Mismatch/ Identity - THE END! (pg 93) - Page 9

One week later

Kripa woke up to see darkness all around her. She switched on the table lamp, and glanced at her watch. It was 5-00 am.

She pulled the covers off her, and got out of bed. The first thing she did was to tie her hair back in a messy ponytail. Then, she tip toed a few steps, and opened the window.

There was a distinct fog patch in the air, the birds were chirping, and from somewhere she could hear the sound of a train. Everything felt so peaceful and serene.

She felt the cool breeze hit her face, and instantly she closed her eyes loving the feeling. She was starting to love this place.

Speaking of the place, she remembered the owner as well and at that she instantly blushed. Every night he would be the last person in her mind before she fell asleep, and every morning he would be the first person she would remember.

Her life was revolving around him, Angad. As she thought about him, she turned to glance at him. He was in deep sleep on the couch, and he looked really cute. She stared dreaming at him, until she noticed the covers on him were lying on the floor, and she could notice he was freezing due to the way he was all crouched up.

Instantly, without a thought she rushed to his side, and put the covers on him.

She stood near him for a while. From this close, she could notice he looked exhausted. And, instantly her heart went out for him. He had been coming home late every night for the past one week, since he had a huge project due at the end of this week.

She wondered whether she was getting attached to this place, or the owner. At that she simply smiled, and dismissed her thoughts as she walked away.

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

Angad woke up to the light coming on his eyes; he turned around and buried his face in the pillow. He was exhausted, but why?

And, that's when he remembered Kripa. Instantly, he opened his eyes and turned his face around to look at the bed. The covers were pulled over, and she was missing.

Instantly, anger hit him as he remembered last night, and how weak she was. He groaned as he pulled the covers off him.

The first thing he did was to check the bathroom only to find it empty. He did not like this at all. She was supposed to be in bed, but instead she was wandering around the house.

He ran down the stairs taking two steps at a time, and called out her name. But, there was no sign of her. The house looked empty. He rushed to the kitchen to find it empty.

He called out her name, but when he got no response. He opened the main door, and rushed out. This female was going to kill him some day.

Angad spotted the watchman, and ran to him.

"Did you see, Kripa?"

"No, I didn't see anyone this morning" replied the watchman.

Now, where the hell was she? What if she had fainted somewhere?

He almost felt a stabbing pain in his heart as he thought about her fainting just anywhere.

She was so weak last night. Almost every day this past one week she would faint. That's it today he was going to book an appointment with a doctor.

She would have to go through the front gate in order to get outside. Since, the watchman had not spotted her. Kripa for sure had not gone beyond the perimeters of this house, so she had to be inside.

He ran inside, and searched every room... every corner of the house... But, there was still no sign of her... it was like Kripa Sharma had vanished from the face of this earth.

He looked everywhere, until he was too tired, and decided to head out the balcony just incase she was there, and that's when he noticed her.

He sighed as he saw she was fine, but anger overcame him instantly. Here, he was looking for her, while was standing there so peacefully. She had almost killed him... He had been so worried about her, while she was standing there calmly.

And, with these thoughts he rushed down the stairs to teach her a lesson.

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

"Are you crazy?"

That voice literally made her jump. She turned around to face Angad.

What kind of greeting was that?

Plus, he seemed pretty mad. It might be a good idea to just ignore him, so she just turned back around without answering.

"Who gave you the PERMISSION to come outside?"

OK. Maybe it was a bad idea to ignore him.

"And, since when did I need permission?" she asked raising her eyebrow

He marched up in front, and grabbed her elbow.

"Kripa, how careless could you be?"

"What do you mean?" she asked jerking her hand out of his hold

"You fainted last night, Kripa. May I remind you these past few days you are fainting almost everywhere"

"So? I am pregnant. And, I am supposed to faint"

"What if you had fainted somewhere? HUH? How could you be so irresponsible?" he yelled

He noticed tears in her eyes, and instantly he regretted yelling at her, but before he could even apologize... Kripa retaliated.

"Hey! You know what? I am NOT a baby! Dude, I am a doctor! OKAY? Get it? I am a doctor? I don't have to listen to your stupid lecture. I have the right to do anything! And, don't you DARE yell at me" she pointed her fingers at him as she said those last couple of words.

Then, she turned to leave, and added, "Khanna, if you think I am going to take your crap, then you are highly mistaken."

