Summer Affairs: Pg.40 Ch.15(last) - Page 9

It was a cool May evening, cool and crisp. Kripa sat down on a swing and looked into the sky and towards the few starts that were out. Then she noticed the full moon and smiled. It was reminded her of her mother. She missed sitting with her, sleeping in her lap as she caressed her. Rocked her to sleep when she could.

"Kripa." With the same pleasant smile she turned her head and looked at Angad Khanna. "You didn't tell me you were going to be here."

She continued sitting, he wasn't her boss here. "Yes, Yash invited me and I couldn't say no."

Behind them they heard the slow music playing. Angad looked back at her disappointed face as she looked thought the door at Yash.

"Would you like a dance?"

Kripa looked at him with her mouth hanging down. "No. I'm sorry my shoes… my feet hurt."

"Take them off."

"No Angad. Really. We should go back." She wanted the dance so badly. But Angad was her boss and she was here with Yash. She stood up and walked away, nervously.

"You didn't tell me your nanny attended such high-class parties." Neha asked relaxing her shoulders, in an annoyed tone.

"First of all she's not my nanny and second of all it's her life. I don't give a damn about what she does or doesn't do. That's her personal life which I don't have to do anything with."

Angad relax his own shoulders and let out a deep breath he was simply being unreasonable. Neha asked a simple question. Moreover he had wondered the same thing upon seeing her. Why would Kripa Sharma be at such a party?

Because she was dating Yash. That's why!

Angad looked out his window annoyed with the fact the girl was dating Yash Singhania. That man wasn't for her. She was making a big mistake by dating him.

Why does it worry you, Angad? Angad caught his lip between his teeth and bit hard. Why do I care? He released his lip and told himself that he was worried for her. She was a nice girl and Yash wasn't a nice guy. He was a Casanova and everyone knew of it. He had to warn her about him before it was too late.

Yash took Kripa to a romantic candle night dinner around eleven that night. The entire place was booked for just them. When she stepped inside it seemed like she was dreaming. The entire hotel was lit with scented candles. There were violinists playing romantic music for them, lightly. It had been something Kripa had always wished for but never thought she would get it. Today when she sat down with Yash for the dinner she found out that she didn't care. He was a darling that was for sure. He made her laugh and gave her all his attention. Finally complimented her. He pampered her thought out the night and then dropped her back home around one.

Yash opened the door for her and she stepped out taking his hand.

"Thank you, Yash. It was a special night." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Good night."

"Good night. How about dinner next Saturday?" He brushed a finger down her bare arm. Kripa felt uncomfortable but didn't back away. Instead smiled. "At my house. Maybe we can go shopping for my new apartment and then have dinner there."

Kripa placed a hand on his chest when he tried to kiss her. "Call me and then we'll see. I should go now."

"Alright." He stepped back annoyed and let her leave.

"I'm sorry I'm late." Kripa quickly sat down on the dinning table and dropped the napkin to her lap.

"It's ok." Angad sipped his coffee.

Kripa had seen the girls finish their breakfast and get ready for their Sunday art classes.

"I'm surprised you're up at eight." He looked up from his eggs to meet her eyes. "It must have been around two, maybe three when you got back in."

Kripa reached for the jelly as he spoke in his strict tone she was hearing for the first time since she had joined. "It was a nice party." She simply replied to avoid his previous comment. "Don't you think so?"

"Yes," he sipped his coffee. "I was surprised to see you there."

"I was surprised to be there myself. More surprised to see you there." Kripa mumbled sipping her juice.

"I didn't know Yash and you were dating."

Kripa noticed he didn't make it a direct question, rather a comment. But better than that she also knew he expected an honest response. She set her muffin down and looked up at him bring his hands together. "Well that makes us even. I didn't know you were dating Sneha." She said evenly. Annoyance dripping from her words.

Angad lifted a brow. "I'm not dating a Sneha, Kripa. And, what type of a name is that anyways? Sneha?"

"Oh please." Kripa tried to keep her voice calm and down. What was annoying her more? The fact that he was asking her question about her life or the fact that he wasn't answering her questions? "Well it sure seemed like you guys were dating. The lady wouldn't let you out of her sight."

Angad laughed now. "Are you taking about Neha?"

"I'm talking about the lady in the black dress, who danced with Yash." She snapped the words quickly.

"That's Neha. Not Sneha."

"I could have sworn she told me Sneha." Kripa mumbled biting into her muffin.

"Whatever her name was. It's none on your business who I date and don't."

Kripa stood pushing her plate back angry. "Exactly my point, Mr. Khanna." She tried to hide the smile that was over taking her angry. She knew her name was Neha not Sneha. But still when he said that it was his business not hers it made her angry. But the smile came just as quick as her point was proven. "Who you date is your business. Who I date is my business."

