and they praised her for her talent, asking her to join the national team and play…….Kripa was not much in it and just smiled and kept quite……..Her dance class and music class was also going on very well and infact, her dance teacher was quite impressed that Kripa was getting better each day now……! Kripa had still not told Angad about her dance lessons, wanting to surprise him someday……..

Kripa was busy working out in a gym one morning, when her friends came to her with a request…….

F: Kripa, we have a request……We are doing a Diwali function on the Diwali day here, for Indian community and many students are participitating in it and doing cultural dances…….! I want you to participate too and sing few songs……..Please, don't say no, because you are the best……We heard you in navratri function……..! You were wonderful…...Please…….! One of the girls said and Kripa stared at them a little stunned…….

K: I don't think I can………

F: Common Kripa…….You are such a wonderful singer, it would be wonderful function and it would be a huge successful celebration if you sing in it……! Please, many students have suggested us and our hopes are all on you………Kripa just couldn't utter a word……She was just stuck in between what to do and if she could do it…….Kripa…….? Kripa came out of her thoughts and looked at them and saw them all looking at her with pleading eyes…….Slowly she nodded, not knowing how to say no and they grinned and raised their hands up with victory………Thankyou so much Kripa……..This would be a complete successful occasions…….Thank you so much……They said and gave her the number and address, where the participants were practicing and asked her to come there………

Kanan came to know about it pretty soon and was over the top, while Kripa just stayed quite, totally nervous about it……She went to the given address with Kanan, as she was too nervous to even go there, but soon mixed up and talked to few, who were to her surprise it seemed like, they were almost bestowed by her voice…..

The function was a week away and they all decided the dances and songs, selected the songs for Kripa, after taking her opinion and atlast were ready with the program schedule………Kanan was like always, chatting away with anyone and everyone happily and when Kripa came out, grinned and asked if she was ready to leave……..They all said bye, promising to meet Sunday evening and then went back…….

Ka: Brilliant girl…….you are now getting in with true spirits…..! Kanan said with a grin, as she drove to their room……..

K: Thanks Kanan, mere sath ane ke liye…….

Ka: Hey no problem……..Pleasure was all mine……As and then, I knew many of them…….So, I was quite ok……Aab tum kaho……Itna nervous kyun ho rahi ho…….? Kripa looked at her and sighed……Hey common Kripa…….You know you are brilliant……..If you didn't then the praise you got today, might have been enough, to satisfy your ego…….she said rolling her eyes and Kripa chuckled…….I know you will be wonderful……..Just like last time forget everything and concentrate on your songs……on the music and remember, that you can do it……! She said chuckling and Kripa smiled……That's better….! Aab maidan mein uttar hi gayi ho, to jeetne ka socho dear……..Don't think about running back……You will ruin everything………This victory will mean a lot in coming years…….I guarantee you that……..She said as she parked and they got off……..

They talked for half the night, until Kripa forgot all about her upcoming stage performance and chatted away with Kanan……..

Following Saturday, when Kripa met Angad after a month and told him about what she had accepted to, Angad looked at her stunned…….

A: Kripa, are you sure about it…….Pichli baar…….Kripa sighed and looked down nervously……..Kripa?

K: Mein thik hun Angad…..Mein unn logon ko mana nahi kar payi……

A: Kripa, you still have a option………Agar tum nahi karna chahti ho to……..he said with concern…….I am sorry, yeh saab meri wajah se hua……..Tum ye nahi chahti thi aur aab………

Kripa smiled at him and slowly kept a hand on his mouth.…….

K: Sorry keh kar sharminda mat karo Angad……..Mujhe pata hai ki tumne woh mere ache ke liye hi kiya hai…..! may be this will lead me forward…….Tum khud ko dosh mat do……I am sure, I will be fine…..She said…….slowly…….Angad slowly smiled at her and gathered her close………

A: You know Kripa, I am proud of you…….Inn 1 salon mein bahot badal gayi ho………I am confident now that you can do anything, you want to…….Tumhe iss tarah independent dekh kar bahot khushi ho rahi hai……He said smiling and kissing her forehead………You don't need me anymore to look after you now……..Kripa suddenly looked up at him with a frown and he grinned………Kya hua…….I am just saying that you are independent enough and don't need anyone's support, not that I am going to leave you to your own means……….he said rolling his eyes and Kripa smiled and hit him on his arm and then hugged him…….I hope mein aa sakta tumhe stage par gate hue sunnane ke liye, but I have classes that weekend and can't miss them……! He said making faces and Kripa smiled………

K: Tum tour ke liye kab nikal rahe ho?

A: Kyun, badi jaldi hai mujhe bhejne ki? He said mischiviously……

Kripa chuckled and kissed his cheek and Angad looked at her with raised eyebrows……….

A: Kripa, tumhe kuch chahiye kya………? He asked seriously and Kripa looked at him confused……….Nahi, mujhe laga ki itna pyar jata rahi to, shayad……..Kripa rolled her eyes and chuckled…….Angad too chuckled and gathered her close………You know what….Mein soch raha tha, ki iss baar apna ye saal khatma ho jaye to hum dono 2 weeks ki chuttiyon mein kahin ghum aye……I mean, what ever you decide to do after that, we can arrage later……Kripa smiled at him and nodded…….

They walked out of the restaurant with Angad's arm on her and went to beach, to spend some time toghether……..They talked and wrote names on the sand, drawing and playing with the fingers and chuckling at their childishness……..Later after the sun was almost down, Angad pulled Kripa near him and nuzzled his face in her neck and kissed her lightly…….

K: Angad kya kar rahe ho…….Saab dekh rahe hain…..She whispered looking at the people……..Angad chuckled……

A: Look carefully Kripa……..There are hundreds of couples, who are doing a lot more than what I am…….! Kripa blushed and hit him on his arm…..Angad chuckled and kissed her cheeks..….Aaj raat mere sath chalogi……..

Kripa looked up at him and slowly nodded………Angad grinned and kissed her lips…….He suddenly got up pulling her with him and raced towards their car and Kripa chuckled at his eagerness……..

K: Angad, par jayenge kahan…….?

A: Let's try some hotel………Kahin na kahin ek raat ke liye to room mil hi jayega…….! He said grinning…….Kripa bit her lips…….Kya hua, he asked chuckling at her expressions……

K: kuch nahi bas aise hi…….Angad grinned…..

