*DIL KA RISHTA* ’SK’ Part 31 Pg 75 - Page 26

As soon as the meeting finished, she practically ran out of the room closing the door behind her with a loud noise. She could hear footsteps of someone behind her and without a second thought; she could tell it was Sujal. He kept calling her to make her stop. She ran towards the elevator, which was almost closed and put her hands in between the door. She let out a big cry as her hand got jammed but she stopped it in time and got in before sujal came. She got out of the elevator even before it fully opened. She walked towards the receptionist to ask her about the driver. "He is waiting for you in front" the receptionist replied back in her everlasting smile but it changed suddenly as she saw the blood dripping from Kashish hand. "Mam your hand". The receptionist said in horror. That's when she saw it. But Kashish noticed sujal coming out of the stairs. Before thinking twice, she ran again saying a quick thanks to the receptionist who was watching the serious version of Tom and Jerry. By the time Sujal got to the front room Kashish had left. He knew she hurted herself which was nothing new. He didn't want to waste his time for the elevator and took the stairs. He practically jumped from one floor to another trying to catch up with her. But he was late. Too late. She was gone by then.

Kashish stepped into her room not wanting to wake up Kripa because she knew Kripa would open the bundle of questions when she see her tear dried face. She slowly moved towards the balcony and started crying her heart out. Life was never fair to her. It always loved to play with her. Now she started to believe that it held something against her. And she was never proven wrong. On the other hand sujal was still recovering from what just happened. He couldn't believe he was meeting her after seven years. He never thought of meeting her like this. He tried to call her but he knew she turned in off on purpose. He was now worried about what would happen next. Their companies were talking about a possible merger. If that happens, he will have to shift to India and will have to work with her forever. But for some reason he was excited about this idea. He could actually imagine kash arguing with him for small things. But right now he wanted to talk to someone. And the first person that came onto his mind was Gayatri bhabhi

Kripa woke up hearing someone crying from the balcony wondering who it was. She saw Kashish in a very bad state with her head on her lab. Kripa got really scared as to what happened to her all of a sudden. She ran towards her and tried to make kash face her. "di kya hua. Ro kyun rahi ho? Kya hua? Kash didn't reply; just cried on her shoulders. Kripa kept asking her what happened, but kash didn't say anything. After a while she freed herself and started to speak in low voice still sobbing. Woh yahan hain kripa. Maine usee dekha. Woh yahan par hain." "kaun hain di. Aap kiski baare mein baat kar rahi hain." Kripa asked unsure of whom kash was referring to. Tumhara bhai. Sujal." Kashish spoke up after a moment unsure of how kripa will take it. Kripa was stunned to earth after she heard that name. Her brother. May be you saw someone else di. it can't be him. She knew kash still didn't forget her past. So may she was imagining him. No it's him. I'm sure. I can never forget his face. He is the M.D. of that company" Both of them remained quiet because kripa was now sure that Kashish is not lying. Kripa knew she has to do something now other wise Kashish would go crazy. With determined face, she walked to towards her bag and took a sleeping pill. She dissolved it in the juice and gave it to Kashish. After some resistance, Kashish drank it and soon fell asleep. Kripa knew kash wouldn't be able to sleep that night and that's why she gave her the pill. She then took her phone and called someone.

Angad was in a deep thought about what just happened in the office today. He never even considered in his dream that something like this would happen. Now he was worried how Kripa would react. In just blink, thing went from bad to worse. He was so engrossed in his worrying; he even failed to notice that his phone was ringing for so long. It was later when he checked, he saw the10 missed calls. It was from the same number. Adding more to his worries it was from KRIPA. He didn't know if he should call her back or not. After staring at the phone for couple of minutes, he decided to call her back.

Angad: hi kripa. Did you call me?

Kripa: yes I did. u didn't pick it up.

Angad: sorry I was busy.

Kripa: hmmm can I ask u favor.

Angad: sure anything 4 a friend.