Angad's eyes darkened in shock and his mouth opened to talk but it closed as Sanju came into the room.

"Finish your breakfast Kripa."

"It's ok. The girls will get late for their classes. I'll see you later Mr. Khanna."

"Alright. Make sure they are back home right after the classes. Neha is coming over and we are going to a small lunch after that."

"But Dad." Sana walked into the room with Sia. "I promised Erin I would go shopping with her."

"I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm afraid you're going to have to cancel your plans with Erin."

"Alright Dad. Will Kripa be with us?"

"No." Angad stood up fixing his black polo. "She won't be."

Sana smiled pleased with the answer. "Good. Can I drive to the classes Dad?"

"Yes." He looked at Kripa. "I will take them to the classes. If Neha shows up please tell her to wait."

"Alright, Mr. Khanna." She had to keep this professional. She couldn't feel for Angad Khanna at all.

Over the next week Kripa and Angad barely saw each other. If anything Kripa started having her meals in her room, which more than anyone else, pleased Sana.

There picnic that Saturday was also enjoyable. While Angad and Neha sat together, Sana took Sia and Sanjana to skate on the other side of the park.

On Saturday morning after breakfast Angad called Kripa into his office. She straightened her skirt outside his door and exhaled. Then knocked.

"Come in."

She opened the door and her heart jumped when she saw him dressed so casually. He wore a black sleeveless, almost translucent, hooded shirt with a pair of denim jeans. No one could look better than him. When she noticed that he had noticed the look on her face she quickly changed the look into a pleasant smile. But even then she couldn't help but look at the most handsome man who had three kids.

She cursed herself for being so silly. She was only falling for his looks, not for the person he was. She barely knew him after all.

"Sit down Kripa." He was grinning endlessly at her expression.

"Anything important sir?"

"Well I just wanted to give you your pay for this week." He handed her the check and then sat back in his chair.

"Thank you. How was the picnic last week?"

"It was ok. The girls went skating for the most part."

"Neha skated with you guys?" Her brow lifted in shock.

"No." Angad laughed. "Sana would have a heart attack if his old man went skating with her."

"Awe no. You're not old. Thirty-three is definitely not old. And you let them go alone?"

"Yes I let them go alone." Angad was astonished at the concern in her question. "Why?"

She sighed. "Angad… Mr. Khanna."

"Angad is fine Kripa. I told you last time. I won't tell you again."

"You need to be with them. L.A. has too much crime to let the three girls go skating alone in that huge park. Full to gangsters."

"Kripa I know how to treat my daughter."

"Angad…" she hesitated at his name and then stood to turn. "I have four younger siblings and I've had to take care of all of them. It's not easy. What you think is right sometimes isn't always the right thing. They need you." She turned around to face him again. "Instead of taking Neha with you, you should go alone with your daughter." She sat back down. "When Dad passed away I was only twelve. Almost as young as Sanju. Loosing a parent is hard, Angad. I would know that since I've been through it. If Mom wouldn't have taken care of us for the first few years before she started falling sick I would have given up years ago."

Angad saw the pain in her eyes, in her smile. He had been through what his daughter were going through right now already. In fact her condition was worst he realized as she continued.

"I was in my sophomore year of high school when mom started falling sick all the time. I had to start working. There would be night I wouldn't get any sleep. And if I did it would be maybe three or four hours." Don't cry, she told herself. "In my senior year I found out I was accepted into Berkley." A soft smile, pleasure filled her smile. "Mom had started recovering and I thought I would be able to leave. But Mom passed away that summer and I ended up at RCC for the first two years. Then transferred into UCI." Her smile vanished again, and she looked up resting her hands on the table. "I'm sorry Angad." She managed a slow, small smile.

"It's ok." He covered her hand with his and squeezed it tightly. "It's always nice to share your feelings with someone." He smiled at her and took his hand back. "What are you doing today?"

"Yash needs help shopping for his apartment so I'm going to help him with that."

"He moved alone?" His brow lifted in concern. "He was living with his parents on the day of the party."

She lifted her shoulder in a half shrug. "I don't know. He doesn't seem like the type of son who would stay with his parents after turning eighteen. I'm shocked he's getting out at twenty-seven. Did you need anything?"

"No." He stood. "I know it's none on my business but just be careful with Yash. He's had an image with girls. I would hate it if he did something stupid with you."

He was concerned and she understood it. She could hear the concern in his voice.

"Thanks Angad. I'll see to it." And she would. He had surprised her on their first date already when he tried to kiss her without asking her. She could see where his concerns started. "I'll leave now."

"Alright. Enjoy yourself today."

"Thank you." She stood up and left the room.

I don't have much to say!

Hugs and Kisses

Neha