A: Do you think you feel like a teenager, running to have some fun alone, sneaking from parents? He asked with mischief and Kripa chuckled nodding with a grin……Angad winked……We can pretend like that, if you want……! He said squeezing her in his arms, standing next to their car…….Kripa pushed him and went to the passenger seat and got in, making Angad chuckle……They drove off and tried couple of hotels, but they had no luck……..They tried calling 3-4 more hotels, to see if room was available, but no such luck…….Angad made faces, and at last drove towards the campus…….It was almost 8 in the evening and Kripa looked at his frown……..

K: Chalo uppar……..Khana khakar jana……..kuch bana deti hun……! Angad looked in her eyes and nodded……They walked up in silence and then went in…….Kanan wasn't there in the room and had left a note for Kripa, saying she was going with Nishant for couple of days and would return Monday morning and Angad raised his fist up jumping in joy………He suddenly locked the door and pulled Kripa on bed, even before Kripa could say a word and Kripa chuckled at his sudden joy……..Angad……..

A: Mujhe to laga tha ki aab 2-3 mahinon tak tumhe iss tarah bahon mein nahi le paunga…….Par lagta hai, bhagwan bhi yahi chahte hain………We are lucky, he said biting her cheeks lovingly……..He looked in her eyes with desire and Kripa held her breathe and closed her eyes, as his lips slowly touched hers……..He slowly kissed his way down, pulling off her shirt a little, biting and nibbling her creamy skin, until they both were restless………They forgot all about their dinner and spent the night in eachothers arms, loving and caressing eachother until at last they were exhausted and asleep……It was late by the time they got up and Kripa smiled looking at Angad, who slept like a baby, his face close to her ears………His breathe made her shiver and she closed her eyes taking a deep breathe……

Suddenly she looked at the time and her eyes widenend……It was almost 10……!! If anyone came now……! She looked worriedly at Angad……He was still asleep……..She slowly shook his shoulder and tried to wake him up……Angad slowly moved kissing her ears lightly and opened his eyes and he found Kripa starring at him………He smiled happily and pulled her close and began kissing her neck without a word and Kripa too blocked everything else, not wanting to yet leave him……They loved eachother again and again until it was time for Kripa's class…….They atlast dashed towards the restroom and quickly got ready………Angad kissed her once they were all ready to go out and grinned and opened the door…….Thankfully, no one was there in the co-oriodor and they sneaked out and were in the car soon……!

A: So, lunch karke, mein tumhe yahan drop kardunga……Ok……Kripa nodded with a blush and Angad grinned…….Last night's events still fresh in his mind……They had their lunch in nearby restaurant and then Angad dropped her near her car and bid bye after kissing her cheeks lightly, making her blush………I will miss you…..He whispered near her lips and Kripa looked down sadly……..Aab ane wala week chod kar uske baad ke week milenge, aur uske baad he sighed…..I am not sure, may be after 2-3 months……Abhi tour puri tarah final nahi hua hai……..Kripa smiled slowly and nodded…….Angad kissed her forehead……..Take care aur dhere se drive karna aur phone karna kuch chahiye ho to………Paise hain na? Kripa nodded without a word and started getting down without a word, when Angad stopped her holding her hand……Hey…….baat kyun nahi………But suddenly a tear slipped Kripa's eyes and Angad sighed……..Kripa? He asked pulling her near……..Kripa shook her head……She closed her eyes and hugged him slowly smiling a little at him…….

K: Mein jaun? She whispered slowly looking at her watch and Angad shook his head……..Kripa looked at him, her eyes still filled……..

A: Aise rote hue nahi……..he whispered……..I will miss you too…….! Dekhna ye din bhi nikal jayenge………Aab padhai par dhyan do……..Bahot masti ho gayi……..he said with a mock seriousness and Kripa chuckled…….Angad smiled………much better, he said kissing her lips…….Love you……..

K: I Love you too…..she said kissing his cheeks……Tum bhi apna dhyan rakhna…….she said slowly and he nodded and she got down……They stared at eachother for couple of seconds and Kripa slowly stood back and waved her hands and he smiled and drove off…….She sighed and slowly walked towards her car and drove off…….Feeling restless at Angad's absence already…….

Days flew by and Kripa though nervous, performed wonderfully on the Diwali party day……..She was amazing and got wonderful response as students asked her to sing more songs and gave her few choices to choose from…….Kripa took strenghth from their encouragement and sang few more songs and atlast thanked them all and got down of the stage shyly, where Kanan and Josh were waiting for her with a big grin…….Kanan chuckled and hugged her saying she was wonderful and even Josh praised her saying, she was the star in making and she chose wrong path by going in Arts college…….

Angad did not have time to meet Kripa the following weekend, but called her to know how the function went and was happy to see her positive response……..He told her about his extra classes and then informed her that he would call her and meet her before going……Kripa was disappointed, but she knew that Angad would have come if he could…….But to her disappointment, he did not have a single afternoon free and he was all ready to leave the following morning………She sighed and decided to go meet him, before he left once and called him on his phone……

wonderful update

welcome back di dont worry take your time

Amazing lovely , fantastic part..great understanding, care , love , passion, friendship , respect all in one love it

part 14
awesome di...
very good...
Kripa is becoming more confident but her nature is still the same...
Angad so loves her much...
and shes lucky to have Angad as her husband...
they are yet to talk about this...
so beautifully written di...
cont soon dear di...

re-read the story again

Welcome back di. Wonderful update.Really enjoyed reading it.Full of romance and cute moments of AK.Happy to see Kripa becoming independent now. She is lucky to have Angad as her husband.Love it.and take care of urself di.

PART – 15

A: Hey Kripa…….kya kar rahi ho?

K: Kahan ho Angad?

A: Bas abhi room par aya hun……..he said sighing…….Abhi packing bhi baki hai………He said shaking his head……..Sorry Kripa, tum se milne ka time hi nahi mila………Bahot busy ho gaya tha……He said regretfully…….

K: Koi baat nahi hai Angad……..tum abhi room par hi ho, ya phir kahin jana hai…….? She asked hoping he had no plans…….

A: Room par hi hun……..abhi raat ke dus baj rahe hain madam…….aur subah 4 baje nikalna hai mujhe…….he said chuckling…….aur to aur mera kuch packing nahi hua hai……Par tum kyun puch rahi ho….? Yahan ane ka irada hai kya? He asked chuckling and Kripa stayed quite……Kripa?

K: Mein ek baar milna chahti hun tumse Angad……..Jyada waqt nahi lungi………bus 5-10 minute……..

