Part 23:
Fear, nervousness, excitement, thrill, relief. A mixture of all these feelings somersaulted in the heart of every student on the day of final exam of the final year of college. After spending three long hours in the examination room, students finally rushed out of there rooms to breathe in the fresh air of newly acquired independence.
Kripa came out, checking question paper, followed by Nisha and josh chatting away about nothing in particular. Angad followed, his mind wandering somewhere else. Nisha came to Kripa and snatched away paper from her hands, "bas karo Kripa. Exams are over; no actually college is over too…so stop studying sweet heart." She said beaming with happiness.
"O my god…can u believe it Kripa. No college, no books, no lecture, no detentions. I am so happy." She continued in excitement throwing the papers in the air. Angad and josh joined in, looking at Nisha in amusement. "And no more bunking, fooling around in the college, stupid pranks on teachers, beating table in the canteen too. Gosh I am so going to miss it." Josh said in a nostalgic tone that made everyone's face fell instantly.
Seeing them all turning serious josh decided to change the topic, "so what's next?" he asked them suddenly.
"What do you mean by that?" Angad asked looking at him questioningly.
"Come on Angad, college is over and there is like two months before results are declared. So till then, what all of you are planning to do next?" he said in obvious tone.
"I and Kripa are going back to shimla." Nisha said all of a sudden.
"shimla!" Kripa said in surprise, she was completely unaware of this plan of theirs.
"shimla!???" Angad said, even more shocked.
"You cannot go back to shimla" he said trying to convince himself that it was not true.
"And why can't we?" Nisha asked putting her hand on her hips.
"Because…because you can't" Angad repeated trying to search for an appropriate answer. He himself didn't know it…all he knew was he didn't want them to go…Kripa to go.
"God Angad, shut up. We are going and that's final." Nisha said grabbing Kripa's hand and walking away.
Kripa turned her head back, to look at Angad for one last time, with a little helplessness in her eyes.
"Who said that we are going to shimla?" Kripa questioned Nisha furiously.
"I said…do you mind." Nisha replied stubbornly.
"Yes I do. I am not going anywhere." She said in the same tone.
"And why so? You were always so desperate to get close to your family and now that you have a chance of doing so…you are saying you don't want to go to shimla. Are u in your senses?" Nisha said now a little angry herself.
"But I don't want to go." Kripa whined like a kid.
"Fine…just one reason. And I won't ask you again." Nisha said trying to reason with her.
Kripa waited for a few moments…did she have a reason? Finally gathering herself up, Kripa replied in low tone, "Fine I'll come." Without waiting for her reaction, she walked to her room, to get her suitcases out.
Angad groaned and glanced at the clock on his bedside table. Shocked out of wits on seeing the time, he threw the bed sheet wrapped around him on the floor and rushed towards bathroom. Gosh he was late for college…again. As he reached for the handle of the door, the reality struck him. He slammed back of his head with his palm and laughed at his foolishness. He came back and fell on his bed lazily, wondering what Kripa might be doing at the moment. May be preparing breakfast or she would have left for shimla. The latter thought saddened him a little. But why the heck was he missing her…may be he was too used of bugging her by now. Brushing the thoughts away, he leaped out of his bed again to go downstairs. While climbing down the stairs his eyes fell on the breakfast arranged on the table… corn soup and toast. The taste of Kripa's burned soup rushed to his tongue as he smiled to himself, mindlessly. As he realized what he is doing, he kicked himself mentally for his stupidity. The rest of the time he tried engaging himself in some or the other things but to his great surprise and annoyance, the moment he relaxed or sat back doing nothing, his mind automatically diverted to Kripa. Completely annoyed at himself for missing her so much, he grabbed his car keys and rushed off for a long drive. He started driving aimlessly at high speed, music blasting loudly in his car. After driving for like 45 min., he stopped the car to notice his surroundings. Where the hell was he…wondering he looked around, only to find himself standing in front of Kripa's building. What the heck…why has he driven himself to her building. Perhaps he had been visiting her too often…that's why his hands carried him there on instinct. Convinced by his reasoning he returned home lost deep in thoughts, his heart getting restless with each passing moment.
Two days passed and then too weeks. Angad's situation was pathetic…he couldn't concentrate on anything. Whatever he did reminded him of Kripa, some or the other way. If he clubbed or partied, the image of Kripa dancing with him in ball dance party flashed in front of his eyes. If he tried reading, the image of her studying in the class passed in front of him. So the conclusion was that he was turning crazy and needed to see a psychiatrist. Baffled and defeated, he emptied another can of coke inside his mouth, lying lazily on couch, playing around with the channels on TV. That's what he has been doing from past few days…either sleeping or eating like a pig. Aaliya barged in angrily and gave him a hopeless look, "gosh bhai…what the hell are doing to yourself. This is so not you. All you do is sleep or eat. Be a little active or you will become as fat as hippo in the matter of few days."
Angad gave her a scowling look in return and replied carelessly, "so what. Its not your problem. So why bother."
Aaliya threw her hands in air and stomped away angrily. But no she wasn't going to give up so easily. Minutes later she entered again, this time with her mom. Angad's mother sat in front of him, scrutinizing him closely.
"I guess you are missing your friends and college far too much." she said in motherly tone.
Angad remained silent, wondering what was coming his way.
"Well I guess a small vacation can do good to you." She said again.
Angad just nodded in reply.
"Fine I'll ask your father to book tickets for you. Is there any place you wish to go…I think Ooty will do. What do you think?" she asked him.
"Mom, can I go to shimla?" Angad asked promptly, which even surprised himself.
"Why, ofcourse you can." She replied smiling.
"Yipeee" Angad screamed and ran upstairs to pack his bags.
Preview: a surprise for Kripa.
Udne Ki Aasha
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
63