Kripa stood outside of LAX airport waiting for Mishty to pick her up.Just then a car stopped in front of her and out came a woman of about 26.She had on a red salwar,earings and seemed out of breath but extremely excited."Kripa!"she rushed over and gave Kripa a strangling hug.Tears came to Kripa's eyes as she hugged her cousin who was more her sister.Her idol,1 person Kripa beleieved and trusted with her eyes closed.Thats why getting an offer at UCLA,one of the best IVY League schools in the West,Kripa jumped at the oppurtunity to see Mishty.
"hi di,how are you?"she asked.
"I'm fine.but wow,havent you changed in the last couple of years."Mishty and Kripa were both wiping their tears."Dont we look a sight...come on lets get in the car."they both got in smiling.
"How is Karthik jeeju?"Kripa asked once they were in the car.
"He's fine,got caught up in some work so couldnt come but he cant wait to see you."Mishty smiled."But tell me how is Karan?and mausaji and mausi?"
"they're fine.Karan was sad he couldnt come also.And mom and dad send their blessings and said they cant wait to see you this December."
"Ohh.right...they're coming for your long-awaited engagment."Mishty shook her head in amazment."You know you are very lucky.Prithvi loves you so much he decided to wait this many years to marry..."
Kripa's smile faded a little."Ya...im lucky..."she said quietly."I didnt mean anything by making him wait,i just wanted 2 finish my masters and then marry..."they stopped at a red light.
Mishty looked at Kripa in concern."I know.We all know how much your studies mean to you.Thats why we all understand but...You're sure about this right?"Kripa nodded.They were quiet for a while..."So Kripa,what are you going to do tommorrow?"Mishty asked.
"Im thinking of going to see Aliyah and Josh."she answered."They actually dont know I'm here.It'll be a surprise."Kripa still remembered the day when Aliyah and Josh came back to India,all well.It was like their life was getting back on pace.After they married,they moved here.Josh was handling a music businness and Aliyah had a clothing boutique.It had taken some years,but everything was ok...she felt a pang of longing to see Him again...no kripa,you're going to marry someone else...he left you...stop thinking about him...
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"Arrey baba.I said sorry na..."
"No!You get to see me after so many years,and you decide your work is more important.chalo...ok fine.im not talking to you."
"Kripa,kya bacho jaise baat kar rahi ho.I said im sorry."
Mishty looked up from her book laughing.Her tall,sturdy husband begging her sister for forgivness.His soft chocolate brown eyes had a mocking sad look to it and he had a puppy dog face on and towered Kripa by a foot or 2.It was truly a sight!
Karthik took out some chocolate and showed them to Kripa."now...?It's chocolates...you still love chocolate right?"
Kripa looked her jeejaji as if considering something."Ok."she took the chocolates."But this wont help you everytime."
Mishty and Karthik burst out laughing as Kripa opened the box and started on them."Kripa.You havent changed one bit.I bet you can live on chocolates if someone provided them."It was true.Kripa weakness throughout-chocloate.
After eating one,she smiled like a kid."Thank You jeeju."
Karthik smirked with a naughty look in his face."It's ok.Sali to adhi gharwali hi hote hai na."Mishty smacked him on the arm."Kripa ko tang mat karo."
"yes maam."Karthik mock saluted her.
Mishty glared at him.Kripa smiled.When she was with Karthik and Mishty she always forgot all her problems.She lived for the days when she could see them.
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Kripa double checked the address Mishty gave her.She went up to the front door and rang the doorbell.A girl dressed in sweats and a tank answered the door.Upon seeing who it is her mouth formed a shocked expression.After a second of awkward shock she gave Kripa a hug."Kripa?I havent seen you in...what are you doing here...oh youre Here!..where he..."
Kripa laughed."breath Ali...now im here for the whole year,"
Aliyah laughed thinking of the irony of the situation."Well...they're definetly meant for each other...halfway around the world...of all the 50 states here in US,California had to be the one...well who can mess with fate"
"huh?...Aliyah what are you muttering to yourself about?Arent you going to invite me inside?"she laughed.Aliyah smiling an apologetic smile let her in.
"So...Kripa.Josh will be so happy seeing you here,why so suddenly though..."Aliyah poured herself and Kripa some cofee.
"Ya,Aliyah i know.I wanted to surprise you guys.Actually i got addmitted at UCLA-"
Aliyah chocked on her cofee."are you serious?"
"ya"Kripa replied happily."I know unbelievable,such a good university."
"ummm...oh ya its good.i know some people there..."