A: Kripa, pagal ho gayi ho? Kitni raat ho gayi hai…….abhi aogi, to jane ke liye raat ke bara baj jayenge…….na……..mujhe chinta hogi……tum mat ana……..he said frowning……..he was just joking……..!

K: Angad……

A: Mein ne kaha na Kripa…….Acha dekho, mere dost abhi khana lekar aye hain room par, mein tumhe adhe ghante mein phone karta hun……thik hai……..

K: Angad……..but he had already kept the phone ……Kripa made faces and then got ready anyway……..And took the car keys and went out……..She drove all the way to Angad's room, many a times missing the route, but at last she reached the right place and sighed in relief, as she had been a little tensed……..She had her mobile handy, but it was difficult to see and drive at the same time……..! She slowly called Angad once again, but he wasn't picking it up……..She tried again and again until after 4-5 rings, Angad took the call……..

A: Kripa, kya hua, itni baar phone kyun kiya…….Saab thik hai na……? He asked frowning and going out of the room, as his friends were in super party mood in his room……..

K: Angad, sorry…….tum busy the? She asked guiltily hearing the voice in the background……

A: Haan, sare dost room par hai……..he said chuckling…….Khana kya le aye, yahan pura party shuru ho gaya hai…….Kripa bit her lips and was in confusion………should she tell him to come down to meet, or should she just go…….He seemed busy……..And she did not want to disturb him………Afterall, he had been so busy all week and now too he had packing to do……..She should have listened to him and stayed home……..Hey kya hua? Angad's voice bought her back from her thoughts……..

K: Nahi kuch nahi……..thik hai…….tum jane ki taiyari karo………baadmein baat karte hain…….

A: Acha thik hai……..sach koi problem nahi hai na……..He asked with a little concern…….

K: Nahi Angad, aisi koi baat nahi……..bas aise hi phone kiya…….

A: Thik hai Kripa……..I will call you in an hour……..so mat jana…….! He said chuckling……

K: Thik hai…..she said a little disappointed, but did not let it show in her voice……..bye…….

A: Bye…..he said smiling and sighed standing there…….He was missing her and wanted to meet her, but he still had so much to do and he couldn't leave his friends, who came to meet him as well…….He slowly started turning around, when he frowned looking at the car, which was reversing………His eyes grew wide and he looked at his phone and then at the car………He suddenly started running down, and called Kripa on her cell phone………Kripa who was all ready to leave looked down and saw Angad's number and stopped the car, taking his call………Kripa kahan ho tum…..? He asked slowly his heart beating………

K: Woh mein…...woh room par……..

A: Really? He asked walking towards the car from behind and heard Kripa taking deep breathe…….He knocked at the window of her car and Kripa frowned and looked out and her eyes grew wide looking at Angad……..She bit her lips looking at the phone in hand and then looked up at Angad, who was frowning at her………She slowly switched off the phone and rolled the window down and looked up at Angad alomost in tears……….Angad stared at her with disbelief…….She was here inspite of his warning and further she was going away even without meeting him……..!! Car park karo pehle……..he said slowly moving a little away, while Kripa nodded guiltily and parked the car, where it was before……..! She slowly switched off the engine and was about to go out, she heard the passanger door open………She waited and then Angad was sitting besides her looking at her once again……….Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho? He asked slowly…….Kripa looked down…….

K: Woh mein tumse milne ayi thi……..she whispered…….

A: Mein ne mana kiya tha na, ki itni raat ko mat ana……!! He asked her frowning……..Kripa bit her lips and looked away with tears……..When she did not answer, he continued………Aur yahan tak aakar bina mile ja rahi thi? He asked surprised……..

K: Tum busy the, issiliye…….tum ne kaha ki dost aye hain to, mein ne socha…….

A: Kya socha, ki mein tumse mil nahi paunga……..? Ya mana kar dunga………

K: Aisa kuch nahi hai Angad……..mein bas tumhe disturb nahi karna chahti thi……….

Angad looked at her with disbelief once again……..

A: Kripa, you are unbelievable………Mein do hafte se tumse mil nahi paya, iska matlab ye nahi ki mein milna nahi chahta tha tumhe……..I was missing you as much as you did……But I had work to do, so much that I hardly had time to eat or drink……..But I was missing you too….!! He said shaking his head………

K: Mein janti hun Angad…….issiliye…….

A: Issiliye kya……yahan tak aakar bina mile ja rahi thi? He asked with a frown…….! For god's sake Kripa…….you are my wife…….! Hak se niche ane ke liye nahi keh sakti thi……! He asked angrily……..

K: Angad, woh mein ne socha…….she said nervously……

A: Galat socha tumne……..he shouted angrily…….And Kripa shivered at his tone and her eyes filled with tears………Do minute ruko yahan…….mein abhi aya………He said authoritatively and went out……Kripa wiped her eyes, as she kept looking at him…….He went up climbing two steps at a time and went to his room, telling them that he would be back in an hour and ran down after taking his jacket and his volet……He was soon sitting in the car………Chalo, reverse lo yahan se……..Aur mein jahan kehta hun wahan turn lo……..Kripa slowly did as he said and drove to where he directed……..Soon, they were near a small park, which was open and well lighted and after parking, Angad got down without a word………Kripa slowly got down as well, locking the car and going behind Angad nervously……..Angad went and sat a little far away from the general public and Kripa followed him and sat besides him on the bench……..She then felt Angad's arms around her, pulling her near him and she looked up at him…….Angad just made faces at her and pulled her to him and Kripa sighed in relief……..Puri pagal ho tum…….janti ho…….He said scholding her gently…….Kripa smiled slowly, but did not look up………I love your independence, but I hate your irresponsibility………Dekho raat ke 11 baj rahe hain…..He said showing her the time………Itni raat ko akeli bahar nikli? Kyun?

K: Woh Angad…….tumhare jane se pehle bas ek baar milna chahti thi……..She said slowly and Angad looked down at her……..

A: Jaise mein ne kaha bilkul pagal ho…….he whispered looking in her eyes with love and Kripa smiled…….

K: Sorry tumhe disturb kar diya……..

A: Disturb to tum mujhe din raat karti ho……..He said chuckling……..Din mein yadein banker, aur raat ko sapnon mein…..! He said kissing her forehead…….So, nothing new there………Haan par tumhare muh se sunkar ghussa aa raha hai……..! Kripa looked up at him……..Tumhara hak hai…….Pata hai na ki bhul gayi……Hope mera patta katne ka irrada nahi hai……..he said mockingly……..

K: Angad…….kuch bhi kehte rehte ho……..jao baat nahi karna mujhe tumse……..

