Words of Silence: PAGE 202 Oct 25 2006 - Page 8

Chapter Four

"Good morning, Mr. Khanna," a sweet voice greeted Angad.

Angad, with his eyes still closed he smiled. "Who does this sweet voice belong to?" he spoke into the phone.

"Your very unfortunate girlfriend, Amna."

Angad's eyes opened and he sat up in bed. "Amna? Oh my god, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm here for a job interview."

"Where?" he asked rubbing his head.

"Um… well it's the same place where Kripa Kapoor has been appointed."

"Really? Do you know her?"

"Yeah, Angad, she's a close friend. We went to Berkley together, and she's the one who offered the job."

"Oh ok."

"Why are you planning to ditch me for her?"

Angad laughed now. "Never, I don't think she's my types."

"I love that girl. She's so determined."

"She is, I agree. But you're better."

"I'm flattered." Amna laughed into the phone. "So will you come see me today?"

"Only if you want." He grabbed his towel and the first outfit that came in his hand. "How about, Starbucks, in an hour?"

"Ok. Bye."

"Bye."

Amna and Angad shared a cute relationship. Although it was quite formal sometimes, and they hadn't been dating for three years. They knew each other for three years but had actually been dating for almost nine months now.

She was the best girlfriend he had had. And, therefore he thought, he loved her. He knew he needed to make sure of that.

********

"Kripa?" Faith screamed into the phone.

"Yes, Faith?" She replied in at her pathetic scream.

"I'm at the hospital, can you get me coffee? From Starbucks?"

"Ok, I'll grab myself one too."

"Cool, and make it decaf."

"Faith, you're a loser."

"Finally!" she screamed into the phone again. "Finally, Kripa Kapoor complimented me."

"Bye Faith."

"Bye."

Kripa turned on Tyler St. and parked the car in front of the Starbucks. She waited in line while checking her appointments and schedule for the day.

"Can I help you Ms. Kapoor?"

Kripa looked up at the young girl standing behind the counter. "Yes, can I have two espressos, one decaf please?"

"Yes, it will be six dollars."

"Thanks, but how do you know my name?"

"The entire city does, I admired the way you told those reporters to shut-up."

Kripa grinned as she got her change back. She placed the coins in a little cone on the counter and the cash in her pocket; she got her coffees and turned around crashing into someone. Her coffee's dropped from her hand and she cursed under her breath. She looked up, trying to move her bangs from her eyes to see Angad Khanna standing in front of her.

"I'm so sorry, Miss. Kripa Kapoor. But I can't believe I'm holding you right now." Kripa felt embarrassed as she knew everyone was looking at them.

"Angad, please leave me." He was shocked she knew his name. "Angad?" she said even angrier now. "Angad!" she yelled at him. He left her and she stood up straightening her shirt.

"I'm sorry Miss. Kapoor, I didn't see you there."

"You've been blind since high school," she mumbled angrily under her breath.

"Excuse me?"

"Exactly! You dropped my coffee and ruined my shirt." she looked at him angry and turned at the counter and gave the young smiling girl an annoyed smile. "Repeat my older please."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Angad came and stood beside her, "How do you know me?" Kripa rolled her eyes and decided not to answer.

"Here you are Miss. Kapoor."

"It's Kripa," she placed ten dollars on the counter and grabbed the cups. "Keep the change."

Angad watched the angry Kripa walk out the door, and then looked at the young girl behind the counter. "I know her from somewhere!" he said to her smiling.

The girl laughed. "Can I help you sir?"

"Yes, can I get an Iced-Tea, passion, and please make sure it's sweetened."

"Sure sir."

"And, make it a Venti."

"Of course, that will be two dollars!"

He placed the money on the counter and grabbed his drink. He turned around and felt his foot on something. He looked down and saw a wallet. Angad opened it and saw Kripa's driver's license in there.

"She will be in trouble now," he smiled at the picture and then left with the wallet.

Angad sat on his car's bonnet waiting for Amna to arrive. About fifteen minutes after her encounter with Kripa, she finally arrived in her convertible French car.

Amna's Dad was an industrialist in London while she lived in California. And she had wanted to continue living that way.

"Hello, Angad." she greeted moving her sun glasses from her eyes to her head. Angad stood up straight and opened his arms from a hug. "I missed you," she said giving him a quick kiss on the cheek after the hug.

"I missed you too." Angad said as she hooked her arm with Angad's. "By the way I just had an encounter with you snobbish boss."

"Did you?" Amna laughed leaning into him. "Kripa is so… perfect!"

"And, clumsy sometimes."

"Why do you say so?"
"She spilled coffee."

"I'm sure you weren't looking," she elbowed him allowing him to realize his mistake.

"Well, um… I… fine! I wasn't looking."

"See, Kripa would never make such a mistake."

"I suppose. But I don't know why I feel like I know her, and well."

"Well if you really knew her that well, you would know where you know her from."

"Too many knows," Angad smiled. He looked into Amna's brown eyes and his lips softened into an easier smile. "I need to ask you, rather tell you something Amna."

"Yeah?"

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

Amna stood up straight and laughed, "You are not falling in love with me Angad." Angad looked at her confused. Before she could continue her phone rang. "I have to go Angad," she kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later."

"Bye," he kissed her back sadly and watched her drive away.

*********

Amna entered Kripa's cabin and smile. "Afternoon, Ms. Kapoor."