Kripa: can I get sujal bh….. sorry Sujal Garewal's address. It was now angad's turn to get a shock. Why was he getting shocks over shocks today? He felt like he was now caught between life and death. He didn't want to increase Sujal's worries. But he didn't want to say no to kripa too.

Angad: why do u want his number? I mean u can meet him tomorrow.

Angad tried to change her mind.

Kripa: if you can give to me just give it to me. Otherwise just say no.

Kripa replied back in a stubborn and irritating voice.

Angad: ok write it down.

Kripa: Thnx Angad. I knew I can count on you. Bye.

Angad was confused on her last words why would she say that. Does that mean she trust me. Omg. So when she comes to know that he knew the truth, she would be heart broken. Omg what did I just do?



Sujal felt at ease after he talked to Gayatri about meeting Kashish. She consoled him saying everything will be alright. He was just about to go to sleep when he heard his door bell rang. He was surprised who it was as it was 10 in the night. He decided to go check it and opened the front door. He saw a female figure standing in front of him. Since it was dark, he couldn't exactly tell who it was. But it seemed familiar. He switched on the light. He felt like he was dreaming. This was not possible. Meeting Kashish wasn't enough, here he was standing face to face with his own SISTER after seven years. God was making all his dream come true in a very bad way. She saw him looking without any excitement.

Sujal: Kripa, …. tum…..tum yahan?

Kripa: andar nahi bulaoge apni behen ko.

Sujal: huhh

Seeing his state, she just pushed him to the side and went inside.

Kripa: nice place bhai.

Sujal: kripa what are u doing here? How did u knew I am here?

Kripa: (in a sarcastic tone) sorry bhai. If I'm disturbing you from your peaceful life.

Sujal: Kripa. U don't know how peaceful my life is. And show some respect. I'm your elder brother.

Kripa ( almost yelling) then you should've act like one. Not abandon us.

Sujal: that was mistake

Kripa: ya a mistake for which we are paying the price. Especially Kashish di.

Sujal didn't say a word again after she mentioned kashish's name because he knew whatever she said was right.

Kripa: kyun bhai kuch bolte kyun nahi.

Sujal: kripa jo hua I take full responsibility of it.

Kripa: to ab wapas kyun aye ho?

Sujal: mein nahi tum yahan aye ho? Aur tumne abhi tak mujhe ye nahi bataya ki tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?

Kripa:(calming down a bit) mein kash di ke saath ayi hoon. I work for Mittal industries.

Sujal: (with a happy voice) you do? Wow that's a nice thing.

Kripa: so what now?

Sujal: honestly I don't know.

Kripa: mujhe nahi lagta ki kash di aap ke saath kaam karengi.

Sujal stood quiet as he knew it was right.

Sujal: kripa

Kripa: hmm

Sujal: ek baat poochu. Naraaz nahi hogi?

Kripa: nahi.

Sujal: maa kaisi hain?

Kripa: (softly) teek hain. Aapko bohat miss karti hain.

Sujal: (happy that his mother misses him.) really

Kripa: haan. App unki favorite son jo hain?

Sujal: ya.

Kripa: aapse ek baat poochu.

Sujal: haan.

Kripa: Aapko hamare yaad nahi aaya itne saloon main?

Sujal: bohat aaya.

Kripa: phir aap wapas kyun nahi aaye? Aapko pata hain mein aapko kitna miss kiya?

Sujal: tumhe pata hain mein kyun nahi aaya. And I missed my lil sister a lot too.

She starts crying after this.

Sujal: shhhh tumhe pata hain na ki mein apni behen ko rothe hue nahi dekh sakta. Now plz stop crying. Ok?

Kripa: wiping her tears) ok.

Sujal: raat bohat ho gayi hain. Ab chalo mein tumhe apni hotel mein drop kartha hoon.

Both leave from his house and sujal drops her at the hotel.

Sujal: good night kripa. Kal milte hain.

Kripa: ok good night bhai.

************

Next morning.

When kripa woke up she saw Kashish near the window with a coffee mug in her hand. "Good morning kripa" said Kashish with a faint smile.