A: Hey sorry baba…….humare paas jyada time nahi hai……..!! So, please no rutna vagera today ok………You know mein ne ek bhi bag pack nahi kiya aab tak……….

K: Mein chalun bag pack karne? She asked with mischief and Angad looked at her with wide eyes……..

A: Really? He asked challenging…….Itni himmat hai……..? Kripa's eyes widened……..

K: Angad Khanna, are you challenging me?

A: Yes Mrs. Angad Khanna……! I am ……..Chalo room par……..mere sare dost wahin hai…...

K: To?

A: Tum mein himmat hai, ki wahan aakar ye kaho ki tum meri girl friend ho………! Aur mujhe packing karne mein help karne ayi hun………? He asked chuckling……..

K: Thik hai……..challenge manjur hai…….chalo……..Angad looked at her suspiciously and Kripa chuckled ……..Angad got up to see, how far she could take this and walked behind her……..Kripa sat in the car, waiting for him to sit……As soon as he was in, she started and drove towards Angad's room…….Angad kept staring at her suspiciously, not knowing what to think……..While Kripa smiled knowing his suspicion……..She parked back, where she had before and got down………Angad got down too………Chalein…….She asked and Angad smiled and nooded, raising his eyebrows…….Kripa slowly walked in front, while Angad followed behind her……He saw her hesitating and then shaking her head and smiled, knowing she would turn now and say she needed to leave…...But his eyes widened suddenly, as he saw her going forward instead……He started frowning, when they reached his floor, thinking if she was really serious……..But his mouth really opened in horror, when he found her knocking on his door and some one opening it…….He slowly walked towards her, when she smiled at some one, who he couldn't make out, but soon reached and found his group student Mike……..He was looking at Kripa with fascination as well as wonder………

K: Sorry to disturb you guys…..I am Kripa Sharma, Angad's girl friend……..And I am here to help him pack, as he said that he is not yet packed for tomorrows trip…….

M: Sure Miss. Sharma……..Anything the beautiful lady wants……..He said grinning at Angad and looked back at his fellow students, who started getting up with a smile……….They one by one started leaving wishing stunned Angad good night, cleaning up before leaving………Kripa bit her lips trying hard not to chuckle at Angad's expression and slowly walked in for the first time in his room, when everyone was gone……! She went in and looked around with delight, as his room was well arranged and nicely maintained………She turned around and saw Angad looking at her open mouthed and chuckled, going to him………

K: So, shart to mein jeet gayi……..aab mera innam………? She asked grinning………Angad rolled his eyes and suddenly closed the door of his room and went to her, holding her in his arms and kissing her senseless, until they were both out of air………Kripa surrendered to him willingly, as eager to be with him, as he was……They were too lost in eachother for next 2 hours, just trying to feel eachothers arms………At last Kripa slowly sat up and looked at Angad shyly……..Angad chuckled looking at her…….

A: Aab kyun sharma rahi ho……..Mere sare doston ke samne to badi bahadur banker ayi thi……..Kripa chuckled hitting him with his pillow and quickly started getting dressed……….

K: Chalo jaldi…….do baj rahe hain, aur tumhara packing baki hai…….Angad sighed and slowly got up………Kripa was already taking out his clothes and folding it neatly and keeping it aside…….Angad took out his suitcase and other things he needed and sat there, while Kripa packed his bag neatly…….Angad, niche gadi mein ek bag hai, tumhare liye le ayi thi……..Lekar aao na………Angad raised his eyebrows, but then kissed her cheeks and went out with a smile…….Kripa waited for him to come, while he came looking inside the bag, with half the items in his hand……..She shook his head at his eagerness and chuckled…….

A: Ye saab tumne banaya? He asked looking at the snacks and other things and Kripa smiled and nodded……..Angad chuckled and went to her and kissed her tightly on her cheeks…….Thanks…..Aur ye? He asked showing her the gift wrap and clothes…….

K: Mere liye……..budhu……..tumhare liye hi hai……she said shaking her head and he grinned and opened it curious like a little child………He grinned looking at the wonderful perfume bottle and the clothes……..She hoped he liked the perfume as she had spent around 200 $ on that……..!

A: Wonderful………He said smelling it…….! Thanks……..aab ladkiyon par impression acha jamega……..He said grinning and Kripa rolled her eyes………

K: Haan, sautan le ane se pehle jara khabar kar dena mujhe………

A: Kyun aarti ki thal sajani hai kya……..he asked grinning…….

K: Nahi uska murder karne ke liye logon ko hire karna hoga mujhe…..! She said sweetly and Angad laughed going to her and hugging her from behind………

A: Love you………

K: Love you too………She said slowly with tears………

A: Kripa…….Kripa chuckled wiping her tears………

K: Sorry…...

A: I will miss you……….

K: I will miss you too……..Mein tumhe airport chodne aa rahi hun……She said as a matter of fact and Angad raised his hands, giving up………

A: Your call…….! He said with a smile………Kripa smiled thanking God that he did not protest………! Suddenly Angad pulled her to him and started kissing her and loved her until, his alaram started at 3.30……..They sighed and slept in eachothers arms for couple of minutes and Angad slowly kissed her chin and got up…….He pulled her up to the shower and they quickly took shower and got ready……..By the time they got ready and hugged and kissed somemore and left the room, it was already 4.10……..Many of the students were also out with their bags and were surprised to see a girl with Angad, as it was the first time he had someone with him……..! But no one commented and walked towards their cars…….Finally Kripa breathed a sigh when they were in the car and Angad chuckled……..Kya hua?

Kripa chuckled a little embarrassed……..kuch nahi…….chalein…….Angad nodded with a grin and they were on their way………Soon they reached the airport and Angad checked in and they went towards the cafeteria and ordered some sandwiches and coffee, as both were hungry…….They ate silently, talking in between…….Finally, Angad's group called him as boarding had started and Angad got up, putting the trash away……..He looked at Kripa, who was silently standing there, with her purse and went to her and kissed her forehead……..

A: Apna khayal rakhna aur sambhal kar room par jana…….Kripa nodded with a light smile and waved at him as he walked towards the security check…….When he was atlast out of sight, she slowly turned around wiping her tear and walked out silently………She went to the parking lot and drove off towards her room……..3 long months of wait, was something she did not know how she was going to go through……..!

But time never stops………It keeps its pace and so does life…….Both Kripa and Angad, inspite of missing eachother, became busy in their studies, activities, concerts, practice……..so on…….Kripa was more bolder, blended with all the kids, went to parties as well as joined other activities to keep herself busy……..She was well known as well as respected in the college and was happy…….! She still had not decided about her final year, but was thinking about it seriously……!

