Posted:
PART 7:
Angad got ready the next morning and looked out his window. He saw that Kripa's window was open with the curtains pulled apart. She was combing her hair in front of the mirror. He stood there and enjoyed the sight of her caressing and brushing her beautiful long hair. She put on her dupatta, checked herself one more time in the mirror, picked her bag and walked towards her window to shut it. Angad waved at her as her gaze met his. He was surprised that instead of frowning and fuming, she gave him a smile and waved back. She shut her window and turned around to leave.
Angad thought, "hmm she kinda likes me looking at her…..in fact I enjoy it too….aisa kyon?" He was puzzled himself. In the past, his interaction with women was always "wham…bham…thank you ma'am," but somehow it was different with Kripa. He was actually enjoying the little fights, teasing, eye-locks and casual touches more than ever. "Yeh kya ho raha hai mujhey….pehli baar aisa kyon lag raha hai ki ek ladki ki zaroorat mujhey sirf jismani khushi ke liye hi nahin hai…..kyon aisa dil karta hai ki main bas Kripa ko dekhta rahoon ya sirf uski company mein rahoon…..this is all new to me…..may be Nainital ki hawa lag gayi hai mujhey….c'mon Angad Khanna…..stick to your game plan!" He tried to remind himself of his real goal.
Angad came outside and saw her waiting for her rickshaw. He waved and jumped into his car. He purposely did not ask her to ride with him. There was a plan in place and he was going to stick with it!
Kripa waved back and was a little disappointed that Angad neither stopped to talk to her or ask her to ride with him. She just shrugged her shoulders, "busy hoga….par main aisa expect bhi kyon kar rahi hoon? Wo mera lagta hi kya hai?"
Kripa finally boarded her rickshaw and they had barely driven a block, when the rickshawallah stepped down, 'madam…tire puncture ho gaya hai….thodi der lagegi…"
Kripa got off and looked at her watch, "uffo…main late ho jaaoongi….aur koyi rikshaw bhi nahin dikh raha…" she looked around everywhere.
Just as she was getting impatient, she heard a car honk behind her-it was Angad.
He got off his car, "chalo accha hua main petrol bharwane time se ruk gaya tha….lagta hai rikshaw bechara tumhara bojh nahin seh paaya…."
Kripa gave him an angry stare, "kya matlab? Main itni bhaari hoon?" she started hitting him playfully.
Angad laughed and caught her flaying hands. He came close to her, stared intently in her eyes and spoke softly in his usual flirtatious husky voice, "kabhi uthaaya nahin aapko…tho kya pataa kitni bhaari hain?"
Kripa pulled her hands away, embarrassed by his comment and stuttered to say something, "wo..wo…main…."
Angad opened the passenger door and gestured her to sit inside. He then went to the rickshawallah and gave him 100 rs and said, "shukriya….yeh tire ke liye….. aur paise chahiye tho de deta hoon…."
"Nahin sahib….yeh theek hai," the rickshawallah was pleased with his morning earnings.
Angad winked at the man, "good job!"
"Kya matlab sahib?"
"kuch nahin!" Angad shouted back and sat in his car. Angad was pleased that his plan had worked. He had paid the driver the day before to stage the whole "tire puncture drama"
"Aapney ussey itney paise kyon diye?" Kripa asked
"100 rs dene se main na tho gharib ho jaaoonga aur na wo zyaada ameer….becharey ko iss dhoop mein waise bhi rikshaw paidal le jana padhega…..I think he deserves it…chalo let's go!"
Kripa was pleasantly surprised and thought, "chahey yeh paisewalla hai par shayad dil bhi wallet ki tarah badha hai iska.."
Angad broke the silence, "great party last night?"
She looked up, "thanks…..and thanks again for the song….you are a good singer….kabhi shauk ko aagey nahin badhaya?"
Angad just shrugged his shoulders, "abhi tak koyi inspiration nahin mili…lekin ab shayad…." He stopped in mid sentence and tilted his face close to hers.
Kripa turned red, as she usually did when he was that close. She finally spoke, "aap har ladki se aise baat karte hain?"