Kripa: di

Kash: hmm

Kripa: I went to see bhai last night.

Kash: good.

Kripa: (surprised) u are not mad at me?

Kash: it's ur brother not mine. U don't need my permission.

Kripa: its ok if u want to leave di. We will talk to Pratham jiju. I'm sure he will understand.



Kash: no. That won't be necessary. I will do this project. I don't care who's in it or who's not. She said in a strong and sarcastic tone.

Kripa: di I'm not getting a word you are saying.

Kash: all u need to understand is that I'm a professional. This is a part of my work and Sujal just happened to be in it. I'm not going to let anything ruin my career and will treat him as coworker. Now get ready we have to go to the office. The works starts today.

Kash left leaving a confused kripa.

**********

Days passed. The work was going very successful with the team effort. By now, Kashish and kripa got along very well with the office staff and everyone knew that kripa was Sujal's sister. Kashish was very impressed with Angad and realized kripa was right changing her opinion about him. A very nice and hardworking person. Angad was feeling awkward first to interact with her, but soon enough they became friends. Kripa and Angad was spending more time together and they were getting real close with Kashish teasing her all the time. Kripa was more than happy now since she gets to spend time with her brother after a long time. They even met with Piyush's family; they were now staying in his house due to Piyush and Gayatri resistance. Since Kripa, Kavya and Anjali were the same age and had many things in common, it didn't take much time for them to be best friends. Kashish also got close to them especially Gayatri and her daughter Tamana. But everything wasn't well between Sujal and Kashish. He tried to come close to her. Kashish tried her best to avoid Sujal whenever possible. Some people noticed this coldness between the two. But they couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation and according to them, both were best at what they did. Equally talented. But to most of the people, they seemed the perfect coworkers. Or at least they made it look like that. On the other side, Sujal excused himself most of the time and preferred to stay alone. He tried to talk to Kashish but she made it clear to him that she wanted to stay away from him. And no one knew why?

"Stupid, Idiot, jerk. Hmm. I gonna kill that guy." An angry anjali entered the living room followed by Kripa who was trying her best to control her laugh. "Is baar Kavya ne kya kiya," asked Gayatri who was helping Kashish in the kitchen preparing lunch.

Anjali: how do u know its Kavya?

Gayatri: who else has the courage to piss u off?

All three burst into a laugh after listening to this.

Anjali: bhabhi. App bhi uski side le rahi ho. U don't even know what he did to me.

"Chill anju. She wasn't taking his side. She was just saying the truth," said kripa trying to defend Gayatri and started laughing at her again. "Acha teek hain ab hasna band karo sab and u tell me what happened." Said Gayatri.

Anjali: this stupid Kavya threw me out from decorating.

Kashish: decorating kya decorating. Koi party hai aaj?

Kripa: ya kavaya's and his friends are throwing a party.

Kashish: what's the occasion?

Anjali: kya di kaun si duniya mein rehthi ho? It's Valentines Day.

Kashish was a bit taken away with that. She has forgotten the day. Still it wasn't any surprise.

Anjali: anyways I'm going upstairs. Tell that Kavya I'm in my room when he come to apologize.

Saying this anjali walked away.

Kashish: becahari. Kavya shouldn't have done that.

Gayatri: do u really think that's the reason. Kyun kripa. Tumhe kya lagta hain?

Kripa: (with a smile) definitely not.

Kashish: Hey, what's going on here? Something I should know.

Kripa: Well actually, Kavya haven't wished anjali and neither did he gave her a gift.

Kashish: oh well that explains everything.

Everyone laughs at that.

"what's so funny here? Let me hear it too."

Everyone turned around to see Kavya standing in the doorstep.

Gayatri: nothing we were just talking abt some girl stuff.

Kavya: oh ok. How's anjali.

Kashish: what do u think? She is very angry.

Kavya: ok let her be. Subah se mujhse jagada kar rahi hain. And haan I came here u tell that u all have reach the venue by 8.30. ok.