Ka: Hey Kripa, tumse kuch help chahiye…….! Kanan said coming in the room one evening……..

K: Kaho Kanan……..

Ka: There is a charity event in our college and we need volunteers to help with it…….

K: Sure kanan……..why not……..

Ka: There is a problem here Kripa…….She said with hesitation……

K: What problem? She asked frowning……

Ka: Woh Prithvi bhi hai iss event mein……..She said slowly and Kripa stood there stunned for a moment……..Then she shook her head……….

K: Doesn't matter…..I will be there……Kab aur kahan jana hai……?

Ka: Are you sure?

K: Haan Kanan, I am sure……! She said and Kanan smiled at her nodding her approval……..

Kripa reached the charity event on time and found atleast half the college sorting and packing and went to the administrator and signed up for the volunteer work……..She was given work in couple of sections and was shown what she needed to do and Kripa went and started her work……..She waved and talked to many who greeted her, while working side by side and became busy……..It was afternoon and Kripa still had lot to do, but then suddenly she found some one staring at her and frowned and looked up……..Her eyes widened, when she saw prithvi looking at her , and when she looked at him, he looked away……..Without another word, she started looking through the things, hoping he would leave, but suddenly she found him standing in front of her…….It was almost a year now she had last seen him……!

P: Kripa…….

Kripa looked up angrily at him…….

K: Leave me alone Prithvi……..Mujhe tumse koi baat nahi karni hai…….She said going the other way……

P: Ek minute kripa, mein sirf tumse maafi mangna chahta hun…….He said guiltily looking down and Kripa stopped what she was doing, looking away…….I am really sorry for my behavior kripa…….I know sorry kehne se meri galti kum nahi ho jati, par phir bhi maffi mangna chahta hun…….Jo kuch bhi hua, mein uske liye sharminda hun……Bahot mahinon se pachta raha hun, par kabhi tumhare samne ane ki himat nahi hui……..Aur aaj jab tum samne dikhi, to khud ko rok na saka……Meri bhi ek behen hain, aur mein janta hun meri galti shayad maffi ke layak nahi hai, kyun ki agar kisi ne Mishti ke sath aisa behave kiya hota, to shayad mein usse jaan se maar deta……he said angry at his own behavior……..Issiliye tumhara aur Angad ka ghussa samjh sakta hun……..Aur maffi ki umeed bhi nahi karunga……..! He said slowly turning around and going away……….Kripa waited for 3-4 seconds more and then turned around and frowned looking around……….But Prithvi was gone……..For some reason, she felt as if Prithvi was really sorry…….! She sighed and slowly started working……..

At last around 7 in the evening, they were done and the boxes dispatched to the areas, where they were needed………

Kripa found someone besides her looking at her and she looked up…….The girl looked familiar, but Kripa couldn't make out, where she saw her………She was also staring at her and walking towards Kripa………

K: Hi……..Kripa said slowly smiling a little at the girl………

H: Kripa…….Kripa Sharma right……..? She asked with a small frown……..Kripa looked at her with a smile and nodded……..Vow, small world………Mujhe nahi pehchana……..? She asked her and Kripa looked at her with confusion……..Harshini Batra, from Delhi Kendriya Vidyalaya…….She said with a smile and suddenly Kripa's face lit up……..

K: Harshini? She said surprised…….and Harshini chuckled…….Tum yahan?

H: Hey tum bhi to yahin ho…….! She said rolling her eyes and then chuckled……..Kripa chuckled…….

K: Mein yahan arts student hun……..You?

H: I don't study here………I am here to see my cousin…..! She said with a smile……..Vow, you have changed……..! And for the better I guess……You look wonderful….….she said with a grin and Kripa smiled……..

K: I did change I suppose…….she said chuckling….…Chalo, cafeteria mein…….

H: Haan chalti to, but I need to find my cousins……Masi ne kaha ki yahin honge, she said making faces…..I am here to surprise them…….! She said with a chuckle…….

K: Ek minute, mujhe ye bas itna clean karna hai…….Waise kya naam hai tumhare cousins ka…….I might be able to help you here…….Kripa asked clearing the tables and putting all the thrash in the bin…….

H: Josh and Kanan…….! Kripa stopped what she was doing and looked up surprised……

K: Tum Kanan aur Josh ki cousin ho? Harshini nodded………

H: You know them?

K: Kanan meri room partner hain…….Aur achi dost bhi………

H: Oh vow……..Phir to bahot acha hua………chutiyan maje se kat jayegi aab………she said chuckling…….

K: Chalo, kanan mera canteen mein intajar kar rahi hai………Josh bhi wahin ane wala hai……..

H: Really, to chalo…….she said grinning and Kripa chuckled and took her along……..

K: Tum kis field mein graduate hui ho…….Harshini chuckled……

H: Abhi nahi hui, bas abhi exams hue hain……I did commerce though……..Aur phir programming bhi kiya hai……I am in midst of job search….…Kripa nodded smiling……They entered the canteen and Harshini grinned looking at Kanan and Josh……She tapped on Kripa's shoulder and asked her to go in and keep quite, not to tell about her and Kripa nodded smiling……

As soon as she reached Kanan looked up with a frown……..

Ka: Kripa, kahan thi aab tak……..kab se intajar kar rahe hain…….

K: Sorry woh mein……

Ka: Kya sorry……dopahar ka khana bhi skip kiya tumne, aur aab itni late ayi ho…….she said rolling her eyes…….

J: Common Kanan, stop babying her……Baitho Kripa, thak gayi hogi na……Kripa smiled tiredly and slowly sat down looking at the doorway……Kisse dekh rahi ho? Kripa looked at Josh and smiled shaking her head……She then saw Harshini coming from behind Josh and Kanan with a grin and shouting loudly in their ears, taking them both by surprise………Kripa started chuckling and so did Harshini, while Josh and Kanan looked up surprised……..Harshini, yahan? He asked stunned…….

Ka: Oh my God…….tum yahan kaise aa gayi…..Kanan said getting up shocked……..Harshini chuckled and hugged her……..

H: Bas aa gayi……! How are you sis……? She asked chuckling……

Ka: At the top……Tum batao…….so finally exams ho gayi……

H: Yup……..She went and hugged Josh with a grin…….Kripa smiled at them both…….

