She walked out of the shower, and reached out for the towel hanging on the side. She wiped the tiny drops of water from her legs first and then proceeded to the top. Tying one of the towels on top of her head, and wrapping her self in another white towel she opened the door.
Humming a tune, she walked out to lift her clothes laid out on the bed. Not at all pleased with the sight of her clothes she made a face. The purple sleeveless top, which looked like a petticoat, except a very short one reaching up to her waist. Maybe this was called a "tank top", then lifting the pretty pink spring coat, which would easily hide the tank top, and reached nicely up to her knees she stood in front of the mirror humming a tune again, as she stared at her reflection.
"I am glad you are out"
The sudden voice freaked her out, dropping the jacket and the top she turned around quickly.
Her sudden movement forced the man in front of her to look up. She noticed him looking at her body, feeling suddenly uncomfortable she wrapped her arms around her self, and stared down at the floor cursing her self for not paying attention. She obviously was so lost in her own world singing out loud that she had failed to notice his presence in the room.
"Relax," he said putting his hands in front, "I just came back to get my wallet" lifting his wallet from the side he looked up at her again, but his eyes again lingered to her body.
She was again feeling so uncomfortable under his gaze. Especially, the look in his eyes as he looked at her body – it was so greedy, there was definitely some sort of fire in his eyes, which she could not quite make out. But, one thing was sure she did not like that greedy look in his eyes at all, it highly resembled the look people get when they see gold or money scattered on the floor, and she did not like to think she was some sort of pricey possession.
He understood her uncomfortable look waving his hand he turned around to walk out, while she sighed, and turned around to wipe her hair, but when he came back saying, "Kripa," she freaked out again and dropped the towel on the floor.
The whole pile of hair sitting on her head hiding beneath the towel, now tumbled out and fell on her face. Cursing her hair she turned around saying, "What?" annoyed with him.
"Ah" he said scratching his head and looking away embarrassed, "your cheeks" he answered a moment later, as he looked back at her
"my cheeks?" she said unbelievably her hand immediately went up to them, "what about my cheeks?"
His presence was making her loose her sanity. She completely forgot about the mirror in front of her.
The guy was starting to make her really nervous with his nice behavior.
She tried to believe it was a dream. A very beautiful dream, and constantly pinched her self, except when she realized it was real. It felt so strange. She literally felt butterflies in her stomach, as she thought about his nice side, which was silly.
"Something is on them," he said, as his hands slipped in his pocket. At his words she touched her cheeks, not feeling anything she said, "where?"
"Right there" he said pointing to the left, she made a face not understanding where, and replied, "where?"
Giving a frustrated look he immediately walked towards her, while her heart started beating quickly, and she held her breath with his closeness. He had barely touched her cheeks when she started walking backwards, and almost fell forward stumbling on something, when he caught her by the waist and managed to steady her.
Breathing hard she pushed his arm away, and stood to the side. God, this man was making her very nervous. Especially his nice behaviour was freaking her out. It was making her damn nervous.
"Are you always this clumsy Kripa? Or just nervous around me?" he asked smirking
Pulling her arm roughly out of his hold she made a face and yelled, "Shut up!".
Holding her face in his palms, and pulling her closer he rubbed something from the side, which she could swear she hadn't even felt – maybe it was just due to his touch on her cheeks, which had burnt her literally.
"Now that's better," he said smiling. Their eyes met, something was definitely different Kripa could sense it.
Why was it so hard for her mind to accept his flaws? Why did her mind always justify his actions?
"would you please do the honour of leaving the room Prince Angad" she found her self asking. His presence in the room was making her really uncomfortable.
"sure," he replied bowing, "my highness" with a wink
"ANGAD!" she screamed when he showed no signs of movement. Something was definitely wrong with this man. Where was the angry person in this guy? Where was that guy with the ego who was ready to murder her for insulting him?
He smiled, and looked up.