Kripa looked up at her and stood to shake hands, "Afternoon Ms. Saran. It's been a long time."

"Yes it has been."

"Take a seat." Kripa smiled at her. "Amna, I'm sure you will be happy to know you have been appointed as the in charge of the children's ward."

"But my interview?"

"I know you well Amna you have lived with me for four years."

Amna smiled. "Thank you Kripa."

"Anytime." She opened a drawer and handed her a sealed letter. "This is your appointment letter. You can join from Monday."

"Thanks again."

Kripa stood up and smiled, "Lunch?"

Amna smiled back, "I would love to but I have something important to do." Kripa watched the beautiful, tall girl stand up. "Maybe another day?"

"Anytime you want."

"Thanks. I will see you on Monday."

"Bye." They both shared a quick hug and Amna left. Kripa sat down on her chair again and thought back to her encounter with Angad this morning. Before she could proceed with her thoughts her phone rang.

"Dr. someone is here to see you."

"Who is it? And, don't you know it's my lunch hour?"

"Yes, Ma'am but…"

"Anyways, send him in."

"Yes Ma'am."

Kripa sat up straight and looked presentable. A few seconds later she heard a knock on the door, and then watched it open. She stood up as she watched a smiling Angad Khanna walk into her cabin.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Kripa Kapoor."

Kripa came out of her trance, "Hello, Mr. Khanna. Have a seat." She pointed at the chair and then sat down after him. "What brings you here?"

"Well I have three reasons to come here."

"Let's deal with the most important one first then."

Angad leaned back and sat comfortably. "Arrogance, Dr. Kapoor, is a very evil attitude. And, most important to me, maybe least important to you."

"Mr. Khanna, I'm not arrogant, I'm just flawless, or maybe you can say presentable. And, let me be the judge of that second issue." She looked at him, both brows lifted, head slightly titled.

She was so relaxed, so confident as she spoke, as she looked at the man with the most inquisitive eyes.

"Alright then," he leaned into the desk and placed both his hand on the table. "As I told you earlier, I'm here for three reasons. The most important to me is to know how I know you."

"To me, Mr. Khanna, that is the least important matter right now. What are the other two?"

Angad smirked at her. "Very well then. The second reason is you left you're wallet, rather dropped it, this morning."

Kripa snatched it from him, "Thanks." She said dryly. "And, last?"

Angad reached into the pocket on his coat and took out the invite. "My father, Mr. Dev Khanna, has invited you to a small get together at his place tomorrow."

"Thank you, but me?" she asked taking the card.

"My Dad, Kripa…" He watched her look up upon hearing how causally he took her. "I mean, Dr. Kapoor," now he watched her dark eyes cool down once again. "He's a very mysterious man. Only he knows why."

"Well, I will try and come tomorrow."

"Excellent," he sat back again. "Now for the least important issue for you, however, the most important issue for me, who are you? How come you recognized me and I still haven't. I've been trying to since a day now. I saw you on the news yesterday and I've been pondering the question." When she didn't speak he moved forward in his chair. "Just tell me," he pleaded.

He watched her lips curve slowly. "Mr. Khanna, would you like something to drink?"

"Lemonade, coke, anything cool would do just perfectly. It's quite a hot a day."

"I will order both you may pick," she pressed the button on her phone and spoke. "Can I get two lemonades and one coke in my office please?" She released the button looking at him and then shifted back into her chair. Now relaxed. "Angad…" she closed her eyes and then quickly opened them, as well as mentally kicking her self. "Mr. Khanna, you really don't remember who I am?"

"Let me think for a second again, maybe I will." He blinked, "No!"

"Maybe this will help." She picked up the phone and dialed a number. Looking at him she spoke, "Miss. Cruz, can I see you in my office please?"

"Cruz… another familiar name." he told her. Angad tapped his finger on the table and then his eyes widened. "Oh my gosh!" At the same time he heard the door open and shut.

"Hello Kripa!" she greeted. "Why did you suddenly call me?"

She watched the back of Angad stand and him slowly turn. He looked at her for a second, and then Kripa and Angad heard Faith scream. "Angad Khanna?" she said rushing to him. "I can't believe it's you!" She placed her hands on his arms, "wow! You're still very handsome."

Angad looked into her blue eyes and pale white skin. "Faith Cruz?" he asked her still unsure.

"Yes, Angad. Faith Cruz." He turned and looked at Kripa. "Kripa Kapoor, debate team, mock trial, top student in every class I every had with, Kripa Kapoor?" He let out a long breath and then slowly walked to Kripa. "Kripa Kapoor, the one who used to do nothing more than fight with me? Wow!" He gasped. He pulled her forward and gave her a tight hug. Kripa closed her eyes with her face berried in his chest, and took a second to respond and hug him back.

*******

"Sahil, how are the preparations going for tomorrow?" Dev asked sipping his wine.

"Great Dad. I had to ask you something."

He looked up at him, "About Kripa Kapoor and Angad?"

Sahil hesitated, "Yes, Dad. I just don't you want you to force Angad into anything."

"I won't." Dev placed a hand on Sahil's. "You know I've loved Angad more than both of you. But that's why I've expected the most from him. He's never lived up to my expectations."

"I know, he was just worried. He is young, he will get better, I promise."

Dev smiled at his oldest son, "I don't think so Sahil. We have moved to far." He sighed and sipped his wine again.