Ka: Harshini, ye ……

H: Kripa Sharma hai……..! Janti hun…….Balki tum se jyada samay iske sath bitaya hai mein ne……..Kanan and Josh looked at her surprised…….

K: Harshini meri bachpan ki dost hai……..6^th tak hum sath mein pade hain…….!Kripa supplied……..

J: Vow……..! Can't believe it……Small world……!

H: I know…….Harshini grinned sitting down……..Josh bhaiya, please kuch jaldi se mangao na………bahot bhuk lagi hai………

Josh chuckled and nodded…….They all ordered their dinner and sat with their plates……….

J: So, when did you come to US?

H: Bas kal hi ayi…..Aur aaj yahan aa gayi……She said grinning……….

J: Aur ruki kahan ho…….

H: Abhi masa ne hotel mein booking kiya hai thode dinon ke liye………

J: Mere sath shift ho jao…….I just took a flat for my self here on rent……Papa ko batane hi wala tha ek do dinon mein…….If he had known, he wouldn't have booked you in hotel, but anyway, no problem, we will cancel it…….

H: Oh vow……..phir aur kya chahiye……..Kripa, tumne tab achank school ana kyun band kar diya……..Kuch aur problem hui thi kya school mein…….? Harshini asked, unaware about Kripa's tragedy………Kripa stilled for a moment and slowly looked up with a sad smile…….

K: Nahi…….school mein kuch nahi hua……..Mere parents ki death ho gayi accident mein, so mein Bombay shift ho gayi mere mama papa ke friends ke sath, unke ghar……..She said with a lump and looked down and Harshini looked at her wide eyes…….

H: I am so sorry…….she said slowly looking at her and Kripa smiled awkwardly…….Mujhe laga ki woh bachon ki ched chad aur bhi chal rahi thi, issiliye tum shift ho gayi……..Hume teacher ne kuch nahi bataya, bas itna kaha ki tum shift ho gayi dusare school………She said looking at Kripa…….Kripa looked down deep in her own thoughts……..

Josh and Kanan too became silent, knowing Kripa had gone through a bad time……..! Kanan had already told Josh about Kripa's stage fear and the reason behind it, and Josh knew all about her school life and childhood from Angad…….!

Ka: Kripa, khana khao, subah bhi kuch nahi khaya tumne………Kanan said slowly nudging her and Kripa looked at Kanan with a smile and nodded…….!

J: Harshini, masi kaisi hai……..Pata hai Kripa, our moms are twins and so alike, that you will never know who is who……..Josh said grinning and Kripa smiled……….Yeah she vaguely remembered that Harshini had told her about her mom's twin sister living in states and now she knew the connection……..Even Kanan had told her that she had lots of relatives in Delhi and Rajashthan……..

K: Harshini ne bataya tha mujhe, ki uski mom ki twin US mein rehti thi………Aur dekho kismet ka khel……I became friends with you both, when I came here……! Kripa said chuckling…….Josh smiled nodding…….

J: That is why it is said that our fates are sealed the day we are born and we have to accept whatever comes our way, and try to be happy inspite of what ever it may be………! He said and Kripa looked at him with a smile and nodded……..

H: Hey bhai……Is there a love story which is going on here……..You seem to understand Kripa awful lot more……..Kripa's cheeks turned red and Josh chuckled………

J: No way Harshu…….Angad mujhe kacha chaba jayega…..! Kripa shyly chuckled……..

H: Angad……..?

Ka: It's a secret……..Kanan said grinning……….

H: Boyfriend, Harshini asked kripa and Kripa chuckled nodding and looked at Kanan and she smiled……Really? You have a boy friend……..? She suddenly shouted and people around them looked at them…….

Kripa's cheeks turned red, while Harshini bit her lips……..

H: Sorry…….

J: Harshini madam……..ye college hain…….Stay low…….He said chuckling and rolling her eyes……..

Harshini made faces and looked at Kripa with surprise…….I can't believe it………!

K: Boyfriend nahi Husband……Kripa whispered, not wanting to lie to her……!Harshini's eyes widened and she stared at Kripa stunned…….

H: You are married…….?

Ka: Yes dear, but no one other than we two know……..so keep your voice down…….

Harshini raised her eyebrow and Kanan slowly told the rest……Harshini sighed……..Vow……! You are giving me shock after shock…….Kripa chuckled and so did Kanan and Josh…….

Josh's phone started ringing and it was his dad asking about Harshini……..He told him about her safe arrival and shifting to his flat and kept the phone……

J: Chale madam…….He said to Harshini…….Tumhara luggage bhi le ana hoga…….!

Harshini smiled and nodded, keeping her plate away……..

H: kanan……tum nahi chal rahi ho?

Ka: Na……I stay in my room……..Bhai akele shift hoga…….Mein to direct sasural jane wali hun 4 months ke baad…….! She said chuckling…….Harshini grinned and nodded……

H: Bye Kripa……we will meet soon……..! I am here till Kanan's marriage…….! Kripa smiled and nodded and they waved and went off…….

Ka: Vow…….she is like a storm……Kanan said rolling her eyes…….But really its amazing that you were childhood friends……..She said grinning……..

They quickly finished and walked to their room tired from the busy day…….Both were fast asleep soon………

Next week flew by soon as Kripa had some exams……..She was mostly busy on weekdays with her studies and classes…….

Her phone started ringing, when she was in library and she smiled looking at Angad's number…….

She walked out with her books and said hi to him……..

A: Hi sweet heart…….how are you? Angad asked grinning and Kripa blushed at his endearments…….

K: Mein thik hun Angad………tum kaise ho? Kahan ho…….

A: Jahan bhi hun, bahot bure haal mein hun, yaar…….he said sighing and Kripa asked with concern what the matter was……..Angad started chuckling at her innocence……..Mera matlab tha ki tumhare bina meri buri halat ho rahi hai…..I am missing you……Jane se pehle aise ungliyon mein ghumma diya tumne, ki uska nasha aab tak nahi utra…….He said chuckling……..Kripa bit her lips shyly and smiled……Kya kar rahi thi?

K: Kuch nahi library mein thi……..Abhi room par ja rahi hun...

A: I wish I was there………

K: Ek mahina to nikal gaya……..aur do mahinon ki to baat hai……! She said slowly and Angad smiled……….

They talked for a long time and then kept the phone ………..Kripa smiled closing her eyes…….She missed him too…….! She missed Avantika and everyone else as well…….She frowned thinking about staying here all alone for one full year……..! That would be just too long……..!Would she be able to do it…….? She sighed, knowing if she did not then she would not get the graduation certificate……!

