Kripa and Angad came out of bathroom and noticed Sur in Devyani's room. Angad smiled and commented "she is much matured for her age." Kripa shook her head "may be the circumstances she had gone through made her like that. She was the only strength for me that time." Angad kissed her temples "I will provide her comfortable life, I promise. She deserves it." She smiled and kissed back his lips as thanking him.
Kripa was helping Naina in the dining room. She noticed Naina was upset with something "Mom! Are you alright? You look tired, I will manage here, take rest." Naina gave sharp looks and kept silent. Kripa wondered "was she upset with me? Meiney aisa kya kardi thi?" She started recollecting the past few days which might have led for Naina's upsetting mood.
Everyone was having dinner. Sur was non-stop updating her school routine. "Dada! Do you know I can speak good Hindi now? My teacher asked me to play a role in Hindi play for this annual day." Dilip laughed "really? You were great even before. You are quite matured and understanding like your Anittah bua." Sur's face lit for comparing her with Anittah "such? I will tell this to bua. She will be happy too." Dadi laughed and caressed her head. "I like to have dadi's traits too. I love her" she blushed after noticing Naina staring at her. Naina smiled by force and kept silent. Devyani and Kripa noticed Naina's disinterest of the conversation. Both wondered in their minds separately. Dilip also noticed Naina's reserved mood and tried to cheer her up but she had silently finished her dinner. Angad was busy with his customers' calls throughout the dinner and didn't participate in the conversation.
Next morning after lunch, Kripa was relaxing on the bed reading a magazine. Her mobile rang and she rolled side to pick up the phone which was on the side table. She was shocked to hear Prithvi's voice on other side. She sat with startle "Prithvi?" Before she said something he spoke again "Aren't you surprised to hear me? I just called to invite you for Aaliyah's baby shower this Saturday and Harshini's on Sunday. Mom toh Naina aunty ko bulayi thi. Mein bhi chahta hoon tum bhi aaye. I want we should develop contacts again. Purani baton ko bhulkar hum naya relation shuru karengey." Kripa was shocked for his invitation and sudden interest in keeping relations intact.
She was still under shock thinking about pros and cons of the new development and Naina entered into her room. Naina was hesitating to continue the conversation and Kripa got down of bed and tried to ease her. "Mom! Kya huva tha? Any problem in the club? Mujh sey koyi galati huvi thi? Can you please share your tension?"She seated her on the bed though she was having fears about Damini's invitation as per Prithvi's information.
Naina looked straight into her eyes "did you meet Prithvi and his family in the shop yesterday? Tujhey pata hai wo donon pregnant hai? Un donon ke shadi hokar chey mahina bhi nahin huyi." Kripa smiled "haan mom! I met them. I'm happy for them. Atlast Aaliyah settled and Prithvi too."
Naina gave a dirty look at her "Haan, Aaliyah married in a rich Mittal family. Tum aur Angad ney wait karney ki soch rahey hai?" Kripa shocked for her unexpected enquiry "mom! Nahin aisi koyi baat nahin hai." Naina turned her face "Tum toh pehley maa banchukey they. Kya Angad main kuch problem?" she paused as her throat choked. Kripa surprisingly looked at her "Mom! We didn't take this matter in serious. Waisey humarey shadi hokar chey mahina hi huva tha."
"Tum ek saal ke andar hi maa bangayi thi. Sur such much Angad ki beti hai?" Naina looked sharply at her which made Kripa more confusing.
"Yeh aap kya kehrahey hai?" Kripa's head was spinning with the sudden attack. "Mom ko kya huva tha? Yeh kya kehrahi hai? Prithvi sey milna aur aaj ka enquiry yeh sab kya hai. Yeh kaisa sawal pooch rahi hai? Did Damini aunty say something? Why is all this happening again? Is Prithvi trying to harm me again?"
Devyani who was coming to talk to Kripa was overheard and warned Naina "yeh kaisi sawal pooch rahi hai, Naina? Sur per phir sey shaq kar rahi hai? What is happening to you? Kisney kya kaha tha tumsey? What's all this nonsense again? Please, for God sake, yeh shaq yahin khatam karo. Agar Angad sunliya toh bahut gadbad hojaayegi. This is ridiculous. Stop this here aur tum apni kamerey mein jao.." She turned to startled Kripa "Kripa! Yeh sab bhul jaao, aur Angad ko koyi shaq na honey do. Naina ki baton ko dhyan mat do." Kripa tried to stop tears till Devyani and Naina left the room and cried her heart out of the shock.
