Chapter 4
"Angad, what are your plans for the day?" asked Kripa, buttering her toast rather hastily. Angad looked up from the newspaper he was reading and replied, "Not much, I have a few meetings lined up, the French deal is almost done. All the details are finalized. Just need to meet that idiot of a boss. He has given us a hell of a time in this project. That man can test the patience of a saint. God! I would have cancelled this deal months ago if we hadn't already invested so much into it. Just this damn meeting and I won't have to see that blithering idiot again."
Kripa watched his forehead crease into a frown. That man must be really exasperating if he has Angad flared up this badly. Smiling at him, she quoted, "No pain no gain, right Mr. Khanna?"
Nodding he said, "Very true, unfortunately. Why are you so chirpy? Has my nerdy wife topped in yet another test? I don't know why they even bother to check the papers, the result is so predictable. But then, not everyone possesses brains like yours truly!"
"Don't flatter yourself. Actually my friends have organized a picnic this evening, at Hawks View Beach…I was hoping you could come with me".
"I will, if you ask nicely enough"
"Angad!" Kripa whined.
Holding his ears, Angad said "Alright alright. Should I pick you up at 3 in the afternooon?"
"Yes, and Angad you are not wearing your boring pants. They are an eyesore. Where are your jeans? I've cleaned the cupboard scores of times, and never seen a single pair".
"Go buy me a few pairs because I don't have any at the moment" and before she could protest, Angad pressed his lips to her forehead and rushed out of the room, leaving Kripa all smiles.
Kripa is so going to kill me, Angad thought, running up the stairs. There had been a last minute meeting at the office and he had forgotten to call Kripa in the hassle. He entered his room discreetly, avoiding any vase which could be hurled at him. Kripa was pacing in the room. Angad was about to explain when Kripa stuffed the clothes in his hands and pushed him into the bathroom. "You're lucky, they reached just now. Hurry up."
Kripa was waiting in the car when Angad came out. He was wearing faded blue jeans with a white open collar shirt, half untucked. According to Kripa, blue and white was the sexiest combination on a man, and Angad Khanna had just reconfirmed her belief. His hair was carelessly swept back, with just a hint of gel. And the way his hair fell on his forehead made Kripa long to push them back. Kripa dismissed these thoughts and started grilling Angad."So what took you so long? Your cell was switched off too. And your secretary Tina is no good. She goes into a trance whenever I take your name so I just disconnect the call."
Angad grinned ruefully, thinking about the antics of his hare-brained secretary. "We had an emergency meeting with "Fashion Are Us", you know the one Nisha owns. "His eyes intent on the road ahead of them, he glanced at Kripa from the corner of his eye. He knew Kripa wasn't too fond of Nisha and he decided that he would like to see a jealous Kripa right now. God is happy with me, he concluded, seeing the change in Kripa's facial expressions from relaxed to tensed.
"Nisha," repeated Kripa slowly,"Nisha Oberoi, owner of "Fashion Are Us"? Who thinks she owns the world and has I AM THE BEST written all over her haughty face?"
Surprised by the blunt opinion, Angad replied " Bulls eye, but she's not that bad. You met her at our wedding and a few business parties. In fact I can think of other appropriate adjectives to describe her face like..."
"Don't even get started" Kripa warned. "The few times I have met her are enough to last me a lifetime. That lady has her nose so high in the air, I am surprised she hasn't fallen and broken her bones yet."
"Tsk Tsk Kripa, do I detect jealous vibes here?" he teased.
"In your dreams Angad. I don't feel threatened by her. You've known her since your childhood and haven't felt anything for her till now. And now you have the beauteous Kripa Khanna as your wife so you wouldn't dare look anywhere else" she finished smugly.
"And don't forget humble" he muttered to himself but Kripa heard and hit him lightly on the arm.
The gathering at the beach was a ritual among Kripa's friends but she had never brought a date before. She was immediately taken by her friends and they were engrossed in animated conversation and teasing Kripa about her and Angad's couple, which undoubtedly was the best there. She then turned around and saw Angad engaged in conversation with Aman, one of her least favorite people in the world. She excused herself and went up to Angad and linked her arm with his. "Angad there is someone I want you to meet. "Without waiting for a reply, she dragged him away after giving Aman an icy look.
"What's wrong Kripa, you looked like you hated the man." Angad said when they were safely out of earshot.
"No I just…he's my main competitor so I don't like him and the feeling is mutual." she replied without looking at him. He sighed "You know Kripa, you are an awful liar so don't even bother. Tell me when you are comfortable enough with the idea". He left her to join some other friends while Kripa thought to herself"I will tell you Angad. Very soon. I promise."
The rest of the picnic passed quickly, and then came the part Kripa dreaded-jet skiing. All her friends loved doing it, but Kripa always freaked out at the prospect. She never understood why, considering the fact that she was an ace swimmer and had won numerous prizes for it, especially backstroke. Her mother would call her a water baby but when it came to this, Kripa just wouldn't budge. She was just too scared.
Angad , on the other hand, loved all sports except tennis. He found it extremely boring to just hit the ball continuously until someone made a mistake. As a student he was a star athlete, football was his life and he could not recall a single day he spent without playing in his college days. With the ever expanding business now, he hardly had time to watch football now, let alone play it.
None of her friends even attempted to convince Kripa since they knew how stubborn she was. When everyone was gone, Kripa turned to leave but Angad caught her wrist. "Why are you afraid Kripa? It's just a sport."
Knowing pretty well that her husband matched her in the art of stubbornness, Kripa chose to answer him "It's really stupid Angad. I read about an awful accident while jet skiing in which a young girl died. I was terrified, it sounded so painful. Dad still wanted me to get over this fear so he made me ski with him once but it just made it worse. I felt petrified and insecure as if I would just topple over any second and drown in the sea. And then become the dinner of some shark!" she finished half-laughing.
She was looking down, so Angad lifted her chin with one finger and said "You know Kripa, you can't ignore a fear hoping that one day it would just disappear itself. It sounds clichd but you have to face it and overcome it. Anyway, have no fear for Angad Khanna is here" he completed with a comical wave of his hand.
Then without any warning, he scooped Kripa up in his arms and carried her towards the Jet Ski, ignoring all her protests. He put her on it and got behind her and turned the motor on. It was slow at first and Kripa managed to regain her breath. To her surprise she did not feel scared. Or panicky. If anything, she felt an inexplicable sense of calm as she watched the waves gushing gently. Angad turned her around and asked "So do you think you can brave it if I increase the speed? This feels like a very slow merry-go-round." Kripa nodded automatically. As soon as Angad increased the speed, Kripa felt a rush of adrenaline through her body, but that familiar sense of fear too made it way. At the same time, Angad's strong arms enveloped her tiny waist protectively. And Kripa knew that at this moment, nothing could scare her. She had never safer before. The waves now were crashing against them much faster, even violently, but all Kripa could sense right now was a thrill surging through her body, which had nothing to do with the excitement of conquering her fear and everything to do with the pressure of his arm around her waist.
When they reached the shore again, they both got off quickly. Kripa then brushed her lips over Angad's cheek saying"Thanks". Touching his cheek, Angad said cheekily,"Is there any other fear you have that I can help you get over Kripa?"There was only one thing Kripa could do right now- blush, and blush hard.
Edited by johnangad - 18 years ago
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