[The Unknown]AK FF -Ending Summary: Page 43 - Page 7

"I'm so confused Ridzie." Kripa whined throwing off her lab coat and storing it into her locker. "He acts like he's just friends with me but sometimes, he'll do things that an only friend won't do."

"So make him jealous. That's the only way to find out. Anyway, how long has it been since you two became friends? Two weeks? Yeah, make him jealous." Riddhima said popping a piece of gum into her mouth. Kripa slammed her purse down on the bench in front of them and sat down glaring at her best friend.

"And who would help me make Sahil jealous exactly?" Riddhima bit her lip staring up at the ceiling before she grinned mischievously.

"Armaan! Don't tell him you're making Sahil jealous. Just start dating him. And then break his heart so I can mend it." She said clasping her hands together happily. Kripa's mouth dropped open and she just sighed.

"Riddhima, seriously? Stop it. I'm not going to do that. You know what, I'm leaving. Thanks for not being helpful." Kripa snapped getting up.

"Hey, fine! But you can be helpful for me! Let's go shopping. I need a dress for the engagement of the Guptas." Riddhima mumbled. Kripa noticed the way she spat out 'Guptas' and shook her head. Standing up, Riddhima pulled out her car keys and grabbed Kripa's arm, taking her out of the hospital.

***

Entering an Indian boutique, Kripa glanced around and found familiar faces searching for outfits as well.

"Have the sisters invited the entire town?" Riddhima gasped pushing herself through a group of girls her and Kripa went to high school with. "I want to look fabulous." She picked up a red salwar suit and examined it, putting it in front of herself in the mirror. As she looked to her right, she spotted a pink and white anarkali suit with net arms.

"Had that been a different colour other than pink, I would've got that right away. But it would look nice on you. Pink suits you. Kripa, you must get this!" Riddhima squealed grabbing it off the hook and admiring it.

"Ridz, i have an outfit already. I'm trying to save up." Kripa protested, pushing it away.

Riddhima frowned and shoved it in Kripa's hands anyway.

"I'm buying you it dumbass. I never got the chance to get you your birthday gift anyway. Consider this your birthday gift." Kripa rolled her eyes as she entered the fitting room. As soon as Kripa went in, Riddhima pulled out her phone and texted Armaan.

Take Sahil shopping for a tux. Get him to wear a pink tie. You buy. You owe me for the TV I bought you.

Walking around, she picked up a yellow sari with net arms. Looking at it for a bit, she smiled, satisfied and waited for Kripa to come out.

***

"But why?" Sahil asked Armaan who dragged him into the mall.

"We're going to an engagement man. And these Kundras, they're huge. You're my new best bud, so we gotta look the best." Armaan said pulling his collar up. Sahil shook his head annoyed and let himself be dragged into International. After trying about 2 tuxes, Armaan decided on the perfect one for Sahil.

"Why the hell would i wear a pink tie?" Sahil exclaimed pulling the tie of Armaan's hand and throwing it aside.

"Dude, it'll look good. Trust me." Armaan snapped, picking it up and heading towards the counter to pay.

"How long have you known Riddhima and Kripa?" Sahil asked as they walked out.

"Ever since we were kids." Armaan said stuffing his hands into his pockets.

***

A couple of hours later, Kripa and Sahil sat in Kripa's house eating pizza and watching TV.

"Hey, where's your bathroom?" Sahil asked standing up, cleaning up the crumbs from his pants. Kripa pointed towards the kitchen. Sahil took one last look at her before going to look for the bathroom.

Minutes later, Sahil returned with a huge album book in his hand.

"Hey, found this near your bedroom door." Sahil said putting it down. Kripa nodded.

"It's just an album. You can look through it." She muttered. Sahil opened the album and found pictures of Kripa's mom pregnant smiling with some lady that resembled Riddhima very closely. Next, he came across her mom dressed in a bridal outfit with a man standing in the background, his face blurred slightly.

"Is this your father?" Sahil asked pointing at the blurred image. Kripa turned to look at what he was pointing at surprised.

