Ok no more surprises...here u go :hug:
PART 25:
SATURDAY EVENING:
Angad and Kripa drove to Long Island in Angad's pick up truck.
Kripa wore a beautiful navy blue dress with matching accessories. Angad was casually dressed in a black shirt and jeans.
"Kripa…..so why is your mom having a party? Koi khaas wajah? Birthday? Anniversary?" Angad asked as they drove.
"Nahin…koi khaas wajah nahin…I think she is really missing her daughters for a change," Kripa smiled
Angad was not satisfied with that answer; despite the brief interaction he had had with her, he understood women like Naina very well- zaroor koi hidden agenda hai!
The party was held in the beautiful backyard of the Sharma mansion. Kripa was not surprised to see quite a gathering around the pool- Naina had always thrown lavish parties. Growing up, Kripa stayed away from most of these events, but today she wanted to be a part of her the party, and above all, her family!
"Aao beti….aao..aao," Naina greeted Kripa with a warmer than usual hug. Kripa kissed her mom's cheek, "so nice to see you mom!" she gave her mom a tight hug, "I missed you mom!"
Angad noticed the discomfort on Naina's face, as she was not used to such warm interactions with her younger daughter.
"Hello Angad…please come," Naina pulled away and welcomed Kripa's friend, "Oh I am glad you brought your camera!"
Angad knew there was something cooking inside that evil mind!
Dilip came out with open arms and hugged his beloved daughter, "kitni pyaari lag rahi hai meri princess!" He commented on Kripa's new look, "I love that hair style….you look smashing!"
Naina intervened, "aakhir beti kiski hai? Iska rang-roop bilkul mujh par hi tho gaya hai…..bas ab nikhar kar aa raha hai….waise Mishti se kuch make-up tips le liya karo!"
Angad fumed at that comment, "Naina AUNTY! Kripa is one of those girls who doesn't need to accessorize or hide herself behind make-up…..she is a NATURAL!"
Kripa blushed at that comment; Naina just fumbled, 'of course…of course….that is what everyone says about me too!"
Dilip tried to distract Angad, "Hello beta! How are you? Kaam kaisa chal raha hai?"
Angad shook Dilip's hand, "thanks uncle….work is busy but fun!"
"I am glad you enjoy what you do….one should always do what they enjoy the most!" Dilip squeezed Angad's hands with a warm handshake.
Mishi and Kartik arrived soon afterwards. Her mother greeted Mishti with open arms, "You must be Kartik!" she looked at her daughter's date from head to toe. She was happy with what she saw- he was decent looking with a decent package- suitable to show off to her socialite friends tonight!
Kripa was approached by some of Naina's friends, "wow Kripa…you look so different……kitni pyaari ho gayi hai…..kaun se beauty parlor jaati ho?…..Kaun se beauty products use karti ho?"
Kripa politely acknowledged all the compliments and just smiled. "Aunty…aisi koi khaas beauty tips nahin hain….just exercise, eating right and above all, happiness!" she glanced at Angad as she said the last part.
Naina had cornered Angad, "Angad….can you take some photographs for our party tonight?….actually it is a surprise…Kripa ko mat bataana…..hum aaj uski engagement announce kar rahe hain!"
Angad was as if hit by a boulder; he became pale as a ghost and felt that the world had come to a standstill!
"Anuty…aap ne Kripa se poonch liya?" he finally had the courage to ask Naina
"Nahin…poonchne ki kya baat hai? Main uski maa hoon, Prithvi se achha usey koi ladka nahin mil sakta…wo dekho…Prithvi aur uski mom aa rahe hain….jao unki gate par hi photo le lo!" Naina ordered her 'camera man'
Angad was heart broken, but did what he was asked to do. He clicked a few photographs of Prithvi and his mother being welcomed by Naina. He overheard their conversations as he clicked away.
"Maine Prithvi se Kripa ki itni taareef suni hai….kahan hai wo?" Prithvi's mom asked
"Aao Damini…..main milwaati hoon," Naina dragged Damini with her.
Angad waved "HI" to Prithvi and followed them quietly.
"Kripa….inse milo…yeh hain Damini Bose, Prithvi ki mom," Naina introduced Damini to Kripa.
