Angad joined the rest of the group in the living room. He could still taste the chocolate cake batter flavored with kripa's fragrance.
" Aao…aao beta…" Suryabhan welcomed him to join them.
They all discussed plans for their stay in Khandala.
Mishti also joined them, "Angad…let's go hiking…we can carry a picnic lunch with us….Kripa and Hariram will make sure we have plenty to eat…."
Kanan, who had gotten fond of Kripa since she first met her, came to her defence, " Why don't we all go…Kripa, Nishnat…and you guys….it would be fun…I will go and help Kripa pack for the picnic…." She got up and joined Kripa in the kitchen.
KITCHEN:
"Hello…Kripa…kya banaa rahi ho?" Kanan saw Kripa standing still with her hands in the bowl. Kripa got startled as she was still in a trance after what Angad had just done.
"Oh….aap? Bas thodi cake banaa rahi thi…" Kripa fumbled as if she had just been caught red handed.
"Chalo…let me help you pack…hum sab hiking aur phir picnic karney chaltey hain…the elders will stay back and relax…' Kanan started working like an efficient worker.
'Didi…aap rehney di jiye….main aur Hariram karr lengey…"
"No way Kripa….we will all do it together…warna der ho jaayegi…"
Kripa smiled and finally relaxed. Kripa and kanan had struck a good rapport in just two meetings….something Mishti and Kripa had never managed to do in so many years…..
They carried tea to all the guests in the living room. Kanan announced, "chai peetey hi, we will all leave …..we are ready with the food…"
"sounds good!" said Nishant
Angad looked at Kripa and mischievously licked his finger as if he was still tasting something…Kripa turned red and almost dropped the tray of tea…she turned around and started serving to everyone but ignored Angad, hoping Kanan would reach him first.
Angad got the message……Kripa was probably upset with his flirtatious behavior…he would have to do be a little subtle…
Kripa sat next to Kanan and Nishant with her cup and started chatting with them.
"Kripa…zara phone dekhnaa.." Suryabhan interrupted her as he often asked her to do his chores and run around obeying his commands. He seldom asked Mishti to do such menial jobs as he always considered her time more valuable.
"jee…mausaji main dekhti hoon…." Kripa got up to get the phone.
Angad saw Kripa's cup of tea placed on the side table; he could not resist himself and came and sat next to Nishant and Kanan. He engaged them in a conversation and tactfully exchanged his cup with Kripa's. He sipped the cup where Kripa's lipstick stain was still fresh and savored the taste…..
Kripa came back, 'Oh…sorry…aap ney lagta hai meri chai galti sey…."
Angad acted surprised, "Oh…really…..I am sorry…baton baton mein badal gaya hoga….you can have it back…" he grinned.
"No..thanks….main doosra cup ley loongi" Kripa had a disgusting look on her face. Angad smiled mischievously as Kripa left. Kanan noticed the expression on Angad's face and was surprised; was she imagining or was Angad showing undue interest in Mishti's younger sister???….she smiled to herself as she was not very fond of Mishti herself- she seemed a little snobbish and elitist, whereas Kripa was more down to earth and "normal"
They all went upstairs to change into comfortable hiking gear. Angad knocked at Kripa's bedroom door, "excuse me….main apna bag lene aaya hoon…."
"Haan…please…come in…" Kripa spoke politely although she was still upset about the cake batter episode.
Angad came close to Kripa, "I am sorry about the episode in the kitchen….darr asal…I got a little impusive…bachpan mein meri bua hamesha cake banaate samay mujhey batter taste karney deti thi….mom ney tho aaj tak cooking ki nahi….tho I could not help it…" he had such an innocent and honest look on his face that Kripa's anger melted away instantly, "No problem….aapki shaadi ke baad main aapko batter ki regular supply bhej thi rahoongi…..didi is in the next room…..aap bhi ready ho jaaiye…" she smiled and hinted him to leave her room.
As he left, Kripa shut her door and thought, "OH God….please give me the courage to face him….why do I become so weak when he is near me….HE IS GOING TO BE MY SISTER'S HUSBAND….SISTER'S HUSBAND! She had to keep reminding herself again and again…..
To be continued…
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