"really?anyone i know also."Aliyah looked extremely uncomfortable right then.Kripa saved her by answering her own question."wait of course not..."she laughed.
Aliyah looked at Kripa's shining eyes,which reflected pain she hadnt been able ,her happy smile which had her sorrows hidden in them,and just couldn't bare to tell Kripa,she hadn't escaped yet...and in a way it was good she hadnt...
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Kripa got out of her car nervous.She looked at the UCLA her heart beating fast.This was her dream...occupied in her thoughts,she didnt notice as she bumped into someone."oh im so sorry."she bent down to pick up the girl's books.
"its ok."the girl said smiling brightly.She looked at Kripa curiously as though trying to figure out something."Do i know you..."
"i dont think so...this is my first day here.Im Kripa."
"Kripa...!?...no the name is common maybe...im sure its not..."the girl was mutturing to herself quietly.
People seem to be doing that alot around me
,Kripa mused.Out loud she said"Excuse me?""No nothing.Im Kannan."she put out her hand.Kripa shook it."so your new here...?"they started walking inside.
"ya,from India."Kripa smiled.
"Oh ok.What are you majoring in?"
"English Liturature.I love writing and music."
"really?well I know some people who work in the school newspaper.Im sure I can get you in,I heard there's an opening."
"Can you?"Kripa was already excited.They spent the next few minutes chatting about various things and then parted making plans for later.Kripa was surprised at the way Kannan kept looking at her like she was trying to figure out something.Dissmissing the thoughts,she went to her 1st class.
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"Kannan,kya hua."Nishant came and hugged her close."Youve been so distracted the whole day...are you ok baby."
Kannan looked at Nishant with love in her eyes.They still fought so much,but sometimes it was worth it...just being close to him...she could feel his warm breath and his forehead was burrowed worrying..."Nishant,I met this girl today...her name is Kripa..."
Nishant looked at her shocked."What! is it Angad's..."
"I dont know...I talked to her,very sweet,interested in journalism,i dont know...maybe Kripa is a common name...i havent seen Angad's picture of his ex too much.and its gone since the last 2 years...but you remember dont you..."Nishant nodded."Well i invited her to have cofee with us this afternoon and just talk...so meet her before Angd does ok?"
Nishant nodded again."ok but i have a feling its the same person.Angad told me she was interested in writing also...but if it is then what do we do?She's probably married by now to Prithvi and Angad is...well..."
Kannan nodded."different?"
"You...could call it that..."Nishant sighed."He's gone through alot but i didnt think he'd be so changed.I mean...you remember how shocked we were when he came back from Inida with Josh and Aliyah?...he never even mentiones her anymore or mentions anything...of his old life...Josh and Aliyah have been like that also...it's like unspoken words...an unspoken agreement...everything he does now is always a surprise and in a way its not..."Nishant sighed in frusteration.
"well...I guess we'll have to wait and see,"kannan said finally.
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Kripa walked to the Starbucks Coffeeshop where she was supposed to meet Kannan.Her first day ahd gone by so nicely,she was looking forward to this year.As she was about to cross the street,her phone rang.
"Hello,"
"Kripa?How are you?...are you there?...hello...?"
"sorry Pri...Prithvi..."Kripa's voice wavered on hearing from her fiance."I'm fine.How are you?"
"how would I be when the girl im about to marry is halfway around the world wothout me?"...but he didnt sound teasing and warm.Instead his voice reflected bitterness...
"Prithvi,its not like im here to enjoy holidays or something.Im here for studies."
Prithvi gave a laugh."Ya right.More like you just wanted to be away from me."
"Prithvi,its nothing like that.How could you say that?I am here for my studies which have nothig to do with getting away from you."with that
Kripa hung up fuming.
She walked up the sidewalk when she noticed a bike entering the parking lot of Starbucks.
The guy on the bike looked extremely familar.Black jeans,and a white t-shirt...he got out of the bike and looked directly at her.In a nanosecond,Kripa felt the world closing on her...
It was Angad...he looked straightly at her...she felt herself melting looking at his dreamy eyes...it seemed like no one in the world existed...except for them...she felt like she was dreaming the same hopes she had hoped for so long...to see Angad...she forgot all about her promises to others...he was heading right to her...she started walking and after a few feet stopped,she knew he could see again of course...unbelievable...she didnt care how or when...just that he was in front of her and heading her way...
ok so ive been wierd and not giving angad-kripa scenes for so long...š but now they start.hope u liked.š³
-Jess
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Arjun
Cricket
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