Angad sat up straight again, "kaise?"
She hesitated, "j..jaise aap abhi kar rahey the.."
"Aise?" he brought his face close to hers again, almost at kissing distance.
Kripa looked away and said softly, "haan…aise hi.."
Angad laughed, "nahin ….sirf khaas ladkiyon ke saath hi karta hoon…"
Kripa blushed and shyly asked, "kitni khaas ladkiyon ko jaante hain aap?"
Angad rolled his tongue and raised his eyebrows, "hmm …let me count…..filhaal…sirf ek!" he looked at her and smiled.
Kripa lowered her eyes and could not control her face from turning beetroot at that comment, "Angad…mera school aa gaya….thanks," she got off the car before he could lean on her at the pretext of opening her door.
Angad smiled and nodded, "kitney baje pick up karoon?"
Kripa looked back at him, "nahin…uski zaroorat nahin padhegi…"
"OK!" he said and zoomed off.
Kripa smiled and kept blushing all the way to her classroom, "mujhey kya hota ja raha hai? Main kyon Angad ki taraf khinchi jaa rahi hoon….wo tho bas thode din mein chala bhi jaayega….aur bhool bhi jaayega mujhey…..mujhey apne emotions par control rakhna chahiye….." she walked into her class, "Good morning kids!"
Being a Saturday, it was a half-day at school. Kripa grabbed her belongings and was in a hurry to get home. It would get very warm soon, as it was the beginning of summer. Although Nainital had a very moderate climate, but the last few years had brought some very warm summers.
Kripa got out of the school premises and was surprised to see Angad waiting on the bonnet of his car. He was playing drums with his hands on the car.
He got off, "aapki sawari aa gayi hai ma'am!"
Kripa laughed, "aapko kaise pataa mera school aaj jaldi bandh ho jaayega…"
Angad teased her, "main yahan se gaya hi kab tha.."
"Kya matlab? Aap tab se yahin khade hain?"
"Nahin main itna pagal nahin hoon….wo dekhiye aapke school ke bahar board par school timings saaf saaf likhey hain…"
Kripa laughed and sat in his car without any hesitation.
"Chaliye lunch par chaltey hain.." angad proposed
"Nahin…mama wait kar rahi hongi..aur waise bhi main ghar ka khana hi pasand karti hoon…"
"Aap roz roz ghar ka khana khate khate bore nahin hoti?"
"Nahin tho…ghar ka khana sabsey accha aur healthy hota hai…."
"OK…appko chod kar tho main aaj kuch non veg khane jaaoonga…..aapki tarah ghaas phoos roz roz nahin kha sakta…"
Angad dropped Kripa home and left for lunch. He tried various eateries in downtown Nainital and returned home after dinner. As soon as he reached home, he had to rush to the bathroom.
"Arre Angad…kya hua…tu baar baar bathroom kyon ja raha hai?" Prithvi sounded concerned.
Prithvi saw Angad walk out of the bathroom after his umpteenth trip and almost collapsed in Prithvi's arms.
Prithvi helped him to the bed, "lagta hai kuch bahar ke khane se infection ho gaya hai…tu aaram kar main Maasi se koyi dawa laata hoon"
Prithvi went to the Sharma's. Kripa was just cleaning up after dinner, "aao Prithvi khana khaaogey?"
"Haan main tho kha loonga par maasi kahan hai?"
"Haan kya baat hai beta?" Gayatri came out of the kitchen
"Maasi Angad ki tabiyat kuch kharab ho gayi hai…..aap ke paas kuch dawa hogi ?"
Kripa got worried and thought, "dopahar tak tho theek tha…ab kya ho gaya?"
"Shayad bahar ke khane se pait kharab ho gaya hai maasi…"
"Haan main laati hoon….ussey kehna yahan kyon nahin aa jata…bahar jaaney ki kya zaroorat hai….koyi formality thode hi hai…" Gayatri said
"Mama formality nahin…..Angad ko hamara ghaas phoos jaisa khana pasand nahin hai!" Kripa said angrily.