"Kripa, listen..." Angad called out, but she didn't turn to glance around even once, and just headed inside.

He banged his fist on one of the garden furniture in frustration.

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

She was wrong to think that she was attached to that moron. And, he was not at all nice! He was a jerk.

She heard the door to the room open, and she sat there staring at the covers in anger.

"Kripa...."

She was going to ignore him.

"I am sorry," he said as he sat on the bed beside her

If he thought it was easy to first yell, and then apologize he was highly mistaken. She was not going to forgive him. Never!

"Could you blame me for yelling?"

Hold on. The guy first yells, and then acts as if he its not his fault.

"Kripa, what would you do if you find your wife missing early in the morning? The wife that fainted in your arms the night before"

"I was worried when I didn't find you in bed. I was searching for you, and when I couldn't find you I was scared. All I could think of was what if something happened to you?" he put his hand on hers as he said, "Kripa, I swear those ten minutes were one of the worst moments in my life"

Don't be stupid, Kripa. Her mind intercepted. He would not care. Why would he care? Heck No! What was she even thinking?

"Listen Kripa!" he said glancing at his watch "Don't take this seriously! I am sorry for yelling at you, and I will make sure this does not happen in the future. You just take care. I have to go now. Bye!"

And, with those words he got up from the bed, and headed out to the door, but Kripa showed no signs of forgiveness on her face. However, he stopped in his tracks near the door, and smiled. She had no idea why he was smiling.

It was a million-dollar smile! And, despite his irresistable smile and with her heart jumping up and down in joy... she pretended to be angry.

He said, "You know you look cute when you're angry"

And, that's it all her anger instantly vanished, and she was back to blushing! Except, Angad failed to notice that she was blushing, and she thanked all her gods for that.

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

The ringing of her cell forced her to shift her attention from the television to her cell.

She stared at the number. It was unknown.

She didn't respond as she picked it up.

"Hey!"

"oh its you" Kripa said

"What's that supposed to mean?" Angad replied

"Why? You expect me to be thrilled as I answer your phone?" replied Kripa, and then she added, "OHHH Hii Honey!!"

"Glad your learning" responded Angad

She just rolled her eyes, and then answered, "Why did you call?"

"Why? I am not allowed to call my wife?"

She could swear that as soon as she heard wife her breathing had altered, and her heart was jumping up and down again... The guy sure did know how to pull the right strings.

Though she responded, "whatever" her heart knew that was not the right answer

"I have booked an appointment with the doctor"

"Why?"

"Because, you throw up & faint almost every day"

"But, that's normal Angad"

"Don't you think it's a bit too much? Your fainting?"

"What time are we going?" she asked

"I am coming to pick you up in ten minutes be ready"

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

The ride to the clinic was boring. Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai was playing in the background.

And, Kripa literally felt like falling asleep, though the wordings of the song forced her to glance at Angad, and he would do the same as well.

Kripa wondered whether her husband was a 60-year-old to be listening to some 60's music, which was so boring. She never really understood when people claimed to love old songs. She just failed to notice the specialty in old songs, and she didn't even change the song since she was still "angry" with Angad.

The car halted, and she glanced up to notice the sign of the hospital. They walked in silence inside the hospital, and entered some cabin. Kripa sat on the chair, and looked around the room, while Angad was just walking around the room when the door opened.

"You must be Mrs. Khanna?" the lady smiled as she sat down on her chair.

Mrs. Khanna?

It was only when Angad said, "Kripa?" that she realized the lady was calling her.

"Oh Hi" replied Kripa turning red

"Aww Angad, you didn't force the poor girl did you?" the lady doctor teased as she sat in her chair

Angad just grinned, and replied, "Nisha, ours is quite an interesting love story" and then he wrapped his arms around Kripa's shoulders, and whispered, "Hain Na Kripa?"

Kripa was literally weakening with his touch.

And, the first thing she would do as soon as she was out of this place was kill Angad Khanna.

She replied in a no-nonsense tone, "Angad, this is a hospital. Not our bedroom"

The lady doctor laughed at Kripa's words, while Kripa just rolled her eyes.

It was so not funny. She was being serious here.

"Angad, you sure managed to woo a charming young girl"

"No, the most charming girl is in front of me. If only you weren't married, Nisha"

And, to Kripa's horror that stupid Nisha blushed. She blushed.

