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PART 21:
Angad put his camera away, as Kartik was getting impatient, "Hey Angad….let's go now….I am starving."
They all decided to go "little Italy' for dinner.
"Angad, why don't you drive?" Kartik handed him the car keys.
Kartik wanted to snuggle with Mishti in the backseat, so Kripa accompanied Angad in the front.
"Little Italy" as the name suggested was heaven for Italian food lovers. Angad's favorite bakery was located there too; he was looking forward to taking Kripa there after dinner.
Angad drove through the crowded Manhattan streets like a maniac as 'Little Italy' was on the south side of the city.
"Angad! Watch out! AHHHH," Kripa kept screaming as he maneuvered the car through the crowded Fifth Avenue.
"Relax Kripa! I am used to this! Take a deep breath…will you?" Angad frowned; he did not like any interference when he was 'in-charge' of anything.
"We could have an accident Angad!" Kripa yelled back.
"Itni darrpok kyon ho tum?" Angad gave her a dirty look.
"Because you are driving like a maniac!" Kripa returned the look.
"Hey…will you guys stop fighting?" Kartik shouted from the back seat.
Mishti was just amused to see her sister and Angad fight like kids.
They passed the hip Greenwich Village and East Village area.
"Hey Kripa…that is the World Trade Center memorial site…..I remember dad had an office here at one time," Angad pointed to the sacred site.
Kripa looked at the memorial, she vividly remembered the ill-fated day like any other New Yorker- she was still in school when she heard about the disaster. Her first thought when she had heard about it was, "I wish I was in that building," but today she was thankful to God, "I am so grateful I was not there…..I would have missed out on meeting my best friend…..thank you God…I am sorry I ever thought like that…..my life is a precious gift from you….I will never want to give it away just because someone else makes me unhappy."
"Kya hua?" Angad asked, as he sensed she was a little emotional.
"No….I just remember the sad day…. dad's friend lost his life in the tragedy," Kripa said sadly
"Oh yeah…Mehta uncle….isn't it?" Mishti added.
"I think everyone knows or knew of someone who died on 9/11," Kartik said and pulled Mishti closer to him as he remembered his own horror from that day.
They finally arrived at a wonderful, homely Italian restaurant and had a hearty meal. Mishti was pleased to see that Kripa ate like a 'normal' person and not like a bird that evening. Biking all day had certainly made her hungry, she thought.
After dinner, Angad insisted on having dessert at his favorite bakery, 'La Bella Ferrara'
"Kripa…you have to try this Tiramisu Napoleon….it is the best in the world!" Angad held the pastry in front of Kripa's mouth. Kripa tasted bites of different desserts presented to her.
"You guys carry on…we will get some coffee," Kartik and Mishti went to a neighborhood coffee shop as Mishti wanted to stay away from the fattening desserts!
"Taste this one now….this is the best fruit tart you will ever get," Angad held the tart in front of Kripa's mouth with his fingers.
Kripa shook her head and held her tummy, "I am done Angad…..I will burst if I eat any more."
"Just one bite….for my sake," Angad had the tart touching her lips. Kripa looked around and saw no familiar faces; she had a mischievous thought- she took the tart from his hand and bit his fingers purposely.
"OUCH!" Angad screamed and then gazed at her mouth full of tart and mischievousness in her eyes.
"Bahut badmaash ho gayi ho!" Angad smiled and turned around to get a napkin; instead he just licked his finger and tasted her 'taste'. Kripa did not notice what he had just done as his back was facing her.
He turned around and came close to her face, "Wasn't it delicious? Mine was!"
Kripa gave him a puzzled look, 'but I did not see you eat one!"
Angad paid the bill and walked out with her, "I tasted it without eating it!"
Kripa was still puzzled, but she had figured one thing about Angad-he sometimes said a lot of mysterious things which went over her head- he was good at 'hiding' stuff; may be with time she would be able to 'read' him better.
They met Mishti and Kartik on the street.
"Lets go to a nightclub guys!" Mishti suggested to Kripa's horror.
"Great idea!" Angad's face lit up, "chalo, I will take you to my favorite one….we can dance and burn some of those pastries….what'ya say Kripa?"
Kripa relented, "as you wish."
They arrived at a hip nightclub in the Greenwich Village area. The club was full, but Angad seemed to know the manager of the club and was able to get them in.
The club was noisy with loud hard rock music blasting from the sound system. Cigarette smoke and alcohol clouded the atmosphere inside.
Kripa held on to Angad's arm; she hated nightclubs.
They managed to get a table for four and ordered their drinks.
Angad noticed Kripa had turned pale as she looked around at a bunch of drunk, rowdy young men.
"Kya hua?" he asked.
Kartik and Mishti had hit the dance floor.