"Beti aisa kar main dawa laati hoon, tu uskey liye thodi khichdi banaa de….pait ke liye acchi rahegi…aur Prithvi beta tum khana kha lo utney mein"
Kripa was dying to see Angad and she was happy that Gayatri had asked her to cook the khichdi. She had the khichdi ready in no time, and left for Angad's house.
Prithvi saw her leave, "Kripa…main le jaaoonga…tum mujhey de do.."
Suryabhan entered, "arre Prithvi baitho thodi der…bahut dino se baat nahin huyi.."
Prithvi could not disregard Suryabhan's request-he respected him a lot. Prithvi was disappointed that Kripa would go and deliver the food to Angad, but he was reassured by the fact that Angad could barely get out off bed, so Kripa would be safe.
Kripa walked into Prithvi's house and looked everywhere for Angad. She finally saw him staggering out of the bathroom. She felt sorry for him, as he collapsed on the bed. She sat next to him and said softly, "Angad…thodi khichdi kha lo…pait theek ho jaayega…"
Angad looked up and made a disgusting face, "Khichdi?"
"Haan….ghaas phoos hai….pait ke liye sabsey accha ghareloo ilaaj"
Angad had no choice. He tried to sit up but kept falling over, as he was very dizzy. Kripa held his arm and helped him rest his back to the head of the bed. She brought a plate full of khichdi and gave it to him. He had no energy to even lift the spoon with his hand, "nahin main nahin kha sakta…" he whined like a baby.
Kripa's maternal instincts kicked in, "Angad kaise bacchon ki tarah behave kar rahey ho…khud kha lo warna mujhey zabardasti khilana padhega," she scolded him
Angad kept groaning in discomfort, "main abhi kuch nahin kar sakta"
Kripa tied her dupatta around her waist and sat down next to him. She started feeding him with her hands. Initially Angad was reluctant as he was still nauseous, but as she kept feeding him, he felt a little better and soon had finished the whole plate of khichdi.
Kripa got up and gave him a glass of water, "ab yeh dawai bhi kha lo aur phir so jaayo….morning tak theek ho jaaoge…," she said authoritatively and turned to leave.
Angad, who had regained some energy by now caught her wrist as she was leaving, "aur raat ko tabiyat kharab ho gayi tho?"
Kripa was startled by his sudden grip, she lowered her eyes shyly, "tho khidki se awaaz de dena….," she said softly and ran as fast as she could.
Angad was stunned by her comment and said to himself, "theek se soch lo Kripa…mera bas chala tho raat ko bula bhi loonga…"
Kripa got back home and saw Prithvi was taking leave.
"OH Kripa wapas aa gayi….bahut der lag gayi…" Prithvi was worried
"Haan…tumhara dost bacchey se koyi kum thode hi hai…..waise tho itna bada show-off bana firta hai, par andar se bilkul baccha hai…," she did not elaborate anymore and went to her room.
"Haan Kripa theek kehti hai…Angad ney kabhi zindagi mein koyi taqleef nahin dekhi na, iss liye wo aise behave kar raha hoga…aadat nahin hai na…accha main chalta hoon maasi.."Prithvi tried to explain Angad's childish behavior.
"Beta kal subah yaad rakhna…Dr Shivmani ke lecture ke sisilay mein humein Ranikhet jaana hai…." Suryabhan reminded Prithvi. Although, it was Sunday the next day, Suryabhan wanted to attend a lecture by the world-renowned scholar and Prithvi was nice enough to volunteer his services.
NEXT DAY:
Prithvi and Suryabhan left by bus early in the morning for Ranikhet. They would be back later that evening.
Prithvi was concerned about Angad, but Gayatri had reassured him that she would look after Angad.
Angad woke up late that morning. He was still weak from the food poisoning last evening. Before he could get up from his bed, he saw Kripa entering with a cup of tea.
"Goodmorning Angad…ab tabiyat kaisi hai?"
Angad smiled and said in his husky voice, "ab bikul theek ho jaayegi…," indicating that Kripa's presence was very welcome that morning.