And, she glanced at Angad, and gave him an angry gaze, which clearly indicated, "Stop this nonsense"

But, Angad just plainly ignored her as he heard Nisha say "Angad, your still the same. I thought at least marriage will change you" and then she got up to bring something. As she walked away she rubbed her hands in Angad's hair as she muttered, "You naughty little boy" and walked away

"Angad, I don't like this doctor. I am leaving" Kripa said as she got up.

But, Angad pulled her down, and forced her to sit "Why do you want to leave?" he questioned

"Because, the lady is stupid. She is dumb!"

"Kripa, I know her since college, and she is the best gynecologist in town. Don't worry"

"Just because she is a pretty face does not mean she is SMART"

"Common Kripa, I thought you might like her"

"Hey just because you like her does not mean I LIKE her. Okay?" yelled Kripa

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing"

"Why are you so mad?" asked Angad

Instead, she responded "I am not mad"

"You sure?" Angad asked

"Yah" and she just sat in the chair, praying that Angad would not notice that she was a bit jealous. Only A Tiny Bit Jealous. That's it.

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

"Mrs. Khanna please stand on the weighing machine"

"Uh... Can we please do this alone?" pleaded Kripa

"No, you are not doing this alone. Now stand on the weighing machine" responded Angad

"Nisha, I request you to please send my husband out of this room" replied Kripa looking at Nisha

"So, you can bribe her into lying about your weight. It's so not going to work, Kripa" Angad stated as he looked at Kripa.

But, Kripa once again ignored him and said, "Nisha, please"

"That's it Angad, leave the room now" responded Nisha

"No, I have every right to see her weight. I am not leaving" Angad stubbornly replied

"Angad, please leave" pleaded a helpless Nisha.

"If he does not leave, then I am going to leave. That's it" replied Kripa as she started to walk away.

"Sure you will" responded Angad as he lifted her in his arms.

"Angad, put me down" she protested, and started to hit him, but all he did was respond, "Ms.I-am-so-strong. That's your best shot!" he laughed as he said that.

And, then he put her down.

She looked down to notice the weighing machine. She started to get out of his hold, but he held on to her tightly, to the point she couldn't move she gave up and stared down.

The thing was moving around... until it came near 110... and she prayed that her weight should be more than 110...

And, when she noticed 103 pounds, she turned around to look at Angad...

He was furious. His mouth had dropped in horror as he noticed the 103 pounds, but didn't quite look like he didn't expect it.

She prepared herself for the usual lecture she got from her friends, parents, relatives and even her professors about her weight. But, instead all she got was, "Kripa, no more dieting permitted" before she could open her mouth to protest she heard him say, "And, no more excuses about any food item... You will eat anything and everything... If your weight does not increase to 110 by the end of the week, then I will sleep beside you from next week onwards!"

Her eyes widened at his words, and she immediately protested, "But, 110 is impossible!" he ignored her and added, "Good luck Honey!" as he winked at her.

She knew Angad was dead serious right then.

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

Later that night

The cool breeze of the night air sent chills down Kripa's spine. She had taken dinner all by herself, since she wanted to avoid Angad. Mainly because in the morning he had yelled at her, then he had flirted with Nisha & to top it all he was blackmailing her.

"Having fun?"

She literally jumped as she heard his voice, but she did not turn around.

A few seconds later he was standing beside her starring at the vast night sky.

"You shouldn't go to work tomorrow" he said as he looked at her.

Except, he caught hold of her wrist.

"Angad, leave my hand"

"Why?"

"Because I can't bear your touch"

"Really?"

"Yah"

He started to come closer towards her. She could not even mutter a word out loud,

since she was weakening under his powerful gaze. Her heart was jumping up and down excited at the prospect of his nearness.

And, then she heard him say, "Common Kripa, don't go to work... even Nisha said that you need to take a lot of rest. Your too weak"

Those words immediately stopped her goosebumps, and she spat out loud, "I don't care what Nisha says, but I am going. And, you can't change it!"

This time she removed his hand, and started to walk away.

She was near the doorstep, but the only problem this time was she tripped.

And, Angad immediately caught hold of her.

"You okay?" he asked as he helped her up

"Yah" she replied

"Why are you wearing those stupid heels?" he asked

"Because I love them" she answered

"You can't even walk in them"

"Yes, I can"

"No wonder you fell. Now remove those heels"

"I am not going to." she stubbornly responded

"Well, I will do the honour of removing them"

"No, you won't"

Instead of replying he started to remove them, and before she could even stop him.