"And, what is so funny now?" she yelled placing her hands on her hips
"you......aa" he started, "You look really bad when you are angry", which forced her to stamp her feet or at least she pretended out to be angry and yell out, "ANGAD!" again in frustration.
The guy standing in front of her was an idiot, who would just search for an opportunity to tease her, he was annoying, stupid, a jerk, but nice. He was nice. Like, really nice.
Or was that a dream?
She was so confused now between her dreams and the reality. Since, her dreams usually had the nice Angad, but now the reality also had a nice Angad. She had pinched her self so many times since she just could not believe such a drastic change in this guy. No one changed within a week, but this guy did.
"Angad, get out now or I am calling the security" she said walking in front, and trying to push him
"You won't dare to," he said looking serious all of sudden
"Oh try me" she replied staring at the floor, as she tried to push him, except when he was so strong in front of her that she nearly slipped in her attempt to push him, the towel wrapped around her body loosened.
But, Angad caught it in the nick of time saving it from loosening further, and tied it, almost tickling her, as he did it.
She blushed again. The so-called "anger" flew down the window only to be replaced with shyness again.
God, she had to stop getting shy & learn to be bold. Yes, that would be good – pretending to be all "bold". She would use it later perhaps once they reached Mexico.
"Kripa, why do you always turn red?" said Angad coming closer; looking down she blushed again, as she felt his gaze on her.
'Control Kripa, learn to control your mind' said a tiny voice inside her head, 'remember he has his usual one night flings or maximum a week flings.... he is pretending to be nice just for that'
"Shut up Angad," she replied pushing him and this time she managed to push him nicely.
He pretended to be hurt, and caught hold of her making a loud scream.
"ANGAD, what will people say? Just shut up!" she yelled trying to move
"I don't care about people" he said in pain, "you are such a COW!"
"ANGAD" she yelled again turning red this time for entirely different reasons
"Hun, I get it that you have accepted me as husband, no wonder you call me 'Angad' all the time, seriously its so obvious you LOVE me"
"Cheee Love & you! No wayy" she said making a face, "In fact a chimpanzee looks much more cuter than you"
"You mean Josh!"
"ANGAD" She said hitting him, "that is very rude"
"And, what are you my mom to teach me manners?" he asked
"Noo------" she started, but before she could complete he said, "Actually, you would fit the frame of a mommy, since you are so fat – there is already that buffalo chachi of yours along with her daughter & now you resemble a cow" as he pushed her to the side
"What did you call me?" she said getting up
"COW" he said like a little kid, except the only thing he didn't do was make a face, and add fingers to provoke her
Kripa was already furious, "I am not letting you get away with another one of your insult," she said walking towards him.
"What are you going to do Kripa?" he asked smirking, "If my infinite wisdom serves me right cows don't run"
"Just wait till I catch you Mr. Khanna," said Kripa lifting a pillow from the side
She started throwing pillows at him.
"Kripa," he yelled trying to dodge them, "I was just kidding... now, will you please stop this?"
"No," she yelled lifting the pillows, and throwing them again, except he caught some, and started to throw them back at her.
"Ha! You can't get me" she replied like a little kid running around he threw them again – this time clearly with the intention to knock her off, and she did.
In her attempt to dodge around one of the pillows hit her stomach, and knocked her off balance.
She fell on the floor badly hurting her back, "Awww" she yelped in pain
"oh my god Kripa" he said pretending, which she noticed, "Are you alright?"
"Shut up Angad"
"Sweety, have you ever seen COWS in Wrestling?" to that remark of his a pillow was thrown at him roughly
"You are so PAYING BACK Khanna" she yelled
Lifting all the pillows she threw them all at once, coming in front she hit him on the face constantly with the pillows, which were now all torn, and fell apart – the feathers landed everywhere, while Angad moved backwards slipping on a bench, and falling on the floor.
Kripa was now competing for the title of best female wrestler she almost sat on his stomach, and continued to hit him with the pillows with all her strength when two things happened.
The towel she had wrapped around her body loosened, and the door opened at the same time.
Kripa Sharma awoke with a start breathing hard.