Kripa just smiled back and said, "lagta hai theek ho gayi hai tabhi tho tum…I..I mean aap waise bolney lage hain…"
Angad came forward and brought his face close to hers, "please TUM hi bolo…AAP se aisa lagta hai main tumhara chacha ya maama hoon.."
Kripa smiled shyly and asked, "naashtey mein kya khaaogey?"
"tum zeher bhi khiladogi tho wo bhi kha loonga" Angad said with a crooked smile
"Angad….tum bhi na….bimaari mein bhi na…" Kripa ran to her house without completing her sentence.
Kripa and Gayatri came back later and spent time with Angad.
For a change, Angad became a little serious when they were sitting around, "aunty ab main samajh gaya Prithvi Mumbai chhod kar Nainital kyon wapas aa gaya hai…"
"Kyon beta?" Gayatri asked
""Jo seva aap logon ne meri ki hai…wo shayad koyi Mumbai mein nahin karta….aunty wahan kisi ke paas itna time hi nahin hai….main ek baar bachpan mein bahut bimaar hua tha…tab mere liye ek nurse rakh lee gayi thi kyonki meri mom hamesha apni social activities mein busy rehti thi aur dad business mein…..kabhi maine socha hi nahin ki ghar waale bhi itna dhyaan de sakte hain…," Angad almost had tears in his eyes. He got up and turned his face away, as he did not want them to see him like that. Kripa felt really sorry for him; she could now understand why Angad was the way he was-he had probably never seen the warmth and love like she had experienced from her parents. As far as she could remember, her parents always stood by her and were there for her.
Gayatri left after a little while, but told Kripa to stay back, 'beti Angad ke paas hi raho jab tak Prithvi nahin aa jaata…main zara ghar ke kaam nibta loon…."
Kripa and Angad stayed at home and for a change just talked, played cards and sat on the patio. Kripa was pleasantly surprised to see that Angad had an in depth knowledge on a lot of subjects-he could talk about anything. He did not even try to hit on her, the way he usually did, when they were alone. Kripa helped clean up his room and cooked a light lunch for him.
Angad just followed her everywhere-he did not want her out of sight. He had forgotten everything about his bet and was enjoying Kripa's company thoroughly.
Kripa was aware of his constant gaze on her; she was sure he was attracted to her, but was surprised that he was really "behaving" himself and not trying to irritate her, tease her or embarrass her with his flirtatious gestures and words.
Song in background, as Angad and Kripa spent the day together, unaware of anyone else. They both wanted the day to last forever.
Beautiful song "dheere dheere" from "Tango Charlie" expresses how they are gradually falling for each other:
http://www.dishant.com/lyrics/song-22100.html
Dheere Dheere se palkein uthana
Dheere Dheere se palkein jhukana
Dheere Dheere se dil ko churana
Dheere Dheere se apna banana
Dheere - 6
yeh jaane kya kar diya
dheere dheere se nazrein milana
dheere dheere se humko rizana
dheere dheere se dil main samana
dheere dheere se apna banana
Dheere - 6
yeh tumne kya kar diya
a a a ah
Roshan hasi chand jaisa yeh chehra
uspe yeh zulfo ke badal
lagta hai tum apni
deewangi se kar doge
humko bhi pagal
chaane lagi hai madhoshiyan
gaane lagi hai khamoshiyan
Dheere - 6
yeh tumne kya kar diya
Dheere Dheere se palkein uthana
Dheere Dheere se palkein jhukana
Dheere Dheere se dil ko churana
Dheere Dheere se apna banana
Kya sochte ho
kya dekhate ho
aaghosh main humko bharlo
yeh pal mohabbat
yahi zindagi hai
hume pyar ji bhar ke karlo
dil tumne manga
humne diya
jaan bhi tumhari hai
le lo piya
yeh tumne kya keh diya
dheer dheere se nazrein milana
dheer dheere se humko rizana
dheer dheere se dil main samana
dheer dheere se apna banana
Dheere - 6
yeh tumne kya kar diya
lala lala lala
lala lala lala….to be continued…
Angad got ready the next morning and looked out his window. He saw that Kripa's window was open with the curtains pulled apart. She was combing her hair in front of the mirror. He stood there and enjoyed the sight of her caressing and brushing her beautiful long hair. She put on her dupatta, checked herself one more time in the mirror, picked her bag and walked towards her window to shut it. Angad waved at her as her gaze met his. He was surprised that instead of frowning and fuming, she gave him a smile and waved back. She shut her window and turned around to leave.