"Oh wow. I've never noticed that before. It might be, yeah. I don't notice such small details." Kripa mumbled grabbing the album and squinting her eyes to see his face a little more clearly.

"I do." Sahil muttered under his breath playing with his fingers. Moments later, Kripa gave up and returned the album back to him carelessly, turning to watch TV again. A couple hours later, Sahil decided it was time for him to leave.

***

At around midnight, Kripa woke up suddenly in her bed when she heard some noise behind the house. Clutching the blanket, she got out of bed, her heart beating dangerously fast. Two people it seemed like, were shuffling around in her backyard. She quietly creaked her room's window open and heard them whisper among each other. It seemed like they were discussing something very urgently. Then she heard some kind of thump, like someone fell. She gasped and closed the window, stepping back, her heart threatening to jump out of her chest. Her throat constricted and fear chilled her bones, freezing her to the spot she stood in. Slowly, she looked around the room and spotted a baseball bat. Picking it up, she left her bedroom and walked to the kitchen, where the door to the backyard was. Glancing out the window, she peered into the dark but saw nobody. Confused, she opened the door and stepped out slightly with the bat held tightly in her hand. But there was no one there. No sounds at all. Complete silence. Kripa took a deep breath and wiped the bead of sweat that had formed on her forehead and stepped inside closing the door shut, locking it firmly.

A couple of weeks later, Riddhima convinced Kripa and Sahil to go clubbing in the city with her and Armaan. As the four arrived at the club, Kripa stole secret glances at Sahil. She was a nervous wreck. She had never been to a night club before. This was a completely new experience for her but she didn't want to seem like an inexperienced imbecile because she was 100% sure that Sahil had probably dated many city girls before. The bouncer checked the IDs of the four and let them in. Wincing, Kripa moved closer to Riddhima horrified at the scene in front of her.

"So much PDA" Kripa gasped to Riddhima who just laughed at her as if she was some innocent 5 year old who didn't know about the world just yet.

"Kripa darling, it's a club. Act seductive and impress Sahil." Riddhima instructed pushing her slightly.

"Seductive? I don't think I want to seduce Sahil just yet." Kripa gasped but Riddhima wasn't listening anymore. She was too busy eyeing the bar, wondering how long it would be before she was completely drunk. Grabbing Armaan's arm, Riddhima took off leaving Kripa with Sahil who was looking around, bored out of his mind already.

"You don't like clubs?" Kripa asked him. He turned to look at her puzzled and shook his head, indicating that he couldn't hear her. She sighed and leaned forward so they were only inches apart. She felt herself turn red and her heart beat increase as he leaned down for her, making them even closer. "You don't like clubs?" She asked again, into his ear. He shook his head no with a smile causing her to laugh. Just as she was about to ask him if they should join Riddhima and Armaan, someone from behind bumped into Kripa and she felt right into Sahil's arm, pushing him to the wall with his arms around her tightly. She glanced up at him and found him searching the area with an intent expression on his face, his hands loosening but one stayed on her back, protectively. "It's OK." She muttered into his ear causing him to turn towards her, shocked as if he had just realized that she was there. Moments later, he let her go and stepped away heading to the bar. Confused, she followed him.

"I like this place." Riddhima yelled at Sahil and Kripa as they joined her. Seconds later, Armaan appeared out of nowhere and dragged Riddhima off to dance, leaving Kripa and Sahil alone again.

"A lemon drop." Kripa turned at Sahil ordering. He turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Long island iced tea." She mouthed and he nodded. As they got their drinks, Kripa took a deep breath before gulping it down, shutting out the loud music reverberating off the walls for a moment. A minute later, Sahil excused himself to go the bathroom and she stood there tapping her fingers on the counter watching Armaan and Riddhima dance. They're so cute together she thought smiling, noticing the happiness on Riddhima's face. Taking a deep breath, she decided to get some fresh air, sick of the loudness and the crowded place.