It was a dream. Only a dream.
What followed next was disappointment.
****
After changing in a black pant, along with a thin cotton t-shirt, and a purple jacket hiding the t-shirt and reaching her thighs Kripa walked out of the washroom. She noticed Josh was busy checking him self in the mirror setting his hair straight. It was funny. Weren't girls the one who spent all their time in front of the mirror? Guys never cared about their looks right or was it just some phrase?
The way he was setting his hair straight made her smile he would make an ideal girl. Smiling she made her way near him and stood next to him in the mirror.
He saw her appear next to him. His mouth fell open, as he took in her appearance.
Her hair was naturally brown he noted. Falling nicely down till her waist curling nicely at the ends, but straight from the top. She looked beautiful.
Now, this was an excellent metamorphosis!
She no longer resembled the simple & vulnerable Indian girl. She looked so chic and modern with the t-shirt hidden by the jacket, those black pants made her legs appear longer – legs any girl would die for & those pencil heels set her high giving her an air of elegance and confidence.
"How do I look?" she asked like a little girl
"Very Very beautiful" he replied with a smile holding her shoulders.
She blushed at his words, and immediately lowered her eyes.
"Ah!" said Josh holding her chin, and lifting it up, "now, my dear don't you do that. This is the 21st century you don't see too many girls, who are shy and stuff. Girls these days are highly modern with a broad mind, these days guys no longer hold power over any girl. And, Kripa my dear you need to learn to be strong" he said touching her heart, "you are weak Kripa, I have seen you break down at the silliest things."
She looked at him quite not liking his words.
He walked up to the window leaving her hold, and looked outside, "you haven't seen anything yet Kripa, not even the start of the storm, which I am afraid if it comes will carry you away." Coming back to his senses he walked up to her, and put a hand on her shoulder, "Remember girl no one is worth your tears and never let any one see your tears. It shows you are weak. No matter what pretend to be strong, even if you break down. The world is cruel, my dear, there are many nasty people out there, and you need to gather any ounce of energy inside you to fight with them"
She nodded her head. Tears came in her eyes, as she was touched with his concern and protectiveness. He was truly her brother. The brother she never had.
"Now, why are you crying?" he yelled, lifting her chin.
She wiped the tears, laughing she replied, "you are so sweet Josh" as she hugged him. He held her in his arms trying to pat her hair.
"Listen Kripa" he said breaking the hug, and holding her shoulders, "I have to discuss something really important with you"
"What is it?" she asked sounding worried, "Are you alright?"
Silence.
"You are getting too friendly with Angad," he said calmly looking at her face. He noticed she did not quite understand his words – she looked very confused.
"What do you mean?" she asked not quite liking his statement
"May I remind you about your unpleasant encounter with Angad Khanna?" he asked looking at her, but a second later he regretted his words, as he heard her say, "How do you know about that?"
"You told me remember?" he said trying to sound realistic
"Really?" she frowned, "I did?"
"Yes. How else do you think I would know?" he replied
"hmm" she replied thinking, "You have a point"
"Okay, so now going back to the original point. Kripa, you are getting extremely friendly with the guy, and from what I can see quite smitten by him" he said observing her
"WHAT?" she screamed or at least pretended to. The truth was that her heart sank when she realized that he knew her "secret" now, and what better way than to scream & pretend to be angry to hide the real feelings.
"Okay maybe my observation is wrong, but would you care to explain the words you murmur when you are asleep?" he replied
"What words?" she asked immediately frightened
"I walked in the room when you were asleep, and I heard you mutter something about Angad. It felt like you were yelling & hitting him" Josh stated
"What are you talking about?" she asked, though a tiny smile was starting to appear on the corners of her mouth. She was very bad at hiding things.
"O you know girl" he replied, "I can see it on your face"
"Whatever" she said
"You are changing Kripa." He murmured not liking it one bit, "Where is that girl who hated Angad? You are actually considering him to be your friend"
"And, why are you so eager to make me hate him Josh?"