Angad thought, "hmm she kinda likes me looking at her…..in fact I enjoy it too….aisa kyon?" He was puzzled himself. In the past, his interaction with women was always "wham…bham…thank you ma'am," but somehow it was different with Kripa. He was actually enjoying the little fights, teasing, eye-locks and casual touches more than ever. "Yeh kya ho raha hai mujhey….pehli baar aisa kyon lag raha hai ki ek ladki ki zaroorat mujhey sirf jismani khushi ke liye hi nahin hai…..kyon aisa dil karta hai ki main bas Kripa ko dekhta rahoon ya sirf uski company mein rahoon…..this is all new to me…..may be Nainital ki hawa lag gayi hai mujhey….c'mon Angad Khanna…..stick to your game plan!" He tried to remind himself of his real goal.
Angad came outside and saw her waiting for her rickshaw. He waved and jumped into his car. He purposely did not ask her to ride with him. There was a plan in place and he was going to stick with it!
Kripa waved back and was a little disappointed that Angad neither stopped to talk to her or ask her to ride with him. She just shrugged her shoulders, "busy hoga….par main aisa expect bhi kyon kar rahi hoon? Wo mera lagta hi kya hai?"
Kripa finally boarded her rickshaw and they had barely driven a block, when the rickshawallah stepped down, 'madam…tire puncture ho gaya hai….thodi der lagegi…"
Kripa got off and looked at her watch, "uffo…main late ho jaaoongi….aur koyi rikshaw bhi nahin dikh raha…" she looked around everywhere.
Just as she was getting impatient, she heard a car honk behind her-it was Angad.
He got off his car, "chalo accha hua main petrol bharwane time se ruk gaya tha….lagta hai rikshaw bechara tumhara bojh nahin seh paaya…."
Kripa gave him an angry stare, "kya matlab? Main itni bhaari hoon?" she started hitting him playfully.
Angad laughed and caught her flaying hands. He came close to her, stared intently in her eyes and spoke softly in his usual flirtatious husky voice, "kabhi uthaaya nahin aapko…tho kya pataa kitni bhaari hain?"
Kripa pulled her hands away, embarrassed by his comment and stuttered to say something, "wo..wo…main…."
Angad opened the passenger door and gestured her to sit inside. He then went to the rickshawallah and gave him 100 rs and said, "shukriya….yeh tire ke liye….. aur paise chahiye tho de deta hoon…."
"Nahin sahib….yeh theek hai," the rickshawallah was pleased with his morning earnings.
Angad winked at the man, "good job!"
"Kya matlab sahib?"
"kuch nahin!" Angad shouted back and sat in his car. Angad was pleased that his plan had worked. He had paid the driver the day before to stage the whole "tire puncture drama"
"Aapney ussey itney paise kyon diye?" Kripa asked
"100 rs dene se main na tho gharib ho jaaoonga aur na wo zyaada ameer….becharey ko iss dhoop mein waise bhi rikshaw paidal le jana padhega…..I think he deserves it…chalo let's go!"
Kripa was pleasantly surprised and thought, "chahey yeh paisewalla hai par shayad dil bhi wallet ki tarah badha hai iska.."
Angad broke the silence, "great party last night?"
She looked up, "thanks…..and thanks again for the song….you are a good singer….kabhi shauk ko aagey nahin badhaya?"
Angad just shrugged his shoulders, "abhi tak koyi inspiration nahin mili…lekin ab shayad…." He stopped in mid sentence and tilted his face close to hers.
Kripa turned red, as she usually did when he was that close. She finally spoke, "aap har ladki se aise baat karte hain?"