He had thrown them out from the balcony.

"Angad" she screamed "What the hell did you do?"

"Today onwards no heels permitted"

"Oh ya? I am going to buy a dozen of heels tomorrow. Just watch me!"

"Why are you so stubborn, Kripa?"

"Why are you so stubborn, Angad?"

"I am trying to get rid of your stubbornness"

"Oh Ya! I don't see how that will help. Why don't you try to compromise?"

"Why don't you try your own word of advice?"

Kripa just rolled her eyes. Angad was impossible, and she had enough of this childishness.

So, she just decided to reply, "Goodnight Angad"

She made an attempt to move her leg, but unfortunately couldn't.

She tried to limp her way into the room, but before she could even limp two steps Angad lifted her in his arms.

"Angad, put me down"

"You can't walk, Kripa"

"Hey! You use every excuse to pick me up"

"I bet ya you love the feeling"

And, instantly she blushed.

"You are blushing again. Aren't you?" he smiled

"No, I am not" she responded, but it was a weak attempt, so instead she buried her face in his shirt.

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

Next morning

Angad wiped the sweat off his forehead as he stepped outside. The phone was ringing.

Except, it was not a phone ring. It sounded a cell ring. But, that was not his cell. It had to be Kripa's.

He looked around for it, and then he spotted the source of the ring from somewhere near the couch. He should have known.

He picked the cushion, and there it was sitting on the couch. He picked it up.

"Hey Kripa" said the voice

"Kripa is not here" he said

"And, who are you?" Mishty asked

"Her Husband" he responded

"Angad" Mishty literally screamed and smiled

"Yay, glad you figured"

"What are you doing?"

"Having a shower with my gorgeous wife"

"Nice" she replied with a smile

"Why did you call?"

"Angad, your wife does not even care to call me anymore" she complained "She is so busy with you lately that she has forgotten her best friend"

"Mishty, she has been a little weak latel---"

"WHAT? Why didn't you inform me"

"Its nothing to worry about... "

"I will come to meet her tomorrow. Is that fine?"

"Hey! Listen Mish! Can you do me a favour?"

"Sure"

"Can you please make sure someone fills Kripa's spot for work this week?"

"Yay sure. Don't worry I will handle that"

"And, make sure Kripa is not aware that I suggested this"

"Why?"

Before he could answer he heard Kripa yell out "Angad"

"Mish, I got to go. I will call you later"

"Yay. Bye"

He was almost to put the cell back on the couch when he heard, "Angad, I left my towel outside"

And, that certainly brought a smile on his face as he devilishly decided that it was time to have some fun.

"Angad, give me the towel" screamed Kripa at the top of her lungs

"Get it yourself, Kripa" responded Angad as he sat on the couch chewing on his apple

"Angad, how can I get it? I don't have anything on. Can you please give it to me?" pleaded Kripa

"I have a condition"

"What?"

"I get to sleep on the bed beside you"

"What? No!"

"Too bad you're not getting the towel"

"Okay Fine. You can sleep on the bed" she replied angrily

But, Angad did not answer; instead he sat there testing her patience.

"Angad, get the towel or I will kill you!"

"Now, I am really not sure whether I should give you the towel. I should take your threat seriously now" replied Angad in a teasing tone.

"Angad! Stop this"

"You promise not to get angry nor scream, and last but not the least give me a kiss"

She stood there unsure whether to agree or not, but when she had no other choice, "I agree to all your conditions. Now get the towel. Angad, I am freezing here", cried Kripa "Please get it" she pleaded

She noticed the towel from the side, and immediately she lifted it from his hands, and locked the door.

A few minutes later, Kripa prayed to god with all her might that Angad would not notice her. She stepped outside, and closed the door behind her. Angad was sitting in front with his back facing her. It wasn't so bad. He could not see her.

She felt totally uncomfortable in that towel, and plus the water dripping from her hair falling on her bare skin did not quite help at all. But, her prayer stopped as soon as she heard Angad whistle from the front, and instantly she turned her gaze to him, and noticed a mirror beside, from which he had seen her.

She turned completely red, and hastily rushed to the other side, in order to get out of his sight. Fortunately, the closet was on the other side, so she stood in front of it trying to get her clothes as quickly as possible. And, then she heard another whistle. Her hand stopped, and she shivered entirely as she imagined Angad's gaze on her.