She noticed Josh hesitate for a second.
"Because, I know him Kripa," he said, "I know the guy better than you. And, if there is one thing about Angad Khanna you should know its that he has a big fat ego. He feels everyone should do everything as per he wishes. There is no doubt that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he has built on the riches he already inherited.
He cannot feel anything – the only thing I have seen him feel is anger. I have seen him from childhood, and he has never cared for anyone, because that's the way he has been brought up. I am not trying to justify his actions or anything, but you should be aware that Angad Khanna does not care about anyone, the guy has no friends, no girl friends, nothing. He is a man, who works on his own.
So, if you think your relationship with Angad is changing, then you are highly mistaken. When you go against him you are in trouble, big trouble, he never forgives anyone, the guy holds big time grudges, and takes revenge. I have never seen him stop for anything. Even, if you beg it won't be good enough for him. Angad is not the forgiving type, he is not, just bear it in mind. And, be careful"
"But, Josh, how can someone be all angry?" replied Kripa, "I mean everyone changes with time"
"Don't you dare think like that, Kripa!" yelled Josh, "Angad Khanna doesn't change. In these 26 years he has never changed – what makes you think he will change all of a sudden?"
"Am I missing something here?" replied Kripa
"Look Kripa, the only thing you need to know is Angad Khanna is bad. He is a big bad guy!" replied Josh sounding frustrated.
And, he was. He would definitely have to have a little chat with Angad before they left.
****
"The beauty of love lies in doing things unconditionally... it's all about being selfless..."
Angad Khanna strolled out in the silence of the night. He definitely needed a walk to gather all his thoughts.
The important meeting scheduled for tomorrow was now reassigned to another day, due to some unattended baggage, which had delayed the flight for more than 12 hours. In about an hour they would just take off, when they should have reached Mexico by now.
"Do you mind if I join you?" said a very pleasant voice.
Turning around he found him self facing an angel. Kripa Sharma looked like an angel in that black pant and long purple jacket reaching up to her thighs. Despite the jacket he could very easily make out the upper half of her body, and those sexy legs clad in that black pant.
"Certainly not," he replied turning around, and casually resting his hands in his pockets.
They walked around in silence.
"I just wanted to say Thanks" she said hesitating, as she looked at him.
If there was one quality of Kripa, which was worth admiring was that she always looked at him when she spoke.
"So you followed me?" he asked with a surprised look on her face
Wrapping her arms around her self, she continued walking, and after a long pause replied, "Yes." there was no point in lying.
"Interesting," he replied smiling, he really wanted to label her a 'stalker', but that would take a back seat for now. He had the gut feeling that she was here for something serious.
"What is it Kripa?" he found him self asking after a while when she made no effort to respond. At his words, she simply looked up, and right then a weird thought struck him.
Kripa would make a beautiful wife. Especially, with her out look right now – she looked elegant, classy & modern. She was a true beauty with brains. What more could a guy wish for?
"Why are you being so nice to me Angad?" she asked finally. The million dollar question, or at least that's what she would like to call it.
He hesitated with her question. It was so sudden that it threw him off completely. She had asked that before, and he had answered it already, but now she was asking it again. Kripa Sharma was suspicious. She was surely not convinced that he was a nice guy. And, he had a feeling she would not let him off easily this time.
He could sense she was in a dilemma here.
"What do you think Kripa?" he found himself asking. She made a cute face at his words, as if she was annoyed by his question. This was another quality of Kripa worth admiring, her expressive personality, she was so expressive, especially her eyes, which emoted everything so beautifully & passionately.
She remained silent with his question for a few seconds, and he gave her full time to come up with an answer.
"I am not sure Angad" she responded openly.
"I don't see anything nice in what I have done so far" he replied smiling
"Well, you did help me in the bathroom yesterday." She replied, "You said some very nice things out there. You really helped me out"
"That wasn't nice" he replied, while Kripa wondered about his definition of nice, "you are my PA, and you threatened me you wouldn't come to Mexico, so I had to be there"
"My goodness do you ever think of anything other than your work?" she teased him
He smiled at her words.
