Words of Silence: PAGE 202 Oct 25 2006 - Page 12

Chapter Six

Dev and Kiran waited patiently, along with the other guests, for the lights to turn back on.

"Dad," Dev recognized Angad's voice. Kripa, walked into the party with Faith and Rishab as Angad continued. "This one is for you." Dev, along with every other guest in the room looked the man under the spotlight. Angad's fingers played the guitar slowly, and then he turned it up and played the drums while singing. Dev saw the tears in his eyes, as he sang looking right at him.

Sana and Sahil were shocked at Angad, the song he sang. But Sahil understood what he felt. He was once in the same boat as Angad, and therefore understood what Angad felt like.
And now I try hard to make it
I just wanna make you proud
I'm never gonna be good
Enough for you
I can't pretend that
I'm alright
And you can't change me

Dev looked away from Angad, and Angad's gaze shifted towards Kripa. He managed a smile, which said nothing more than thank-you. He knew Kripa understood him because she always had, and he was hoping she did at the moment as well. Angad looked down at the drum set and continued playing.
Cuz we lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back now
I'm sorry
I can't be Perfect

Angad couldn't think about anything but the conversation he had just had with Dev. He felt guilty about what he had said to him, but he meant to do the same for Dev.
I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be
My hero?
All the days you spent with me now seem so far away and it feels like you don't Care anymore

He meant the lyrics. Until a few years back Angad dreamt of being like his father. Everything, but when he noticed the differences, the flaws he didn't want to anymore. He closed his eyes and continued playing.

Angad looked at Kripa and smiled. "I'm sorry about what I said the other day Kripa."

Kripa didn't let him continue, "Its ok… Angad." She smiled and he gave her a tight hug. "That was really nice by the way." She complimented as she pulled away.

Angad couldn't reply, and Kripa couldn't because Sahil was standing beside him. "Sahil," he started. "This is Rishab Richand, Dr. Faith Cruz, and of course, Kripa. This is my older brother Sahil Khanna."

Sahil stood hands with all three. "I'm glad you could make it."

"So am I!" Angad said excited. He behaved like nothing had happened. Rishab was soon pulled away by a few other guests he knew there. While Faith and Kripa stood in front of Angad and Sahil. "I will be right back." He flashed a small smile and then disappeared.

"Dr. Kripa Kapoor!" she heard a loud, rich voice call her. She turned around and looked at the very familiar Dev Khanna walk to her.

"Good evening, Mr. Khanna." She shook hands with him. "This is Faith Cruz." Kripa said introducing Faith to the man. Dev shook hands with her as well and smiled. Then turned back to Kripa.

"I'm pleased you could come tonight. I'm sure you already met my sons?"

"Yes, I did. Anything specific to why I was invited tonight? This is a family affair."

"You are family, child."

Kripa looked at him surprised. Faith was now gone with Rishab to get a drink. "Well…" Kripa started. "Oh! I almost forgot congratulation for completing another year of your marriage." It sounded so cheesy, she mentally told herself.

"Thank you, Ms. Kapoor."

"You can call me Kripa, Mr. Khanna. Now going back to the pervious point how am I family?"

"In that case you can call me Dev." He smiled, while to Kripa it sounded absurd calling someone the age of her father by his name. "Your father, Kripa, is a very close friend."

"Joy!" Kripa mumbled under her breath. "That's excellent, is he here tonight?"

Dev was surprised at her first comment. "Well, I have invited him. He should be getting here."

Angad watched Kripa talk to Dev. He had to make sure Dev didn't mention their marriage. Kripa would have exploded at the party if he did tonight. "Kripa," he said sweetly.

Kripa's eyes shifted to Angad, who was standing about, ten feet from her at the moment. Faith was correct; he had gotten more handsome in eight years.

He was dressed in a sophisticated dark suit with a black shirt under it. His shoulders looked even broader now, and his eyes were glowing in the dim lights.

He walked towards Kripa and then smiled at Dev. "I hope you enjoyed that Dad."

"I enjoyed it thoroughly Son. Please excuse me Kripa."

"Of course." She smiled and watched Dev leave. Kripa turned to Angad now. "That was very nice Angad, but are you ok?"

"Do I look ok?"

Kripa couldn't help but smile, "You look wonderful." As she spoke Angad knew she still understood him. And he also figured that Kripa tired to be who she was trying to be. Inside she was the same Kripa he knew in high school, she had the same dreams and she was still the warm person. The happening with Aman had such a strong impact on her though, she had decided to make her heart stone and become a lifeless person. But she couldn't with Angad, even if she tried.

"So do you," he said, although he hadn't really noticed what she was wearing.

"Angad," Sana called.

"Sana, I'm right here, beautiful." She turned and looked at him with the very beautiful Kripa beside him.

Although Kripa hadn't tried to look beautiful, she did. She was wearing a black dress that fell right below her knees. Her hair was held up with a help of a handful of pins. And, if Sana remembered right, her glasses were missing.

"Angad, I will talk to you about that, whatever you did later, but for now who is this?"