Angad sat up straight again, "kaise?"
She hesitated, "j..jaise aap abhi kar rahey the.."
"Aise?" he brought his face close to hers again, almost at kissing distance.
Kripa looked away and said softly, "haan…aise hi.."
Angad laughed, "nahin ….sirf khaas ladkiyon ke saath hi karta hoon…"
Kripa blushed and shyly asked, "kitni khaas ladkiyon ko jaante hain aap?"
Angad rolled his tongue and raised his eyebrows, "hmm …let me count…..filhaal…sirf ek!" he looked at her and smiled.
Kripa lowered her eyes and could not control her face from turning beetroot at that comment, "Angad…mera school aa gaya….thanks," she got off the car before he could lean on her at the pretext of opening her door.
Angad smiled and nodded, "kitney baje pick up karoon?"
Kripa looked back at him, "nahin…uski zaroorat nahin padhegi…"
"OK!" he said and zoomed off.
Kripa smiled and kept blushing all the way to her classroom, "mujhey kya hota ja raha hai? Main kyon Angad ki taraf khinchi jaa rahi hoon….wo tho bas thode din mein chala bhi jaayega….aur bhool bhi jaayega mujhey…..mujhey apne emotions par control rakhna chahiye….." she walked into her class, "Good morning kids!"
Being a Saturday, it was a half-day at school. Kripa grabbed her belongings and was in a hurry to get home. It would get very warm soon, as it was the beginning of summer. Although Nainital had a very moderate climate, but the last few years had brought some very warm summers.
Kripa got out of the school premises and was surprised to see Angad waiting on the bonnet of his car. He was playing drums with his hands on the car.
He got off, "aapki sawari aa gayi hai ma'am!"
Kripa laughed, "aapko kaise pataa mera school aaj jaldi bandh ho jaayega…"
Angad teased her, "main yahan se gaya hi kab tha.."
"Kya matlab? Aap tab se yahin khade hain?"
"Nahin main itna pagal nahin hoon….wo dekhiye aapke school ke bahar board par school timings saaf saaf likhey hain…"
Kripa laughed and sat in his car without any hesitation.
"Chaliye lunch par chaltey hain.." angad proposed
"Nahin…mama wait kar rahi hongi..aur waise bhi main ghar ka khana hi pasand karti hoon…"
"Aap roz roz ghar ka khana khate khate bore nahin hoti?"
"Nahin tho…ghar ka khana sabsey accha aur healthy hota hai…."
"OK…appko chod kar tho main aaj kuch non veg khane jaaoonga…..aapki tarah ghaas phoos roz roz nahin kha sakta…"
Angad dropped Kripa home and left for lunch. He tried various eateries in downtown Nainital and returned home after dinner. As soon as he reached home, he had to rush to the bathroom.
"Arre Angad…kya hua…tu baar baar bathroom kyon ja raha hai?" Prithvi sounded concerned.
Prithvi saw Angad walk out of the bathroom after his umpteenth trip and almost collapsed in Prithvi's arms.
Prithvi helped him to the bed, "lagta hai kuch bahar ke khane se infection ho gaya hai…tu aaram kar main Maasi se koyi dawa laata hoon"
Prithvi went to the Sharma's. Kripa was just cleaning up after dinner, "aao Prithvi khana khaaogey?"
"Haan main tho kha loonga par maasi kahan hai?"
"Haan kya baat hai beta?" Gayatri came out of the kitchen
"Maasi Angad ki tabiyat kuch kharab ho gayi hai…..aap ke paas kuch dawa hogi ?"
Kripa got worried and thought, "dopahar tak tho theek tha…ab kya ho gaya?"
"Shayad bahar ke khane se pait kharab ho gaya hai maasi…"
"Haan main laati hoon….ussey kehna yahan kyon nahin aa jata…bahar jaaney ki kya zaroorat hai….koyi formality thode hi hai…" Gayatri said
"Mama formality nahin…..Angad ko hamara ghaas phoos jaisa khana pasand nahin hai!" Kripa said angrily.