"Hello aunty!" Kripa said politely, "Hi Prithvi…I didn't know your mom was visiting from India."
Prithvi said shyly, "Mummy ek khaas wajah se aayi hain."
"Oh really?" Kripa did not make much of it, and excused herself as Dilip was calling her to meet some of his friends.
Damini admired Kripa's looks and whispered to Prithvi, "dekhne mein tho achhi hai….aur tu keh raha tha ki bahut seedhi saadhi hai…haina? Kyunki America mein pali ladkiyon ka koi bharosa nahin hota…"
"Mummy…aisi koi baat nahin hai…..wo bahut hi achhi aur simple hai….aaj tak na date par gayi hai aur na hi koi boyfriend hai uska!" Prithvi said confidently.
Angad, who was busy erasing the pictures he had just taken, overheard Damini and Prithvi's private conversation. He had a mischievous look on his face; he knew what he had to do to save his friend from Dr Chipkoo and her potentially evil saasu-maa!
"Hey Angad! Come her bud…I need to talk to you!" Kartik summoned Angad.
"Kya hai? What is so important right now?….You know Naina auntie wants me to take pictures!" Angad said irritably.
Kartik pulled Angad to the side, "when will you ever respect your elder brother? Anyways…to cut it short….Carl called me today…..there is a proposal by the Indian government for our company….they want to make a glossy brochure to market India and Indians to the American people…..it is a pretty hefty contract…..Carl wants you to go to India for 3 weeks and work on this project…..he feels you would be the best person to portray India attractively….bataa tu jaayega? I need to tell him by tonight!"
Angad's face lit up, "Of course main jaaonga! Kab jaana hai?"
"Good….in a week or so….aur wahan ek modeling agency ka contact # bhi hai…you will probably need to contact them," Kartik gave him a card.
"Iski zaroorat nahin hai…..you know Kartik, I like to choose my own models….and trust me, you will not be disappointed with my choice," Angad returned the card back to Kartik.
"Whatever!" Kartik said, "Ok…now go and take pictures."
Angad walked up to Kripa, who was busy conversing with Damini at that point.
"Perfect!" Angad said to himself and put his arm around Kripa, "Hi hun!"
Kripa was startled and looked at Angad quizzically, "Hi Angad!"
Damini cringed when she saw Angad standing with his arm around Kripa.
"Aunty…mujhey abhi abhi khush khabri mili ki meri sabse achhi dost aapki bahu ban ne waali hai," Angad smiled and looked at Kripa's mortified expression.
"Haan….Prithvi ko Kripa bahut pasand hai na!" Damini quipped.
Kripa was in a state of shock, "yeh aap log kya keh rahe hain?"
Angad just squeezed her shoulders and looked into her eyes, "Kripa darling….aakhir kab tak bhatak thi rahogi….ek na ek din tho settle hona hi hai na?"
Kripa glared at Angad, "settle? I am sorry…I don't want to settle right now," she tried to shrug Angad's arm from her shoulders.
Damini was happy to see that Kripa had pulled away from Angad's grip.
"Lagta hai tum dono ache dost ho?" Damini said
"Haan auntie….hum sab kuch ek saath karte hain…bas abhi tak saath shower nahin liya!" Angad said naughtily, "khaana, exercise karna, sona, jaagna sab saath karte hain….we are really good friends!"
Kripa was red with anger; she gave Angad dirty looks.
Angad placed his arm around Kripa again and whispered into her ear, "play along with me…will you? Isme tumhara hi bhala hai." Angad licked his lips as he pulled away from her ear.
Kripa looked into Angad's eyes and understood what he was trying to do. Damini was horrified, as she thought Angad had just kissed Kripa's ear.
"Uh…Uh….main abhi aati hoon," Damini fumbled
"Auntie….kahan jaa rahi hain? Mujhey aapko apni dost ke baare mein kuch baatein bataani hain….she hates cooking and cleaning the house….Prithvi tho sab kar lega na?"
Damini was turning red with anger and was searching for Prithvi, "haan…haan….aaj kal tho sab kaam ladka aur ladki dono ko hi karne padhte hain."
Kripa was trying her best to stifle her giggles.