Kripa fell into sleep till Sur's return from school after shredding her tears out. Devyani tried several times to wake her up but changed her mind. Angad surprised to see Kripa's swollen eyes. He tried couple of times to get the information but Kripa changed the topic.
As per routine, after dinner Angad was playing with Sur in Devyani's room. He was surprised as Naina usually comes to play with Sur at that time. After sometime he asked Sur to bring Naina also. Sur hesitatingly looked at Devyani as she noticed the tension between Naina and Kripa. Devyani gestured with her eyes and Sur left to bring Naina.
"Dadi! Yeh ghar mein itna silence kyon hai. Lagta hai kuch tension chal raha hai. What's the matter Dadi?" Devyani sighed in her mind and looked out of her glasses "tension? Mujhey toh kuch nazar nahin aati!" Angad smiled "I know you want to cover up someone. Kyon, matter mujh sey related hai ya Kripa sey?" Devyani wondered whether to appreciate his observance or divert his enquiry. "Bina bataye samajh leta hai tu. Sur toh tum par hi gayi hai. Bina bataye wo bhi sab jaan leti hai. very observant hai."
Angad proudly smiled "haan, wo toh hai and I'm proud for it. Wo Kripa jaisi darpok nahin hai. Waisey baat Kripa per kyon aayi hai? Kya kiya Kripa ney?"
Devyani quizzically looked at him "meiney kab kahan baat Kripa per hai?"
"Toh yeh such hai ki kuch toh baat hai? Batao kya ho raha hai?" Devyani realized she was trapped "tum bhi na, Angad! kuch nahin huva tha. Aur tum hamesha Kripa ko protect karney mein laga rehta hai. Relax, aisa kuch nahin hai." Before Angad could continue the argument, Sur budged into Devyani's lap. Both looked at her for outcome. "Dadi is coming." Devyani lifted her chin "tumhey kuch kaha?" Sur nodded her head sideways.
Naina entered with two small boxes after few minutes. Naina showed some gold ear rings to Devyani "Mamma! Yeh Aaliyah aur Harshini ke liye lekey ayi thi main. Batayiye kaisey laga." Angad quizzically looked at her and she explained "Damini invited me for godh bharai to both her daughter and daughter-in-law." Angad and Devyani exchanged their looks.
"Mom! Aap wahan jaayengey? Aap jaantey haina wo log Kripa ke saat kaisey sulook kiya tha?" Naina moved her eyes and mouth arrogantly "toh? Damini pehley meri friend thi. Aur wo khud mujhsey rista rakhney chah rahi toh ismein harzi kya hai? In fact, Kripa also got invitation from Prithvi, I think." She spilled her anger as she overheard Kripa's mobile conversation. Angad twisted his eyebrows and thought "Kripa toh mujhey batayi nahin. Kya yahin raaz tha uski swollen eyes ki?" He decided to talk to Kripa in this matter. Angad realized something going wrong with Naina and Kripa too and walked out silently. Devyani sighed and gestured Naina to leave the room. Naina left with her gifts.
Kripa was in kitchen helping Teddy in clearing things. Angad approached her and gestured to come into bed room. Kripa finished her work soon and left. Angad received Kripa at the door and closed them behind her. He walked her to the bed and sat at the edge. He kissed her swollen eyes as Kripa gave a glance at him and closed her yes. Angad looked at her taking her chin with his fingers "why did you cry? Prithvi ney kuch kahan? Mom was saying that she got invitation from Damini. What was happening between you both?" Kripa tied her lips and gestured with eyes as if she doesn't know the reason. He silently caressed her cheeks with his knuckles and tried to read her facial expression. She lifted her eyes to him "sojao, Angad! kuch nahin huva tha. I was just tired." He smiled and pulled her close.
He leaned back on head rest and rested his cheek on hers "I don't want you hurt yourself anytime, Kripa! Kuch problem hai toh share karo. Waisey ek baat poochoon?" he continued when she lifted her face to him "tum padhayi kyon continue kar rahey ho? You applied for it right? Pursue it again. Ghar mein bhaitkar tumhey mom ki baatein nahin sun na padegi." Kripa felt something stuck in her throat and circled her hands around him and hid her face in his neck.
Next evening while Angad was returning home he saw Kripa's car in opposite direction at one traffic signal. He tried to call her mobile but couldn't get response.
He surprised and followed her by turning his car to her way. She stopped near a clinic.