"Beti aisa kar main dawa laati hoon, tu uskey liye thodi khichdi banaa de….pait ke liye acchi rahegi…aur Prithvi beta tum khana kha lo utney mein"
Kripa was dying to see Angad and she was happy that Gayatri had asked her to cook the khichdi. She had the khichdi ready in no time, and left for Angad's house.
Prithvi saw her leave, "Kripa…main le jaaoonga…tum mujhey de do.."
Suryabhan entered, "arre Prithvi baitho thodi der…bahut dino se baat nahin huyi.."
Prithvi could not disregard Suryabhan's request-he respected him a lot. Prithvi was disappointed that Kripa would go and deliver the food to Angad, but he was reassured by the fact that Angad could barely get out off bed, so Kripa would be safe.
Kripa walked into Prithvi's house and looked everywhere for Angad. She finally saw him staggering out of the bathroom. She felt sorry for him, as he collapsed on the bed. She sat next to him and said softly, "Angad…thodi khichdi kha lo…pait theek ho jaayega…"
Angad looked up and made a disgusting face, "Khichdi?"
"Haan….ghaas phoos hai….pait ke liye sabsey accha ghareloo ilaaj"
Angad had no choice. He tried to sit up but kept falling over, as he was very dizzy. Kripa held his arm and helped him rest his back to the head of the bed. She brought a plate full of khichdi and gave it to him. He had no energy to even lift the spoon with his hand, "nahin main nahin kha sakta…" he whined like a baby.
Kripa's maternal instincts kicked in, "Angad kaise bacchon ki tarah behave kar rahey ho…khud kha lo warna mujhey zabardasti khilana padhega," she scolded him
Angad kept groaning in discomfort, "main abhi kuch nahin kar sakta"
Kripa tied her dupatta around her waist and sat down next to him. She started feeding him with her hands. Initially Angad was reluctant as he was still nauseous, but as she kept feeding him, he felt a little better and soon had finished the whole plate of khichdi.
Kripa got up and gave him a glass of water, "ab yeh dawai bhi kha lo aur phir so jaayo….morning tak theek ho jaaoge…," she said authoritatively and turned to leave.
Angad, who had regained some energy by now caught her wrist as she was leaving, "aur raat ko tabiyat kharab ho gayi tho?"
Kripa was startled by his sudden grip, she lowered her eyes shyly, "tho khidki se awaaz de dena….," she said softly and ran as fast as she could.
Angad was stunned by her comment and said to himself, "theek se soch lo Kripa…mera bas chala tho raat ko bula bhi loonga…"
Kripa got back home and saw Prithvi was taking leave.
"OH Kripa wapas aa gayi….bahut der lag gayi…" Prithvi was worried
"Haan…tumhara dost bacchey se koyi kum thode hi hai…..waise tho itna bada show-off bana firta hai, par andar se bilkul baccha hai…," she did not elaborate anymore and went to her room.
"Haan Kripa theek kehti hai…Angad ney kabhi zindagi mein koyi taqleef nahin dekhi na, iss liye wo aise behave kar raha hoga…aadat nahin hai na…accha main chalta hoon maasi.."Prithvi tried to explain Angad's childish behavior.
"Beta kal subah yaad rakhna…Dr Shivmani ke lecture ke sisilay mein humein Ranikhet jaana hai…." Suryabhan reminded Prithvi. Although, it was Sunday the next day, Suryabhan wanted to attend a lecture by the world-renowned scholar and Prithvi was nice enough to volunteer his services.
NEXT DAY:
Prithvi and Suryabhan left by bus early in the morning for Ranikhet. They would be back later that evening.
Prithvi was concerned about Angad, but Gayatri had reassured him that she would look after Angad.
Angad woke up late that morning. He was still weak from the food poisoning last evening. Before he could get up from his bed, he saw Kripa entering with a cup of tea.
"Goodmorning Angad…ab tabiyat kaisi hai?"
Angad smiled and said in his husky voice, "ab bikul theek ho jaayegi…," indicating that Kripa's presence was very welcome that morning.