"This is Kripa Kapoor. And, Kripa, this is my very sweet sister-in-law, Sana."

"Hi Kripa." Before Kripa could reply Sana was hugging her.

Kripa was somewhere please and somewhere surprised. "Hi, Sana. It's very nice to meet you." Kripa said with a bright smile as Sana pulled away.

"Same here. Now you enjoy yourself, and if you need anything you can ask Angad. He pretty much arranged this party. I'll see you later."

Now Kripa looked around the place, "It's very dull, Angad." Angad lifted a brow at her as she looked around.

"Kripa," she heard Faith. Kripa took a glass of wine from Faith and sipped, as she realized that she was about to start flirting with Angad Khanna. "It's a very nice party, Kripa."

Kripa didn't smile but looked away, as Angad placed his arm around Faith and pulled her closer. "Now that's a true friend. Thank you Faith, I did all this."

"Wow, Angad." Was all she said. "By the way where is Rishab?"

"I am right here, Faith. Learn to live without me." Faith rolled her eyes still standing with Angad's arm around her.

"I would rather die with you, Rishab." While Faith and Rishab continued the argument, Angad looked at Kripa who was talking to someone else.

Angad now noticed the way she looked with that pleasant smile across her face. The diamonds studs in her ears were shinning as well as her eyes glowing. She was beautiful without trying, but then there was something missing about her. Angad tried to finger out what it was but couldn't. He looked at Faith who was sharing a small talk with Rishab.

Angad noticed the way she was dressed, it was more glamorous than Kripa. Faith wore noticeable make-up with glittering jewelry. It was very much like Faith Cruz; Angad concluded looking away from the crowd to notice his mother sitting alone. He looked at Kripa now.

"Ms. Kapoor," he interrupted the conversation she was having with another guest. "I'm sorry to disturb, sir, can I borrow her just for a few minutes?"

The elderly man smiled, and nodded. "Yes you may."

"Thank you," Angad said taking Kripa's glass from her and giving it to a waiter. "Kripa, I would like you to meet someone."

He took her arm and they walked to Angad's mother. "Mom." Kiran turned and smiled at her handsome son. "I want you to meet Kripa. Kripa this is my Mom. Do you guys remember each other?"

Kripa smiled at Angad's mother and brought her hands together. "Namesta," Kripa greeted. There was warmth in her eyes that forced Kripa remember her Mom.

Kiran smiled and hugged her. "Of course I remember Kripa. How could I forget?"

"Well your son did forget, Aunty."

Kiran laughed at Angad. A few minutes later they were all sitting down on a table in a corner and sharing a light conversation. Mainly, Kripa and Angad remembering school days, while Kiran listened. Often she would add something to a story Kripa would tell, about Angad.

Kripa looked to the door while laughing and noticed Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor walk into the room.

"Angad, Aunty, please excuse me for a few minutes." She stood up and walked towards them.

"She's a very sweet girl Angad. But she seemed reserved at first. She's not like she was when you guys were in school."

Angad moved closer to her mother and kissed her cheek. "I know, Mom. That's why I brought her here; Kripa has always loved your company. And you hers."

Kiran smiled at the way Angad smiled wit his arms around her shoulder. "I love you, beta."

Angad smiled at his mother. "I love you too, more in fact."

Dev and Kiran cut the cake and now everyone waited for dinner to be served. Angad hadn't seen Kripa after she had left to see her parents. He was worried she had already left the place. So while everyone was busy he slipped outside to search for her.

Angad looked towards the garden where he saw Kripa sitting down on the wooden swing, with a glass of wine she was holding between two fingers. While one shoe was on the floor made with rocks the other one swung in her foot. The two beautiful starts she owned looked into the sky at the others. She looked so serene, but she only looked serene.

Angad walked to her and then sat down beside her. "Why are you here?" he asked making Kripa shudder.

"Angad, can't you leave me alone for even a second?" She told him bitterly while sitting up straight.

"Well I'm seeing you after a very long Kripa. And that's why I can't."

Kripa rolled her eyes, "Then please learn to do so. I'm not the same Kripa anymore Angad. I like to be left alone sometimes."

"Alright then." He stood up. "I will leave you alone, Kripa. But I need you to know that you have disappointed me a lot."

Kripa looked at him, "Angad!" she yelled as he walked away. But he didn't listen. Kripa had yet to master the art of stubbornness. Angad Khanna, however, didn't. He was born with the talent. Kripa picked up her glass, quickly slipped her foot into the shoe, and walked behind him.

As she entered the place she crashed into her father, "I'm…" she looked up and stopped the words.

"Kripa." he said with a smile. "Have you met Dev already?"

"Yes I have, Father."

"Alright." he said at her sulky tone. "Karan wanted me to tell you something." Kripa looked at him. "He will be back from Europe tomorrow night and he wants you to receive him at the airport."

"Aren't you ashamed Father?"

"For?"

"Your own son wants me to come receive him." He looked at his daughters strong eyes that held nothing but hate for him.