Kripa shook her head, "kuch nahin!"
Kripa got up and headed towards the ladies' room. Angad followed her and saw her standing with her head resting on a nearby wall.
He gently touched her shoulder, "what happened?"
Kripa just shook her head, but was visibly disturbed. She felt light headed and looked pale as a ghost.
Angad held her arm and looked into her eyes, "shall we go?"
Kripa knew that Angad really wanted to spend time at his favorite club; she lied, 'NO…it's OK….you carry on…I will be back from the ladies' room."
Angad knew there was more to Kripa's discomfort; He put his arm around her shoulder, "we are going back….I will let Kartik know."
He took her back to the entrance, 'just wait here."
He came back in a few minutes, "Kartik and Mishti will take a cab…let's go."
Kripa felt very guilty, "I am sorry Angad…..I can take a cab back…why don't you stay and enjoy yourself?"
Angad summoned the valet to bring his car and held Kripa's hand, "I won't be able to enjoy without you…so let's go back and relax…Ok?" They drove back in silence; Kripa still lost in her own world. Angad was worried about her.
Angad walked Kripa up to her apartment, but he could tell something was still bothering her, 'Kripa….you mind if I come in with you?"
"Sure," she said softly. Her hands trembled, as she could not get the key to unlock her door.
Angad took the keys from her and swiftly unlocked the door.
He helped her sit down on the couch, "can I get you some water?"
She shook her head and buried her face in her hands.
Angad shut the door and sat down beside her, "what's the matter Kripa? You can tell me….is it related to some incident in the past? Why did you get so disturbed in the club? Have you never been to one before?"
Kripa started sobbing and leaned her head on his shoulders. Angad placed his arm around her and stroked her hair gently, "bataane se jee halka ho jaayega," he held her hand with his other hand and caressed it with his thumb.
FLASHBACK:
"I was a senior in high school…..we were all about to graduate…..there were a lot of graduation parties at that time….I hated parties and did not attend any……mom was upset about it…..she arranged for me to go with a few of my class mates for one of the parties…..I agreed reluctantly as I wanted mom to be happy……the party was held at a night club famous for its RAVE parties……I had no idea what that meant…..the boys and girls danced energetically and consumed drinks and drugs liberally……some boys even mixed drugs in the fruit punch…..one of them…I still remember his name….Steve…..I thought he was a nice guy….gave me the punch assuring me it was not spiked…..my head started spinning soon after I took a few sips……Steve held my hand and took me to another room to help me relax….then….then….," she started sobbing and could not continue.
PRESENT:
Angad was outraged. He knew what might have happened. Date rapes were a common thing at such parties. He had never been an active participant in something so disgusting, but had been a passive participant by observing and having fun at the expense of some helpless girls. Angad was ashamed of himself at that moment, "Kripa…I hope no one…."
Kripa wiped her tears, "I was lucky…there was an under cover police officer there….he came and rescued me before Steve could violate my space…..but we were all charged for possession of drugs…..my mom was furious…she blamed me for not being careful and getting involved with drugs….it was not my fault…..she said Mishti ne bhi parties attend ki thi…..par wo samajhdaar hai….tumhari tarah nahin…ek party mein jaate hi drugs lene ki koshish kari…..I was devastated that evening….not only had someone tried to disrespect my honor….my mom did not trust or believe me….her recourse was to take me for more counseling sessions….she never cared about what could have happened to me that night…..she just wanted to tell her friends that her problem daughter was once again in counseling….this time in rehab!"
Kripa kept sobbing as she told her story. Angad had tears in his eyes; he wanted to bury himself somewhere- he felt equally guilty with what happened to Kripa- it happened all the time with so many girls, and he felt boys like him were equally responsible for these kind of heinous incidents…..na jaane kitni ladkiyan meri Kripa ki tarah victims banee hongi??
Kripa leaned on his chest and started to doze off. The stress of her painful memories was wearing her out. She fell asleep on his chest as Angad held on to her. He caressed her back and hair gently and tried to comfort her as much as he could.
He finally got up and carried her to her bedroom in his arms. He placed her on her bed and covered her with a blanket. He bent down over her face and thought, "Kripa…I promise….I will never let anything like this happen to you ever again….no one can disrespect you as long as I am with you," his lips kissed the tears off her cheeks. She stirred a little and placed her finger on her face. Angad got up gradually and kissed her hand this time, "Goodnight…..I don't know what is happening to me….but I feel I am a different man after meeting you….you have changed me as much as you have changed yourself……is this what people call love? I am not sure….Good night Kripa."
He left quietly, with a heavy heart once again. "Kaash main raat bhar tumhara haath pakad ke tumhare paas hi baitha rehta…."
…to be contd…
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