She had to focus, and grabbed as many clothes as could possibly in her hand. Then, she heard footsteps. That had to be Angad. She closed the closet, and rushed to the door of bathroom, when Angad caught hold of her wrist.

"You look HOT" he replied

It was a bit crazy, but nonetheless she liked it. She turned completely red, and it felt like someone raised the temperature of the room. She was starting to feel hot, and she did not even dare to look at Angad.

At that instant she just wished the earth would crack open or something, and she could fall in it. But, that failed to happen.

"I just love the way you blush..." he said snuggling closer.

And, now she was blushing even more. Was there something called blushing more?

If only there was a button that she could press so the blushing would stop?

Enough of the blushing now!

She turned to leave, but Angad caught her wrist.

"Not so quickly"

She turned to look at him. She was a bit scared, yet excited at the same time.

Was that even possible? To be scared as well as excited?

"Remember the kiss?" he asked

She turned beet root red now.

"Wooh! You go red all over when you blush"

This guy was ensuring that she would not stop blushing. She had to control the blushing so she mentally noted to get books on "How to stop blushing". Hopefully, someone had written a book on that!

She found him coming closer to her. And, that's when she closed her eyes, and stopped her breath to prepare herself for the worst.

"Why are your eyes closed?" asked Angad with a smile

She found herself kissing him on his cheeks, and then she opened the door quickly before he could catch her and said, "Too bad Khanna, you never stated cheeks or lips" and she closed the door on his face.

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

Kripa was sitting lazily on the couch and watching Dr Phil when she heard the doorbell. A second later she heard Rosy open the door. She got up from the couch to check who was at the door. It couldn't be Angad. He had just left an hour ago, and he wouldn't be back until 8-00 pm. The guy was a complete workaholic, and was adamant on going to office even on Sundays. So who could it be?

She jumped down the couch, and rushed across the hallway only to notice Mishty.

"Kripa, is that you?" screamed Mishty as she noticed Kripa upstairs

"Yeah"

"Oh my god, look at you... you have changed" remarked Mishty as she climbed up the stairs.

They shared a friendly hug after which both girls decided to catch up on things in the bedroom.

"Wow! Kripa, I love this room" screamed Mishty as she stared the lavish furniture

"I know its amazing"

"No wonder you don't bother to call me anymore" she punched Kripa lightly, and said, "And, hey what's up with you? Why are you so pale & weak"

Kripa just rolled her eyes, and answered, "Oh Please Mishty! I don't understand the difference you see in me.... How much can I change in a week? And, madam how did you remember me?"

"I spoke to Angad last night"

Kripa frowned, "He called you?"

"No, I called you, but you were taking a shower, so we spoke for a while...." Mishty found herself saying "And, the guy sounded really worried about your health"

"What do you mean?"

"I could feel the pain in his voice when he said you were "weak""

"WHATEVER Mishty, if you think that's going to make me like him, you are highly mistaken"

"I can see you're quite smitten by him"

"Oh please, Mish" replied Kripa rolling her eyes, then she changed the topic by inquiring, "What's with you and Karan?"

"What do you mean?"

"Have things moved on?"

"There is nothing, Kripa. We both share a mutual hatred and that's it"

"You know there is saying, if you hate someone then you like them as well – something like that"

"I don't believe this nonsense"

"Oh yeah? Then, why are you not making eye contact"

"oh what? You think I am lying"

"Common, spit it out. What's going on between the two of you?"

"Nothing"

"Mishty! SPILL I am a pregnant woman, who needs some interesting stuff to hear. Otherwise, I will go insane, as it is my husband is driving me crazy and I am sick and tired of sitting in this place. As per my husband I am not even allowed to go outside and besides I don't have any BOOKS to read I will get crazy. So, you better make up some good stuff for me or I will kick you out of this house now"

"Okay, we went on a date"

"Really?" screamed Kripa as her eyes widened in delight.

"Yes" replied Mishty staring at the floor

"And?" asked Kripa wanting to hear some more

"What?"