After another week or so, Kanan told Kripa about their universal studio trip, they were planning and asked her if she would accompany them………Kripa had nothing else to do and they had a weeks break for early spring and she accepted…….Kanan was happy that Kripa was going with them and they booked their tickets for the same………They booked a 2 bedroom suit and the flight tickets and were all set…….Kripa told Angad about the trip and he asked her to go enjoy and have nice time without hesitation……..Kripa had felt a little akward, knowing she did not ask him first, but sighed when he was totally ok with it…..They all left for LA soon and checked in the hotel…….Aliyah, Kanan and Kripa share a room, while Nishant and Josh shared one…….

They spent their first day looking around and then started with the studios the next day…….Kripa was afraid going in every ride, but Nishant, Josh, Harshini and Kanan, constantly pushed her and took her in and soon, she got used to it………They enjoyed 5 full days there and were back by Saturday………! It was a wonderful trip, but still Kripa missed Angad's presence every single moment……..

Soon the routine started……..Kripa got a call from a local senior citizen group, where she had signed up for volunteering every week and they asked her if she was free every Saturday for 8 hours, as they needed some people for the weekends…….Kripa readily agreed and signed up her name online for next 3 months…….!

Kripa got ready for her first day for volunteer and went to the given address………She looked around and slowly went in and gave the receptionist her ID card and the girl smiled and took her in the waiting room, where some 100 elderly people sat talking, eating and watching TV……..! She introduced them all to Kripa and told Kripa about how she could help and what chores are there to do and after introducing to some other students, who were there to volunteer, she went away……Kripa got into it straight away and was very much welcomed warmly…….. She started cleaning the kitchen with the other girls, when suddenly she heard loud voices, laughter as well as clapping in the room…….Surprised she went out and was stunned to see Prithvi talking to them……It looked like he was very much at home here and was very much liked by most of the people, by the way they were all talking to him…….She could not believe that he was here…….!! Did he just come or was he a volunteer here as well, the question suddenly came to her mind and she swallowed and ran in to compose her self and slowly started doing her job, deep in her own thoughts……..It would be so difficult to work here if he did…….!

Prithvi, was still unaware of Kripa's presence and was busy with the people talking and helping them out……! He was a regular volunteer here from last 6 months and came atleast 3 times a week to help out……..He knew most of them by names and was cheerful and behaved with them as if they were friends, rather than the elderly people, which they liked most…….

Kripa was done in the kitchen and slowly came out, as she couldn't hide there for ever and Prithvi looked at her a little stunned………For a second, there was awkwardness, until someone called to Prithvi and he went to help the person………

They both worked side by side silently, not much talking to eachother…..Kripa mostly did the work, which needed little interaction with the people around, keeping her self in the background……While Prithvi was in midst of them, making them comfortable, trying to give what they want, seeing that they get what they need to sit in comort and have their medicines…….

At last around 7 in the evening, Kripa was fully tired and left after everyone retired to their rooms……Thankfully Prithvi wasn't there and she left sighing with relief……..This continued for next two weeks, until Kripa was forced to interact with Prithvi many a times, due to their work…….But she was even a little surprised and pleased to see that Prithvi was not the person she thought he was…….She slowly tried to put her guard down and talked to him without hesitation when needed, though they were not proper friends like before……Time flew by and soon it was around 2 months since she started volunteering……..Angad called whenever he got time, though it was only for 5 minutes or so, as he was busy always, while Kripa too kept herself busy…..Though she never mentioned to Angad about Prithvi, or that she was volunteering along with him or became friends again, as they hardly had time to speak about themselves, that she just did not give it much of a thought……..Angad's trip got extended further……..Kripa was sad, but knew that it was not in Angad's hand as well……Their group was really progressing well, so they had opportunity to present at one or two countries more and they had to stay…….

K: Prithvi, please can you take him in, his health is not looking good……..Kripa said one day, when she was volunteering…….Prithvi immediately came to her with a frown and looked at the elderly person, who was leaning back and breathing very slow and was hardly able to walk……..

P: Kripa, tum ruko, mein nurse ko le ata hun……..I think he needs medical care immediately…..He said running out……..The other two volunteer and the management personal also came and tried to see if they could help………Soon Prithvi was back with the nurse, who had already asked the ambulance people to be ready, if they needed them……..Doctor was in the way too, as she checked and told the management to call the ambulance around and take him to the hospital………

N: Kripa, can you go along with Mr. Samuel and be there in the hospital, until his family comes…..

K: Of course…..I will go with him……She said running to the locker room and taking her purse……..

P: Kripa, you better go with the ambulance……..Nahi to tumhe itne bade hospital mein dhundna mushkil ho jayega……..

K: Par Prithvi, meri car?

P: Mein sham ko le aunga……..Don't worry……..Yeh mera phone number hai……Call me if you need any help before that…….Kripa nodded giving him her key without another thought and ran out, where they were already taking the patient in the ambulance…….The nurse introduced the medical team to Kripa and said she would accompany the person and would be there for a while…….Kripa went with the ambulance, though she never was in this situation, she was not as nervous as she had been before and waited in the waiting room for almost 3 hours………Her cell phone started ringing and it was Prithvi……..Kripa, kahan ho……Mein hospital mein hun……

K: Mein 4^th floor ke waiting room mein hun Prithvi, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit ke baju mein……..

P: Ok…..will be there in 10 minutes…..He was soon there and Kripa sighed in relief……..So, How is he doing?

K: I don't think he is going to make it Prithvi…….Doctors ne kaha hai ki he is not responding to the treatment……Unke gharwale kab ane wale hain…….Kitni dukh ki baat hai na ki woh iss waqt sath nahi hai……..

P: They might take a little longer I suppose…….Woh East coast mein rehte hain……Aur booking karke ane tak, it might take around 8 hours…….

K: I hope they don't be too late……Pata nahi yeh log, budhe ma baap ko aise akele kaise chod sakte hain…….

P: Nahi Kripa, this was Samuel's decision…..Unke bete last 4 months pehle bahot insist kar rahe the, ane ke liye…….But he did not want to go……! He was born here and he wanted to stay here on his own……! He sighed………Anyway, tum jao, mein rukta hun yahan……It is not necessary, nurse ne mujhe kaha ki tumhe bhi bata dun aur ghar jane ke liye kahun, but I don't want him to be lonely at this time……Sorry, issiliye tumhe pehle phone nahi kiya…….Kripa smiled at him with respect, her anger on him slowly diminishing.……..