Kashish: ermm Kavya. I'm not coming.

Kavya: no di. This time there will be no excuses. U have to come. Otherwise none of us will go.

Kashish: par I don't have a date. And I'll get bored.

Kavya: that's ok. its not necessary. U can just come by urself.

Kashish: but….

Gayatri: no if's or but's. u definitely need a break. And kripa doesn't have a date either but she is still coming.

Kashish: (looking @ kripa with a teasing smile). I don't think that's true. Right kripa?

Kripa: (turning red) well Angad sort of asked if I could go with him.

Kavya: Angad bhai asked u out. Wow that's something new.

Gayatri: yeh Angad jays maine socha wise nahi hain.

Kavya: kash di I'm not taking a no 4 an answer.

After a lot of persistence from everybody, she says yes unaware of the fact that Sujal was going to be there.

**********

At night.

Kashish wasn't sure what she was feeling right now but she was sure that she wasn't happy. She was bored, angry and disappointed as she sat back and watched all the couple dancing to slow tune. Adding much to her anger was that sujal was sitting right across her watching her. Not only him but almost all of the men who didn't have a date were staring at her. Well was it their fault that Kashish was looking drop dead gorgeous in simple light green dress, which was up to her knee showing off her curvy legs? Almost a dozen people have asked her for a dance by now and she was tried of turning them down. She just wanted to go home. Sujal was watching her over an hour by now. He was bored too. He didn't want to come until Angad told him that Kashish too will be there. Sujal was surprised by that because he knew she never believed in any of these. But he just wanted to see her so he agreed. When he saw her, he was just mesmerized by her beauty. She was looking like angel. She was definitely the most beautiful woman there and no wonder people were looking at her. He was clenching his fist angrily when he saw guys asking her for a dance or offering her a drink. But he was glad that she was refusing them. He saw her sitting there irritated and murmuring to herself. He couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and walked towards her. He stopped in front of her, put his hand forward and asked in a very polite and soft voice," would you like to dance with me." Kashish was completely taken away by this. She never thought that he would have the courage to ask her. She wanted to say yes immediately but decided against it. "no thanks." She said in a stern voice. "well that wasn't a request, was it?" saying this he pulled her slightly and walked towards the floor. It took her some minutes to realize what just happened. But it was late. She was now in his arms, dancing to the song. She stopped trying to free herself because his grip was too strong and she didn't want to make a scene. Sujal pulled her more close to him when she stopped forcing and was looking straight into her eyes. He could see her eyes get soften and was now aiming at him. He had a sudden urge to kiss it but controlled himself. Kashish didn't have any other option but to look at him. Surprisingly she saw love and passion, which was buried for a long time in his eyes. She thought she was dreaming. Unable to look at him any more, she went into his arms and put her head on his chest forgetting all her worries and he just held her tightly. This was a dream come true for him. Later he made her look at him. They both stood there looking at each other passionately and lost in each other's eyes. Kash wanted to speak but words were caught up in her throat. His touch was sending shivers down her spine. There lips were just inches apart. She saw his lips coming towards her and before she know, it was locked with hers. She didn't know why she was feeling so happy and comfortable. She also started kissing him back unaware of her surroundings as the Dj played their favorite song.



And in your eyes I see ribbons of color
I see us inside of each other
I feel my unconscious merge with yours
And I hear a voice say, "What's his is hers"

I'm falling into you
This dream could come true
And it feels so good falling into you

I was afraid to let you in here
Now I have learned love can't be made in fear
The walls begin to tumble down
And I can't even see the ground

I'm falling into you
This dream could come true
And it feels so good falling into you

Falling like a leaf, falling like a star
Finding a belief, falling where you are

Catch me, don't let me drop!
Love me, don't ever stop!

So close your eyes and let me kiss you
And while you sleep I will miss you

I'm falling into you
This dream could come true
And it feels so good falling into you

Falling like a leaf, falling like a star
Finding a belief, falling where you are

Falling into you
Falling into you
Falling into you