Kripa just smiled back and said, "lagta hai theek ho gayi hai tabhi tho tum…I..I mean aap waise bolney lage hain…"
Angad came forward and brought his face close to hers, "please TUM hi bolo…AAP se aisa lagta hai main tumhara chacha ya maama hoon.."
Kripa smiled shyly and asked, "naashtey mein kya khaaogey?"
"tum zeher bhi khiladogi tho wo bhi kha loonga" Angad said with a crooked smile
"Angad….tum bhi na….bimaari mein bhi na…" Kripa ran to her house without completing her sentence.
Kripa and Gayatri came back later and spent time with Angad.
For a change, Angad became a little serious when they were sitting around, "aunty ab main samajh gaya Prithvi Mumbai chhod kar Nainital kyon wapas aa gaya hai…"
"Kyon beta?" Gayatri asked
""Jo seva aap logon ne meri ki hai…wo shayad koyi Mumbai mein nahin karta….aunty wahan kisi ke paas itna time hi nahin hai….main ek baar bachpan mein bahut bimaar hua tha…tab mere liye ek nurse rakh lee gayi thi kyonki meri mom hamesha apni social activities mein busy rehti thi aur dad business mein…..kabhi maine socha hi nahin ki ghar waale bhi itna dhyaan de sakte hain…," Angad almost had tears in his eyes. He got up and turned his face away, as he did not want them to see him like that. Kripa felt really sorry for him; she could now understand why Angad was the way he was-he had probably never seen the warmth and love like she had experienced from her parents. As far as she could remember, her parents always stood by her and were there for her.
Gayatri left after a little while, but told Kripa to stay back, 'beti Angad ke paas hi raho jab tak Prithvi nahin aa jaata…main zara ghar ke kaam nibta loon…."
Kripa and Angad stayed at home and for a change just talked, played cards and sat on the patio. Kripa was pleasantly surprised to see that Angad had an in depth knowledge on a lot of subjects-he could talk about anything. He did not even try to hit on her, the way he usually did, when they were alone. Kripa helped clean up his room and cooked a light lunch for him.
Angad just followed her everywhere-he did not want her out of sight. He had forgotten everything about his bet and was enjoying Kripa's company thoroughly.
Kripa was aware of his constant gaze on her; she was sure he was attracted to her, but was surprised that he was really "behaving" himself and not trying to irritate her, tease her or embarrass her with his flirtatious gestures and words.
Song in background, as Angad and Kripa spent the day together, unaware of anyone else. They both wanted the day to last forever.
Beautiful song "dheere dheere" from "Tango Charlie" expresses how they are gradually falling for each other:
http://www.dishant.com/lyrics/song-22100.html
Dheere Dheere se palkein uthana
Dheere Dheere se palkein jhukana
Dheere Dheere se dil ko churana
Dheere Dheere se apna banana
Dheere - 6
yeh jaane kya kar diya
dheere dheere se nazrein milana
dheere dheere se humko rizana
dheere dheere se dil main samana
dheere dheere se apna banana
Dheere - 6
yeh tumne kya kar diya
a a a ah
Roshan hasi chand jaisa yeh chehra
uspe yeh zulfo ke badal
lagta hai tum apni
deewangi se kar doge
humko bhi pagal
chaane lagi hai madhoshiyan
gaane lagi hai khamoshiyan
Dheere - 6
yeh tumne kya kar diya
Dheere Dheere se palkein uthana
Dheere Dheere se palkein jhukana
Dheere Dheere se dil ko churana
Dheere Dheere se apna banana
Kya sochte ho
kya dekhate ho
aaghosh main humko bharlo
yeh pal mohabbat
yahi zindagi hai
hume pyar ji bhar ke karlo
dil tumne manga
humne diya
jaan bhi tumhari hai
le lo piya
yeh tumne kya keh diya
dheer dheere se nazrein milana
dheer dheere se humko rizana
dheer dheere se dil main samana
dheer dheere se apna banana
Dheere - 6
yeh tumne kya kar diya
lala lala lala
lala lala lala….to be continued…
CID
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
37