Stepping outside, she sighed, feeling the cool air hit her, feeling much better. She closed her eyes and thought of Sahil, smiling. He was so perfect, and she so liked him. Everytime he touched her, she could feel instant lust for him, so strong that she'd want to jump into bed with him right that moment. But along with the physical attraction, there was something else. She felt she had some kind of emotional connection with him as well. Whether it was because they were both orphans, she wasn't sure but there was definitely a connection there. There has got to be if they were able to sit around, talking for hours on end yet feel attracted to one another at the same time. Hugging herself, she rubbed her arms staring up at the beautiful starry sky. And then she heard it. Someone was behind her. Gasping, she spun around and someone standing a couple feet away in the shadow, staring right at her. She took a step back, her heart racing with fear. She clenched her hands into fists and watched the man take a step towards her. She turned around and speed walked towards the parking lot, sure that someone or the other would be there. She heard the footsteps of the man quicken and then stop all at once. She froze for a moment but she heard nothing. Turning around, she found no one standing there anymore. Unable to think or do anything, she stood there rubbing her forehead blinking away tears. When she saw someone park their car and step out, heading towards the door of the club, she quickly followed behind him, sure she'd make it inside safe if someone was near her. When she entered the club again, she breathed a sigh of relief and rushed over to Riddhima and Armaan who were back at the bar again.

"Where's Sahil?" Riddhima asked Kripa as she gulped another shot down. Kripa scanned the club and shrugged.

"He said he was going to the bathroom. Must be around." She replied. A couple minutes later, Sahil joined them. He ran a hand through his hair and smiled at Kripa gently and that's when she noticed a deep cut on his hand.

"How'd that happen?" She asked grabbing his hand and inspecting it closely. He stared at his hand confused as if he had no idea how that had happened.

"Oh. I probably cut my hand with the stall lock in the bathroom." He suggested, quickly pulling his hand away. She nodded, aching to move a strand of hair on his forehead. He caught her staring at him and raised an eyebrow at her, making her embarrassed as she looked away.

She was surprised when he poked her arm, grinning at her. "Let's go dance." He yelled over the music, holding out his hand for her. Kripa nodded, taking it. As they walked over to the dance floor, carefully avoiding drunk couples grinding up against each other, Sahil pulled her close so their faces were close enough for her to smell the alcohol on his breath. But he seemed to be preoccupied with staring around at the club instead of at her. Finding it the perfect opportunity, she stared at him, looking at every inch of his face. His light brown eyes were a beautiful watery, gentle colour full of warmth. He had a slight stubble and his mouth was in a thin, straight line, lips pressed together. He seemed to be concentrating on something, brooding a little bit.

"Why are you so beautiful?" Kripa mused without realizing that she was speaking out loud. She turned a beet red when he turned to her with an amused look plastered on his face. She quickly jerked her head towards a blue eyed brunet dancing behind them. "He's beautiful." She said defiantly causing Sahil to roll his eyes at her. Suddenly, he twirled her so that her back was on his chest. She gasped, feeling him tighten his arms around her waist as he placed his chin on her shoulder.

"Smells nasty in here. Like sweat." Sahil whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine. She whimpered at the slight brush of his lips on her ear, closing her eyes pleased with the sensations going through her body at that moment. Lust. That was all that was on her mind. She wanted him. In a way she's never wanted a man before. She breathed in his musky scent, a mixture of coffee and peppermint, minus the alcohol, of course. And then he turned her around so that she was facing him again. He pulled her in close with a smirk on his face so that their faces were inches apart. He leaned forward grinning, so close to the point that she could feel his breath on her mouth. He continued to move closer to her, making it seem as if she was about to get kissed. Her breath caught in her throat and she moved forward along with him until he moves back abruptly, caught off guard. After composing himself, he let out a short laugh and drops his hands from her waist, stepping away.

"I think we should go to Riddhima and Armaan now. It's late. I have a shift tomorrow in the morning." He yelled walking away before she could reply. She watched him walk away, mesmerized with him. Shift? My coffee man, she thought sighing.

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-Jot.

Next Chapter [s] : The engagement, A near Kiss