"And? Did you guys confess that you share intense feelings of 'love' for each other"

"Love? Kripa, we aren't in love. It's just a crush"

"Sure Sure"

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

Kripa glanced at the watch for the fifth time, since she had started from the house, it was 5-00 PM, and Angad was sure not going to come. Feeling a bit pleased with her plan; she crossed the road, and walked on the side walk all by herself. There was no sign of anyone around, and barely a few cars were passing by. The weather was chill cold, and it was slightly drizzling, her cotton salwaar did very little to prevent her from the cold. She just prayed to all her gods that Angad would not figure out about her sneaking out of the house, and that she would not catch a cold.

She was proud for the way she had slipped out of house that too by climbing the huge wall from the backside. Not that she was not afraid of falling she surely was scared out of her wits, but somehow she had managed to have the courage to jump down. Besides, such opportunities did not come on your doorstep everyday. After a few days she would not be able to even do that, and who knows after a year she may become so fat that it would be impossible to even walk.

For now she could do anything, even maybe run a bit, as she was barely pregnant, next week would complete two months in her pregnancy and two weeks into their marriage as well.

This wasn't so bad, her original plan was to go with Mishty of course, so that way Angad would not be able to stop her, since she had someone with her, to "help" her in her so called weakness. However, when Mishty had received the call in the last minute to run to the hospital Kripa was forced to make up another plan within a matter of seconds, as Mishty had exited through the front door Kripa had escaped through the back door. But, before this "plan" she had called Angad just to make sure that he would not come home early.

The buzzing of the phone brought Angad out of his thoughts, and angrily he answered the phone only to hear his secretary.

"Anita, what did I tell you? No calls today"

"I am sorry sir, but your wife called, and she said it's urgent"

Kripa never called, why would she call?

With his heart jumping right in his throat, he replied, "Put her on the line"

"Jaanu", came a sweet voice

And, that's when he figured this matter was not urgent, but something was surely cooking in his wife's head. In their one week of marriage, he had never heard her speak sweetly. He was quite irritated now, so he just replied, "Sorry, Wrong number"

"Angad" yelled out a voice

Okay. Now, that surely sounded like his wife, Kripa Sharma.

"Kripa, what is so urgent? That couldn't wait"

"Angad, where are your childhood pictures?" she sweetly asked

"Why do you need them?" he questioned

"Why can't I see him?"

"I thought, you could not even bear my face, and now all of a sudden you want to see my pictures? Kripa, everything alright with you?"

"Yah Yah Yah, I am fine'" she replied in a hurry

"First, jaanu, then my childhood pictures... something is so not right, Kripa"

"Why can't I see your pictures? I am your wife, and I have every right to see my husband's pictures"

"Wife?"

"Oh I am really sorry to inform you Mr. Khanna, but unfortunately you are married to a idiot named Kripa Sharma, and not Nisha Malhotra"

"Are you drunk?"

"No, why would I be?"

"Okay, what did you eat today?"

"Nothing... Mishty came over, and she got lunch. We ate pav bhaji"

"Ahhhhh! Something was surely mixed in that bhaji"

"Angad" she screamed

"You are acting quite unsual today"

"I have had enough of this, now tell me where are your pictures?"

"In the cupboard beside the TV cabinet"

"Oh, you mean that black cu-----"

"Yah.... Anything else?"

"MMhhmmm.." she hesitated a bit before asking, "What time are you coming home today?"

He glanced at the clock in front of him, and replied, "9-00 O' clock... I have to go now Kripa, bye"

"Bye"

Angad jumped down the chair, picked up his coat, and putting on his silver rimmed glasses he walked out the door only to find his secretary staring blankly at him.

"Anita, cancel all my meetings for the day"

"But Sir" she replied a bit startled and got up

"I said cancel them... I have to go home early today..." And, with that he walked out the door muttering, "Sorry Kripa, but I just don't trust you".

It was raining almost heavily by now, and Kripa just hoped the bookstore that Mishty had mentioned about was right around the corner. She had walked for the past ten minutes, and there was no way that she would turn back now. She covered her head with her dupatta, but the fabric was too thin to prevent her from getting wet, and that's when she spotted the bookstore on the other side of the road. Putting her hand above her head, and pulling the dupatta up slightly she decided to walk to cross the road when she heard the honking of the car from behind her.

She turned around to find her husband staring angrily right back at her, screaming "Kripa, GET IN THE CAR NOW". She noticed his eyes had turned red in anger, and he looked pissed off. Never before she had seen him this angry. Not even yesterday morning when he had yelled at her for walking out in the garden. That was only in the house, now she was on the street. She was totally dead.