"Why do you think I am the 'dare devil' they call me?"
It was her turn to smile now
"I don't know about what people call you, Angad. Some where my heart says behind this dare devil there is a very nice man. No individual is completely bad, its circumstances, which bring out the bad side of a person."
"Oh don't be too sure Kripa" he answered with a smile
****
After a twelve-hour delay on the night, due to some baggage had been left unattended because of which the dogs had immediately started barking, which had alerted the airport officials who had sent all the passengers out. Experts were called forth to check the baggage, while not a soul could be noticed anywhere the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport.
The officials had suspected that the baggage contained some deadly object, which would explode any second – killing everyone.
However, the laughing matter was that the bag had meat wrapped in plastic, which had caused the dogs to bark. Of course, the officials looked like they had been slapped on the face, the passengers were furious since their flight had been delayed. And, to add to their misery more individuals had arrived, so the state of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport was a mess with huge line-ups, and people constantly swearing out loud, since there was a huge back log now. It would take two days for things to return to normal.
Kripa Sharma stood happily humming a tune with a brand new backpack, which her friend Josh had lent to her.
"What is in the bag?" questioned Angad, as she handed it to him, since she had to use to washroom, "It's damn heavy"
"Girl Stuff." She responded as she walked away, while Angad was left frowning.
"Good, now that she is gone." Said Josh looking at Angad, "we can talk"
Angad looked at Josh, while holding the heavy backpack, which he could swear, was about 20 kgs. Once Kripa was back, he would make sure he would question how she could hold such a heavy backpack, the girl her self was barely 30 kgs.
"What is your exact intention with Kripa Sharma?" said Josh immediately getting to the point. He couldn't beat around the bush this time, since Kripa would be back any second.
"Intention?" replied Angad with his eyebrow raised.
"Yes."
"This is funny. Kripa asked me a similar question a few hours ago." Angad held Josh's shoulder, "Have you been chatting with little Kripa?"
"Yes." said Josh, "would you care to explain your intentions?"
"I think I have made my intentions clear enough" He replied coolly
"You are just playing with her right?" yelled Josh his hands rolling into a fist "That stupid plan of yours?"
"Playing?"
"You admitted a few days ago about making her pay"
"Now, surely my friend, a girl like Kripa won't fall for any of my traps. She is a smart girl. And, from what I can see she can very well handle her self"
"I don't trust you Angad. There is no doubt that she is a bright young lady, but you and I are both very well aware Kripa is too innocent"
"I think I have made my intentions very clear Josh. And, I don't want to sit around discussing this matter anymore." Replied Angad, "I can already see you are quite touchy about Miss. Sharma"
Before Josh could respond, a uninvited stranger walked in, and wrapped her arms around Angad's back.
"Baby," she said kissing his cheek
Angad Khanna instantly turned around looking furious at the sight that met his eyes. God, wasn't that day enough that this female was back yet again.
"I am sorry baby," she said holding his face in her hands
"Just get lost!" he said pushing her away from him
That's when Kripa walked in humming a tune. She never noticed the girl near Angad she was far too busy staring at her backpack
"Thanks Angad" she said picking up the backpack from the side
"who is that girl Angad?" said the girl looking furious. That's when Kripa noticed this girl wearing a real short top & skirt standing near Angad. The girl appeared familiar.
"It's none of your business" Angad responded, as he picked up his jacket hanging on the side.
"*****" the girl spat walking near Kripa, "so that day was all a drama... you did that to get his attention didn't you?"
And, that's when it hit Kripa. This was the same girl from the signal.
For a second all was lost, as Kripa just stood there unable to believe the words coming out of the girl's mouth.
Only when Josh came by and went, "lets go Kripa," as he pulled her away that her chain of thoughts stopped, and she walked away with him feeling stupid.
****
Sorry for the delay friends... Second half for this part coming up tomorrow! 😳😳
Shiv Shakti
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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