Angad looked at Kripa and decided to take her away from whatever was happening. He placed his arm around Kripa and smiled. "Dance?"

"Angad, no!" She said in an extremely angry voice. "This conversation needs to finish."

"I'll take that as a yes anyways." He took her glass and gave it to a waiter. He took the ring of her key chair out of her finger and slipped the key in his pocket. "Excuse us, Uncle." He took Kripa away from there to the dance floor.

Faith watched them with a smile, they looked cute together.

Rishab on the other hand, felt jealousy crawl up his spine as he watched Angad put his arms around Kripa's waist and pull her close to him.

"Angad stop it will you." Angad couldn't deny she was uncomfortable. Anyone who saw her expressing could deny that she was extremely uncomfortable.

He held her close and firm, "No. I will not, and I will not leave you until you calm down and smile a charming smile." Kripa took a deep breath and relaxed, he wasn't going to let her go if she didn't. She looked at him and smiled. "Now that's like my friend Kripa."

"Now let me go." She was still bending away from the charming man, her hand on his forcing him to leave her.

"No, you have to finish this dance with me."

"Angad why are you doing this?" She placed her arms around him as well now and danced with him. The easiness came just by looking behind his shoulder. Angad relaxed one hand on her waist but held her hand tightly in his.

"Because I loved you Kripa."

"What?" She looked at into his eyes, filled with warmth and concern.

"Yes, I loved the old Kripa, she was my closest friend. And I want her back."

"What?" she said again unable to grasp the meaning of the phrase 'Because I loved you Kripa'

"Ok, let's reword that." He spun her out once gracefully and then back into his arms. Kripa was amazed at how perfect the unplanned dance was. She was amazed as she danced back into his arms. Her hands were perfectly in position back on his strong shoulders and his hand took hers in in a graceful manner again. "You've ruined yourself for absolutely no reason."

"Angad if you went thought what I did; you would have changed as well. You don't know what I've been though. It was more than just Aman, much, much, more that just what Aman did to me."

"Fair enough." The song ended and Kripa left Angad before he could complete the thought and start to dance to next song.

"I finished the dance Angad. I'm going."

"We will finish this, Kripa."

"I wasn't asking you Angad, I was telling you. I'm leaving." But he was holding her waist still.

"We have to finish this, Kripa." He repeated

"When I feel like it, we will." She turned but he caught her again.

"No we will finish this when I feel like it, and that's right now."

"Angad, no. We will finish this when I feel like it. And, that moment will never come." The way they talked a person from far away would assume it was a pleasant conversation.

Before Angad could reply Sana walked to them. "If your reunion is finished, how about dinner?"

Kripa smile and took Sana's arm. "Of course, show me the way Sana. Angad, don't bother me for the night please."

Sana was shocked upon her calm voice and Angad's eyes that teased the tone of her voice.

"I promise you Kripa, we will finish this conversation before the sun comes up again."

Sana stood there confused. Kripa rolled her eyes. "Let's go Sana." Kripa took her arms and pulled her away.

"Chachu!" Sia yelled running into his arms. "Is that your girlfriend?"

Angad laughed as he kissed the little girl. "No. She isn't my girlfriend. She is just a friend."

"She's very pretty."

Angad didn't fully agree, she was beautiful, but again there was something missing. It was as if she was trying to be miserable. Denying that she could be a glam doll, with a beautiful hear, with whom any man would gladly fall in love with. He watched her sit down with Sana, Sahil, and his mother. "Yes, she is."
"I want to meet her."

"Let's go." Angad smiled like a brat and carried Sia to the table.

Kripa looked up at him and the pretty child in his arms. Angad sat Sia down beside Sana while he sat down beside Kripa. "Kripa, this is Sia, and Sia this is Kripa."

"You're very pretty."

Kripa, who was frowning at Angad earlier, was now smiling looking at Sia. "So are you."

Sia soon got busy with Sana, while Angad got busy with Sia and Sana. Kripa had her dinner talking to Faith, Rishab and Angad's mom. Although Angad sat down beside Kripa the entire time they didn't talk to each other.

Around twelve the guests started to leave; Dev and Kiran got busy in them. Faith and Rishab also left soon after, while Kripa was busy talking to Sana and Sia the entire time.

Around one after everyone was gone Kripa sat with part of the Khanna family just talking. She had lost track of time.

"Wow, it's one." Kripa said looking at the grandfather clock hung on the wall of the room. "I should get going." She stood up and then realized she didn't have her keys. "Where are my keys?" she mumbled looking around. She thought about the matter for a second and then realized that Angad had her keys. "Sana, do you know where Angad is? He has my car keys."

"I don't know Kripa. He might be in his room." She picked up a sleeping Sia.

"Can you get them?" she asked her.

"Kripa he won't mind. His room is the second one on up stairs. Go ahead."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, go!" Kripa sighed and walked towards his room.

Hey guys,

I don't have much to say today. I'll post the next part tomorrow! 😊

Hugs and Kisses

Neha 😊