With one hand resting on her waist, she replied, "No, I can walk"

But, that was a mistake as Angad turned shades of black, he stepped down from the car, and as she just stared at him in fear & excitement all tongue- tied, he picked her up in his strong arms, and put her in the car.

Trying his best to control his temper he asked, "What was so urgent that you could not even wait for me?"

And, he noticed she bit her lower lip. Suddenly, something roared within him and started to force him to go and kiss her. Since, when did he have feelings for her? He was just interested in her, not in love with her. Just interested, at the moment.

He found himself saying, "Kripa, you have to take care of yourself..."And, that's when he noticed her shivering without a word he took off his jacket, and put it around her. The whole time he noticed as he had bent closer to put the jacket around her, she had her eyes lowered. If only he could kiss her...

He rolled his hands in a fist to control himself from the strong urge of kissing her. He was glad that she did not protest, and even if she did there was no way he was going to listen to her. Plus, he did not want to have an argument with her. They had enough of arguments. From now onwards, he would make an effort to be nice, possibly be friends with her and try to get to know her better. Yes, that would be the right thing to do.

For a while, he just sat there staring at her till his heart was finally sure that it had captured her from every angle. Then, he pushed down on the accelerator, and that's when he heard Kripa say, "Angad, can we please go to the bookstore?" and she pointed to the other side of the street.

He smiled and nodded his head. Turning the car around they made their way to the bookstore.

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

She had been too scared to speak in the car. Way to scared, but he had been nice? At least, he hadn't yelled at her, as she had feared.

But, now she did not exactly like this silence between them. It was a bit awkward as it made her think the wrong things, and she did not want to think like that. For instance, in the car for some reason she had thought that Angad would kiss her, now why would she even think like that?

She was not supposed to think like that. She did not even like him. Then, why was she thinking about kissing? This was the first time in her life that she had been thinking something like this, and it was a freaking her out. Could she be falling in love with him?

That was impossible! They had spent barely a week together, and no one could fall in love within a week. She had failed to understand it when her friends claimed that they had fallen in love. How could one fall in love? She could understand crush, but love was too complicated.

But, then this feeling within her also had been relatively new. She had never ever felt in before. Could it be she was falling in love?

Angad's happiness really did matter to her more than hers did. She did not care about herself, but she cared so much more for him. She surely did not show it, but she cared about him a lot.

For instance when they were walking a bit to the store she had felt so bad when Angad was getting wet, while she was wearing his jacket, and she had even tried to give it to him, but he had refused to take it.

And, then when Angad would not return home by 9-00 PM she would start getting restless and actually pace up and down in the room, and when he would come home, and see her in that state. She would reply she was just walking around, but in reality she would sigh in relief that he was back home.

Back at the hospital when he had called Nisha charming, she had felt so bad, and angry. She was surely jealous. Today morning she had glanced at herself in the mirror for the first time, and had tried to leave her hair open so that she would look pretty, not for herself, but to Angad, so that he would stop glancing at other women and only look at her. What was wrong with her? Why did she want Angad's attention on her?

Besides, his condition of 'a kiss' had been tempting, she had been thrilled with that, and only in the last minute she had managed to suppress that desire to kiss him, and backed out. What was all this?

"Madam, what are you looking for?"

She looked up to find an old man in his 50's.

"umm nothing" she remarked as she walked away with the two books she had selected earlier.

For a second her mind had been tempted to go and look up the difference between crush and love, but if Angad spotted her she would be so dead... She mentally noted to check it later on, and rushed to the counter with the two books she had selected.

"Hi Ma'am!" said a guy with a smile, who was about her age.

He was cute. Not as cute as Angad ofcourse, but certainly very cute.

"That will be $30 Ma'am," said the guy from the corner.

She dug in her purse to pull out two twenty-dollar bills when she noticed someone place two books on top of hers. She turned around to look at Angad, who smiled back at her.

The guy from the counter, now said, "That will be $50"

Before she could pull a fifty-dollar bill, Angad had his hand up, and that's when her eyes spotted the two books he had placed.

Her mouth fell open as she noticed they were Pregnancy related books. She turned back around at Angad, who was now humming a tune.

"Angad, why are you taking two same books?"

"What do you mean?"

"Both the books you took are the same"

"One is for you and one is for me"

Her eyes widened. He had been so thoughtful unlike her. And, how many guys did she know read about pregnancy?

The guy was a sweetheart, for sure.

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