K: Koi problem nahi hai Prithvi……Mein bhi ruk jati hun……You won't be alone as well……..

P: Nahi Kripa, you go and rest…….Mujhe koi problem nahi hai……..

K: Friends ke liye itna to kar sakti hun na……! She said smiling and Prithvi looked at her a little uncertainly……..

P: I don't think I deserve your friendship Kripa………

K: Just forget the past Prithvi………ok……Mujhe koi shikayat nahi hai tumse……..I promise……..Her phone started ringhing and Kripa saw Harshini's number and smiled……

H: Thank God……..Phone to uthaya……..Kahan rehti ho pura din aaj kal……..? Jahan bhi ho pata do, mein aa rahi hun……..We are going for dinner…….Kal phir tum raat tak busy rahogi……..

Kripa chuckled…..Sorry Harshini, hospital mein hun……..

H: Hospital, she asked shocked…….Any problem? Kya hua…..? Josh…….! Kripa hospital mein hai…..Kripa……

K: Hey cool down……..Mujhe kuch nahi hua……She said rolling her eyes………

H: Phir hospital mein kya kar rahi ho?

K: Puri baat sunogi tab bataungi na………she said chuckling a little sadly and told her about Mr. Samuel and said she would be here till his family comes……..Harshini sighed in relief…….

J: Harshini…….kya hua Kripa ko……..Kripa rolled her eyes, hearing Josh's concerned voice and she heard Harshini making some sound ……..

H: Thik hai Kripa, baad mein milte hai……kuch chahiye ho to batana………Bye……

K: Bye…..she said keeping the phone…….She looked at Prithvi, who was leaning back with closed eyes…….They stayed there for next 6 hours, when a couple, as well as another man and two kids came in with anxious expression……..There was a doctor, who showed them to Kripa……

D: Mr. Adams, this is Kripa, a volunteer from the Senior Citizen…….She was here with your dad the whole time, until he took turn to the worst and we had to send everyone out……..Kripa, he is Mr. Samuel's Son……..He said with a nod and excused himself……..

The man and his wife came to her and thanked her and Prithvi with tears and at last Kripa and Prithvi left……….

P: Kripa, bahot raat ho gayi hai……Aab agar wapas senior citizen home jakar room par jaogi, to bahot der ho jayega….…Mein tumhe drop kar dun room par……..Kal subah tumhe wapas le jaunga, tumhara car collect karne…..Kripa stilled a little, looking at the time…….

K: Nahi Prithvi……tum kyun takleef karte ho……..Mein cab se chali jaungi…..

Prithvi sighed, knowing she did not trust him and she was right about it………He sighed knowing she was right not to trust him, so nodded and they walked out…….He was silent all through the way out………Kripa could see his tensed as well as sad face and felt bad for declining his offer so suddenly……..She knew that Prithvi regreted everything he did and was repenting……..She had also seen a very wonderful side of him, as he volunteered in senior citizen home and how much everyone adored him……..She knew it was time to forgive……..Though Angad would not agree, she could see that Prithvi was a changed person…….She opened the taxi door half way and then closed it and looked at Prithvi…….

K: Prithvi, agar tumhe koi problem nahi ho, to mein tumhare sath hi aungi……..She said slowly and Prithvi looked at her for a few minutes, and then he smiled slowly and nodded…..

P: Chalo…….He said and soon they were on their way…….No one talked, but soon they were near Kripa's campus………Kripa though she did not say anything, was a little nervous and sighed in relief, when she saw her campus……….She got down and waved at him and thanked him for the ride and he nodded and went off……..

From that day, Kripa was free with him and they became good friends………

Kripa's 3 months as a volunteer were over and she opted out, as her finals were coming, but promised to join them again after her finals in her next semester…….And further even Angad was going to come in a day or so and she was totally looking forward to meet him……

Ka: Hey Kripa, thank god aaj tum mil gayi……..pata nahi kahan rehti ho aaj kal pura din……..Anyway, ye vacation mein free ho?

K: Kisliye Kanan…….

Ka: Pehle to meri shadi hai, aur tumhe ana hai……Second, one of my friend is opening a restaurant, and he needs help……..Bas ek hafte ke liye hi……He has a very low budget as he is not getting much loan and asked if we could help him and we all decided to pitch in…….This is if you want to…..! No obligation…..Hum sab ja rahe hain, thought you might enjoy some time together……But there is only one problem that Prithvi would be there…….I hope you don't have problem with it…….If you don't want to then that's fine too……! She said painting her toenails…….Hey look, beautiful color……want to try……she said showing her the nail polish…..Kripa took it from her and started painting her toes……Waise tumhare ashique ki koi khabar…….?

K: Hmmm…….Kal aa raha hai……..! Kanan looked up at her with wide eyes……

Ka: Really…..?

Kripa grinned and nodded……..

Ka: Vow, at last…….! Good for you…….!

K: Kanan, mein aungi, tumhare dost ki help karne……! You know that Prithvi and I are ok now…….So, will be there……Just dates bata dena……!

Ka: Sure girl…….Thanks……Aur meri shadi? She asked looking at her waiting…….Kripa sighed…….

K: I don't know Kanan…….! She said dramatically…….Aab yahan hoti to thik tha…..par…….

Ka: I am going to kill you………So, stop making excuses…….she said smiling sweetly and Kripa chuckled…….

K: I am not so keen to die so young Kanan……..She said with humour……I knew you would go to any lengths…..So, I kept my timetable free…….!

Kanan grinned and nodded………

K: Hey, I wouldn't miss it for the world……….She said chuckling as she painted her last of the nails………

Ka: Good, I expect no less…….Finals ki preparation kaise chal rahi hai…….Tum to dopahar ko pura time library mein hoti ho aur mein sham ko classes mein……..We don't even meet now a days…..And your Saturdays are almost booked……..voluntary work, classes or your secret husband……She said with a grin…….Kripa chuckled giving her back her nail polish bottle………You are not the same girl any more, who used to sit in the room for hours all alone…….But I am glad that you are so active……Next year tumhara last year hai, par mein to nahi rahungi yahan…….But atleast now you won't miss me…….she said with a wink………

K: That's not right Kanan…….! I am gonna miss you……..But I am happy for you…….! She said sincerely…….Kanan smiled, but did not say anything…….

They went to bed, after talking for a while……..Kripa was up early and got ready with a grin……..She quickly took her keys and was on the way to the airport to receive Angad, telling Kanan about it……..

loved the update thanks for the pm

thanks for updating...will read soon n comment