"Auntie…ek aur baat…Kripa ko raat bhar bahut darr lagta hai….ab Prithvi ko apni night duty chodni padhegi…kyunki Kripa ko aadat hai kisi se hamesha chipak ke sone ki," Angad said seriously, "aar raat ko snore bhi karti hai!" "But don't worry Kripa, jab Prithvi night duty par hoga na, mujhey bula lena….waise bhi tumhey meri aadat hai."
Kripa stomped Angad's foot and whispered, "now don't get carried away!"
"OUCH! Auntie dekha…yeh maar bhi sakti hai….aur kaat thi bhi hai! But I have always enjoyed her little abuses on me!" Angad wrinked his nose as Damini bolted from there.
Angad and Kripa could not help laughing heartily.
They saw a very angry Damini scolding Prithvi in Bengali. Naina was trying to pacify Damini, but Damini pulled her son's hand and walked out the gate.
"Angad…you are too much! Bechari aunty, kya impression le kar jaayengi yahan se?"
"So, did you want to paint a favorable impression on your saasu maa?" Anagd teased her.
Kripa hit him playfully, "saasu maa hongi tumhari! And have you ever heard me snore…you rascal?"
Angad just ducked and said, "Yes, I heard you snore in the Hamptons."
"What were you doing in my bedroom?" Kripa asked playfully
"I had lost my way one night….and accidentally entered your bedroom….promise….nothing more…," Angad held his ears with his fingers as if apologizing.
Kripa just blushed and thought, "kaash wo sab baatein jo tumney Damini aunty ko kahi thi sach hoti."
An outraged Naina charged towards Kripa, "what did you say to Damini?"
Kripa was frightened, as she knew that angry look on Naina usually meant disaster for Kripa.
Angad came to her rescue, "aunty…..Kripa does not want to marry Prithvi….she just spoke the truth to Damini aunty! I think you were wrong in forcing Kripa to marry someone she does not love!"
"I know what is best for my daughter! Who are you to tell me what is right and what is wrong?" Naina fumed at Angad.
Angad put a protective arm around Kripa, "I am her friend and well-wisher…..I will not let any one force her into doing something she does not want to!"
"Get out Angad!" Naina yelled
Dilip and Mishti heard the commotion in the corner and ran towards the three of them.
"Naina….don't make a scene…abhi guests yahin hai," Dilip tried to pacify Naina.
"Tumhey pata hai kya kiya in dono ne? Ghar baithe itna achha rishta aaya tha tumhari laadli beti ke liye….unhey naaraaz karke bhagaa diya," Naina fumed.
"Naina…maine kaha tha pehle Kripa ki marzi jaan leni chaahiye thi…after all she is an adult now and should have the right to marry a person of her choice," Dilip defended his daughter.
Kripa stood quietly with tears in her eyes; she finally spoke, "Dad is right mom….please don't force me to marry Prithvi."
Naina smirked, "baithi rehna kunwaari….itna achha ladka phir nahin milega!"
"Milega! I will find a suitable boy for Kripa….she will have a number of men waiting in line to get married to her…..I promise auntie, I will make sure Kripa marries the person SHE LOVES!" Angad reassured Naina and Dilip.
Dilip nodded his head and patted Angad's back, "I know Angad…you are Kripa's true friend….we can all count on you."
Angad nodded back with a smile.
Mishti added, 'mom…please chill out….Prithvi se zyaada acche ladke bhi hain iss duniya mein," she gave a smile to Angad, hoping he would catch her hint.
Kripa looked at Angad with soulful eyes, "Angad, I hope you can keep your promise…..I have only loved and will always love only one man in my life….please don't break your promise!"
Naina gave everyone a dirty look and went to join her friends, 'slight change of plans dears…..engagement postpone kar di hai…ladka doctor hai na…koi emergency aa gayi thi."
Prithi sobbed loudly as he drove back with his mom, 'Mummy….Kripa bahut achhi ladki hai…please aapko galat fehmi huyi hai….I love her mummy."
"CHUP ho jao! Banarjee sahib ki ladki Sheetal ne Kharagpur se graduate kar liya hai…..ab wo hi teri bahu banegi!" Damini yelled
Prithvi just howled all the way back to the city…..
To be contd…
Anupamaa
Indian Idol 15
140