Angad surprised and waited outside for her and approached her before she was getting into the car. "Tum? Yahan kya kar raha hai?" Kripa surprised for his sudden meeting. He leaned to the car and folded his hands "I should have asked that question. Yeh doctor ke clinic per kya kar rahi hai? Are you preggy?" he caressed her stomach and Kripa stared into his eyes. And he pinched her cheek "why are you so disturbed, Kripa? Kya horaha hai? Are you trying to hide something from me?" she shook her head by lowering her eyes "kuch nahin, Angad! I was feeling weak so I just came for a check-up." He excitingly pulled her close "I was also asking the samething, Sweety! Why are you feeling weak? Any news?" Kripa lowered her eyes and shook her head sideways. Angad was surprised as she usually blushes for his repeating enquiry about the pregnancy. But today she was different, dull, upset? Mom must have done something, for sure" He thought as lifting her face and tried to read her. She turned her face not to allow him to read her "ghar chaley? Sur aagayi hongi." He nodded his head and headed to his car. Kripa sighed and headed home.
Kripa kept herself busy till bed time. Angad was busy with phone calls from his customers and partners. Sur slept before Kripa came into the room. Angad finished his calls and was waiting for Kripa. He pulled Kripa when she was taking Sur to shift to Devyani's room. He put his head in her lap and pulled her head down on to his face. "Why did you take so long to come into the room? Are you trying to avoid me?"
Kripa smiled and rubbed his nose with hers "tumhey kaisey avoid kar sakti hoon?"Angad proudly smiled and lingered his tongue into her mouth till she responded. He was puzzled for her late response "what did the doctor say?" she circled her hands around him and pulled him closer. She bent and breathed in his neck as he did in her hair. Both stayed still in the tight embrace and he released her. "I put Sur in dadi's room" he whispered in her ear and took Sur to Devyani's room.
On the way back he kissed Devyani's cheek "Goodnight, dadi!" Devyani caressed his back and responded with a smile. He walked to the door and turned to Devyani. She was staring at him and tried to escape his sharp looks. "dadi! Was anything happening without my knowledge in this house? Mom is trying to develop relations with Bose family and Kripa looks so lost. Kya horaha hai?" Devyani sighed and caressed his cheek and asked him to go to bed to cut the topic to escalate further.
By the time Angad entered the room Kripa was refreshing in bathroom. Angad received a call for Kripa from the clinic saying that there was nothing to worry about her health and getting pregnancy. Angad was confused and enquired further and found that Kripa went to check up the reason for delay in her getting pregnant.
Kripa came into the room in her night gown and walked to the dresser to brush her hair. He got up and circled her from behind "tumhey kab sey pregnancy ki jaldi honey lagi?"Kripa startled and turned face to him as swallowing. He kissed her wet lips and groaned "perfect!" she blushed and turned to hide her face into his neck. She prayed in her mind "yeh kusi kabhi door na honey do, Bhagwan! I feel so satisfied in his arms. Let me live happily without any further problems." Angad pulled her closer to tight her in his embrace as if he noticed her state of mind.
"yeh test karwaney ki kya jaroorat padi thi?" he whispered without loosening his embrace. She tried to move her face up but he pressed it in same place "I need an answer. Bataney tak nahin chodunga. Kya horaha hai tum aur mom ke beech? Why mom is interested in Bose family all of sudden? Aur tum yeh udaas chehra kyon laga rakhi hai?" she kept silent but her warm breath on his neck giving some clues to him. "koyi kuch kahey hum donon ko koyi alag nahin kar saktey. Agar Prithvi ney yeh soch kar phir sey humarey jindagi mein aye toh, he is completely wrong. Samjhey?" Kripa shook her head and her silent sobs touching his heart. He moved away and lifted her face. Kripa couldn't control further and spilled her pain out "mom is worried about my pregnancy. Aaliyah, Harshini were pregnant though they were married lately." She paused and Angad was waiting for her to continue.
She looked at him as if she finished and he shook his head "aur bhi kuch problem hai. Pura batao." She hesitated but continued as Angad was still waiting for her to continue. "She asked if Sur is your biological daughter."
Angad twisted his eyebrows and suspiciously looked into her eyes "Sur meri beti nahin hai? Yeh hai mom ki doubt? Hmm, Now I understood the problem. Mom wanted to know the reason for delay in your pregnancy when you had Sur in the first instance!! Doesn't it sound stupid to you? When mom has such doubts she should ask me to go for tests not you. Waisey jab main Sur ko apna liya toh kissi aur ko kya problem hai? And you!! How stupid you are too!! Can't you question her about this? I warned you earlier too not to mind outsiders' words. Didn't I? Do din pareshan sey gujiri thi, how stupid you are, my janoo!!" he hugged her and caressed her back. Kripa sobbed till her tears dried completely.
Her tension, pain relieved soon in his pampering. She tasted a new love in Angad's passion that night. Angad decided to settle his scores once again with Naina next morning.
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